Holiday Dinner Recipe - Coca-Cola glazed holiday ham in crockpot

This Brown Sugar Coca Cola Ham in crockpot is spiral-cut, easy slow-cooked ham, - perfect holiday centerpiece, best Christmas dinner recipe ever, elevated by a thick, intensely caramelized brown sugar and Coca-Cola glaze. The method entails simply rubbing the ham with a generous amount of brown sugar, placing it in a crockpot, and slow-braising in Coca-Cola, letting the acidity and sweetness of the soda tenderize the meat to create a rich, deep brown crust. It yields a savory-sweet and extremely juicy ham with deeply caramelized, thin, crispy edges that is just perfect and stress-free for any holiday dinner.

There's something truly magical about the holidays, isn't there? The twinkling lights, cozy gatherings, and of course, the incredible food that brings everyone to the table.

For me, the star of our holiday dinner more often than not revolves around a perfectly glazed ham. And if you're searching for a showstopper that tastes divine, yet without chaining you to the kitchen, then without a doubt, give my Coca-Cola Glazed Holiday Ham in a Crockpot a try!

You can also try this

The Ultimate Stress-Free Holiday Feast: My Coca-Cola Glazed Ham in a Crockpot

Well, this is not just any ham recipe-it's a revelation. Juicy, tender, spiral-sliced ham, permeated with that subtle sweetness and the familiar tang of Coca-Cola, caramelized to a deep, glistening brown, and steeped in the warm spice of cloves.

Each slice boasts a perfect balance of savory and sweet, with those slightly crispy, caramelised edges that are just irresistible. The ham is incredibly moist, practically melting in your mouth, and the glaze forms a beautiful, rich coating that elevates every bite.

Inspired from Nigella's Ham in Coca Cola

My approach to this spiral-cut, caramelized ham is a loving nod to the legendary recipe pioneered by Nigella Lawson, whose "Ham in Coca-Cola" instantly became a modern holiday classic.

While I’ve adapted her brilliant concept for the ease of a crockpot and a specific brown sugar glaze, the secret to the ham’s incredible succulence remains the slow braise in the dark soda.

It's a dish that initially raises eyebrows, which is why I've always loved how Nigella put it: "Only those who have never tried this raise an eyebrow at the idea."

The Coke's acidity and flavor compounds don't just sweeten the meat; they penetrate it, achieving a flavor and tenderness that’s unmatched.

It's a recipe that guarantees success, earning its reputation as one you simply must repeat, because, as she aptly observed, "No one who cooks it, cooks it just once: it always earns a place in every repertoire."

It’s a nostalgic flavor that feels both comforting and celebratory, making it the quintessential centerpiece for your Christmas dinner.

What makes this recipe truly perfect for the bustling holiday season is its sheer ease.

Let's be honest, Christmas dinner can indeed be a marathon of cooking, baking, and juggling dishes from Holiday Appetizers to Christmas desserts to Christmas cookies

The beauty of this Coca-Cola glazed ham is that your trusty crockpot does all the heavy lifting, so you can just set it and, pretty much, forget it. Free yourself to enjoy your guests, wrap last-minute gifts, or just sit back and relax with a cup of hot cocoa.

There’s no continuous basting, no worries about oven space, and no stress. You will get perfectly cooked and wonderfully glazed ham with just a bit of effort, a lifesaver to make your cooking in the holiday period easier and even much more pleasant.

It's a game-changer for anyone who wants to serve up a show-stopping meal with none of the typical holiday kitchen chaos.

The Essential Ingredients: Why They Work and What to Do If You're Missing Something

The ingredients for this amazing ham are few and far from obscure. You probably have most of them in your pantry right now! Here's what you'll need and a little insight into why each component is crucial:

• Bone-in Spiral-Sliced Ham (6-8 lbs): I always choose bone-in because the bone imparts so much flavor to the ham and the cooking liquid. Spiral-slicing is a big time-saver because it allows the glaze to seep into every crevice, ensuring maximum flavor saturation, and making serving super easy.

Why: The ham is the canvas! Bone-in adds depth, spiral-sliced ensures flavor penetration and easy carving.

You can replace this with a boneless, spiral-sliced ham, but it may have a very slightly shorter cooking time and will lack just a smidge of that added depth of flavor that the bone provides. Adjust cooking time accordingly.

• Dark Brown Sugar (1 cup): This is the backbone of our sweet and sticky glaze. Dark brown sugar has a richer, more molasses-like flavor than light brown sugar, which thus contributes to that deep, caramelized hue and taste.

