Easy Crockpot Spiral Ham with Coke

This crockpot ham with coke recipe is tender and flavorful with a fabulous bourbon brown sugar glaze. Best part? Only 5 ingredients are needed for this juicy, flavorful cola glazed ham. Yep. It's perfect for any holiday or weeknight dinner!

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The backstory.

Ham is the centerpiece at our house for Christmas and Easter, but I never want it hogging the oven when there are sides to bake. Cooking it in the crockpot frees up the oven, and a can of Coke with a splash of bourbon keeps it juicy while it warms. Then I whip up a quick brown sugar bourbon glaze on the stove and brush it between every slice. It's the easiest holiday ham I make.

It's a must make.

This coca cola ham crock pot recipe is as easy as holiday mains get.

• Just 5 ingredients. Spiral ham, Coke, bourbon, brown sugar, and butter.
• 5 minutes of prep. Pour, cover, and walk away.
• Frees up your oven. Perfect for holiday dinners with lots of sides.
• Juicy every time. The Coke keeps the ham moist as it slowly heats through.

Let's talk flavor and texture.

This ham is sweet, smoky, and savory all at once. The Coke adds a subtle caramel sweetness and keeps the meat moist as it heats, while the brown sugar bourbon glaze cooks down into a sticky, glossy coating with a hint of oaky warmth. Brushed between the spiral slices, the glaze seeps into every bite, so each piece is tender, juicy, and full of flavor.

What you'll need.

This crockpot ham with coke only needs 5 simple ingredients.

• Coca-Cola: Name brand, store brand, or diet all work.
• Spiral sliced ham: I use a boneless spiral ham, but bone-in works too. Adjust the cook time for size.
• Bourbon: You only need 2 tablespoons, so use what you have or grab a single-serve bottle.
• Brown sugar: Regular brown sugar or a brown sugar substitute.
• Butter: Salted or unsalted both work.

For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!

How to make crockpot ham with coke.

Here's an overview on how to make this recipe. See the recipe card below for complete instructions. Enjoy!

1. Set the spiral ham sliced side down in a greased crockpot and pour the Coke and 1 tablespoon of bourbon over the top.
2. Cover and cook on LOW until the ham reaches 140°F, about 20 to 25 minutes per pound. Start checking at 1½ hours.
3. Let the ham rest under foil and save 1 cup of the juices.
4. Simmer the butter, juices, remaining bourbon, and brown sugar into a glaze, then brush it all over and between the slices.

1. Spray the slow cooker with nonstick spray. Place the ham sliced side down in the crockpot and pour the cola and bourbon over the top.

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2. Cook on LOW until the ham is heated through, about 20 to 25 minutes per pound. Start checking after 1½ hours. Once done, remove the ham and let it rest. Save 1 cup of the juices.

3. In a saucepan, melt the butter, then add the juices, bourbon, and brown sugar and simmer until thickened. Glaze the ham and serve.

Make it your way.

This slow cooked ham in coke is easy to switch up.

• Use a bone-in ham instead of boneless. It may need more time, so use a thermometer to check.
• A smaller ham will need less cooking time, and a larger ham will need more.
• Make it lower in sugar with diet soda and a brown sugar substitute.
• Use Sprite or 7UP instead of Coke for a clear glaze.
• Add maraschino cherries or pineapple slices for a sweeter, retro-style ham.

How to serve it.

Serve this ham warm or cold. It's perfect for a holiday dinner or a crowd.

• Pair it with mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, or asparagus.
• Serve it with my Crockpot Collard Greens for a Southern-style plate.
• For a crowd, let it cool and set it out with fresh rolls and your favorite condiments for ham sandwiches.
• Got leftovers? Use them in my Crock Pot Ham Mac and Cheese Casserole.

Kori's tips.

• The ham is already cooked, so don't overheat it. Heat it to 140°F, or follow the temperature on your ham's package.
• Watch the glaze closely. Sugar and butter burn easily, so simmer over medium heat and stir often.
• A bone-in ham takes longer. Check the temperature at about 90 minutes and adjust from there.
• Toss the glaze packet that comes with the ham. The homemade bourbon glaze is so much better.

📌 Be sure to save this pin to Pinterest for later!

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