Brown Sugar & Coke Glazed Ham

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This Brown Sugar and Coke Glazed Ham is packed full of flavor, and containing only 3 ingredients is super simple to prepare and cook too. I like to use a ready cooked spiral ham joint to really help me get ahead.

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Brown Sugar & Coke Glazed Baked Ham

This Brown Sugar and Coke Glazed Baked Ham is perfect for Easter Brunch, Thanksgiving Dinner, Christmas Dinner, or indeed any special occasion.

Coke & Brown Sugar Glazed Ham also makes a great prep ahead weekend lunch or dinner, for those lazy days when you just want to kick back and relax.

It’s also great for potluck meals or dropping off when our PTO feeds the Teachers before Parent/Teacher Conference night, because it’s simple and easy to make, and a few ingredients go a long way!

This is a super Easy Baked Ham Recipe, with only 3 ingredients (4 if you also include some pineapple!). I also use a pre-cooked ham joint, which saves me lots of time in the kitchen.

My kids LOVE this Coca-Cola Glazed Ham recipe. I like that it’s a stress free recipe that you can pull together in minutes, then put it in the oven and leave it alone until it’s time to serve.

Here I show you How to Cook Ham in Coke, it’s packed full of flavor and this is recipe is so simple that you will keep coming back to again and again.

Why cook ham in coke?

Coke adds great flavor to any glaze that you add it to. It has a sweet, almost mollases flavor but with just the right amount of acidity to stop is being too sweet. It works great as a glaze for ham as it also helps to tenderize the meat.

How to glaze a ham with brown sugar and coke:

Brown Sugar & Coke Glazed Ham Save
  • Mix the brown sugar and coke together in a small bowl.
Brown Sugar & Coke Glazed Ham Save
  • Spread over the pre-cooked ham join and place in a baking dish or roaster pan.
  • Cover with aluminum foil.
  • Bake according to package directions (the joint I used said 10-12 minutes per pound)
  • Remove from oven and set it aside to rest on the counter for 30 minutes (giving you plenty time to get on with preparing any side dishes!)

Recipe ingredients & flavor variations:

  • HAM: for ease and speed of cook, I use a Spiral Sliced Pre-Cooked Ham, it cuts right down on cooking time. A whole spiral cut ham works best as the glaze gets right into the ham, coating every slice and imparting really great flavor.
  • BROWN SUGAR: you can use light or dark brown sugar, both work in the glaze and give that great molasses flavor.
  • COKE: I use regular or diet coke but have also made a Cherry Coke Ham Glaze and it’s just as delicious. For sometime a little different try swapping the coke for Dr Pepper which also works a treat too.
  • PINEAPPLE: I sometimes add some pineapple slices or crushed pineapple to the dish, which my kids just love.
  • CHERRIES: try adding some cherries along with the pineapple to intensify those fruity flavors which work so well with ham.
  • MUSTARD: if you love the flavor of mustard try adding some Dijon or whole grain mustard to the glaze too.

Recipe Tips:

  • Use a 9×13-inch baking pan for this ham then cover it with some kitchen foil.
  • However I like to make things easier, and disposable aluminum pans make cooking this ham a breeze and really cuts down on the scrubbing and washing up!
  • Always make time to set the ham aside to rest for 30 minutes. This will allow the joint to absorb all the meaty flavors and glaze, resulting a better tasting and juicier joint of ham.
  • Nothing goes to waste in my kitchen so I save the pan drippings in a mason jar or ice cube tray and freeze them. They are great for adding extra flavor to fried or scrambled eggs.
Brown Sugar & Coke Glazed Ham Save

Can Brown Sugar & Coke Glazed Ham be made ahead?

My brown sugar and coke glazed ham is a great make ahead dish. Once cooked and cooled, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and can be enjoyed both hot or cold.

Leftover ham tastes great in salads and sandwiches for lunch the next day.

Can I freeze Brown Sugar & Coke Glazed Baked Ham?

Any leftover ham can be placed in an airtight container or zip-top bag and placed in the freezer for another day. Just make sure to freeze any leftover glaze too.

Once stored this tasty ham will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, simply remove from the freezer and defrost thoroughly in the refrigerator. Then warm the ham up in the oven, with some of the leftover glaze to keep it moist and stop it from becoming dry.