Why: Provides sweetness, and helps create that beautiful caramelization. The molasses in dark brown sugar adds complexity.

Replacement: Light brown sugar will work in a pinch, but you might lose some of the depth of flavor. White granulated sugar could be used, but it won't yield as rich or caramelized a glaze.

• Coca-Cola-one 12-oz can, plus more if needed: Ah, the secret ingredient! Coca-Cola may seem rather unusual, but its special combination of sweetness, fizz, and a spice that is subtle yet complete with undertones of vanilla and citrus tenderizes this ham beautifully, while creating an incredibly flavorful and complex glaze. Its acidity cuts through the richness in the ham.

Why: Tenderizes the ham, adds unique sweetness and tang, and forms the base of our savory-sweet cooking liquid.

Replacement: If you absolutely can't use Coca-Cola, Dr. Pepper or some other dark soda might work in its place, but it will alter the flavor profile. A mix of apple juice and a splash of vinegar might also work for tenderizing and adding acidity, but you'd miss the signature "cola" flavor.

• Whole Cloves (about 1/4 cup): These little bundles of flavor are just what you need. Pushing whole cloves into the ham not only imparts a warm, aromatic spice but also creates a beautiful visual pattern.

Why: Classic holiday spice and aroma pairs with ham and the sweet glaze perfectly.

Replacement: Ground cloves can be substituted but will not offer the same appearance or gradual release of flavors. If using ground cloves, sprinkle sparingly.

• Dijon Mustard (2 tablespoons): Do not omit! The Dijon provides a critical tangy counterpoint to the sugar and soda. It balances out the flavors so that the glaze is not overly cloying in sweetness.

Why: Balances sweetness with a sharp, tangy kick.

Replacement: Yellow mustard would be all right, but the more complex flavor of Dijon is preferred. A tiny bit of mustard powder combined with water might also be used.

• Apple Cider Vinegar (1 tablespoon): A little extra acidity goes a long way. This enhances the brightness of the glaze and further tenderizes the ham.

Why: Adds brightness and helps tenderize. Instead, one could use white vinegar or even a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

• Optional Garnish: Fresh Rosemary Sprigs, Orange Zest, Fresh Cranberries: These are just for show and a pop of fresh fragrance. I like that a few sprigs of rosemary or bright cranberries make the ham even more striking.

Why: Provides attractive appearance with fresh fragrance.

Replacement: Whatever fresh herbs or citrus you have around that look festive!

How to Make Your Crockpot Coca-Cola Glazed Ham: A Step-by-Step Guide

This is where the magic and ease truly happen. Just follow these steps, and you'll have a holiday ham that will be remembered.

• Prepare Your Ham: First, unwrap your spiral-sliced ham. I like to pat it dry with paper towels, as this seems to help the brown sugar stick a bit better.
• Now, unless your ham is already "studded" with cloves (some are that way), take your whole cloves and gently press them into the ham, being sure to do so particularly along the fat cap and between some of the spirals. Just don't overdo it, but be sure they're well-spread for maximum flavor.
• The Brown Sugar Rub: In a small bowl, mix your dark brown sugar. Generously rub this all over the ham, pressing it into the spirals and coating every surface. Don't be shy-the more sugar, the better the caramelization!
• Into the Crockpot It Goes: Carefully place the ham into your large slow cooker-crockpot. I usually find that this fits best on its side or slightly angled, based on the size and shape of my ham and crockpot. You want it to fit snug but not so crammed the liquid can't circulate.
• Coca-Cola Concoction: In a separate bowl or large measuring cup, whisk all together: Coca-Cola, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar. This is our glazing liquid.

• Drench and Cook: Pour this delicious Coca-Cola mixture over the ham, ensuring it drips down into the spirals and pools at the bottom of the crockpot.
• You want the ham to be sitting in a good amount of liquid. If it seems a bit dry, you can add another splash of Coca-Cola or even a bit of water or apple juice until there’s about an inch of liquid at the bottom.
• Cooking to Perfection: Place the lid on your crockpot and cook it on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours.
• The time for cooking will depend on how big the ham is and also on the individual heat of your slow cooker.
• You want the temperature of the ham to reach an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).
• The Glazing Ritual (Optional but Recommended!): About 30-45 minutes before the ham is done, I like to open the crockpot and carefully baste the ham with the cooking liquid from the bottom. This helps to further caramelize the outside.
• If you want a really thick glaze, you can carefully remove some of the liquid from the crockpot and reduce it on the stovetop over medium-high heat until it thickens, then spoon it back over the ham.
• Rest and Serve: When the ham reaches your desired temperature, carefully remove it from the crockpot onto a large cutting board.
• Let it rest for at least 15-20 minutes prior to carving. This resting period is required for redistribution of juices to take place, making the ham tender and moist.
• Serve and Enjoy: I like to drizzle any remaining glaze from the crockpot over the carved slices of ham before serving. For that extra bit of festive flair, arrange a few fresh rosemary sprigs, orange zest, or fresh cranberries on top. Slice those gorgeous, caramelized pieces and watch them disappear!

