Dr. Pepper Ham

Dr. Pepper Ham puts a can of soda to work in an interesting, delicious new way. For maximum flavor, start with a bone-in spiral ham baked in an oven bag (so it won’t dry out), then brush on a sweet and sticky Dr. Pepper glaze.

Meggan’s notes

For birthdays, Easter dinner, Christmas dinner, and any Sunday we want to feel a bit more special, my family swears by ham. True to our Midwestern roots, pork reigns supreme. It’s even a staple in the Thanksgiving menu (alongside, roast turkey, of course!).

Tired of the same ol’ plain baked ham and having already whipped up my Baked Ham with Bread Crumbs recently, I got a little wild and doused my slices in soda.

I know this sounds a little wild, but think of this Dr. Pepper glaze like a riff on barbecue sauce. Once roasted, the soda-glazed ham is deliciously sticky, remarkably juicy, and draws everyone back for seconds. I might not make baked ham recipes any other way anymore.

Recipe ingredients

At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.

Ingredient and equipment notes

• Plastic oven bag: Look for “oven bags” by Reynolds and several other kitchen brands sold online and at many supermarkets. These are oven-safe and help keep the ham meat from drying out as it roasts.
• Ham: For maximum flavor, seek out a bone-in spiral sliced ham. The bone imparts more flavor and juiciness, and the slicing style allows the glaze to permeate into the meat (not just coat the exterior).
• Dr. Pepper: Regular soda, not diet.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Remove the ham from the packaging, including the plastic disk covering the bone. Place the ham in an oven bag, then twist and tie the bag shut. Place the ham cut-side down in a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish. Allow the ham to sit at room temperature for 90 minutes.

2. Arrange an oven rack in the lower-middle position and preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Bake the ham until the center registers 140 degrees, about 1 ½ to 2 ½ hours (approximately 15 minutes per pound).

3. Meanwhile, in a medium sauce pan, bring the sugar, Dr. Pepper soda, orange juice, and mustard to a simmer. Cook until the mixture is syrupy and reduced to about ¾ cup, about 8 minutes.

4. Remove the ham from the oven and roll back the sides of the oven bag to expose the ham. Brush the ham with about half of the glaze. Return the ham to the oven and bake 10 minutes longer, or until the glaze is sticky.

5. Remove ham from oven and remove the oven bag. Brush the ham with the remaining glaze and tent loosely with foil. Allow the ham to rest for 30 to 40 minutes.

Recipe tips and variations

• Yield: Your exact yield depends on the size of your particular ham (and the size of the bone in it). I made a 9.65-pound ham and had about 4 pounds (64 ounces) of cooked ham. If you plan on 4 ounces of ham per person, that would be about 16 servings.
• Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Make ahead: The glaze can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Reheat it on the stove before using.
• Freezer: Slice and pack leftover ham into freezer-safe containers, then label, date, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
• Glazed Ham Recipe: This delicious Glazed Ham is the perfect centerpiece for your holiday table or buffet. The sticky glaze is perfectly balanced with pineapple, lemon juice, and mustard.

Great recipes for leftover ham

Stews and Soups

Ham and Bean Soup Recipe

Sandwich Recipes

Ham and Cheese Sliders

Appetizer Recipes

Mini Quiche Recipe

Sandwich Recipes

Ham Salad Recipe

Dr. Pepper Ham

By Meggan Hill

For maximum flavor, start with a bone-in spiral ham baked in an oven bag (so it won't dry out), then brush on a sweet and sticky Dr. Pepper glaze.

Prep Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs 40 minutes mins

REST TIME 30 minutes mins

Total Time 4 hours hrs 40 minutes mins

Servings 16 servings

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Calories 529

5 from 96 votes

ReviewPrint

Equipment

• 1 Plastic oven bag (see note 1)

Ingredients 

US CustomaryMetric

• ▢ 1 (7 to 10 pound) ham bone-in, spiral sliced (see note 2)
• ▢ 3/4 cup light brown sugar packed
• ▢ 1/2 cup Dr. Pepper (see note 3)
• ▢ 2 tablespoons orange juice
• ▢ 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

Instructions 

• Remove the ham from the packaging, including the plastic disk covering the bone. Place the ham in an oven bag, then twist and tie the bag shut. Place the ham cut-side down in a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish. Allow the ham to sit at room temperature for 90 minutes.
• Arrange an oven rack in the lower-middle position and preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Bake the ham until the center registers 140 degrees, about 1 ½ to 2 ½ hours (approximately 15 minutes per pound). (Slightly open or lift bag to take temperature; do not puncture.)
• Meanwhile, in a medium sauce pan, bring the sugar, Dr. Pepper soda, orange juice, and mustard to a simmer. Cook until the mixture is syrupy and reduced to about ¾ cup, about 8 minutes.
• Remove the ham from the oven and roll back the sides of the oven bag to expose the ham. Brush the ham with about half of the glaze. Return the ham to the oven and bake 10 minutes longer, or until the glaze is sticky.
• Remove ham from oven and remove the oven bag. Brush the ham with the remaining glaze and tent loosely with foil. Allow the ham to rest for 30 to 40 minutes.

Recipe Video

Notes

1. Plastic oven bag: Look for “oven bags” by Reynolds and several other kitchen brands sold online and at many supermarkets. These are oven-safe and help keep the ham meat from drying out as it roasts.
2. Ham: For maximum flavor, seek out a bone-in spiral sliced ham. The bone imparts more flavor and juiciness, and the slicing style allows the glaze to permeate into the meat (not just coat the exterior).
3. Dr. Pepper: Regular soda, not diet.
4. Yield: Your exact yield depends on the size of your particular ham (and the size of the bone in it). I made a 9.65-pound ham and had about 4 pounds (64 oz.) of cooked ham. If you plan on 4 oz. of ham per person, that would be about 16 servings.
5. Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 4 ozCalories: 529kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 43gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 123mgSodium: 2368mgPotassium: 586mgFiber: 0.03gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 2mg

Did you make this recipe?Tag @culinaryhill on Instagram so we can admire your masterpiece! #culinaryhill