Serving suggestions:

There is so much flavor in my Coke and Brown Sugar Glazed Baked Ham that I keep the side dishes simple. I like to serve with Crispy Roasted Potatoes, Roasted Green Beans, and Angel Biscuits or try my super easy Sheet Pan Garlic Potatoes & Green Beans.

You can also serve this great tasting ham cold, with some side salads like my Apple & Pear Spring Salad.

Don’t miss the Web Story for this Brown Sugar & Coke Glazed Ham!

Brown Sugar & Coke Glazed Ham Save
Yield: 15

Brown Sugar and Coke Glazed Baked Ham

Brown Sugar & Coke Glazed Ham

This Brown Sugar and Coke Glazed Baked Ham is perfect for Easter Brunch, Thanksgiving Dinner, Christmas Dinner, or any special occasion. It's also great for potluck meals or dropping off when our PTO feeds the Teachers before Parent/Teacher Conference night, because it's simple and easy to make, and goes a long way!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • Spiral Sliced Pre-Cooked Ham
  • 1 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 1/2 cup Coke

Instructions

<ol><li>Mix the brown sugar and coke in a small bowl</li><li>Spread over ham placed in a baking dish or roaster pan.</li><li>Cover with aluminum foil</li><li>Bake according to package directions (mine said 10-12 mins per pound)</li><li>Remove from oven, and let sit on counter for 30 minutes (perfect time to bake side dishes!)</li></ol>

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

15

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 69Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 91mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 0gSugar: 14gProtein: 2g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment below & if you recreate this recipe, be sure to share a photo on Instagram. Tag me @when.is.dinner and hashtag #whenisdinner!

© Karen Puleski
Cuisine: American / Category: Pork

Don’t miss these other delicious Holiday Recipes here at When Is Dinner:


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I am an Austin, TX stay at home, blogging mom of three grown children. Cancer Survivor. I love to cook, bake, read, craft, and spend time with my children.

Friendly & Kind comments welcome. This is a positive environment. Recipe Ratings Appreciated!

76 Comments

  1. I forgot to mention that I cooked it in the crockpot on low for probably 5 to 6 hours and served it for our Christmas Eve meal

  2. This is the best ham I have ever made. It was delicious. I used pineapple slices and added a little clove powder.

  7. Use toothpicks and secure maraschino cherries and pineapple slices to ham when baking..that’s what I plan on doing

  8. This sounds delish! We’ve always used Pepsi on ours but there’s so many ways you can go with this!! Thank you for sharing & it’s the most delish ham I’ve had yet!

  11. This really sounds quite delicious and different. I will try this for my Easter supper~~

  14. I love the cherry coke ham. This looks easy, yummy and a great tomorrow night meal!

  19. The Brown Sugar and Coke Glazed Ham looks so good. I will have to make this, maybe for Easter dinner.

  20. I’m not actually the biggest fan of Coke (we’re Pepsi drinkers at our house), but have found that using a couple of cans of Dr Pepper when I slow cooked pork had the best result! The meat was tender – falling apart without having to even use a fork. It tasted so good just as is I was hesitant to even put bbq sauce on it. I did put on a little, but wanted the Dr. Pepper taste to come through!

  21. I HAD to pin your Brown Sugar and Coke Glazed Ham, the Hashbrown Casserole, and the Sprite Rolls! Here’s the menu for our next Thanksgiving!
    Thank you for sharing!

  23. Sounds delicious! Can i use crockpot instead of the oven? If so, how long should I cook it for?

  25. The Brown Sugar and Coke Glazed Baked Ham recipe looks astounding. I cannot wait to taste your special recipe. I thank you so much for the directions on this delicious treat.

  30. That looks absolutely fabulous! Thanks for sharing! I love finding new ways to cook things!

  32. Very interesting….would never have imagined using coke on ham but I’ll bet it tastes great!

  33. I love this recipe! My son isnt a big fan of ham but when its made like this its his favorite!

  35. I really cannot wait to savour the taste of this delicious mouth watering recipe. The ingredients depict clearly how savouring the dish will be. Cant wait to try it out.

  36. This recipe sounds perfect!! I will definitely use it next time I fix Ham! Thanks for sharing…I pinned the recipe, just yesterday 🙂

  37. Ham is a traditional holiday food in our household and it’s my turn this upcoming year to cook! This is a great looking recipe!! Thanks for sharing!

