Coca-Cola Ham: A classic ham in coke recipe, with a glistening Coca-Cola ham glaze. Coca-Cola Baked Ham is a very southern preparation born in the heart of Georgia. 

Coca-Cola Baked Ham Recipe overhead shot.

Why We Love This Coca Cola Baked Ham Recipe

The idea of ham cooked in Coke may seem foreign to you. Yet if you live in the South, it’s a beloved way to prepare a baked ham.

Today I hope to convince you to pop open a can of cola before your next ham hits the oven rack!

We put Coke in cakes, brownies, puddings, and sauces. We use it to glaze ribs and flavor meatballs.

Yet my favorite Coca-Cola recipe is classic Coca-Cola Baked Ham.

Ham cooked in Coke creates a savory-sweet ham glaze that caramelizes the edges of a spiral-cut ham, yet keeps the slices moist and tender!

Overhead shot of ham baked in a cola glaze in foil.

Coca-Cola Ham Recipe Ingredients

You can use just a ham and a can of Coca-Cola to make Baked Ham In Coke, or you can add all sorts of ingredients to doctor it up.

I like to dress my Coca-Cola Ham with 5 simple ingredients:

  • Coca-Cola – The base of the ham glaze
  • Light brown sugar – To intensify the sweetness of the glaze.
  • Dijon mustard – To offer savory balance to the glaze.
  • Cornstarch – To slightly thicken the glaze as it bakes.
  • Cayenne pepper – For just a hint of spice!
Spiral cut ham on a baking sheet before being baked.

How To Make Coca-Cola Ham

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet or large roasting pan with aluminum foil. Place the ham in the pan.

In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, cornstarch, and cayenne pepper.

Hand holding a small bowl with brown sugar and spices over the unbaked ham.

Rub the brown sugar mixture over the ham and down in between the slices.

Pour the cola over the ham. Cover the ham loosely with foil. Bake for 1 hour.

Hand pouring a can of coke over the ham before baking it.

Take the ham out of the oven. Remove the foil. Spoon or brush the pan juices up over the ham. Place ham back in the oven and bake for another 30 minutes, uncovered.

Brush the ham with glaze a second time. Bake another 30 minutes, uncovered.

When ready to serve, brush the glaze over the ham one last time and enjoy!

Get the Full (Printable) Coca-Cola Ham Recipe + Video Below!

Using a spoon to spread the glaze over the top of the baked ham.

Serving Suggestions

Baked Ham with Coca-Cola Glaze is a wonderful centerpiece for your holiday table. You can serve this ham on Christmas, Easter, or Thanksgiving, or whenever you have a large gathering and need to feed a crowd! Cola-glazed ham should be served with all of your favorite Southern holiday sides. Try some of my own personal favorites:

Then use your fabulous leftovers to create the best ham sandwiches you’ve ever eaten!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would you cook ham in Coca-Cola?

Some of you are probably thinking, why would I cook a ham in soda? It may seem odd, but it adds the perfect amount of sweetness and caramelization to the ham while still keeping it moist!

Can I use Diet Coke when making cola-baked ham?

I don’t recommend using Diet Coke in this Coca-Cola baked ham recipe. You need the sugar that is present in regular Coke to really caramelize the ham and add lots of flavor!

What kind of ham is best to bake?

You can use any variety of ham for Coca-Cola Baked Ham. You can use bone-in ham, boneless ham, spiral-cut ham, or smoked whole ham. I prefer using a spiral-cut ham so I can put the spices in between each slice! It is nice to have a bone-in ham, so that you can use the leftover bone in ham and bean soup once the ham is gone.

How should I store leftover baked ham?

To store leftover ham, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days! Reheat it or use it cold on sandwiches and in soups!

Looking for More Amazing Holiday Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:

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Coca-Cola Ham Recipe + Video

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Coca-Cola Baked Ham: A classic ham in coke recipe, with a glistening Coca-cola ham glaze. Coca-Cola Ham is a very southern preparation born in the heart of Georgia. 
Servings: 16

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet (or roasting pan) with foil. Place the ham in the pan.
  • In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, cornstarch, and cayenne pepper.
  • Rub the brown sugar mixture over the ham and down between the slices.
  • Pour the cola over the ham. Cover the ham loosely with foil. Bake for 1 hour.
  • Take the ham out of the oven. Remove the foil. Spoon or brush the pan juices up over the ham. Place it back in the oven and bake another 30 minutes, uncovered.
  • Brush the ham with glaze a second time. Bake another 30 minutes, uncovered.
  • When ready to serve, brush the glaze over the ham one last time.

Video

Notes

To store any leftover ham, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days! Reheat it or use it in sandwiches and soups!

Nutrition

Serving: 6ounces, Calories: 444kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 45g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 147mg, Sodium: 184mg, Potassium: 745mg, Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 10g, Calcium: 37mg, Iron: 5.2mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: Sommer Collier
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