Why This Honey Glazed Ham Recipe is a Must-Try

When it comes to holiday meals, few main dishes command attention quite like a beautifully baked ham. It’s not just about the impressive presentation; it’s about the deep, savory flavors complemented by a sticky-sweet glaze that everyone craves. Our Baked Ham with Honey Glaze recipe stands out for its simplicity and the consistently delicious results it delivers.

This recipe focuses on bringing out the best in a spiral-cut ham, ensuring every slice is incredibly juicy and tender. The star of the show, of course, is the homemade honey glaze – a harmonious blend of sweet honey, rich brown sugar, and warm spices that caramelizes into a glossy, irresistible coating during the final moments of baking. It’s an ideal choice for a stress-free holiday dinner, whether you’re celebrating Easter, Christmas, or any special occasion, thanks to the pre-sliced nature of a spiral ham.

Serving this magnificent ham is surprisingly easy, allowing you more time to enjoy with your loved ones. The minimal prep time and mostly hands-off baking process make it a go-to for hosts looking for a show-stopping main course without the usual fuss. Prepare to impress your guests with a ham that is not only visually stunning but also bursting with flavor in every bite.

Understanding Your Ham: Choosing the Best for Baking

The foundation of a great baked ham starts with selecting the right product. For this recipe, a fully-cooked spiral-cut ham is highly recommended. Here’s why:

• Spiral-Cut Convenience: These hams are pre-sliced in a spiral fashion around the bone, making serving incredibly easy. You don’t need to carve it at the table, just separate the slices.
• Fully Cooked: Most hams sold in stores are fully cooked, meaning your primary goal is to gently reheat it to a safe internal temperature while infusing it with flavor and creating that perfect glaze. This significantly reduces cooking time and complexity.
• Bone-In vs. Boneless: While boneless hams exist, a bone-in spiral ham often yields a more flavorful and moist result due to the bone contributing to the ham’s moisture and taste during heating. Our recipe implicitly favors bone-in for these reasons.
• Weight Matters: Hams typically range from 6 to 12 pounds. An 8-pound ham, as used in the original recipe, is a common and manageable size, usually serving 12-16 people generously, depending on appetite and side dishes. Always consider the size of your gathering when purchasing.

Ensure your chosen ham fits comfortably in your largest baking dish or roasting pan. A snug fit helps keep the ham moist and allows the drippings to collect for the glaze.

Ingredients for the Irresistible Honey Glaze

The beauty of this honey glaze for ham lies in its simplicity and the readily available ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in creating a balanced and flavorful coating:

• Spiral-Cut Ham: (e.g., just over 8 lbs) – Your main ingredient, as discussed above.
• Honey: The star sweetness and a key component for that signature sticky texture. Use a good quality honey for the best flavor.
• Brown Sugar (packed): Adds depth to the sweetness with its molasses notes and contributes to the glaze’s beautiful caramelization.
• Cinnamon: A warm, aromatic spice that beautifully complements the sweetness of the honey and the savory notes of the ham.
• Ground Cloves: Offers a potent, sweet, and pungent flavor that is classic in ham glazes, adding a layer of sophisticated warmth.
• Ground Ginger: Provides a subtle spicy kick and fragrant aroma, balancing the other sweet and savory elements.
• Honey Mustard: This ingredient is a secret weapon, adding tanginess and a slight peppery note that cuts through the sweetness, preventing the glaze from being cloyingly sweet and enhancing the overall flavor profile.

These ingredients come together to form a glaze that is both vibrant and deep, ensuring every slice of ham is infused with incredible flavor. Feel free to adjust the spice levels to your preference, adding a pinch more if you love a bolder flavor.

How to Make Baked Ham with Honey Glaze: Step-by-Step Guide

Achieving a perfectly baked ham with a rich honey glaze is simpler than you might think. Follow these detailed steps to ensure a succulent and flavorful result every time.

1. Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). A lower temperature is key for reheating a fully-cooked ham gently without drying it out.
2. Prepare the Ham for Baking: Place your spiral-cut ham, cut-side down, in a large baking dish or roasting pan. A standard 13″x9″ casserole dish is often sufficient for an average-sized ham. Placing it cut-side down helps to keep the natural juices within the ham.
3. Initial Honey Drizzle: Generously drizzle half a cup of honey all over the ham. Ensure the entire surface is coated. If your honey is thick, warming it slightly in the microwave for 15-20 seconds can make it easier to pour and spread evenly.
4. Cover and Bake: Tightly cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. This traps moisture and steam, which are essential for keeping the ham incredibly juicy and tender as it reheats. Bake for approximately 13 to 14 minutes per pound of ham. For an 8-pound ham, this would be around 1 hour and 44 minutes to 1 hour and 52 minutes.
5. Check Internal Temperature: The most crucial step! About 20-30 minutes before the estimated end of baking time, remove the foil and insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the ham, avoiding the bone. The internal temperature should reach 140 degrees F (60 degrees C) for a fully reheated ham.
6. Prepare the Signature Glaze: While the ham is nearing its target temperature, carefully spoon out approximately ½ cup of the ham drippings from the bottom of the baking dish into a small bowl. These drippings are packed with flavor! Whisk together the ham juices, 1 cup of packed brown sugar, ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, ½ teaspoon of ground cloves, ½ teaspoon of ground ginger, and 1 tablespoon of honey mustard until well combined. This creates a thick, aromatic glaze.
7. Glaze and Broil: Once the ham reaches 140 degrees F, remove it from the oven and carefully pour the freshly prepared honey glaze evenly over the entire ham. Make sure it seeps into the spiral cuts. Place the ham back in the oven under the broiler for 1 to 3 minutes. Keep a close eye on it during this step, as glazes can burn quickly. You’re looking for the glaze to bubble and caramelize, developing a beautiful glossy, slightly sticky finish.
8. Rest Before Serving: Once the glaze is perfectly bubbly and caramelized, remove the ham from the oven. Tent it loosely with foil and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the ham, ensuring maximum tenderness and flavor. You can serve it with the delicious pan juices collected in the baking dish for an extra flavor boost.

Following these steps will result in a spectacular honey-glazed ham that is moist, tender, and incredibly flavorful, making your holiday meal truly special.

Expert Tips for a Perfectly Baked Ham

While the recipe itself is straightforward, a few expert tips can elevate your Baked Ham with Honey Glaze from great to absolutely extraordinary:

• Don’t Overcook: Since most hams are fully cooked, reheating is the goal. Overcooking is the quickest way to dry out your ham. Rely on a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 140°F (60°C) and no more.
• Score the Ham (Optional but Recommended): If your ham isn’t spiral-cut or you want extra glaze penetration, you can lightly score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern before adding the first honey drizzle. This also creates a beautiful pattern once the glaze caramelizes.
• Baste for Extra Moisture: During the initial covered baking, you can occasionally baste the ham with the accumulating pan juices to add even more moisture and flavor.
• Adjust Glaze Thickness: If your glaze seems too thick after whisking, you can add a tablespoon or two more of the ham drippings or a splash of water/orange juice to reach your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, a tiny bit more brown sugar can help.
• Watch the Broiler Closely: Broiling is a quick process, and the sugars in the glaze can burn rapidly. Stay by the oven and check every 30 seconds to ensure a beautiful caramelization without charring.
• Customize Your Spices: While cinnamon, cloves, and ginger are classic, feel free to experiment. A pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or even a touch of cayenne pepper for a subtle kick can add interesting dimensions to your glaze.

What to Serve with Your Honey Glazed Ham

A magnificent honey glazed ham deserves an equally impressive array of side dishes. The versatility of ham means it pairs wonderfully with a wide variety of flavors and textures, making it easy to create a balanced and delicious holiday spread.

Classic Potato Sides:

• Scalloped Potatoes or au Gratin Potatoes: Creamy, cheesy, and utterly comforting, these are a perennial favorite.
• Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes: The sweet and savory notes of caramelized onions enhance fluffy mashed potatoes, making them an elevated classic.
• Roasted Garlic Herb Potatoes: Simple roasted potatoes with rosemary and garlic offer a rustic, flavorful contrast.

