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sliced ham on a plate

Cherry Cola Glazed Smoked Ham

Sweet and smoky cherry cola glazed ham with a sticky double cherry glaze. Perfect for holidays and family gatherings.
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Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

The Ham:
  • 1 pre-cooked bone-in ham 8–10 lb
Double Cherry Cola Glaze:
  • 2 cans 24 oz total cherry cola
  • 1 cup cherry preserves or jam
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 4 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 4 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tsp garlic powder

Method
 

  1. Score the ham in a diamond pattern about ¼ inch deep. Rub lightly with mustard or oil as a binder. Season generously with your favorite sweet BBQ rub all over.
  2. Place directly on smoker grates at 250°F. Smoke until the ham reaches 120°F internal temperature, about 2-3 hours.
  3. While ham smokes, make the glaze. In a small pan, add cherry cola, cherry preserves, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, and garlic powder. Simmer 10–12 minutes until thick and syrupy. Set aside to cool slightly.
  4. Once the ham hits 120°F, place it in a foil tray. Pour and brush the glaze all over the ham, getting it into the scored cuts.
  5. Continue smoking until the ham reaches 145°F internal temperature, about 1-1.5 hours more. Brush with more glaze halfway through.
  6. Rest for 15–20 minutes, then brush with a little extra glaze before slicing.
  7. Slice and serve with the leftover glaze from the tray drizzled over the top.

Notes

Cherry, apple, or pecan wood work best for smoking ham. Avoid heavy woods like hickory or mesquite. The ham is already pre-cooked, so you're just adding smoke flavor and heating it through to 145°F. Save the leftover glaze in the foil tray — it's packed with flavor and makes an amazing drizzle for the slices. You can make the glaze up to 2 days ahead and store it in the fridge. This ham also makes incredible sandwiches the next day.

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