Coca-Cola Ham

[David Ross]

I'm starting to think about this year's Easter Ham. For a few years I've been toying with the idea of braising the ham in Coke. (Pepsi not allowed). I've seen a number of recipes that call for either braising the ham in Coke, or glazing the ham with a paste made with Coke and brown Sugar.

Have you ever cooked a ham with Coke? Is it best to use a basic smoked, bone-in ham or will a real Kentucky "country ham" work?

[Kim Shook]

I don't think that I've ever cooked a ham any other way than with Co'cola! It works with a country or a city ham.

[RobertCollins]

My mom used 7-up. I never had Coke glaze and if I had in Mom's house it would have been RC Cola.

[JBailey]

The last ham I bought was a spiral cut from Costco. Included with the ham was a packet for a glaze...I mixed the packet with 'Mexican' Coke (real sugar) also bought at Costco. I highly recommend you try adding Coke to your next ham.

From a technical standpoint, it may not alter or change how the ham is glazed as you warm it to serve. Simply, I just like the flavor it adds.

Edited March 15, 2011 by JBailey (log)

[caroled]

Ginger Ale works well too. Especially good with a fresh ham.

[Doodad]

It is more of a glaze towards the last hour of cooking. If you try to braise in it or add it too soon it will burn bad and stick like crazy.

[Jaymes]

We actually had a thread before with lots of good information about this very thing:

Cooking with Coca Cola

[Hayley Casarotto]

Nigella Lawson has a recipe for it. I've done it and it is superb. (Except I used Pepsi, due to a long-running family joke. Don't judge me.) Seriously do try it, I don't think I'll ever make ham any other way again.

[threestars]

We actually had a thread before with lots of good information about this very thing:

Cooking with Coca Cola

Interesting thread there Jaymes! I didn't know that you can do that with Ham.

BTW, I am new here and looking for lots of recipes and knowledge that I can get from experts here. Looking forward for more interesting recipes.

Edited March 17, 2011 by threestars (log)

[amccomb]

Alton Brown has a recipe using Dr. Pepper that I am planning to try this year...if I can sneak it past my husband who will scoff at the idea.

[David Ross]

I ended up using a recipe on Martha Stewart's website for a ham with a Coca-Cola glaze. Coke is really not the standout ingredient in the glaze, only a supplement to brown sugar, canned pineapple juice and concord grape wine.

The recipe did make a delicious glaze, but not as syrupy and thick as I had hoped. The real star was the Kurobata ham I bought at the market. It came from Snake River Farms of Boise who contracts for the Kurobata Pork from small, family farms in the Midwest. It was delicious and moist with a hint of smoke. Out side of the country hams from Kentucky--which are a whole different taste--this was the best ham I've ever had. Next time I'll try a different Coca-Cola glaze.