Coca Cola and Ham
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!
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!
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. 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. 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!
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:
Southern Potato Salad Broccoli Salad Mac & Cheese Collard Greens Sweet Potato Biscuits Mashed Potatoes Honey Butter Roasted Carrots Tomato Pie Coconut Cream Pie
Then, use your fabulous leftovers to create the best ham sandwiches you’ve ever eaten!
Looking for More Amazing Holiday Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:
Southern Corn Spoon Bread Whole Roasted Chicken Yeast Dinner Rolls Brown Sugar Ham Smoked Spatchcock Turkey
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