Cherry Coke Ham

nigella coke ham

Nigella Coke Ham Taken up a Level

Nigella may have had made the Coke Ham famous but this version takes it to a different level. The cherry jam & pineapple glaze is sweet, sticky and warming.

Every guest I have ever served this for has asked for seconds (and sometimes thirds). The ham is the showstopper of this menu so 1.2 kilos will serve 4 – 6 people. 

Coke Ham Serving Ideas

Serve Cherry Coke Ham with Cuban black beans and rice and pineapple salsa.

cuban rice and beans

For something more traditional, we serve Cherry Coke Ham with potato dauphinoise (or in American, scalloped potatoes, because “dauphinoise” is just too hard to say and spell).

Leftover Cherry Coke Ham

Plan for leftovers because Cherry Coke ham is better on the second day when it has soaked up even more of that juicy, sweet glaze.

coke ham and potatoes

Toast a bagel and spread with cream cheese. Top with pulled ham for a delicious sandwich for lunch.

cherry coke ham cream cheese bagel

For a quick, hands off supper, we made a macaroni and cheese ready meal and served with a little pulled ham on the side. Oh, so good!

coke ham with macaroni cheese

Cherry Coke Ham

Cherry Coke Ham takes Nigella's famous recipe to a whole new level.
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 4 hrs
Total Time 7 hrs
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • Non-Stick Pot

Ingredients
  

Cherry Coke Ham

  • 1.2 kilo smoked gammon
  • 1 litre Cherry Coke Classic, not diet and not Coke Zero
  • 2 small red onions quartered
  • 1 medium carrot quartered

Cherry Ham Glaze

  • 100 ml pineapple juice
  • 2 tablespoons cherry jam
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons soft brown sugar

Instructions
 

Cherry Coke Ham

  • In a snug pot, tip in ham, onions, carrot and pour in the Coke until the ham is covered. Put on the lid and bring to the boil.
    nigella coke ham
  • Turn heat to low and simmer for three hours.
  • After the ham is cooked through, drain and discard the liquid and the vegetables. Carefully remove the skin from the ham and score the fat.
  • Heat the oven to 220C fan and line a roasting pan with aluminium foil.
  • Place the ham in the roasting pan, fat side up and slather on the cherry pineapple glaze.
  • Bake for 20 minutes. Baste with the glaze every 5 – 10 minutes.
  • Remove the ham from the oven and let rest for 15 minutes then pull apart and serve.
    coke ham

Cherry Pineapple Glaze

  • In a small saucepan, combine the juice with the jam, sugar & mustard.
  • Heat slowly to melt the jam. Once everything is combined, turn the heat up until the glaze reaches a slow simmer.
  • Simmer until the glaze is reduced by half and coats the back of a spoon. Set aside to cool. Glaze ham as directed above.

Notes

Serve with Cuban black beans, rice and pineapple salsa or with dauphinoise potatoes. See more of our Easter Recipes and Christmas Recipes.