My Top Tips for the Best Coca-Cola Glazed Ham

Don't Overcook: Most hams come pre-cooked, so you're really just warming it through and developing the glaze. Overcooking can dry it out, even in a moist crockpot environment. Use a meat thermometer!

A Snug Fit is Good: Your ham should fit somewhat snugly in the crockpot. This will help to keep it moist and allow the cooking liquid to envelop it better.

Consider a Liner: For super easy cleanup (and who doesn't want that during the holidays?), consider using a slow cooker liner. The caramelized glaze can be a bit sticky.

Baste for Shine: If you're home and able, giving the ham a basting a few times during the last hour of cooking helps develop an even more beautiful, glistening glaze.

Thickening the Glaze: If you want a really thick, syrupy glaze to pour over the carved ham, carefully spoon some of the cooking liquid out of the crockpot during the last hour. Transfer it to a saucepan and simmer it on the stovetop over medium-high heat until it reduces and thickens to your liking.

Prep for Holidays with these

Recipe FAQs: All Your Coca-Cola Glazed Ham Questions Answered 🙂

Can I use diet Coca-Cola?

You can, but I highly recommend against it. The artificial sweeteners in diet soda don't caramelize in the same way as real sugar, and you won't get that rich, sticky glaze or the same depth of flavor. Stick with the real thing for the best results.

Do I need to score the ham?

If you're using a spiral-sliced ham, then in a sense it's already "scored." If you have a whole, unsliced ham, you would typically score the fat cap in a diamond pattern before adding cloves and glazing, but this recipe is designed for the convenience of a spiral-cut ham.

Can I make this ahead of time?

You can absolutely get a jump-start! Brown sugar, Coca-Cola, Dijon, and apple cider vinegar can be mixed together and refrigerated a day in advance. The ham itself is best cooked fresh the day of serving for maximum juiciness and best glaze quality. Leftovers, however, are great!

How do I store leftovers?

Leftover ham can be placed in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. It's delicious cold in sandwiches or warmed up.

What do I do if my ham is bigger/smaller than 6 to 8 lbs?

• Adjust cooking time appropriately.
• A smaller ham will cook faster, a larger one will take longer.
• Always use a meat thermometer to make sure it has reached 140°F (60°C).

FAQs for Making Ham in a Crockpot:

It's super convenient, frees up oven space (which is precious during holidays!), and keeps the ham wonderfully moist and tender from the gentle, consistent heat and moist environment.

Does it need to be fully submerged in liquid?

Not fully, but it should be sitting in a decent amount of liquid (at least an inch or two at the bottom of the crockpot) and you can baste it occasionally. The moist heat of the slow cooker will do most of the work to keep it tender.

Can I put a frozen ham in a crockpot?

No, it is not safe to cook a frozen ham in a slow cooker. The ham would spend too long in the "danger zone" temperature range where bacteria can multiply. Always thaw your ham completely in the refrigerator before cooking.

My ham is way too salty-what do I do?

Some hams are saltier than others. You can try soaking the ham in water for an hour or two (and draining/replacing the water) before beginning the recipe. This can help draw some of the excess salt out.

Also, using a less salty broth instead of just water in the crockpot can help to balance the flavor.

How do I know it's done?

Well, the best way is to use a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the ham, avoiding the bone.

For a pre-cooked ham, you're looking for an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).

What if my crockpot runs too hot/cold?

All slow cookers are different! If yours tends to run hot, check the ham earlier. If it runs cold, it might take a bit longer. Knowing your appliance is key, but a good meat thermometer will always be your best friend.

And there you have it! My absolutely favorite way to prepare a festive, flavorful, and fuss-free holiday ham. This Coca-Cola glazed ham in the crockpot is not just a recipe, but a holiday tradition in the making.

It truly exemplifies how simple techniques can yield the most delicious and memorable results, leaving you more time to savor the joyful moments with your loved ones.

Give it a try this Christmas, and I promise this will be one recipe you go back to year after year!

Here are 50 Best Ham Sides that'll make your holiday Ham even more festive and special for everyone to enjoy with.