A whole baked ham is synonymous with the holidays, especially Easter. Brushed with a sticky-sweet glaze or adorned with cloves and sliced pineapples, this centerpiece is destined to be the main attraction at any big gathering. And since most store-bought ham is pre-cooked, ham recipes are surprisingly simple to pull off (you're essentially reheating the meat).
So what separates an average ham from an exceptional one? The glaze, of course! With the right combination and ratio of ingredients, you'll get an ideal amount of sweetness to counter the ham's saltiness, resulting in a deliciously balanced bite. The food experts in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen discovered that one key ingredient helps you achieve this goal of a perfectly sweet-and-salty ham: root beer.
Yes, a splash of soda instantly improves your glaze. "Root beer adds a sweet and spicy flavor to your ham without requiring a ton of different ingredients. The root beer also naturally reduces to create a thick sauce, thanks to the sugars in the soda," explains Food Producer Tina Martinez.
The idea of using soda in ham glazes is actually a time-honored tradition. People — in the South especially — often use cola or ginger ale (and have been, for decades). This not-so secret ingredient makes sense, given the way it can boil down and thicken into a sticky-sweet syrup.
Root beer, however, takes this technique to new heights. This type of soda delivers a flavor boost that goes beyond your standard cola. With its signature sarsaparilla, plus hints of vanilla, molasses and caramel, the fizzy drink introduces bold, complex flavors that surpasses a simple taste of sweetness. "Paired with mustard and an acid like lemon juice, you achieve a perfectly balanced glaze," says Martinez.
Consider this your sign to skip the packaged glaze that came with your store-bought ham this year and create your own sticky-sweet coating — with a can of root beer — instead.
