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Coca-Cola Cranberry Spiral Ham (Easy Spiral Ham Recipe with Dijon Glaze)

ByMelissa Jo Posted on
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A ladle pours brown glaze over a roasted ham with crispy, caramelized edges, sitting in a pan of sauce. Steam rises from the meat, and a plant and kitchen sink are visible in the blurred background.

This easy Coca-Cola Cranberry Spiral Ham is a vintage-style ham recipe made with jellied cranberry sauce, real Coca-Cola, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, garlic powder, and onion powder for a glossy, sweet-and-tangy glaze. Because you’re starting with a fully cooked spiral ham, you’re really warming it through and layering on flavor—but the key is heating it properly so it stays juicy and reaches the right internal temperature.

If you’ve never made a ham before, this is a great place to start. I’m walking you through exactly how to choose, prep, glaze, and bake a spiral ham so it comes out beautiful, caramelized, and delicious every single time for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Sunday dinner.

A hand with red nail polish holds a can of Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce in a kitchen, with a glass bowl and part of a Coca-Cola Cranberry Spiral Ham visible in the background.
A red Coca-Cola can labeled Original Taste sits on a wooden surface in a kitchen, with water droplets on the can and a blurred background—perfect for pairing with your Coca-Cola Cranberry Spiral Ham.
A person sprinkles granulated seasoning from a spoon onto a large, uncooked Coca-Cola Cranberry Spiral Ham in a pan, with a kitchen countertop and white cabinets visible in the background.

At first, you’ll want the sliced spiral side facing up so you can season it well. Sprinkle the garlic powder and onion powder all over the ham, getting some down into the slices if you can. Rub it in lightly.

A Coca-Cola Cranberry Spiral Ham is being sliced and drizzled with a chunky fruit glaze from a spoon, displayed on a black serving tray.

Once you season your ham, pour about 1/3 of the cranberry coca-cola marinade over top.

A Coca-Cola Cranberry Spiral Ham sits in a roasting pan, covered in a shiny, caramelized brown sugar and fruit glaze, with a kitchen counter and potted plant visible in the background.

After it’s seasoned and marinated, flip your ham flesh side facing down in the pan so it looks like a little pyramid. Cover tightly and start your first bake at 325F. See the table below for cooking times pounds and method

A Coca-Cola Cranberry Spiral Ham with a golden-brown glaze is baking in the oven, its surface crispy and caramelized while flavorful juices pool at the bottom of the pan.

When you have 40 minutes left of baking time, Uncover the ham, Flip it so the spiral side is facing up again, pour the remaining glaze overtop along with the rest of the brown sugar. And bake uncovered at 350F for the perfect caramelized glaze top.

A ladle pours brown glaze over a baked ham with a caramelized crust, sitting in a roasting pan filled with juices. A plant and kitchen sink are blurred in the background.
A woman in a red sleeveless top and jeans smiles while holding a bowl of roasted potatoes in a bright kitchen. In front of her is a cooked glazed ham on a cutting board.

Before You Start

If your ham was frozen, make sure it is completely thawed in the refrigerator before baking. I like to thaw it for at least 1 to 2 days depending on size.

Then, before baking, let the ham sit out a bit so it can start coming closer to room temperature. That helps it heat more evenly.

You’ll also want a roasting pan large enough to hold the ham comfortably. This is one of those recipes where a good roaster makes life easier, especially around the holidays.

Ham Cooking Time Guide

Use this as a general guide when baking a spiral ham at 325°F for about 15 minutes per pound, then uncovering it for the last 35 to 40 minutes.

Ham SizeApproximate Total TimeWhen to Uncover
7 to 8 pounds1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hoursLast 35 to 40 minutes
8 to 10 pounds2 to 2 1/2 hoursLast 35 to 40 minutes
10 to 12 pounds2 1/2 to 3 hoursLast 40 minutes

Always use a meat thermometer and aim for 140°F internal temperature since you’re reheating a fully cooked ham.

🤔 Common Questions

Is spiral ham already cooked?

