Honey-Glazed Ham

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 3 hours
🍽 Serves: 12
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This honey-glazed ham recipe is a showstopper for any festive occasion. It's sweet, savory, and incredibly easy to prepare, making it a perfect centerpiece for your next holiday meal.

Ingredients for Honey-Glazed Ham

The star here is the ham, which is already fully cooked, letting us focus on flavor rather than fuss. The honey provides natural sweetness that balances the savory meat. Brown sugar contributes depth with its molasses undertones. The apple cider vinegar adds a subtle tang to cut through the sweetness. Dijon mustard introduces a mild heat and complexity. For warm, aromatic notes, we use ground cloves, ginger, and cinnamon. Finally, a bit of water in the pan ensures the ham stays juicy and moist.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use a silicone brush for the glaze — it makes application easy and even.
  • Keep the leftover glaze warm on low heat to serve alongside the ham.
  • If your ham is smaller or larger, adjust the cooking time accordingly.
  • For a deeper flavor, you can marinate the ham in the glaze overnight in the refrigerator.

Serving Suggestions

This honey-glazed ham pairs wonderfully with roasted root vegetables or a fresh green salad. For a classic touch, serve it alongside creamy mashed potatoes or scalloped potatoes. Don't forget the rolls — they’re perfect for soaking up any extra glaze on your plate!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a spiral-cut ham?
Yes, just be more gentle when applying the glaze to avoid breaking the slices apart.
How do I store leftovers?
Wrap any remaining ham in foil or place it in an airtight container and refrigerate. It should last for 3-5 days.
Can I freeze the cooked ham?
Absolutely. Slice it up, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.

Honey-Glazed Ham Recipe Walkthrough

First, preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). This ensures the ham warms through evenly. Place the ham, cut side down, in a roasting pan. This position helps the ham absorb the glaze deeply.

Next, make the glaze. In a saucepan, combine honey, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, cloves, ginger, and cinnamon. Heat this mixture over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. This should only take a few minutes, and you'll have a fragrant, thick glaze.

Brush the ham generously with the glaze, but save some for later basting. Pour about 1/4 cup of water into the bottom of the roasting pan to keep the ham from drying out during cooking.

Loosely cover the ham with foil. This traps some steam, helping to heat the ham gently, while preventing the glaze from burning too soon. Bake it for 2 hours, taking it out every 30 minutes to brush on more glaze.

After 2 hours, remove the foil and let the ham bake for an additional 30 minutes. This step is crucial for those irresistible caramelized edges. Once done, let the ham rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing. Resting helps the juices redistribute, making each slice juicy and tender.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Perfect balance of sweetness and spice, thanks to a flavorful glaze.
  • Simple preparation — minimal hands-on time with maximum impact.
  • The caramelized edges add a delightful texture and taste.
  • Leftovers make amazing sandwiches and next-day meals.

Ingredients

1 fully-cooked bone-in ham (10-12 pounds)
1 cup honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup water

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
2. Place the ham in a roasting pan, cut side down.
3. In a saucepan, combine honey, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, cloves, ginger, and cinnamon.
4. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
5. Brush the ham generously with the glaze, reserving some for later use.
6. Add water to the bottom of the roasting pan to prevent drying out.
7. Cover the ham loosely with foil and bake for 2 hours, basting with glaze every 30 minutes.
8. Remove the foil and bake for another 30 minutes, or until the edges caramelize.
9. Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving.

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