Slow Cooker Grandma’s Coca-Cola Ham

Instructions

1. Prepare the Ham: If your ham has a rind, carefully score it in a diamond pattern using a sharp knife, being careful not to cut too deeply into the meat. This helps the glaze penetrate and creates a beautiful crust. If using a spiral-cut ham, no scoring is needed. Place the ham, cut-side down if possible, into your large slow cooker (6-quart or larger is ideal).
2. Make the Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the Coca-Cola, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, ground cloves (if using), garlic powder, and black pepper until well combined and the brown sugar has dissolved.
3. Glaze the Ham: Pour the entire Coca-Cola glaze mixture evenly over the ham in the slow cooker. Ensure some of the glaze gets into the scored lines if you scored the ham. If desired, you can stud the ham with whole cloves at this point, placing them in the center of each diamond pattern.
4. Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, or until the ham is heated through to an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C). The cooking time will vary depending on the size and type of your ham. Basting the ham with the glaze from the bottom of the slow cooker every hour or so is recommended for maximum flavor, but not strictly necessary.
5. Thicken the Glaze (Optional but Recommended for a Richer Sauce): Once the ham is cooked, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and transfer it to a large carving board or serving platter. Cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
6. If you desire a thicker glaze, pour the liquid from the slow cooker into a small saucepan. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Bring the glaze liquid to a simmer over medium heat, then gradually whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Continue to whisk and simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until the glaze has thickened to your desired consistency.
7. Caramelize the Glaze (Optional for a Crispy Crust): For an extra special finish, preheat your oven broiler. Carefully transfer the ham to a baking sheet lined with foil. Brush the ham generously with some of the thickened glaze. Broil for 5-10 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning, until the glaze is bubbly, caramelized, and slightly crispy. This step creates that beautiful, restaurant-quality crust.
8. Rest and Serve: Let the ham rest for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and tender ham. Slice against the grain and serve with the remaining warm Coca-Cola glaze on the side. Enjoy!

Cooking Tips and Variations

• Choosing the Right Ham: For the most tender results, a pre-cooked, spiral-cut ham works wonderfully as it’s already easy to slice. A bone-in ham often offers more flavor, while a boneless ham is easier to carve. Ensure your ham fits comfortably in your slow cooker.
• Don’t Overcook: Since most hams are already fully cooked, the goal is to heat it through and infuse it with flavor, not to cook it from raw. Overcooking can lead to dry ham, even in a slow cooker. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 140°F (60°C).
• Scoring for Flavor and Appearance: If using a whole ham (not spiral-cut), scoring the fat cap before adding the glaze allows the flavors to penetrate deeper and creates a beautiful diamond pattern when cooked, making it easier for the glaze to adhere and caramelize.
• Enhancing the Glaze: For an even richer, more complex glaze, consider adding a splash of bourbon or dark rum to the Coca-Cola mixture. You can also experiment with spices like a pinch of allspice, a dash of smoked paprika, or a touch of cayenne pepper for a subtle kick.
• Sugar Content: While regular Coca-Cola is recommended for its sugar content and flavor contribution, if you’re concerned about sweetness, you can try using a slightly less sweet soda or reducing the amount of brown sugar. However, the sugar is key to the glaze’s texture and caramelization.
• Mustard Matters: Dijon mustard provides a lovely tangy balance to the sweetness. You can experiment with whole grain mustard for a different texture and flavor, or even a dry mustard powder mixed into the glaze.
• Basting is Best: While the slow cooker does most of the work, occasionally spooning the glaze from the bottom of the pot over the top of the ham during cooking will help build layers of flavor and keep the ham incredibly moist.
• The Broiler Finish: This step is highly recommended! A quick broil at the end creates a gorgeous, sticky, caramelized crust that takes your ham from delicious to absolutely divine. Just keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
• Leftover Glaze: Don’t discard any leftover thickened glaze! It’s fantastic drizzled over slices of ham, used as a dipping sauce, or even brushed onto turkey or chicken.

Storage and Reheating

Storage: Allow any leftover ham to cool completely before storing. Once cooled, slice the ham off the bone (if applicable) and transfer it to an airtight container. Store the ham and any leftover glaze separately. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, cooked ham can be frozen in an airtight freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw frozen ham overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating:

• Oven: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Place the sliced ham in an oven-safe dish with a splash of water or broth and cover tightly with foil to prevent it from drying out. Reheat for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also add some of the leftover glaze to the dish before reheating.
• Microwave: For smaller portions, place ham slices on a microwave-safe plate. Add a tablespoon of water or glaze and cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat on medium power in 30-60 second intervals until heated through, being careful not to overcook and dry out the ham.
• Stovetop: Gently reheat ham slices in a skillet over medium-low heat with a little water, broth, or leftover glaze, covering the pan to create steam and keep the ham moist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use diet Coca-Cola for this recipe?

While you technically could use diet Coca-Cola, it’s not recommended for the best results. The sugar in regular Coca-Cola is crucial for creating that rich, sticky, and beautifully caramelized glaze. Diet soda lacks the sugar content needed for proper thickening and flavor development, resulting in a less robust and glossy finish.

Do I need to add extra salt to the ham?

Most hams, especially pre-cooked ones, are already quite salty. Therefore, it’s generally not necessary to add extra salt to this recipe. The saltiness of the ham, combined with the sweetness of the glaze, creates a perfect balance. Always taste your ham and glaze before serving if you’re unsure, but additional salt is rarely needed.

What if my slow cooker isn’t big enough for a whole ham?

If your ham is too large for your slow cooker, you have a few options. You can cut the ham in half (if it’s boneless) to fit. Alternatively, you can use a smaller ham, or consider using a roasting pan in the oven for a similar result, though the cooking time and liquid amounts would need adjustment. Ensure the ham fits snugly but still allows the lid to close properly for the slow cooker to work its magic.