There’s nothing quite like a centerpiece that steals the show and brings everyone together, and that’s exactly what a Tasty Coke Glazed Spiral Ham does. This gorgeous ham, bathed in a luscious, caramelized glaze made from Coca-Cola and brown sugar, offers a perfect dance of sweet and savory flavors that melts in your mouth. It’s a glorious twist on a holiday classic, effortlessly impressive yet surprisingly simple to make. Whether it’s for Easter, Christmas, or simply a special family feast, this recipe promises a memorable meal with minimal fuss.

Tasty Coke Glazed Spiral Ham Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Getting this dish right starts with a handful of straightforward ingredients, each playing a special role to create that mouthwatering glaze and succulent ham. From the deep sweetness of brown sugar to the effervescent magic of Coke, everything combines beautifully to deliver fantastic flavor and texture.

Spiral-sliced ham (10 lb): Already cooked and sliced, making serving a breeze and allowing the glaze to seep inside.
Coca-Cola (12 oz can): The star ingredient that creates the sweet, sticky caramelized coating on the ham.
Brown sugar (1/2 cup, packed): Adds rich sweetness and helps form that irresistible glaze crust.
Cornstarch (1 tbsp): Used to thicken the glaze for a perfect glossy finish.
Water (2 tbsp): Mixed with cornstarch to create a smooth slurry for thickening the glaze evenly.

How to Make Tasty Coke Glazed Spiral Ham

Step 1: Prepare the Ham for Roasting

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly spraying a large roasting pan to prevent sticking. Place your spiral-sliced ham in the pan, spreading the slices gently to allow maximum glaze penetration. This setup ensures every juicy bite is infused with flavor.

Step 2: Add the Brown Sugar Rub

Next, rub the packed brown sugar all over the surface of the ham, making sure to work it in between the spirals. This simple step is crucial because the brown sugar not only adds sweetness but also helps create that delightful caramelized crust when baked.

Step 3: Pour Coke and Bake

Pour the entire can of Coca-Cola evenly over the ham, letting it trickle between the slices. Cover the ham tightly with foil and bake for 90 minutes, basting generously every 30 minutes with the juice and glaze pooling in the pan. This keeps the ham juicy while letting those bold flavors develop.

Step 4: Caramelize the Ham

When the 90 minutes are up, remove the foil and continue baking the ham uncovered for another 30 minutes. This crucial step caramelizes the glaze beautifully, creating a shiny, sticky coating that looks as good as it tastes.

Step 5: Prepare and Thicken the Glaze

Transfer the ham carefully to a serving platter and pour the pan juices into a saucepan. Bring them to a simmer on the stovetop. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry, then whisk it slowly into the simmering juice. Keep stirring until the glaze thickens to a glossy perfection, about one minute. If it feels too thick, just add a little water to adjust.

Step 6: Glaze and Serve the Ham

Finally, pour the thickened glaze over your warm ham, making sure it coats every slice. Serve immediately and watch your guests dive in – this Tasty Coke Glazed Spiral Ham is always a crowd-pleaser.

How to Serve Tasty Coke Glazed Spiral Ham

Garnishes

Garnishing your Tasty Coke Glazed Spiral Ham is a delightful way to add freshness and color. Bright sprigs of rosemary or thyme not only look beautiful but bring a light herbal contrast to the rich glaze. Fresh pineapple rings placed around the edges create a tropical hint that pairs superbly with the soda’s caramel notes. For an extra pop of color, sprinkle some pomegranate seeds on top just before serving.

Side Dishes

This ham shines best alongside classic sides that balance its sweetness. Creamy mashed potatoes offer comfort and richness while roasted Brussels sprouts or glazed carrots provide savory, slightly bitter accents to brighten the plate. Don’t forget a tart cranberry sauce for some zing and buttery dinner rolls to soak up every last bit of that heavenly glaze.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to wow your guests with presentation? Serve the ham on a large wooden cutting board surrounded by fresh fruit like grapes and sliced apples for a rustic feast vibe. Another idea is to create a buffet-style spread with the ham pre-sliced, letting everyone spoon extra glaze on as they please. For an elegant touch, drizzle some glaze over individual slices on each guest’s plate and garnish with a sprig of fresh herbs.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Your leftover Tasty Coke Glazed Spiral Ham is a treasure that keeps well in the fridge for up to five days. To maintain moisture and flavor, wrap it tightly in foil or store in an airtight container. Slicing off only what you need at a time helps keep the remaining ham juicy and tender.

