Southern Coca-Cola Glazed Ham

They say Southerners can turn anything into a casserole, deep-fry it, or cover it in sugar. And honestly? Guilty as charged. But let’s talk about one of our most brilliant, sugar-coated strokes of genius: Southern Coca-Cola Glazed Ham.

First published November 4, 2023. Last updated February 17, 2025, for more tips, editorial improvements, and better user experience.

Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.

You see, down here, we don’t just drink our Coca-Cola—we cook with it, bake with it, and, if left unsupervised, might even baptize our babies in it. That caramelized glaze? Pure magic. The way it melts into the ham, turning it into a sticky, sweet, salty masterpiece?

That’s Southern engineering at its finest.

So grab a bottle of Coke (the real kind, because Diet Coke has no business near this ham), and prepare to become the family legend. Just don’t be surprised when you catch Uncle Ray sneaking leftovers at midnight like a raccoon in the trash.

🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite

1. Sweet, spicy, and salty all at once—better than that famous ham you’d have to stand in line for.
2. Perfect for Christmas, Easter, or an extra-special Sunday dinner.
3. Basting keeps it juicy and flavorful, and it only takes a few seconds each time.
4. Southern holiday traditions thrive on legendary dishes like this—you’ll be making it for years to come.

🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need

This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

🔪 How to make Coca-Cola Ham Step by Step

This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page. Click on the image to see it full size.

Mix together the brown sugar, mustard, cornstarch, and chipotle with a whisk.

Brush the mixture over the ham, making sure to get in between slices.

Pour the Coca-Cola over the ham.

Bake for one hour, then uncover the ham and baste it with the pan juices every thirty minutes until it's finished.

📖 Make it your own: yummy variations

• Garnishing with pineapple rings or pineapple slices gives this recipe a sweet, tangy bite.
• If you don't love a spicy kick, substitute the spicy brown mustard with your favorite milder Dijon mustard or plain yellow mustard. Or, cut back on the chipotle powder.
• Dr Pepper, root beer, and Pepsi are good alternatives to Coca-Cola in this recipe.

🥫 Leftover love: how to store and reheat Southern Coca-Cola Glazed Ham

Bone-in

I recommend tightly wrapping leftover ham with plastic wrap then aluminum foil. This method will allow you to keep the ham in the fridge for five to seven days.

Off the bone

If you want to slice the leftovers off the ham bone, store the pieces in an airtight container. Refrigerated, they'll keep for about five days or in the freezer for about three months.

Reheat

To reheat leftovers, let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Place bone-in ham face-down in a baking dish and add about a cup of water to the bottom of the pan.

Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake at 325 degrees F until the internal temperature reaches 140°F. You can easily reheat individual slices in the microwave, too.

💭 Insider tips: things to know

1. Check the label! Make sure you’re buying a fully cooked ham.
2. Dark brown sugar gives a deeper flavor, but light brown sugar works, too.
3. Baste like a pro. A turkey baster works best, but a ladle or brush will do the trick.
4. Hot pan alert! Keep potholders close—nothing ruins a good ham like a burned hand.
5. Line your roasting pan with heavy-duty foil to make cleanup a breeze.

👩‍🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs

Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!

🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with ham

You can’t go wrong with Old Fashioned Baked Mac and Cheese for a festive Christmas dinner or other special occasion.

Easy Vienna rolls make any dinner special and you can use leftovers for sandwich rolls.

Go all out and finish the meal off with Spice Cake with Cream Cheese. It's warm and cozy and will give you a cheery holiday feeling—even if you're enjoying the leftovers in January!

Any of these classic Easter side dishes will go with this delicious ham recipe!

🍽️ No waste: creative ways to repurpose Coca Cola glazed ham

One of my favorite parts of Southern baked ham is the leftovers! The possibilities are endless. Whip up ham hash the next morning, make ham sandwiches or ham salad for lunch, and enjoy a gooey ham tetrazzini for dinner.

Here are even more ideas. See? Endless!

• Try making this deviled ham sandwich spread.
• Ham, cheese, and spiced apple sliders are so good for snacks.
• Add chopped ham to potatoes.
• Add to bean soups, like this ham and bean soup or black bean soup.

📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love

📞 Wrapping it up: the last word

There is nothing that screams Happy Holidays louder in the South than a good ham! This Coca Cola glaze is absolutely delish - you'll be obsessed.

Be sure to check out the best Thanksgiving side dishes to serve with this! Most of them will work for Christmas and Easter, too.

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 Recipe

Southern Coca-Cola Glazed Ham

4.50 from 4 votes

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This Southern Coca-Cola Glazed Ham is sweet, sticky, and so downright delicious it'll make your grandma nod in approval. With a caramelized glaze that’s part science, part magic, and all Southern charm, this ham will have folks lining up for seconds—and Uncle Ray sneaking leftovers at midnight.

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American - Southern

Servings:12

Calories:634

Author:Marye Audet-White

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 spiral cut ham, pre-cooked, bone-in
• ▢ 12 ounces Coca-Cola
• ▢ ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• ▢ 3 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
• ▢ 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• ▢ ½ - 1 teaspoon ground chipotle , optional

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350℉.
• Line a large roasting pan with foil.
• Place the ham in the pan.
• Whisk the brown sugar, mustard, cornstarch, and chipotle, if using, in a small bowl.
• Gently rub the brown sugar mixture over the ham and down in between the slices.
• Pour the Coke over the ham.
• Cover the ham loosely with foil and bake for 1 hour.
• Take the ham out of the oven and remove the foil.
• Baste the ham with the pan juices. You can use a spoon, a baster, or a brush.
• Leave uncovered and place back in the oven.
• Cook for 30 more minutes.
• Baste with the glaze and return to the oven for another 30 minutes.
• Baste with the glaze and bake for 10 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Storage

I recommend tightly wrapping leftover ham with plastic wrap then aluminum foil. This method will allow you to keep the ham in the fridge for five to seven days.

You can also put it in an airtight container and freeze for 3 or 4 months.

Tips

• • Spiral sliced ham works best for this recipe.
  • Be sure you don't bring home an uncooked ham by accident.

• • Baste the ham all over using a turkey baster. If you don't have one, a ladle will do the trick, too. A brush is a good last resort.

• • Be careful when basting. It's easy to get distracted and accidentally grab the pan—keep your potholders close because it stays hot!

• • The brown sugar cola glaze gets really sticky, so I like to line the roasting pan with heavy-duty foil. It makes cleanup much easier.

You'll find more helpful tips and variations in the body of the post.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 634kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 71g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 276mg | Sodium: 4414mg | Potassium: 1088mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 27IU | Vitamin C: 88mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.

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Southern Ham with Coca Cola Glaze

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