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

Nutrition

Serving Size: Approximately 6 oz (170 g) of ham
Calories: 480 kcal
Sugar: 10 g
Sodium: 950 mg
Fat: 30 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 8 g
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 35 g
Cholesterol: 110 mg

Keywords: spiral ham, coke glazed ham, holiday ham, glazed ham recipe, Coca-Cola glaze, baked ham, Christmas ham, Easter ham, easy ham glaze