Easy Glazed Ham: A Juicy, Sweet & Savory Masterpiece for Any Occasion 🍖🍯✨

1. Introduction

Looking for a show-stopping centerpiece for your holiday feast or Sunday dinner that will impress your guests without keeping you in the kitchen all day? This Easy Glazed Ham recipe delivers tender, juicy meat with a caramelized honey-mustard crust that will have everyone asking for seconds – and the recipe! Perfect for Easter, Christmas, or any special family gathering, this foolproof method ensures a flavorful ham every time, whether you’re an experienced cook or just starting out in the kitchen.

What makes this easy glazed ham recipe truly special? The magical combination of sweet honey, tangy mustard, and warm spices creates a sticky glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven, forming a glossy, flavorful crust that seals in all the juices. Using a quality pre-cooked ham from your local butcher or grocery store cuts down preparation time while still delivering restaurant-quality results that will make you look like a gourmet chef. This recipe is so versatile – it works equally well for large holiday gatherings or smaller family dinners when you want something special without too much fuss.

2. Ingredients

• 1 (8-10 lb) fully cooked bone-in ham (spiral-cut works great too)
• 1 cup high-quality honey (local or organic preferred)
• 1/2 cup Dijon mustard (or whole grain mustard for texture)
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark both work)
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice (or apple juice for variation)
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (balances the sweetness)
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves (for that classic ham flavor)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (adds warmth)
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg (enhances the other spices)

Pro Tip: For an extra special touch, check out this brown sugar glaze variation from The Kitchn that pairs beautifully with our recipe!

3. Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Ham

Remove ham from packaging and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels – this helps the glaze adhere better. Place on a sturdy cutting board and let sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes while you prepare the glaze. This simple step helps the ham cook more evenly throughout. If you’re using a spiral-cut ham, be extra gentle when handling to keep the slices intact.

Step 2: Score the Ham

Using a sharp chef’s knife (a serrated knife works well too), make shallow diagonal cuts about 1-inch apart across the surface of the ham, creating an attractive diamond pattern. This isn’t just for looks – it allows the glaze to penetrate deeper into the meat, infusing every bite with flavor. Place the scored ham in a roasting pan, cut side down, and if you like, you can line the pan with foil for easier cleanup – especially helpful when you’re preparing multiple holiday dishes at once.

Step 3: Make the Glaze

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine all the glaze ingredients: honey, mustard, brown sugar, pineapple juice, vinegar, and spices. Whisk constantly until the sugar completely dissolves and the mixture begins to simmer gently. Reduce heat to low and continue cooking for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened – it should coat the back of a spoon. The aroma at this stage is incredible! If you love sweet treats, you might enjoy our frosted red velvet cookies for dessert after your ham dinner.

Step 4: Glaze and Bake

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) – this moderate temperature allows the ham to heat through without drying out. Using a pastry brush (or even a clean new paintbrush reserved for cooking), generously brush about half of the warm glaze over the ham, making sure to get the mixture into all the scored cuts. Bake uncovered for 1 hour 15 minutes, basting with the remaining glaze every 20 minutes – this builds up layers of flavor. For that perfect restaurant-quality finish, broil for just 2-3 minutes at the end to create a gorgeous caramelized crust. While it bakes, why not whip up some peanut butter brownie swirl cookies for later?

4. Cooking Time & Temperature

Bake your easy glazed ham at 325°F (165°C) for about 15 minutes per pound – so a 10-pound ham would take approximately 2.5 hours. The internal temperature should reach 140°F (60°C) when measured with a reliable meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part (avoiding the bone). Remember that since you’re using a pre-cooked ham, you’re essentially just reheating it to serving temperature while allowing the flavors to develop, not cooking it through. This makes it much more forgiving than cooking a raw roast! If you need something quicker, try our crockpot honey garlic chicken for busy weeknights.

5. Serving Suggestions

Always let the ham rest for 15-20 minutes before carving – this allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. For a spectacular presentation, garnish with fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme, and citrus slices. Serve with any of these delicious accompaniments:

• Creamy scalloped potatoes or buttery mashed potatoes
• Roasted seasonal vegetables like honey-glazed carrots and garlic green beans
• Freshly baked dinner rolls or sweet cornbread (perfect for soaking up extra glaze!)
• Tangy cranberry sauce or spiced apple chutney for contrast
• A crisp green salad to balance the richness

For breakfast the next day, try using leftovers in our cheesy potato egg scramble – it’s amazing!