Yes, most store-bought spiral hams are fully cooked. You are reheating them and adding flavor with glaze.

Can I use Diet Coke instead of regular Coke?

No. Diet Coke does not caramelize the same way and can affect the final flavor.

Do I need to add water or broth to the pan?

No. The ham releases enough juices on its own while baking.

What if my ham is not spiral sliced?

Score shallow diagonal cuts across the outside so the glaze can settle into the surface.

Can I make this ham ahead of time?

Yes. Reheat it covered at a lower temperature with some of the pan juices to help keep it moist.

What makes this ham glaze special?

The combination of cranberry sauce, Coca-Cola, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar creates a sweet, tangy, glossy glaze with a lot of depth and color.

A ladle pours brown glaze over a roasted ham with crispy, caramelized edges, sitting in a pan of sauce. Steam rises from the meat, and a plant and kitchen sink are visible in the blurred background.

Coca-Cola Cranberry Spiral Ham (Easy Spiral Ham Recipe with Dijon Glaze)

This easy baked spiral ham is glazed with cranberry sauce, Coca-Cola, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, garlic powder, and onion powder for a sweet, tangy, caramelized finish. Since spiral ham is already cooked, this method is all about warming it through gently, building flavor, and bringing it to the proper internal temperature without drying it out.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 5 people

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

Preheat the oven

  • Preheat your oven to 325°F.

Prepare the ham

  • Remove the ham from its packaging and place it in a large roasting pan.
  • At first, you’ll want the sliced spiral side facing up so you can season it well. Sprinkle the garlic powder and onion powder all over the ham, getting some down into the slices if you can. Rub it in lightly.

Make the glaze

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the jellied cranberry sauce, Coca-Cola, and Dijon mustard until mostly combined. It does not have to be perfectly smooth.
  • Do not use Diet Coke here. Regular Coca-Cola works best for flavor and caramelization.

Add the first layer of glaze

  • Pour about one-third of the glaze all over the ham, letting it drip down into the slices and into the bottom of the pan.
  • Then pack 3 to 4 tablespoons of brown sugar all over the top.
  • You do not need to add water, broth, or any other liquid to the bottom of the pan. The ham will release moisture as it bakes.

Flip and cover

  • Now carefully turn the ham so the flat cut side is facing down in the pan. Cover the pan tightly with foil.
  • This helps protect the ham and keep it juicy during the first part of baking.

Bake

  • Bake the ham at 325°F for about 15 minutes per pound.
  • Since spiral ham is already cooked, you are warming it through, not cooking it from raw. For best results, heat the ham until the center reaches an internal temperature of 140°F when checked with a meat thermometer. That’s the sweet spot for a fully cooked ham that’s hot, juicy, and ready to serve.
  • Try not to open the oven while it bakes.

Uncover and glaze again

  • With about 35 to 40 minutes left in the cooking time, remove the ham from the oven and uncover it.
  • Carefully flip it so the spiral side is facing up again. Pour the remaining glaze over the top, getting it into the slices, then pack another 3 to 4 tablespoons of brown sugar over the ham.

Raise the heat

  • Return the ham to the oven uncovered and increase the oven temperature to 350°F.
  • Bake until the ham is glossy, caramelized, and the internal temperature reaches 140°F.

Finish at high heat if needed

  • If you want a little more bubbling, browning, and caramelization on top, raise the oven temperature to 425°F for about 5 minutes at the very end.
  • Keep an eye on it so the sugar doesn’t burn.

Rest and serve

  • Let the ham rest for about 10 to 15 minutes before serving. This gives the juices a chance to settle and makes it easier to slice and serve.
Keyword coca-cola cranberry spiral ham
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Stove Top Side Dishes to Complete Your Easter Meal

Pair this Coca-Cola Cranberry Spiral Ham with a few easy stovetop side dishes like my stove top lemon butter parsley potatoes, or any of my top 10 make ahead salads. All of these side dishes pair perfectly with Coca-Cola Cranberry Spiral Ham and will leave your oven free to bake in peace.

👝 How to Store Leftovers

Store in an airtight container for 3-5 days.

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