Crock-Pot Ham With Coke: The Perfect Combo

how to cook ham in crock pot with coke

Ham cooked in a crock pot with Coke is a simple, tasty dish that's perfect for holiday dinners and family meals. The recipe is versatile, allowing for the use of any type of cola and a variety of hams, such as precooked, boneless, or spiral ham. The key to this dish is the sweet and tangy glaze, which can be made with cola, sugar, mustard, and a variety of additional ingredients like pineapple juice, vinegar, or rum. The slow cooking process ensures that the ham stays moist and allows the flavours of the glaze to infuse the meat, resulting in a tender and flavourful dish that's sure to impress.

Characteristics Values
Ingredients Ham, Coke, Brown Sugar, Mustard
Type of ham Precooked, boneless, small, country, spiral, etc.
Crockpot preparation Spray crockpot with nonstick spray or use a liner
Cooking time 4-6 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
Temperature 145ºF or 160ºF
Serving Let ham cool, then slice and serve

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Prepping the glaze

To prep the glaze for your ham, you'll need cola, sugar, mustard, and pineapple juice. Some recipes also call for maple syrup, vinegar, or rum. The type of cola and mustard you use is up to you, but dark brown sugar will give your glaze a deeper, smokier flavour.

Stir your glaze ingredients together in a small, microwave-safe bowl. You can add two tablespoons of maple syrup to the mixture for a woodsy, richer sweetness. If you're using cloves, stud the ham with them before adding the glaze.

Microwave the glaze for two minutes, stirring it afterward to ensure everything is combined. If you're making a large ham, you may want to double or triple the glaze ingredients.

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Preparing the ham

Next, gather your ingredients. In addition to the ham, you will need cola (such as Coca-Cola or your preferred brand), brown sugar, and mustard. You can also add additional ingredients like maple syrup, pineapple juice, vinegar, or rum for extra flavor.

Before placing the ham in the crock pot, spray it with a nonstick spray or use a crockpot liner to make cleanup easier. Place the ham directly into the crockpot, ensuring that it fits properly. If your ham is too large, you may need to trim it to make it fit or use a larger crockpot.

Now, it's time to make the glaze. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and mustard to create a paste. You can adjust the proportions according to your taste preferences. Optionally, you can add other ingredients like maple syrup, pineapple juice, vinegar, or rum to the glaze. Microwave the glaze for about 2 minutes to help the ingredients combine better.

Once the glaze is ready, rub it generously onto the ham. Make sure to cover all surfaces of the ham with the glaze, especially if it is a spiral-sliced ham. You can use a brush to dab some of the cola liquid over the ham during this step for added flavor.

Finally, place the lid on the crockpot and set the cooking time and temperature. For a fully cooked ham, you are simply reheating it, so adjust the time accordingly. A 5-7 pound ham will typically take about 5-6 hours to fully heat in a crockpot set to low. However, if your ham is already sliced or spiral-cut, it may cook faster, so keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking.

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Cooking the ham

First, prepare the ham by studding it with cloves and rubbing it with ground mustard. You can also add brown sugar to the mustard to make a paste and rub this onto the ham.

Next, place the ham in the crock pot. If your ham is too large, you may need to cut it down to size. Ensure the crock pot is sprayed with non-stick spray or lined to make cleaning easier. Pour one to two cans of Coke over the ham and around the sides of the pot. You can also add pineapple juice to the Coke mixture for a pineapple glaze.

Cover the crock pot and cook on high for three to six hours, or on low for six to eight hours, depending on the size of the ham. For example, a 4-5 pound ham should take about two hours on high to warm through, while a 6-pound ham may take two and a half hours on high or five hours on low. If your ham is spiral-sliced, be sure to get the glaze between the slices.

In the last 30 minutes of cooking, make the glaze. Add a cup of Coke to a pot, along with some rum if desired, and whisk in brown sugar and mustard. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the glaze thickens. Pour the glaze over the ham and cook for the remaining 30 minutes.

Remove the ham from the crock pot and let it cool slightly before slicing and serving. You can also brush the ham with leftover liquid and broil for five minutes for extra glaze. Don't forget to baste the ham every couple of hours for the juiciest and most flavorful result.

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Resting and serving the ham

Once the ham has been cooking for a few hours, it's time to start thinking about resting and serving it. The cooking time will depend on the size of your ham, but most recipes recommend cooking a 5-6 pound ham on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. A smaller, 4-5 pound ham should only take about 2 hours on high to warm through.

When the ham is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and let it cool a little until it can be handled. Transfer the ham to a large serving platter. If you're not serving it immediately, preheat the broiler and transfer the ham to an oven-safe baking dish. Brush with some of the leftover liquid and broil for about 5 minutes, glazing with additional liquid as preferred.

Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. It's important to let the ham rest so that the juices can redistribute, ensuring the meat is juicy and tender. Plan on at least 1/3 to 1/2 pound of ham per person, but it's always better to have a bit too much than not enough! Serve the ham with your favorite sides and don't forget to reserve the cooking juices to serve in a gravy boat on the side.

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Choosing the right ham

First and foremost, ensure the ham fits your crockpot. Take into account the size and shape of your crockpot before purchasing the ham, as you don't want to end up with a ham that's too big and doesn't fit properly.

Secondly, consider the type of ham. You can use a precooked ham, a small ham, country ham, boneless ham, spiral ham, or any other variety you prefer. Spiral hams are excellent for this recipe because the glaze seeps into the slices, but you can adjust the cooking time for regular hams.

When selecting a ham, think about the bone-in or boneless option. If you choose bone-in, plan for 1/3 to 1/2 pound per person. For boneless, 1/4 to 1/3 pound per person is sufficient. It's always better to have a little extra than to run out!

Additionally, consider the weight of the ham. A larger ham will take longer to cook. For a 5- to 7-pound ham, expect a cooking time of about 5 to 6 hours in the crockpot. Smaller hams, around 4 to 5 pounds, will take less time, approximately 2 hours on high to warm through.

Lastly, choose a ham that aligns with your desired flavour profile. For example, if you want a smokier flavour, opt for a hickory-cured ham. Or, if you prefer a wet-cured ham, go for that option. You can also enhance the flavour by studding the ham with whole cloves before adding the glaze, giving it a warm, spiced aroma.

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Frequently asked questions

Place the ham in the crock pot, pour in coke and a glaze made from sugar, mustard, and pineapple juice. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

Account for 1/4 to 1/3 pound per person if the ham is boneless. If the ham has a bone, buy 1/3 to 1/2 pound per person.

Any type of cola will work, including Coca-Cola, Dr. Pepper, or root beer.

You can use any mustard you like. Some recipes recommend Dijon mustard for an added kick of spice.

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