cola gammon slow cooker recipes always pop up in my feed around December, and I’ll be honest—they used to make me roll my eyes. Who really has time to make a gammon that tastes good enough for Christmas dinner? Here’s the thing: one year, I got sucked into the hype. My roast was dry, my potatoes were meh, but that cola gammon slow cooker deal? Showstopper. Everyone raved, and my kitchen smelled unreal. Basically, this post is everything I know about making Cola-Braised Christmas Gammon with a Sticky Ginger Glaze so you don’t get stuck with cardboard ham. Christmas stress, handled. 
Why Cola Works for Gammon
So, cola in a slow cooker—wild, right? But it’s not just about the sugar hit (promise, not just a gimmick). The cola actually tenderizes gammon in the slow cooker and gives it this sort of caramel-like, deep flavor. Saves it from tasting salty or boring.
Honestly, if you’re used to just boiling the gammon and pouring on glaze, this will change your holiday game. I found out that soda has acids that break down tough bits, so the meat basically melts in your mouth. You don’t taste “cola” in the finished dish, just this sweet, slightly spicy richness.
If you’re skeptical—yep, so was I. Now, my family thinks I moonlight in a five-star restaurant. Wild exaggeration, but it worked.
“I’ve never had gammon this juicy. The cola slow cooker trick is genius, and my kids keep asking for seconds. Super easy, perfect for Christmas,”
– Sam, a reader from Leeds
Essential Ingredients
Alright, keep it simple. Don’t go wild, you’ll thank me later. Here’s what you need for the best cola gammon slow cooker dinner:
- 1 whole unsmoked gammon joint (about 1.5–2 kg, bigger for a crowd)
- 2 liters of cola (not diet, seriously, the sugar matters)
- 1 onion, quartered
- 2 star anise (optional, but highly recommended for a Christmassy kick)
- 3–4 thick slices of fresh ginger
- Few black peppercorns
- For the ginger glaze: a heaping spoon of brown sugar, a big squeeze of honey, grated fresh ginger, and a dash of soy sauce
That’s it. Your cupboard probably has half this stuff already. If you don’t do star anise—skip it. Want more kick? Add a cinnamon stick. The whole point is to make it taste like a holiday (without emptying your wallet). 
Slow Cook Setup Instructions
Slice the onion, smash the ginger, and chuck both into the bottom of your slow cooker. Plop your gammon joint on top—don’t even stress about neatness. Scatter in those peppercorns and star anise.
Now, pour in the cola until your gammon is just covered. Whack the lid on and set it for low, about 7–8 hours. Don’t keep lifting the lid (seriously, just trust the process).
About halfway through, I sometimes rotate my gammon if it’s poking out, but honestly? If you forget, it’s still golden.
Give yourself a break—this is genuinely easier than those overly complicated holiday roasts. Oh, and if you need ideas for another comfort food slow cooker holiday, check out this classic beef stew perfect in the slow cooker.
How to Glaze and Carve
When the timer beeps, take out the gammon and let it cool just for a sec—doesn’t need much. Slash off the top layer of fat so only a bit is left, then score it in a sort of crisscross pattern (think bakery vibes).
Now, for the glaze: mix brown sugar, honey, loads of grated fresh ginger, and soy sauce. Spoon (or just slap) it onto the gammon. Pop it into a hot oven (220°C or so) for about 15–20 minutes until the glaze is bubbling and sticky. Sometimes I baste halfway through, sometimes I forget—not a big deal.
Carve thin slices against the grain. That’s the trick for super tender gammon, every time. For bonus points, use any caramelized bits from the pan as a sticky sauce.
By the way—if you’re looking to knock it out with even more holiday slow cooker tricks, maple bourbon glazed slow cooker ham crock pot is another crowd-pleaser. Try it if you want something fancy next time.
Serving with Holiday Sides
Sides can make or break your Christmas table (no pressure). I like to keep ’em comforting and easy, for obvious reasons. Here are some no-fuss ideas:
- Slow cooker mashed potatoes—ridiculously creamy, zero faff. Try them here.
- Crispy roasties (chunky potatoes, plenty of oil, hot oven)
- Maple pecan Brussels sprouts if you want a little fancy with hardly any extra work
- Don’t forget a sharp mustard or simple cranberry relish
Mix and match whatever sounds good, or just go classic. Your gammon is already stealing the show.
Storing Leftovers and Sandwich Ideas
This part’s almost better than Christmas dinner itself. Cold cola gammon slow cooker slices are unreal in sandwiches. Just wrap the leftovers tight in foil or pop into a tub—they’ll keep for about four days.
If you want to level up, make a toasted sandwich with thick bread, sharp cheddar, and a spoon of chutney or mustard. I’ve even diced leftovers into fried rice or scrambled eggs, and it’s chef’s kiss.
Don’t worry about fancy recipes. Just use what you love or whatever’s lurking around the fridge. Leftover cauliflower cheese? Pile it on.
Common Questions
Do I have to use full-sugar cola for this gammon?
Yeah, you really should. Diet cola just won’t give the same glaze or deep flavor.
Can I prep this ahead?
Totally. Cook the gammon a day before, chill it, then glaze and roast just before serving.
Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Absolutely! The alcohol in the glaze (if you add a splash of brandy) cooks off, and otherwise it’s sweet and mild.
Can I freeze leftover gammon?
For sure. Slice and pop into freezer bags. Defrost and use in sandwiches or toss into soups.
What if my slow cooker is small?
Cut your gammon in half and stack the pieces. It’ll still cook evenly, maybe just rotate once halfway.
Ready to Make Your Holiday Easier?
Honestly, there’s no contest—this cola gammon slow cooker recipe saves so much time and comes out juicy, sticky, and pretty much flawless. It’s about as foolproof as slow cooking gets. Even if you usually dread tackling roasts, you’ll feel like a kitchen champ. For some more old-school inspiration, Jamie Oliver’s Ham Joint Gammon in Coke Slow Cooker Recipe … goes even deeper into the why and how. If you want to branch out, peek at this classic chicken and dumplings in the slow cooker for more weeknight magic.
Give it a whirl. Christmas is stressful enough—let dinner be the easy part! 
Cola-Braised Christmas Gammon with a Sticky Ginger Glaze
- Total Time: 495 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Pork
Description
A juicy and flavorful Christmas gammon recipe made in a slow cooker with cola and a sticky ginger glaze.
Ingredients
- 1 whole unsmoked gammon joint (1.5–2 kg)
- 2 liters of cola (not diet)
- 1 onion, quartered
- 2 star anise (optional)
- 3–4 thick slices of fresh ginger
- A few black peppercorns
- 1 heaping spoon of brown sugar
- 1 big squeeze of honey
- Grated fresh ginger
- A dash of soy sauce
Instructions
- Slice the onion and smash the ginger, then add both to the bottom of a slow cooker.
- Place the gammon joint on top and scatter in the peppercorns and star anise.
- Pour in the cola until the gammon is just covered.
- Cover and set the slow cooker to low for 7–8 hours without lifting the lid.
- When done, remove the gammon and let it cool slightly.
- Slash off the top layer of fat and score it in a crisscross pattern.
- Mix the brown sugar, honey, grated ginger, and soy sauce for the glaze.
- Spoon the glaze over the gammon and place it in a hot oven (220°C) for about 15–20 minutes until bubbling and sticky.
- Carve thin slices against the grain and serve.
Notes
Leftovers can be used in sandwiches or added to other dishes. For a kick, consider adding a cinnamon stick during cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 480 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