  38. We are southern..I have relatives that have made their hams this way for decades! A bit sweet but good for a switch up.
    Vickie

  39. The does taste very good. My Dad used to make something like this when I was younger.

  41. I am saving this recipe. My husband always cooks our ham and it is amazing….but I have heard about cooking with a Coke and this sounds like I might be able to ‘outdo” him in the “ham” department with this recipe! LOL

  43. I really don’t like the packets of glaze that usually come with a ham. I much prefer making my own glaze. I haven’t seen this one – I’ll have to try it the next time I make a ham.

  44. I don’t much care for ham, but my family does. I usually get it already made, but this recipe makes it look really good. I am going to have to give it a try as soon as I either get a new range or figure out why the oven stopped working. I am a terrible cook, so it certainly hasn’t been from being used too much. Thanks for sharing your recipe.

  45. Very interesting to use coke in a recipe! I wonder what kind of difference the reader suggestion to try using Dr. Pepper makes. This looks very delish!

  47. This sounds really good. I have used coke and mountain dew in the crockpot on meats and they come out delicious.

  48. Now this is something I can do without any hassle 🙂 I’m all for simple and easy recipes. When you make this for any type buffet or main meal, it’s great because everyone else can bring the side dishes! I also like the foil pans for making dishes that are easy clean up 🙂 Thank you for sharing and posting!

  54. We are looking forward to Christmas ham this year. Looks like an excellent way to prepare ham.

  55. We’re having ham for Christmas dinner this year. will be trying this delicious recipe with sweet potatoes.

  56. I will be making a ham soon and using this recipe.
    Sounds great – thanks for sharing!
    Barbara Montag

  57. Oh boy does that look good…. but I’m so partial to the turkey though. So many great choices! 🙂

  60. Dinner looks delicious. I’ve been debating over a turkey or ham for Christmas Day… thanks to your article, the ham just won.

  61. Honestly, I’ve never baked a ham. I’ve always been intimidated by it. I’m not sure why! Your recipe seems so straightforward that I may try it for Christmas!

  63. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family does, we’ll be having some tomorrow too! Happy Thanksgiving!

  64. Good Evening,
    Came across your recipe and decided to give it try tomorrow. I will let you know how it turns out. Thanks

  65. It’s sooooooo good! I make this for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, but also try to work it in for other special meals throughout the year 🙂

  66. That does sound interesting, I’ll make a note on my recipe card to try that!

  67. I can’t use diet products, because the artificial sweetener causes me problems with my autoimmune disease, that’s why I use coke. I did try it with cherry coke, and it was delicious as well. I made a note on my recipe card to try adding cherries too 🙂 Thanks for the suggestion!

  68. I never thought to try that, but I will the next time I make it. My crew prefers scrambled eggs, but adds all sorts of things to them, so I’ll try this and see how it goes. Thanks for the suggestion!

  69. I tried it with Cherry Coke and it did give a nice hint of cherry flavor. It would work on uncut as well, maybe poke some holes in it, so the flavor can seep in 🙂

  70. Can you use cheerwine (sort of like cherry coke) instead of regular coke? Also, would it work on uncut ham? I did not get a spiral cut.

  71. Trying this today. I always use pineapple juice and brown sugar and I used coke with ketchup for my meatloaf but trying this today. My heart dropped when you said you dumped the drippings though. I always put the drippings in a jar and freeze them or use the in a day or two with fried eggs. Whenever we have fried eggs I put a Tablespoon or two of the drippings in with each egg and my family fights over them. Those who normally don’t like eggs will eat eggs fried in ham juice. YUM!

  72. This is how I cook mine, but I add cherries in syrup and use diet coke because it taste sweeter. I also started cooking mine in an oven bag 2 years ago, and it made it super moist and flavorful.

  73. Looks like a great tasting ham and a great meal! Hope you are staying warm and cozy in this cold weather and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

  74. What a delicious looking recipe – and I love how easy it is! Thank you for sharing your Brown Sugar and Coke Glazed Ham with us at the Hearth and Soul hop.

  75. I do this myself and it’s so good! Sometimes I use Dr. Pepper instead of Coke and it’s really good, too!

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