Delicious Glazed Ham: A Succulent Masterpiece with a Sweet & Savory Crust �🍯✨
1. Introduction
A perfectly glazed ham is the crown jewel of any holiday feast or special occasion. This delicious glazed ham recipe transforms a simple ham into a show-stopping centerpiece with a caramelized, sweet-and-savory crust that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Whether you’re hosting a festive gathering or simply craving a comforting meal, this glazed ham recipe delivers juicy, flavorful results every time.
The secret to this mouthwatering dish lies in the perfect balance of ingredients in the glaze – brown sugar for richness, honey for sweetness, and mustard for a subtle tang. As the ham bakes, the glaze caramelizes to create a beautiful, glossy finish that’s as impressive to look at as it is delicious to eat. If you’re looking for more delicious dinner ideas, check out our dinner recipes collection for inspiration. Follow our simple steps below to create this delicious glazed ham that will become your go-to recipe for special occasions.
2. Ingredients
1 (8-10 lb) fully cooked bone-in ham
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Whole cloves for studding (about 20-30)
For those who love experimenting with different flavors, you might enjoy pairing this ham with our Bacon Cheeseburger Noodle Bake for a complete meal experience.
3. Equipment Needed
Large roasting pan with rack
Small saucepan
Pastry brush
Sharp knife
Meat thermometer
4. Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Ham
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Remove the ham from its packaging and place it on a clean cutting board. Using a sharp knife, score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern, making cuts about 1/4-inch deep. This will help the glaze penetrate the meat and create an attractive presentation. Insert whole cloves at the intersections of the scores for added flavor and visual appeal.
Step 2: Bake the Ham
Place the prepared ham on a rack in a roasting pan, cut side down. Cover loosely with aluminum foil and bake for about 1 hour and 30 minutes (approximately 15 minutes per pound). This gentle heating will warm the ham through without drying it out. While the ham bakes, why not try making some Easy No-Bake Cheesy Bread as a side dish?
Step 3: Make the Glaze
While the ham is baking, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, honey, mustard, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, and ground cloves. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside. For those who enjoy baking, you might also love our baking recipes collection.
Step 4: Glaze and Finish Baking
After the initial baking time, remove the ham from the oven and increase the temperature to 375°F (190°C). Carefully remove the foil and brush about half of the glaze evenly over the ham. Return to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 15 minutes. Remove again and brush with the remaining glaze, then bake for another 15-20 minutes until the glaze is bubbly and caramelized. The internal temperature should reach 140°F (60°C). For more glazing inspiration, check out this alternative glazed ham recipe from AllRecipes.
5. Serving Suggestions
Let the delicious glazed ham rest for 15-20 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute. Serve warm with traditional sides like scalloped potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad. The sweet glaze pairs beautifully with slightly tart accompaniments like cranberry sauce or apple chutney. For a complete breakfast the next day, try using leftovers in our Low Carb High Protein Cottage Cheese Pancakes.
6. Storage and Reheating
Store leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place slices in a baking dish with a small amount of water or broth, cover with foil, and warm in a 325°F (165°C) oven until heated through. Leftover ham makes excellent sandwiches, omelets, or can be used in soups and casseroles like our delicious Ham and Cheese Hash Brown Casserole.
7. Variations
Pineapple Glazed Ham: Add 1/2 cup pineapple juice to the glaze and arrange pineapple rings on the ham before the final baking.
Maple Bourbon Glaze: Substitute maple syrup for honey and add 2 tablespoons bourbon.
Spicy Glaze: Add 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper or 1 tablespoon sriracha for a kick.
For best results, use a bone-in ham as it tends to be more flavorful and moist.
Don’t skip the scoring step – it allows the glaze to penetrate deeper into the meat.
Apply the glaze in layers for maximum flavor and a beautiful finish.
If the glaze starts to brown too quickly, tent the ham loosely with foil.
Save the ham bone for making delicious soups or beans.
9. Conclusion
This delicious glazed ham recipe is guaranteed to impress your family and guests with its perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors and beautiful presentation. The simple glaze transforms an ordinary ham into an extraordinary centerpiece that’s both elegant and comforting. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday or simply want to elevate your Sunday dinner, this glazed ham will quickly become a cherished tradition in your home. The caramelized crust, juicy interior, and aromatic spices create a symphony of flavors that make every bite unforgettable. Try this recipe once, and you’ll understand why it’s our most requested holiday dish! For more delicious recipes, explore our Healthy Sourdough Discard Empanadas or our decadent Homemade Turtle Candy for dessert.
This delicious glazed ham recipe transforms a simple ham into a show-stopping centerpiece with a caramelized, sweet-and-savory crust. Perfect for holidays or special occasions, this succulent masterpiece features a perfect balance of brown sugar, honey, and Dijon mustard for an unforgettable flavor experience.
Ingredients
Scale
1 (8-10 lb) fully cooked bone-in ham
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Whole cloves for studding (about 20-30)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Score ham surface in a diamond pattern and stud with whole cloves.
Place ham in roasting pan, cover with foil, and bake for 1 hour 30 minutes (15 minutes per pound).
Make glaze by combining brown sugar, honey, mustard, vinegar, cinnamon, and cloves in a saucepan over medium heat until smooth.
Remove ham from oven, increase temperature to 375°F (190°C), brush with half the glaze, and bake uncovered for 15 minutes.
Brush with remaining glaze and bake another 15-20 minutes until caramelized (internal temp 140°F/60°C).
Let rest 15-20 minutes before carving and serving.
Notes
For best results, use a bone-in ham for maximum flavor and moisture.
Scoring allows the glaze to penetrate deeper into the meat.
Apply glaze in layers for better flavor and presentation.
Save the ham bone for making soups or beans.
Leftovers keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:2 hours 5 minutes
Nutrition
Serving Size:1 slice (about 4oz)
Calories:320 Kcal
Sugar:18g
Sodium:1200mg
Fat:12g
Saturated Fat:4g
Unsaturated Fat:6g
Trans Fat:0g
Carbohydrates:22g
Fiber:0g
Protein:28g
Cholesterol:80mg
Keywords: glazed ham, holiday ham recipe, baked ham with glaze, sweet ham recipe, Christmas ham, Easter ham, honey glazed ham, brown sugar ham, special occasion ham
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Hi There!
Welcome to RecipesAlways.com! I’m Chef Megan, and I’m so excited to have you here as we embark on this flavorful journey together.