6. Storage & Reheating

Store leftover easy glazed ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days – the flavor actually improves after a day or two! For longer storage, freeze sliced ham in portion-sized freezer bags (with a bit of the glaze) for up to 2 months. To reheat, place slices in a baking dish with a splash of water, cover with foil, and warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 15 minutes – this maintains the moisture better than microwaving. The ham bone makes incredible soup stock – just simmer with vegetables and herbs for hours.

7. Variations

• Maple-Bourbon Glaze: Replace honey with pure maple syrup and add 2 tablespoons good-quality bourbon (the alcohol cooks off)
• Brown Sugar-Pineapple: Use crushed pineapple instead of juice and double the brown sugar for extra caramelization
• Spicy Version: Add 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes or 1 tablespoon sriracha to the glaze for heat lovers
• Citrus Twist: Substitute orange juice for pineapple juice and add 1 tablespoon orange zest
• Herb-Infused: Stir in 1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary or thyme to the glaze

If you enjoy playing with flavors, you’ll love our bakery-style chocolate chip cookies with their perfect texture.

8. Expert Tips

• For spiral-cut hams, reduce the baking time by about 30 minutes since the slices heat faster
• Create a classic presentation by placing pineapple rings secured with cloves and maraschino cherries on the ham before baking
• Save the flavorful ham bone for making split pea soup, ham and bean soup, or to flavor collard greens
• If the glaze starts to brown too quickly during baking, tent the ham loosely with foil
• Make extra glaze to serve on the side – guests will want to drizzle it on everything!
• For easier cleanup, line your roasting pan with heavy-duty foil before adding the ham
• Let kids help brush on the glaze – it’s a fun way to get them involved in cooking

For more baking tips, check out our guide to perfect cream cheese sugar cookies.

9. Conclusion

This easy glazed ham recipe proves that impressive holiday meals don’t have to be complicated or stressful. With just a few simple, quality ingredients and minimal hands-on prep time, you can create a succulent, flavorful ham that will be the absolute star of your table – whether you’re hosting an elegant Christmas dinner or a casual Easter brunch. The sweet and tangy glaze caramelizes to golden perfection, creating a beautiful presentation and layers of irresistible flavor that complement the natural savoriness of the ham. The best part? While the ham bakes (filling your home with incredible aromas), you’re free to prepare side dishes, set the table, or even relax with your guests. Whether you’re an experienced cook looking for a no-fail recipe or a beginner wanting to impress, this easy glazed ham is guaranteed to delight your family and create lasting food memories. Don’t be surprised when everyone asks for the recipe – and seconds! For a lighter option after your ham feast, try our refreshing lemon poppy seed muffins the next morning.

Easy Glazed Ham

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• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

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Description

This Easy Glazed Ham recipe delivers tender, juicy meat with a caramelized honey-mustard crust that will have everyone asking for seconds. Perfect for Easter, Christmas, or family gatherings, this foolproof method ensures a flavorful ham every time with minimal prep.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 (8-10 lb) fully cooked bone-in ham
• 1 cup honey
• 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice (or apple juice)
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

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Instructions

1. Remove ham from packaging and pat dry with paper towels. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
2. Score the ham by making shallow diagonal cuts about 1-inch apart in a diamond pattern.
3. In a saucepan, combine honey, mustard, brown sugar, pineapple juice, vinegar, and spices. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Brush half of the glaze over the ham.
5. Bake uncovered for 1 hour 15 minutes, basting with remaining glaze every 20 minutes.
6. For extra caramelization, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end.
7. Let rest 15-20 minutes before carving and serving.

Notes

• For spiral-cut hams, reduce baking time by about 30 minutes
• Save the ham bone for making split pea soup or bean dishes
• If the glaze starts to brown too quickly, tent the ham with foil
• Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for 2 months

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6 oz
• 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: easy glazed ham, holiday ham recipe, honey mustard ham, Easter ham, Christmas ham, baked ham, ham glaze recipe