If you’re looking for the ultimate sweet-meets-savory recipe that works for holidays, game days, meal prep, and weeknight dinners, this Shredded Ham with Cherry Dr. Pepper Sauce is about to become your new go-to. Smoked low and slow until melt-in-your-mouth tender, then brushed with a sticky, glossy, flavor-packed Cherry Dr. Pepper glaze, this recipe transforms a simple ham into something bold, fun, and unforgettable. Whether you’re making sliders, stuffing baked potatoes, topping mac and cheese, or serving it as the star protein on your dinner table, this easy shredded ham delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

Looking for more Sweet BBQ sauce recipes then check out my Jack and Coke Ribs or Grilled Cherry Coke Chicken.

Need more Ham inspiration, for heat try my Cajun Honey Ham, or my Smoke Maple Bourbon Ham.

Why this Shredded Ham with Cherry Dr. Pepper Sauce Recipe is a MUST Try

This Shredded Ham with Cherry Dr. Pepper Sauce recipe is the perfect combination of comfort food, sweet heat, and slow-cooked tenderness. Using a fully cooked ham makes this recipe nearly foolproof. You’re simply reheating, braising, and shredding, while the homemade cherry soda sauce brings layers of flavor you don’t get from traditional glazes.

Cherry Dr. Pepper may sound like a quirky ingredient, but it’s one of my favorite shortcuts. Its combination of sweetness, caramel, dark fruit, and spice reduces into a syrupy glaze that clings to every strand of pulled ham. Add a touch of heat, a little tang, and some savory depth, and you’ve got a sauce that tastes like it took hours, even though it comes together fast.

This recipe is also incredibly versatile:

• Serve it as a holiday main dish
• Pile it into sandwiches or sliders
• Spoon it over mashed potatoes
• Mix it into mac and cheese
• Use it as a protein for bowl-style dinners
• Meal prep it for quick lunches throughout the week

It’s crowd-pleasing, customizable, and unbelievably satisfying.

Ingredients needed to make a Shredded Ham with Dr. Pepper Sauce

• Ham: for this recipe I used a whole bone-in ham that was not spiral cut. The savoriness of the meat is the perfect compliment to the sweet glaze.
• Cherry Dr. Pepper: the key ingredient to the glaze. It’s fruity, sweet, spiced, and caramelized.
• Seasoning: I used an all purpose rub that pairs well with pork and brings in the traditional BBQ flavors.
• Ketchup: base for any tomato based BBQ sauce.
• Mustard: provides acidy and tanginess to the sauce.
• Brown sugar: adds caramelization to the sauce when brushed on meats.
• Worcestershire sauce: provides an umami flavor profile that add complexity and savoriness.
• Spicy Fruit Jam: boosts the fruity flavor and gives the sauce body, shine, and heat.
• Apple cider vinegar: brings acidity and tanginess to the glaze breaking up the sweetness of the sauce.

Prep the Ham

I used a whole bone-in ham for this Shredded Ham with Cherry Dr. Pepper Sauce recipe. Does it matter, no, but what does matter is getting one that is not spiral cut. Getting a whole ham allows you to score the top layer and slowly smoke the ham without drying it out.

Start by patting dry the bone in ham. Score the ham to open up the meat. To score meat, use a knife to make shallow cuts about 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep and spaced about 1 inch apart. Create a checkered pattern by repeating the cuts at an opposite angle.

Scoring meat has multiple benefits to it:

• Tender meat: cuts fibers that make meat tough and chewy.
• Flavor absorption: allow spices, sauce or marinades to penetrate deeper into the meat.
• Prevents deformation: keeps the original shape of the cut as the fat shrinks.
• Crispy edges: creates crispy edges also known as pork crackling. Adds texture to the pulled pork.
• Helps cook faster: speeds up the cooking process.

To help keep the seasoning in place, I used dijon for the binder. Similarly to pulled pork, the binder is versatile. Other options include hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce or anything you use. You will not be able to taste the flavor of the binder once the ham is done.

Finally apply Dad’s all purpose seasoning all over the ham. Place the seasoned ham on a wire rack in a deep aluminum roasting pan. Pour a can of Cherry Dr. Pepper under the ham. The liquid will provide additional moisture and steam.

Dad’s Seasonings

Must have grillin seasonings!

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Smoke the ham

Preheat your grill or smoker to 250 degrees for indirect heat. Since I smoked this shredded ham, I used my pellet smoker for the low and slow method. However, this recipe can be easily replicated on a charcoal grill or oven. As long as the temps are correct and the heat is indirect. The only piece missing when making it in the oven is the natural smokiness you would get from a charcoal or pellet grill.

Leave the ham in the smoker for 4-5 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees.

How to make a Cherry Dr. Pepper Sauce

Once you make a homemade sauce, you will almost never use a pre-packed sauce again. It’s simple to make, only requires a few ingredients that you can keep in your pantry for future uses and best part is you can adjust the sweet, savory or spicy levels to your liking.

The star of this Shredded Ham with Cherry Dr. Pepper sauce recipe is the sauce itself. Simple and delicious, adjust sweet, savory and spicy notes to your desired taste.

