Traditional Glazed Ham: A Succulent Masterpiece for Holidays & Gatherings 🍖✨🍯

1. Introduction

Nothing says celebration like a perfectly cooked Traditional Glazed Ham. This classic dish, with its sweet and savory glaze, is a showstopper at holiday feasts, family gatherings, and special occasions. Whether you’re preparing for Christmas, Easter, or just want to elevate your Sunday dinner, this Traditional Glazed Ham recipe guarantees tender, juicy meat with a caramelized crust that will have everyone coming back for seconds. The aroma alone will make your kitchen smell like a professional bakery!

2. Ingredients

Before you begin, gather these simple ingredients that create magic when combined. Most of these pantry staples might already be in your kitchen, making this glazed ham recipe both convenient and impressive:

• 1 (8-10 lb) fully cooked bone-in ham (spiral-cut works too)
• ½ cup Dijon mustard (the secret flavor booster)
• 1 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark both work)
• ½ cup honey (local honey adds wonderful complexity)
• ¼ cup pineapple juice (or substitute orange juice)
• 1 tsp ground cloves (for that warm holiday spice)
• Whole cloves for studding (about 30-40 pieces)

3. 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 roasting rack inside a large roasting pan. Using a sharp knife, score the ham in a diamond pattern, making shallow cuts about ½ inch deep. This technique does three wonderful things: helps the glaze penetrate deeper, creates more surface area for caramelization, and makes for a stunning presentation when served. If you’re new to working with large cuts of meat, don’t worry – scoring is easier than it looks!

Step 2: Apply Mustard & Cloves

Brush the entire surface of the ham with Dijon mustard, ensuring even coverage – this creates the perfect “glue” for your glaze to adhere to. The mustard adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness beautifully. Now for the fun part: insert whole cloves at the intersections of the scored diamonds. This not only looks festive but infuses the ham with warm, aromatic flavor. If you’re serving this for dinner parties, the cloves make for a beautiful presentation that will impress your guests.

Step 3: Make the Glaze

In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, honey, pineapple juice, and ground cloves. Simmer over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens slightly to a syrup-like consistency. This sweet and tangy glaze will caramelize beautifully on the ham, creating that signature shiny finish. For more glaze inspiration, check out this brown sugar glaze variation from our friends at The Kitchn. The pineapple juice adds a subtle tropical note that pairs wonderfully with the ham’s natural saltiness.

Step 4: Glaze & Bake

Brush half of the warm glaze over the prepared ham, making sure to get into all the nooks and crannies of your scoring. Cover loosely with foil (this prevents over-browning) and bake for 1½ hours. Remove the foil, brush with remaining glaze, and continue baking uncovered for another 30 minutes, basting every 10 minutes with the pan juices. The ham is ready when it’s golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C) on a meat thermometer. If you love baked dishes like this, you’ll appreciate how the slow roasting develops incredible flavor.

4. Serving Suggestions

Let the ham rest for 15 minutes before carving – this allows the juices to redistribute for maximum tenderness. Serve with classic sides like scalloped potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad. For a complete holiday spread, pair it with our Ham and Cheese Hash Brown Casserole. The leftover ham makes excellent sandwiches or can be used in soups like our Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup (just substitute ham for chicken).

5. Storage Tips

Store leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat slices in the oven at 325°F with a splash of water or broth to maintain moisture. Leftover ham also works wonderfully in our Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Parmesan Soup (just swap the chicken for ham).

6. Variations

• Maple Bourbon Glaze: Replace honey with pure maple syrup and add 2 tbsp bourbon for a sophisticated twist perfect for adult gatherings.
• Spicy Brown Sugar: Add 1 tsp cayenne pepper to the glaze for a sweet-heat combination that will wake up your taste buds.
• Citrus Twist: Use orange juice instead of pineapple juice and add 1 tbsp orange zest for a bright, fresh flavor profile.
• Cracked Pepper Honey: Stir 1 tbsp freshly cracked black pepper into the glaze for a more savory version.

7. Expert Tips

• For extra flavor and presentation points, place sliced pineapple rings on the ham before glazing and secure with toothpicks.
• If the glaze starts to burn before the ham is fully heated, simply cover with foil and reduce oven temperature by 25 degrees.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure perfect doneness without overcooking – insert it into the thickest part without touching bone.
• Let the ham come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking for more even cooking.
• For an extra glossy finish, brush with one final coat of glaze during the last 10 minutes of baking.

8. FAQs

Q: Can I use a spiral-cut ham for this recipe?
A: Absolutely! Spiral-cut hams work beautifully – just reduce the baking time by about 30 minutes since they’re already partially separated. The glaze will seep between the slices for incredible flavor in every bite.

Q: How do I prevent the glaze from burning?
A: The key is frequent basting (every 10-15 minutes) and keeping an eye on it during the uncovered baking time. If you notice excessive browning, tent loosely with foil. Using darker pans? Consider lowering oven temperature by 25 degrees as they conduct heat differently.

Q: Can I make the glaze ahead of time?
A: Yes! The glaze can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Simply reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave before using. This makes holiday meal prep much easier when you’re also preparing dishes like our Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Chili.

Q: What’s the best way to carve the ham?
A: Use a long, sharp knife. For bone-in hams, start by making vertical cuts perpendicular to the bone, then angle your knife to release slices. Let the knife do the work – don’t saw back and forth.

9. Conclusion

This Traditional Glazed Ham recipe is a timeless classic that never fails to impress. With its perfect balance of sweetness and savoriness, it’s guaranteed to be the star of your next gathering. Whether you’re hosting a holiday feast, Sunday dinner, or special celebration, this showstopping centerpiece will have everyone asking for your secret. The best part? It’s surprisingly simple to make yet looks and tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen. For more family-friendly recipes that impress, try our Ritz Cracker Chicken. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a succulent, beautifully glazed ham that looks as spectacular as it tastes. Happy cooking! 🎉🍽️

Traditional Glazed Ham

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• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

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Description

This Traditional Glazed Ham is a succulent masterpiece perfect for holidays and gatherings. Featuring a sweet and savory glaze with honey, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard, this showstopping ham is tender, juicy, and beautifully caramelized. Ideal for Easter, Christmas, or special occasions!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 (8-10 lb) fully cooked bone-in ham
• ½ cup Dijon mustard
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup honey
• ¼ cup pineapple juice
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• Whole cloves for studding

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Score ham in a diamond pattern and place on roasting rack.
2. Brush ham with Dijon mustard and stud with whole cloves at intersections.
3. Make glaze by simmering brown sugar, honey, pineapple juice, and ground cloves for 5-7 minutes.
4. Brush half the glaze over ham, cover with foil, and bake for 1½ hours.
5. Remove foil, brush with remaining glaze, and bake uncovered for 30 minutes, basting every 10 minutes until internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).
6. Let rest 15 minutes before carving and serving.

Notes

• For extra flavor, place pineapple rings on ham before glazing.
• If glaze starts to burn, cover with foil.
• Leftovers store well in refrigerator for 5 days or freeze for 3 months.
• Try variations like maple bourbon glaze or spicy brown sugar for different flavors.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice (6oz)
• Calories: 320 Kcal
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 1200mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: traditional glazed ham, holiday ham recipe, baked ham with glaze, Easter ham, Christmas ham, honey glazed ham, brown sugar ham, pineapple glazed ham, festive main dish