Citrus Glazed Honey Ham

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 3 hours
🍽 Serves: 12
★★★★★
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If you're looking to impress at your next holiday gathering or Sunday dinner, this Citrus Glazed Honey Ham is a showstopper. With a perfect blend of sweet and tangy flavors, this dish is both simple to prepare and sure to please a crowd.

Citrus Glazed Honey Ham

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Ingredients for Citrus Glazed Honey Ham

Ingredients for Citrus Glazed Honey Ham

Let's break down the ingredients to understand why each one is crucial for creating that irresistible flavor.

Ham: The star of the show. A fully cooked, bone-in ham gives you succulent meat and beautiful presentation.

Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps create a glossy glaze.

Orange juice and pineapple juice: These juices bring a refreshing tanginess that complements the sweetness of the honey.

Dijon mustard: Offers a subtle heat and complexity, balancing the sweet and tangy elements.

Brown sugar: Deepens the sweetness and caramelizes as it bakes.

Soy sauce: Adds a savory umami depth to the glaze.

Ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves: These spices add warmth and aromatic complexity, making each bite a flavorful experience.

Salt: Enhances all the other flavors, ensuring your ham is perfectly seasoned.

Orange slices: Not just for decoration, they infuse a fresh citrus aroma during the final bake.

Why This Citrus Glazed Honey Ham Works

In the oven, the ham warms up slowly, so the inside heats through without drying out. Scoring the surface opens little cuts all over the outside, so the honey and juices can sink into the meat instead of just sitting on top. As the ham bakes, the fat under the skin softens and melts a bit, keeping the meat moist while the outside starts to brown.

In the saucepan, the honey, juices, mustard, sugar, and spices melt together into a smooth glaze. As it heats, the sugar fully dissolves and the glaze becomes a little thicker and sticky. Each time the ham is brushed, that sticky glaze clings to the hot surface and starts to set into a shiny coat. Over time, the sugars on the outside darken and form a thin, sweet crust that sticks to the ham instead of running off. During the last half hour, the orange slices warm and dry slightly, so their juice seeps into the glaze and the top of the ham, adding a fresh, bright taste to the rich, salty meat.

Citrus Glazed Honey Ham Tips & Tricks

  • Use a sharp knife to score the ham; it ensures deep cuts without tearing the meat.
  • For a thicker glaze, let it simmer a bit longer until it reduces slightly.
  • Adjust the spices to your liking; a little more ginger or cloves can add a kick if you prefer.

Mistakes To Avoid

Letting the ham cook much longer than the 2.5 hours can make the meat tough and dry, especially around the edges and near the bone. The glaze also starts to burn and turn bitter on the outside while the inside loses its juiciness, so the slices end up stringy instead of tender.

Pouring all the glaze on at the start instead of basting in layers causes the sugars to darken too fast. The outside forms a hard, almost burnt shell while the inside of the ham barely picks up any of the sticky coating, so the surface tastes harsh and the rest stays plain.

Skipping the scoring step leaves the fat cap mostly intact, so the glaze just slides off instead of soaking in. The fat under the skin doesn’t render as well, and the outside of the ham stays slick and rubbery instead of getting that slightly crisp, sticky crust.

Putting the orange slices on too early in the bake makes them dry out and scorch. The fruit turns leathery and bitter, and the top of the ham can pick up that burnt citrus taste instead of a light, fresh note.

Equipment Used:

Roasting pan, saucepan, oven

Ingredients

  1. 1 fully cooked bone-in ham (10 lb)
  2. 1 cup honey
  3. 1/2 cup orange juice
  4. 1/2 cup pineapple juice
  5. 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  6. 1/4 cup brown sugar
  7. 2 tbsp soy sauce
  8. 2 tsp ground ginger
  9. 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  10. 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  11. 1/2 tsp salt
  12. 1 orange, sliced

Step-by-step Instructions

  1. 1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
  2. 2. In a saucepan, combine honey, orange juice, pineapple juice, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, soy sauce, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved and the glaze is smooth.
  3. 3. Score the ham in a diamond pattern and place it in a large roasting pan. Brush with the prepared glaze, reserving some for basting.
  4. 4. Bake the ham uncovered for 2.5 hours, basting with glaze every 30 minutes.
  5. 5. During the last 30 minutes, arrange orange slices over the ham for added flavor and presentation.
  6. 6. Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes before carving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a boneless ham?
Yes, but bone-in tends to be juicier and more flavorful.
How do I store leftovers?
Wrap tightly in foil or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Can I make the glaze ahead of time?
Definitely! Prepare it a day in advance and store in the fridge. Just reheat before using.

Serving Ideas for Citrus Glazed Honey Ham

Pair this ham with classic sides like creamy mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables. For a lighter option, a crisp green salad with a citrus vinaigrette complements the ham beautifully. A chilled glass of white wine or sparkling water with a splash of citrus juice makes for a refreshing drink choice.

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This recipe is for informational purposes only. Always follow proper food safety practices, cook foods to safe internal temperatures, and store leftovers appropriately. Results may vary.