Glazed ham is a holiday classic, a centerpiece that graces tables during Easter, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. The beautiful, glossy finish and savory-sweet flavor are always a crowd-pleaser. But making a show-stopping glazed ham can seem daunting. Fear not! Inspired by the queen of easy and delicious home cooking, The Pioneer Woman, this recipe for Coca-Cola glazed ham is surprisingly simple and delivers incredible results. You too can create a ham that will have your guests raving, just like it came straight from Ree Drummond’s kitchen. Let’s walk through how to make this stunning and flavorful glazed ham.
Uncut ham ready for scoring for Pioneer Woman glaze.
Selecting and Preparing Your Ham
First things first, you need a ham! For this recipe, you’ll want to choose an uncut, bone-in ham weighing between 8 to 12 pounds. A bone-in ham offers richer flavor and a more traditional presentation. If you can only find boneless half hams, two of those will also work. The key is to ensure it’s uncut so you can create the decorative scoring that allows the glaze to penetrate deeply and create that signature look.
Diagonal cuts on ham for glaze penetration inspired by Pioneer Woman.
Once you have your ham, place it on a cutting board. Using a sharp chef’s knife or a long serrated knife, begin making diagonal cuts across the top of the ham. Cut about ½ inch deep, creating a grid pattern.
Diamond pattern scoring on ham for Pioneer Woman glaze recipe.
Rotate the ham and make another set of diagonal cuts in the opposite direction, forming diamond shapes across the surface. This scoring is crucial as it not only looks beautiful but also provides pockets for the glaze to seep into, keeping the ham moist and flavorful from the inside out.
Whole cloves for ham decoration for Pioneer Woman glaze.
Now for a touch of classic ham decoration: whole cloves. Grab a handful of cloves and insert one into the center of each diamond shape on the ham.
Ham studded with cloves ready for Pioneer Woman glaze.
While the cloves add a subtle warm spice note, their primary purpose here is aesthetic, enhancing the ham’s visual appeal and holiday charm. Push them in firmly so they are securely placed in the ham.
Ham in roasting pan before cooking with Pioneer Woman glaze.
Place the prepared ham in a roasting pan. If you don’t have a roasting pan, a large glass baking dish will also work, as long as the ham fits comfortably. The roasting pan will collect the juices as the ham cooks, preventing it from drying out.
Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil. This step is essential for retaining moisture during the initial cooking phase. Bake in a preheated oven at 300-325°F (150-160°C) for approximately 15 minutes per pound. For a 10-pound ham, this would be around 2.5 hours. Always refer to the packaging instructions on your specific ham for precise cooking times, and remember the mantra: “low and slow” is key to a juicy, tender ham.
Crafting the Coca-Cola Glaze Inspired by Pioneer Woman
While your ham is baking, it’s time to prepare the star of the show: the Coca-Cola glaze. This glaze, reminiscent of Pioneer Woman’s style, is what transforms a simple ham into a holiday masterpiece, giving it that gorgeous glossy sheen and irresistible sweet and tangy flavor.
Ingredients for Pioneer Woman's Coca-Cola glaze for ham.
In a medium-sized saucepan, combine 1.5 cups of packed brown sugar, 1.5 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and 1/3 cup of Dijon mustard. If you are using a ham larger than 12 pounds, you may want to double the glaze recipe to ensure you have enough to generously coat the ham.
Combining Coca-Cola glaze ingredients in saucepan.
Pour in half a can of regular Coca-Cola (not diet!). The Pioneer Woman often uses Dr. Pepper in her recipes, which would also work beautifully here. Any dark, non-diet soda will contribute the necessary sweetness and depth of flavor. The sugar in the soda is crucial for creating the glaze’s syrupy texture.
Simmering Coca-Cola glaze on stovetop.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and whisk the mixture continuously until it begins to foam. Once foamy, immediately reduce the heat to low and let the glaze simmer gently for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’ll notice the glaze thickening as it simmers and reduces. It will thicken further as it cools off the heat.
Glazing and Finishing for a Perfect Holiday Ham
After the ham has baked for the initial hour, it’s time to start glazing. Remove the ham from the oven and take off the foil cover.
Brushing Pioneer Woman Coca-Cola glaze onto ham while baking.
Using a pastry brush, generously brush the Coca-Cola glaze all over the ham, making sure to get into all the diamond-shaped cuts. Return the ham to the oven, uncovered, and continue baking.
Repeat this glazing process every 20 minutes for the remaining baking time, typically 4-6 times. While it might seem like a lot of glazing, this step-by-step approach is what builds up those layers of flavor and creates that beautiful, glossy, caramelized crust that is characteristic of a truly exceptional glazed ham.
Close-up of glazed ham with Pioneer Woman Coca-Cola glaze.
Once the ham is fully cooked (again, check the packaging for internal temperature recommendations), remove it from the oven and let it rest for about 10-15 minutes before carving. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the ham, resulting in a more tender and flavorful final product.
Beautifully glazed holiday ham with Pioneer Woman Coca-Cola glaze.
Before serving, brush the ham one last time with any remaining glaze to enhance the shine and visual appeal. Garnish your magnificent glazed ham with fresh parsley sprigs and lemon wedges for an extra touch of elegance, just like you see in cookbooks.
Sliced glazed ham showcasing Pioneer Woman glaze penetration.
You can carve the ham tableside or pre-slice it in the kitchen. For pre-sliced ham, consider brushing a little extra glaze between the slices for added flavor and moisture. Either way, it will look stunning.
Holiday ham centerpiece with Pioneer Woman Coca-Cola glaze.
Serve your Pioneer Woman-inspired Coca-Cola glazed holiday ham as the centerpiece of your festive meal. It pairs wonderfully with classic holiday sides like macaroni and cheese, roasted vegetables, and a fresh salad. This glazed ham is not just a meal; it’s a statement, a delicious testament to the joy of holiday cooking and sharing good food with loved ones. Enjoy the compliments – you deserve them!