Freezing

If you want to save some ham for later, freezing is a great option. Slice the ham into portions and pack them into freezer-safe bags or wrap the whole ham tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Frozen ham retains its flavor and texture for up to three months, making it perfect for quick meals, sandwiches, or soups down the road.

Reheating

When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, warming the ham gently in a 325°F oven until heated through works beautifully. For single slices, the microwave is a quick fix. Bonus: the glaze may caramelize further on reheating, adding even more delicious sticky goodness.

FAQs

Can I use a different soda instead of Coca-Cola?

Absolutely! While Coca-Cola is classic for this recipe, other dark sodas like Pepsi, Dr Pepper, or root beer work beautifully. Each adds its own unique flavor twist but still creates that sticky, caramelized glaze.

Is it necessary to use spiral-sliced ham?

Spiral-sliced ham is preferred because it’s already pre-cooked and sliced, allowing the glaze to penetrate easily and making serving a breeze. However, a regular bone-in ham works too—just score the surface in diamond patterns before glazing for similar results.

How do I prevent the glaze from burning?

The key is to wait until the last 30 minutes of baking before uncovering and letting the glaze caramelize. Covering the ham during most of the cooking process helps it stay moist without burning the sugars in the glaze.

Can I prepare the glaze ahead of time?

Yes, you can mix the glaze ingredients ahead of time, but it’s best to thicken the glaze fresh on the stove just before serving. This ensures the perfect consistency and glossy finish.

What should I do if the glaze gets lumpy?

Lumps usually happen if the cornstarch isn’t fully dissolved before adding to the hot juices. Make sure to mix the cornstarch with cold water thoroughly into a smooth slurry and whisk constantly when adding it to the simmering glaze.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about serving up a Tasty Coke Glazed Spiral Ham that feels both festive and effortlessly delicious. It’s one of those recipes that bring smiles to the table and invite stories, laughter, and seconds. If you want a show-stopping dish that’s easy, flavorful, and perfect for any celebration, don’t hesitate to give this recipe a try. Trust me, it’ll quickly become a treasured favorite in your kitchen.

Tasty Coke Glazed Spiral Ham Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 29 reviews

Author: Julian
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
Diet: Halal

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Description

This Tasty Coke Glazed Spiral Ham features a sweet and savory glaze made from Coca-Cola and brown sugar that caramelizes beautifully over a spiral-cut ham. Perfect for holidays or special gatherings, this recipe is easy to prepare with simple ingredients and delivers a delicious, glossy finish that will impress your guests.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Ham:

1 spiral-sliced ham (10 lb, fully cooked, ready to eat)
1 can (12 oz) Coca-Cola
1/2 cup packed brown sugar

For the Glaze Thickener:

1 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp cold water

Instructions

Prepare the Ham for Roasting: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a large roasting pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the spiral-sliced ham into the pan, arranging the slices slightly separated to allow better flavor penetration.
Add the Brown Sugar Rub: Rub the packed brown sugar all over the surface of the ham, working it in between the slices to maximize flavor. This will help create a caramelized glaze as it bakes.
Pour Coke and Bake: Pour the can of Coca-Cola evenly over the ham, letting it seep between the slices. Cover the ham tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 90 minutes. Every 30 minutes, baste the ham generously with the pan juices to keep it moist and help develop a rich glaze.
Caramelize the Ham: After 90 minutes, remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 30 minutes. This step browns and caramelizes the ham, creating a sticky, delicious glaze on top.
Prepare and Thicken the Glaze: Transfer the ham carefully to a serving platter. Pour the pan juices into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Mix cornstarch and water to make a slurry, then slowly whisk it into the simmering glaze until thickened, about 1 minute. Add a touch more water if needed for a shinier glaze.
Glaze and Serve the Ham: Pour the thickened glaze evenly over the warm ham, ensuring it coats every slice. Serve immediately and enjoy the flavorful, caramelized ham.

Notes

Use a fully cooked spiral-cut ham marked ‘ready to eat’ for best results.
To avoid burning the glaze, apply it only in the last 30 minutes of baking.
Cover ham tightly with foil during the initial bake to prevent drying out.
Make sure the cornstarch is fully dissolved in cold water before adding to avoid lumps in the glaze.
Let the ham rest 10-15 minutes after baking to redistribute juices and ease carving.
Substitute other dark sodas like Pepsi, Dr Pepper, or root beer for Coca-Cola if desired.
White sugar, honey, or maple syrup can replace brown sugar with slight adjustments to liquid quantity.
For thicker glaze alternatives, use flour instead of cornstarch (2 tbsp flour mixed with water).
Store leftovers tightly wrapped in foil or airtight containers refrigerated up to 5 days or frozen up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking and Glazing
Cuisine: American