This Coca-Cola Ham is really tasty and looks beautiful. It’s perfect for feeding a small group because it’s sweet, savory, tender, and just all-around great. Plus, it has the most amazing sauce you can ladle over the top or serve on the side!.
I love having ham for dinner with family and friends, and this Coca-Cola Ham really steals the show. People always say nice things about this dish, and they can’t believe I made it with a can of Coca-Cola!
Even though spiral hams are usually tasty, this one is really great! The sweet glaze mixes with the smoky ham flavor to make every bite taste great. And it’s slow-cooked to perfection, and the house smells amazing as it cooks.
Hams are so great for gatherings. Hams have a lot of meat, and since they are spiral-cut, they are already carved. All you have to do is cut the slices off the bone and eat!
If you have leftover ham, never fear! There’s so much you can do with the leftovers. Be sure to see all my suggestions below!.
Cola ham, made by cooking a ham in a blend of cola, brown sugar and spices, is a uniquely delicious entrée The cola and brown sugar give the ham a sweet, sticky glaze while the spices provide warmth and complexity While cola ham is tasty on its own, the right side dishes can take the meal to the next level.
To complement the bold, sweet flavors of cola ham, aim for sides that provide contrasting textures and flavors. Crispy, creamy, tangy and bitter accents all pair wonderfully with the tender, candied ham. Here are 15 sensational side dish ideas to serve with cola ham.
1. Scalloped Potatoes
For a creamy, comforting potato dish, baked scalloped potatoes are a perfect match for sweet and salty cola ham. Thinly slice russet potatoes and layer them with a cheese sauce spiked with garlic or herbs. Bake until the potatoes are melt-in-your-mouth tender.
2. Green Bean Casserole
The classic Thanksgiving side of crunchy fried onions and tender green beans in a creamy mushroom sauce balances the richness of cola ham. Make it from scratch or use condensed soup for ease.
3. Glazed Carrots
Roasted carrots shiny with brown sugar or honey glaze provide a pop of color and natural sweetness alongside cola ham Toss carrot coins or batons in olive oil, brown sugar, thyme and cayenne before roasting
4. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
While cola ham is sweet, roasted Brussels sprouts offer pleasant bitterness. Toss halved sprouts in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper before roasting for caramelized, crispy edges.
5. Bacon Cheddar Cauliflower Gratin
For a lighter, veggie-packed option, bake cauliflower florets in a cheesy bacon sauce until browned and bubbly. The smoky, salty bacon pairs perfectly with the sweetness of cola ham.
6. Buttermilk Biscuits
Warm, fluffy homemade buttermilk biscuits beg to be topped with sliced cola ham and honey mustard. Bake up a batch then split and fill for an easy ham sandwich side.
7. Baked Beans
Sweet, smoky baked beans — either homemade or from a can — offer tangy contrast and barbecue flair next to cola ham. Jazzed up baked beans with bacon, onion and molasses are especially delicious.
8. Cornbread Stuffing
A savory cornbread stuffing flavored with celery, onion, broth and herbs provides texture and soaks up any juices from the ham. For sweeter flavor, add chopped apples, cranberries or pecans to the mix.
9. Twice Baked Potatoes
Gooey, cheesy twice baked potatoes are delightful vessels for serving sliced or chopped bits of cola ham mixed into the filling. Stuffed baked potatoes and ham make an easy, satisfying meal.
10. Sweet Potato Casserole
Warm spices like cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg complement cola ham’s sweetness in this classic casserole of mashed sweet potatoes topped with a crunchy pecan streusel. Serve it at Thanksgiving dinner!
11. Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
A fresh spinach salad tossed in a sweet and tangy poppyseed dressing provides contrasting flavor and texture to sliceable cola ham. Add berries, nuts and sharp cheese for even more flavor.
12. Broccoli Salad
For delicious crunch, make a classic broccoli salad with shredded broccoli, cranberries, shredded cheese, diced onion and bacon. The sweet and tangy dressing pairs perfectly with sweet cola ham.
13. Coleslaw
Cool and crisp coleslaw with shredded cabbage and carrots in a creamy or vinegar-based dressing balances the richness of cola ham. Try adding apples or raisins to complement the ham’s sweetness.
14. Corn on the Cob
Buttery corn on the cob and sliced glazed ham is a match made in heaven. For flavor, roast ears of corn first before topping with pats of herb butter. The natural sweet corn flavor enhances the cola ham.
15. Macaroni and Cheese
Creamy, cheesy mac and cheese is a beloved side dish for baked ham of any kind, including cola ham. Make an indulgent homemade version or dress up a boxed mac and cheese with extra cheese, bacon or herbs.
With tender potato or pasta sides, vibrant salads and vegetable dishes and sweet casserole accents, you’re sure create an unforgettable meal with cola ham as the main event. Round out the menu with warm biscuits or cornbread and your favorite dessert and get ready for rave reviews!
How to make the best Coca-Cola Ham
- Warm your oven up to 350°F and spray or cover a large baking sheet with foil that has a rim.
- Place the ham in the pan.
- Put the paprika, cornstarch, red pepper flakes, dark brown sugar, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl. Mix them together.
- Spread the sugar mixture on the ham and press it down a bit between the slices.
- Slowly pour the cola over the ham so that it gets between the slices.
- Place the ham in the oven and bake it for 90 minutes.
- Take the pan out of the oven and use the pan juices to baste the ham. Put the ham back in the oven for another 30 minutes without the lid on.
- Transfer the ham to a large platter and serve!
- How much spiral ham do you need for each person? About half a pound for an adult (don’t forget to account for bone weight).
- It doesn’t matter what brand of cola you use in this recipe.
- At 350 degrees Fahrenheit, it takes 10 minutes per pound to cook a spiral ham.
- You could use regular brown sugar, but dark brown sugar tastes better because it has more molasses.
It goes so well with a lot of different foods! I love to serve it with Potato-Fennel Gratin, old-fashioned Green Beans with Bacon, and a delicious dessert. Mix and match with your favorite dishes; also great with ham is Bacon-Ranch Pasta Salad.
What is a spiral-cut ham?
Spiral-cut hams are large bone-in hams that are smoked and fully cooked. You can eat the meat right out of the package. But what makes them unique is that they are cut with a meat slicer that cuts thin slices all the way around the bone. All you need to do to carve the ham is cut the slices off the bone.
How To Make Coca-Cola Ham
FAQ
Why pour coke on ham?
Why do you cook country ham in Coke?
Why do people cook with cola?
What to serve with ham?
We like to serve ours with a wedge of lemon to squeeze a little lemon juice for extra flavor but you can also season with salt and pepper or add parmesan cheese or hollandaise sauce. Maple roasted carrots are yet another side dish that plays upon the sweet flavors of ham.
Is honey baked ham as good as regular ham?
The addition of honey will affect the calorie content of the food. One tablespoon of honey contributes to approximately 64 calories. In addition, the use of heat when making baked ham will reduce the quality of the honey.
What to do with ham & Cola juice?
This ham in cola is fabulous. What to do with the incredible ham/cola juice? On Boxing Day chop several onions, spring onions, garlic, chillis and finally chop carrots. Gently cook, then add the stock with wine, finely slice carrots and coriander roots, leaving the lovely leaves sprinkle generously over the whole lot before you serve.
Is Cola Ham easy to make?
It is very easy to make. The cola glaze is sweet, and tangy, and compliments the ham perfectly. Oven-baked ham that takes minimal effort on your part. This cola ham can be served up during the holiday season or as a meal for the family during the year.