This boneless ham in crock pot is festive without the fuss. The brown sugar and mustard glaze melts into the pre-cooked ham while the cola keeps it juicy. It’s our favorite main dish for Christmas, Easter, or any cozy gathering.
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A Ham That Practically Makes Itself!
If you want a holiday ham that practically makes itself, this slow-cooked version is your new best friend. With just brown sugar, mustard, and a can of cola, it turns out tender, flavorful, and perfect for feeding a crowd—without tying up your oven.
The glaze is ridiculously simple and comes together in seconds. As the ham cooks, the brown sugar, mustard, and cola melt into a sweet, savory finish that everyone looks forward to every year.
Since the ham is already pre-cooked, all you have to do is score the top, spread on the glaze, and let the slow cooker do the magic. The aroma while it simmers? Absolutely heavenly.
This is my go-to for Christmas, Easter, or any time the oven is already packed. Five minutes to prep, and you can check a big item off your holiday to-do list—while the slow cooker works its charm.
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Key Ingredients and Substitutions
- Boneless pre-cooked ham: This is the star of the dish. Look for a 6 to 7 pound ham that’s fully cooked and unsliced. An unsliced ham keeps the meat juicier while it warms. Spiral-sliced can work, but it may dry out faster.
- Cola: Regular cola (not diet) adds sweetness and helps tenderize the ham while creating a flavorful glaze. The sugar in cola is key for caramelization. Do not substitute with diet soda.
- Light brown sugar: Enhances the sweetness and adds a deep, molasses flavor to the glaze. Dark brown sugar will work too for a richer taste.
- Mustard: Balances the sweetness with a touch of tang. Yellow mustard keeps it classic, but Dijon or spicy brown can be used for a stronger kick.
How to Make Boneless Ham in Crock Pot
Preparation
Unwrap the pre-cooked boneless ham and place it in the crock pot. Using a sharp knife, score the top of the ham in a criss-cross pattern about ¼ inch deep to help the glaze soak in.
Step 1 – Mix the Glaze
In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and mustard until a thick paste forms. Spread the paste evenly over the top of the ham, pressing it gently into the scored cuts.
Step 2 – Add Cola and Cook
Pour the can of cola around (not over) the ham in the crock pot. Cover with the lid. Set the crock pot to high and cook for 1 hour to start heating through.
Step 3 – Simmer Low and Slow
After 1 hour, switch the crock pot setting to low and continue cooking for 3 to 4 hours, or until the internal temperature of the ham reaches 140°F.
Step 4 – Rest and Serve
Carefully remove the ham from the crock pot and let it rest for 30 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with your favorite holiday sides.
Lynette’s Tip
Use an electric knife to slice the ham after resting. It makes clean, even cuts and saves time, especially when serving a crowd. Plus, after you slice it, you can put the ham slices back in the crock pot to keep warm until serving.
What to Serve With
- We love serving thick slices with comforting sides like creamy mashed potatoes, buttery dinner rolls, and green bean and corn casserole.
- For a lighter option, I pair it with maple glazed carrots or a big Grandma’s 7 layer salad. The fresh crunch balances out the rich ham.
- If you’re hosting brunch, serve this ham alongside scrambled eggs, a hash brown casserole, and fruit salad. It works beautifully as a hearty breakfast main.
More Crock Pot Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Boneless Ham in Crock Pot
Ingredients
- 6 to 7 pound boneless pre-cooked ham
- 12 on regular cola
- 2/3 Cup light brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon yellow mustard
Instructions
- Place the pre-cooked boneless ham in the crockpot. Score the top by making 1/4-inch deep cuts in a lattice pattern.
- In a small bowl, mix the mustard and brown sugar to form a smooth paste. Spread the glaze evenly over the top of the ham, pressing it gently into the scored cuts. Pour a can of cola around the ham in the crockpot.
- Set the crockpot to high and cook for 1 hour. After that, lower the temperature to low and cook for an additional 3–4 hours, or until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140° F.
- Carefully remove the ham from the crockpot and let it rest for 30 minutes before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Variations:
- Swap the Soda: I usually use classic cola, but root beer or Dr. Pepper work really well too. They each give the ham a slightly different depth of sweetness without overpowering the glaze.
- Different Mustard: You can stick with yellow mustard, but I’ve also used Dijon or spicy brown mustard depending on what’s in the fridge. Each one adds a different kick to the glaze.
Nutrition
Recipe FAQs
Yes, this recipe uses a fully cooked, boneless ham. You’re simply warming it through and adding flavor as it cooks in the glaze.
You could, but using an unsliced ham helps keep it juicy. Pre-sliced hams tend to dry out faster in the crock pot.
It’s best to stick with regular cola. The sugar in the soda caramelizes with the brown sugar and mustard to create the rich, sweet flavor in the glaze. Diet versions just don’t give the same result.
Our favorite ham to purchase for this recipe is a tender boneless ham that has very little fat. In my opinion, it makes for the best ham on Christmas morning.
Can I use gingerale instead of coke?
I’ve not tested it – but I’m sure it would still be delicious.
Made this today 12 25 20 delicious Merry Christmas very easy .
This will work just as well with the same instructions! If your ham is smaller than the one we used for this recipe, you can reduce the time slightly.