This Honey Mustard Ham is sweet, sticky, and packed with flavor and guess what? It only needs a handful of ingredients. I love making this dish when I want something that feels a bit fancy but doesn’t take much work. The real magic happens in the slowcooker, where cola and spices turn an ordinary ham into something unforgettable.

You can use cider or cola I’ve used both and they’re equally amazing. The slowcooker does most of the work, and a quick bake or air fry at the end makes it golden, glossy, and caramelized. This ham is perfect for holidays, lazy Sundays, or even meal prep. Trust me, it’s the kind of recipe that makes people think you did way more than you actually did!

Method in Detail

Soak the Ham

To start, I always soak the ham overnight in cold water. This step is super important it helps remove the extra salt that’s packed into the ham during the curing process. Just grab a large bowl or pot, place the ham inside, and completely cover it with cold water. Let it sit in the fridge overnight. Trust me, this step is worth the wait if you want perfectly balanced flavor.

Flavor & Slow Cook

The next morning, take the ham out of the water and give it a quick pat dry. Then, stud the ham with cloves by gently poking them into the surface of the meat. These little flavor bombs will infuse the ham as it cooks. Place the ham in your slowcooker and pour over 800ml of full-fat Coca-Cola. Add one cinnamon stick and a star anise if you’d like a touch of warmth and aroma. Turn your slowcooker to high for 6 hours or low for 10 hours, depending on your schedule. As it cooks, the ham becomes incredibly tender, and your kitchen will fill with the most delicious smell.

Glaze Time

Once the slowcooking is done, carefully lift the ham out of the pot using tongs it’ll be very tender, so handle it gently. Place it on a cutting board and let it cool just enough so you can touch it. Trim away any thick layer of fat on the top, then score the remaining fat in a criss-cross pattern using a sharp knife. This helps the glaze soak in better and also gives that beautiful, golden-brown finish. Stud the scored fat again with fresh cloves for added flavor and that classic look.

Honey Mustard Magic

Now it’s time to make the glaze! In a small bowl, mix together 4 tablespoons of honey and 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard until smooth. This sweet and tangy combo is what makes the ham truly special. Using a pastry brush or spoon, gently coat the entire surface of the ham with this glaze, making sure it gets into the scored lines and over the cloves.

Caramelize It

To finish things off, you’ll want to bake or air fry the ham to caramelize that glaze. Set your oven to 200°C (392°F) or use an air fryer at the same temperature. Place the glazed ham in a baking dish or on a rack inside the air fryer. Cook it for 25 to 35 minutes, and every 10 minutes, take a moment to baste or brush more glaze over the top. This layering builds a beautiful, sticky crust that’s packed with flavor. When the glaze is bubbly and golden, your ham is ready to serve.

Necessary Tools

Large bowl (for soaking)
Slowcooker
Tongs
Sharp knife
Oven or air fryer
Pastry brush or spoon for basting
Cutting board

Slowcooker Honey Mustard Ham (Cooked in Cola)

Recipe by Simon Davies

0.0 from 0 votes

Difficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Ingredients

1.2kg unsmoked ham
800ml full-fat Coca-Cola (or cider, if you prefer)
1 cinnamon stick
1 star anise (optional, but I love the added aroma)
Cloves (enough to stud the ham generously)
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
4 tbsp honey

Directions

Soak the Ham: The night before cooking, place the ham in a large bowl or pot and cover it with cold water. Let it soak overnight to help remove extra salt.
Flavor & Slow Cook: In the morning, drain the ham and stud it with cloves (poke them right into the meat). Place the ham into your slowcooker. Add the cola, cinnamon stick, and star anise. Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 10 hours your house will smell amazing!
Glaze Time: Once it’s done, carefully remove the ham and place it on a cutting board. Trim off the top layer of fat if there’s any, then gently score the surface in a criss-cross pattern. Stud again with more cloves.
Honey Mustard Magic: In a small bowl, mix the honey and Dijon mustard. Brush this all over the ham.
Caramelize It: Pop the glazed ham into an oven at 200°C (392°F) or air fryer for about 25–35 minutes, basting every 10 minutes until the glaze is sticky and golden.

Notes

Don’t skip the overnight soak it’s important to cut down on saltiness.
If you skip basting during the final baking/air frying, your glaze may dry or burn.
Scoring the fat helps the glaze soak in better try not to cut too deep into the meat.
Be gentle when moving the ham after slowcooking it’ll be super tender and can fall apart.

Serving Suggestions

Slice and serve with mashed potatoes and steamed green beans.
Make sandwiches with crusty bread and a smear of extra Dijon.
Serve cold with cheese and crackers for a next-day lunch.
Great with holiday sides like cranberry sauce or roasted veggies.

Fun Fact

Did you know Coca-Cola is often used in Southern-style cooking to tenderize meat? It’s not just a fizzy drink it actually breaks down the fibers and adds a rich, sweet flavor. A little science and a lot of yum!

Conclusion

This Slowcooker Honey Mustard Ham is my go-to recipe when I want something impressive without all the effort. The combo of cola, spices, and honey mustard glaze is mouthwatering and comforting all at once. Whether you serve it warm for dinner or cold in sandwiches the next day, it’s always a hit. Simple ingredients, easy steps, and big flavor what more could you ask for?