In a saucepan add Cherry Dr. Pepper, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, dijon mustard, Berry and Jalapeno preserve by Melinda’s, and Dad’s All Purpose seasoning.

Mix the ingredients together, bring to a boil over medium heat, reduce to a simmer and cook until the sauce becomes thick and syrupy. This will take 25-30 minutes.

Wrap and glaze the smoked ham

Just as you would treat pulled pork, wrap the ham once it reaches 140 degrees internally. This will tenderize the meat further by keeping the moisture locked inside.

Once the ham reaches 190 degrees internally and is probe tender remove the foil wrap. The skin should have opened up nicely, bones should be sticking out and the meat should be giggly. Start brushing the homemade bbq glaze over the ham.

Without wrapping it again, leave the glazed smoked ham on the grill for another 10-15 minutes to allow the sauce to caramelize.

Remove the ham from the grill and let it rest for 45 minutes to an hour. During this time, the juices will redistribute within the ham leaving it tender and juice. Perfect for shredding.

Shred the Smoked Ham

Finally, it’s time to shred the ham. Apply another layer of the Cherry Dr. Pepper sauce over the ham, remove the wire wrack from underneath and remove the bone. Start shredding the ham in the savory and sweet liquid below. Mix the inside meat along with the crispy skin.

You get soft and crunchy texture from the meat, sweet and salty flavors from the sauce and ham. It’s the perfect holiday bite.

Why this Shredded Ham recipe works so WELL!

This Shredded Ham with Cherry Dr. Pepper Sauce recipe hits all the flavor notes. It’s sweet, smoky, fruity, savory, tangy, and a little spicy without extra steps or complicated techniques. The ham stays incredibly moist because it’s braised in liquid, and the sauce thickens naturally as the soda reduces.

Because the flavors are familiar yet unique, this dish fits into holiday menus, casual weeknight meals, and backyard barbecue spreads. It stores well, reheats perfectly, and becomes even more flavorful the next day—making it ideal for leftovers or meal prep.

Final Thoughts

This Shredded Ham with Cherry Dr. Pepper Sauce is the perfect blend of easy, fun, and flavor-packed cooking. It’s simple enough for beginners but impressive enough for holidays and gatherings. Whether you’re making it for Sunday dinner, a potluck, or just to have delicious leftovers throughout the week, this recipe brings big flavor with very little effort.

Once you try it, you’ll find yourself making it again and again.

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Shredded Ham with Cherry Dr. Pepper Sauce

Smoked low and slow, this Shredded Ham with Cherry Dr. Pepper Sauce is sticky, glossy and flavor-packed cherry Dr. Pepper flavor.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword pulled ham., shredded ham with cherry dr. pepper sauce, smoked ham, soda bbq sauce, homemade sauce recipe, holiday recipe, grillin with dad recipes, grilling with dad recipes.

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 9 hours hours

Servings 10 People

Calories 676kcal

Author Maciek Zurawski

Ingredients

Ham Ingredients

• 11 lbs Whole bone-in ham
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp All purpose seasoning
• 1 can Cherry Dr. Pepper

Cherry Dr. Pepper Sauce Ingredients

• 1/2 can Cherry Dr. Pepper
• 1 cup Ketchup
• 1 cup Brown sugar
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp All purpose seasoning
• 1 tbsp Berry and Jalapeno preserve

Instructions

• Start by patting the ham dry. Score the skin to open up the meat.
• Apply dijon mustard for the binder and season with an all purpose rub all over the ham.
• Place the seasoned ham on a wire rack in a deep aluminum roasting pan and pour in a can of Cherry Dr. Pepper soda.
• Preheat the grill to 250 degrees and set for indirect heat. Place the ham with the foil pan on the grill.
• Once the internal temperature of the ham reaches 140 degrees, wrap it in foil and continue cooking on the grill.
• While the pork is on the grill, in a saucepan add Cherry Dr. Pepper, brown sugar,Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, dijon mustard, berry and jalapeno preserve and Dad’s All Purpose seasoning. Mix it all together and simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
• Once the internal temperature of the ham reaches 190 degrees, remove the foil and start brushing the homemade Cherry Dr. Pepper glaze over the ham. Be sure to get ever part coated.
• Leave the ham on the smoker and continue to cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing the glaze to caramelize.
• Remove the ham from the smoker, cover loosely with foil and allow it to rest for 45-60 minutes at room temperature.
• Remove the bones from the ham and shred the meat. You can use 2 forks to make it easier. I like to leave the pieces a little bigger for better texture.
• Drizzle the remaining Cherry Dr. Pepper sauce over the top and enjoy!

Notes

Score the ham in a checkered pattern. This will allow more smokiness and flavor from the seasoning to penetrate the meat.

Place the ham on a wire rack and into a pan or use a roasting pan. Pour orange or apple juice in the bottom of the pan to keep moisture levels high while smoking.

Don’t like heat, skip the spicy jam or preserve and use a sweet alternative.

Nutrition

Calories: 676kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 84g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 235mg | Sodium: 7071mg | Potassium: 1577mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 247IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 9mg