This tender gammon in coke recipe is slow cooked in Coca-Cola with cinnamon, carrots, and onion until it falls apart. A quick honey mustard glaze finishes it in a hot oven. Ready in about 5 hours, serves 8.
I make this every Christmas as the main centrepiece. The sweet cola and sharp mustard glaze is a combination everyone asks about.
Why Cook Gammon in Coke?
The sugar in Coca-Cola breaks down during the long, slow cook and gently tenderises the gammon. It adds a subtle sweetness that balances the natural saltiness of the meat without tasting of cola at all. The result is incredibly soft, almost pulled-pork tender gammon that you simply cannot get from cooking in water alone.
Gammon in Coke Ingredients
For the Gammon:
- 2 kg gammon joint, unsmoked
- 2 litres Coca-Cola, full fat
- 1 medium carrot, roughly chopped
- 1 medium onion, roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
For the Glaze:
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon wholegrain mustard
How to Make Gammon in Coke
- Prep the Slow Cooker: Roughly chop the carrot and onion and place them in the bottom of your slow cooker. Set the gammon joint on top of the vegetables.
- Slow Cook in Cola: Pour in enough Coca-Cola to almost completely cover the gammon. Sprinkle the cinnamon into the liquid. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4–6 hours or on LOW for 6–8 hours, until the gammon is tender and cooked through.
- Prepare for Roasting: Carefully remove the gammon from the slow cooker and place it in a roasting tin. Preheat your oven to 220°C (200°C fan).
- Score the Fat: Remove the tough outer skin and most of the fat, leaving a thin layer. Score this remaining fat in a criss-cross diamond pattern.
- Glaze the Gammon: In a small bowl, mix together the honey, dark brown sugar, and wholegrain mustard. Use a pastry brush to baste the top and sides of the gammon with half of this glaze.
- Roast Until Crispy: Roast in the hot oven for 15 minutes. Remove, pour over the remaining glaze, and roast for a final 15 minutes until the fat is sticky, caramelised, and crispy. Let it rest for 10 minutes before carving.
How Long to Cook Gammon in Coke
Cooking time depends on the size of your gammon joint and your slow cooker setting. As a guide, cook on HIGH for about 1 hour per 500g or on LOW for about 1.5 hours per 500g.
A 2 kg joint takes roughly 4 hours on HIGH or 6 hours on LOW. Always check with a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature reaches 63°C before moving on to the glazing stage.
How Do You Get the Best Gammon in Coke?
- Use a meat thermometer: The gammon is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 63°C. This is the most reliable way to avoid overcooking or undercooking.
- Always use full-fat cola: The sugar in full-fat Coca-Cola tenderises the meat and adds a subtle sweetness. Diet or zero-sugar versions will not give the same result.
- Score the fat for a crispy glaze: Cutting a diamond pattern into the fat allows the glaze to seep in and helps the fat render and crisp in the oven.
- Top up with water if needed: You need enough liquid to almost cover the joint. If you run short on cola, top up with water to make sure the gammon cooks evenly.
- Try different spices: For a festive twist, add a star anise, a few cloves, or some fresh ginger to the slow cooker alongside the cinnamon.
- Try a different glaze: If you prefer a sharper finish, try our honey mustard gammon recipe which uses a classic glaze without the cola.
What Should You Serve With This Gammon?
This gammon makes a brilliant centrepiece for a Christmas dinner or Sunday roast. Serve it with crispy roast potatoes, steamed green beans, and a rich onion gravy. Cauliflower cheese or braised red cabbage both work well on the side.
For a simpler meal, thick slices of warm gammon go perfectly with chips and a fried egg. Cold leftovers make excellent sandwiches the next day with a sharp mustard or chutney. You could also use leftover gammon in a pea and ham soup for an easy midweek meal.
How Should You Store Leftover Gammon?
Let the gammon cool completely, then wrap it tightly in foil or place it in an airtight container. It keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To freeze, slice the gammon and store in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 577 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Protein: 73g
- Fat: 10g
- Sugar: 42g
- Sodium: 303mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to soak the gammon first? Unsmoked joints like the one in this recipe do not need soaking. If you use a smoked joint, soak it in cold water overnight to draw out excess salt.
How does this compare to Nigella Lawson’s ham in coca-cola? Nigella’s original simmers the gammon on the hob and uses a treacle, mustard powder, and clove glaze. This version is more hands-off in a slow cooker and uses a honey and wholegrain mustard glaze instead.
Can you use diet coke for gammon? Full-sugar cola is essential for this recipe. The real sugar tenderises the meat and adds sweetness, while artificial sweeteners break down differently under heat and can leave a bitter taste.
Can you cook gammon in coke in the oven instead? Yes, simmer the gammon on the hob in cola for about 1 hour per kg. Transfer to a roasting tin, glaze, and roast at 220°C for 30 minutes.
Can I prepare this ahead of time? Yes, slow cook the gammon a day in advance and store it in the fridge once cooled. When ready to serve, glaze and roast as directed.
You May Also Like:
- Hairy Bikers Honey Mustard Gammon Recipe
- Hairy Bikers Christmas Ham Recipe
- Hairy Bikers Pea and Ham Soup Recipe
Hairy Bikers Gammon in Coke Recipe
Description
This gammon in coke recipe slow cooks a whole gammon joint in Coca-Cola until fall-apart tender, then finishes it with a sticky honey mustard glaze. Ready in about 5 hours, serves 8.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place chopped carrot and onion in the slow cooker. Add the gammon joint.
- Pour over enough Coke to almost cover the gammon and sprinkle in the cinnamon.
- Cook on HIGH for 4–6 hours or LOW for 6–8 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 63°C.
- Preheat the oven to 220°C (200°C fan). Place the cooked gammon in a roasting tin.
- Remove the skin and score the remaining fat in a diamond pattern.
- Mix the glaze ingredients and brush half over the gammon. Roast for 15 minutes.
- Brush with the remaining glaze and roast for a final 15 minutes until crispy. Rest for 10 minutes before carving.
