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Baked Cola-Brined Ham

Cola-Brined Easter Ham

goodNes.com
Brining an Easter ham in cola (or Dr. Pepper) is divine.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 39 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 9 minutes
Course Main
Servings 10

Ingredients
  

  • 2 liters cola or other dark-colored soda (such as COKE or DR. PEPPER)
  • 1 1/2 cups salt
  • 6-8 pounds bone-in, shank or butt portion fresh ham (half a leg), skin on
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic about 8 cloves
  • 1 tablespoon Granulated Chicken Bouillon

Instructions
 

  • COMBINE cola and salt in a medium-size cooler or other 10-quart bucket or stockpot; stir to dissolve the salt.
  • USING a sharp knife, score entire surface of ham in a crosshatch or diamond pattern, cutting down just through the skin. Place ham in the brine, submerging completely. Cover and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours.
  • POSITION oven rack in the lowest position and preheat oven to 500° F.
  • COMBINE parsley, oil, garlic and bouillon in small bowl; stir well.
  • REMOVE ham from brine. Rinse it well under cold water then pat dry with paper towels. Place the ham wide-side-down in a large roasting pan with a flat rack. Rub outside of ham all over with the bouillon mixture, pressing it gently into scored slices between the skin.
  • BAKE uncovered for 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350° F and continue to bake until the roast reaches 150° F on an instant-read thermometer (this should take 2 to 2 1/2 hours, about 20 to 25 minutes per pound of ham). After the first hour, it’s a good idea to loosely wrap foil around the bone to keep it from burning.
  • TRANSFER the roast to a carving board and tent with foil; allow the roast to sit at room temperature until the internal roast temperature reaches 160° F (about 20 to 30 minutes). The roast is now ready to carve.