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Plate of baked ham (Easter menu ideas)
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4.20 from 5 votes

Southern Baked Ham with 3-Ingredient Brown Sugar Glaze

My great-grandmother Lela's baked ham with a 3-ingredient brown sugar glaze made with yellow mustard and Coke. Save the ham bone for a pot of beans!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 45 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked ham recipe, brown sugar ham glaze, coke ham glaze, easy baked ham, ham glaze without honey, southern baked ham
Servings: 12
Calories: 500kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 approx 8-lb. smoked, ready-to-cook, bone-in ham
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar light or dark, whatever you have
  • 2 tablespoons coke or your favorite carbonated soda
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard

Instructions

  • Line a large pan with a lip around it with aluminum foil. Place the ham in the center of the foil.
    1 approx 8-lb. smoked, ready-to-cook, bone-in ham
  • In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, coke, and mustard to make your glaze. Brush half of the glaze over the ham. Wrap the entire ham well in foil. Place in a 350-degree oven for 1 hour.
    1 cup packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons coke, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • Remove the ham from the oven and peel back the foil, but don't move the ham. Brush the remaining glaze over the ham and return to the oven, uncovered, for another 30 minutes or until lightly browned.
  • Allow it to sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes or so before cutting. If you need to serve it later you can cover it with foil to keep it warm and let it sit on your stovetop. I suggest cutting it within half an hour of removing it from the oven because that is about as long as you'll be able to stand waiting once you smell it.

Notes

  • Storage: Keep leftover ham in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Serve it cold or reheat it quickly in the microwave. Freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge.
  • Soda swaps: Any cola works, including Diet Coke or Diet Dr. Pepper. Use orange juice for a more traditional glaze, or ginger ale for something different.
  • Use a pan with sides: The ham juices will leak, and they'll smoke if they drip into your oven.
  • Ham: This recipe is written for a bone-in smoked ham. Check your ham's label for its heating instructions.
  • For a festive touch: Decorate the ham with maraschino cherries.

Nutrition

Calories: 500kcal