Cola Ham
Some recipes become favorites not because they are complicated, but because they are incredibly simple and consistently delicious. One of those timeless recipes is Cola Ham. For many families, it’s a classic dish often served during holidays, Sunday dinners, or special gatherings when everyone gathers around the table for a comforting homemade meal.
The magic of this recipe comes from the surprising ingredient: cola. When cola slowly cooks with ham, it creates a rich glaze that blends sweetness with savory flavor. As the ham cooks in the slow cooker, the sugars from the cola caramelize slightly, creating a tender, juicy ham with a beautiful glaze that tastes like it took hours of careful preparation.
Using a slow cooker makes this recipe even easier. Instead of worrying about oven temperatures or basting the ham repeatedly, you simply place the ingredients into the crockpot and let it cook low and slow. The result is a flavorful ham that is moist, tender, and packed with sweet and smoky flavor.
This 3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cola Ham is perfect for busy families, holiday meals, or anyone looking for an easy slow cooker dinner that delivers impressive results with almost no effort.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Only 3 ingredients
Perfect holiday slow cooker ham
Sweet, tender, and flavorful
Easy set-it-and-forget-it crockpot meal
Great for family dinners and gatherings
Ingredients
1 fully cooked ham (about 3–4 pounds)
1 cup brown sugar
1 can (12 oz) cola
Instructions
Place the ham in the slow cooker.
Rub the brown sugar over the top of the ham.
Pour the cola around the ham in the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or until the ham is heated through and tender.
Occasionally spoon the sweet sauce over the ham during cooking if desired.
Slice and serve with the delicious cola glaze from the slow cooker.
Recipe Notes
Use a fully cooked ham since the slow cooker is mainly reheating and flavoring it.
If your ham is large, you can trim it slightly so it fits comfortably in the slow cooker.
For extra flavor, add a small amount of Dijon mustard or pineapple juice.
Leftover ham is perfect for sandwiches, soups, or casseroles.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