Vibrant Vegetable Companions:

• Sweet Corn Casserole: A creamy and slightly sweet side that complements the ham’s flavor beautifully.
• Brown Sugar Roasted Carrots: Echoes the glaze’s sweetness and adds a lovely pop of color and tender texture.
• Roasted Asparagus or Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Fresh, green vegetables provide a welcome freshness and slight bitterness to cut through the richness of the main course.
• Green Bean Casserole from Scratch: A timeless holiday side that offers creaminess and crunch.
• Candied Sweet Potatoes or Sweet Potato Casserole: Another sweet and savory option that aligns perfectly with a honey-glazed ham.

Other Delights:

• Dinner Rolls or Crusty Bread: Perfect for soaking up any extra glaze or pan juices.
• Fresh Salad: A light green salad with a vinaigrette dressing can provide a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the meal.

Consider the occasion and your personal preferences when selecting sides to create a memorable and harmonious meal.

Leftovers and Storage: Maximizing Your Ham

One of the best things about making a large baked ham is the delicious leftovers! Proper storage and creative utilization can extend the joy of your holiday meal for days.

Storing Leftover Ham:

Any leftover ham should be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator within two hours of serving. It will remain fresh for up to 4 days. To prevent drying out, you can store larger pieces wrapped tightly in plastic wrap before placing them in the container.

For longer storage, chopped ham freezes beautifully. Place ham pieces in a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.

Creative Leftover Ham Recipes:

Don’t let a single delicious piece of your honey glazed ham go to waste! Here are some fantastic ways to repurpose your leftovers:

• Leftover Ham Casserole: Combine chopped ham with noodles, a creamy sauce, and perhaps some vegetables for a hearty and comforting meal.
• Baked Ham and Cheese Sliders: A crowd-pleasing appetizer or light meal, perfect for game day or a casual get-together.
• Ham Chowder or Ham and Bean Soup: These warming soups are excellent ways to utilize both the ham and the ham bone for maximum flavor.
• Breakfast Hash: Dice the ham and sauté it with potatoes, onions, and peppers, then top with a fried egg for a satisfying breakfast.
• Sandwiches & Wraps: Classic ham sandwiches get an upgrade with your flavorful honey-glazed ham.
• Quiches & Frittatas: Add chopped ham to your favorite quiche or frittata recipe for a rich and savory brunch option.

Don’t forget the ham bone! The ham bone is a treasure trove of flavor. Save it to make the most delicious Slow Cooker Baked Beans or to enhance the richness of soups and broths.

Frequently Asked Questions About Baking Ham

Do I need to score a spiral ham?

No, not necessarily. Spiral-cut hams are already pre-sliced, which helps the glaze penetrate deeply. However, some people still like to lightly score the fat cap in a diamond pattern for aesthetic purposes and to create more surface area for the glaze to adhere and caramelize.

What temperature should I cook a fully cooked ham to?

Since your ham is already fully cooked, you are primarily reheating it. The USDA recommends reheating fully cooked ham to an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C). Always use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham, avoiding the bone, to ensure accuracy.

How long does it take to bake a ham?

For a fully cooked ham, you typically bake it for 13 to 14 minutes per pound at 300°F (150°C). An 8-pound ham would therefore take approximately 1 hour and 44 minutes to 1 hour and 52 minutes. Always go by internal temperature rather than time alone.

Can I prepare the glaze in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the glaze mixture (honey, brown sugar, spices, honey mustard) a day or two in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just before glazing, warm it gently and then whisk in the ham drippings.

My ham seems dry, what went wrong?

The most common reasons for dry ham are overcooking or not keeping it covered for the majority of the baking time. Ensure you’re only reheating it to 140°F (60°C) and keep it tightly covered with foil to trap moisture until the final glazing step.

Can I use a different kind of mustard?

While honey mustard provides a unique balance of sweet and tangy, you can experiment with Dijon mustard for a sharper flavor or even a grainy mustard for added texture. Adjust sweetness accordingly.

Recipe Card: Baked Ham with Honey Glaze

This Baked Ham is the juiciest ham with a sweet honey glaze. It’s a show-stopper main dish for your holiday dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 spiral-cut ham (mine was just over 8 lbs)
• ½ cup honey
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon honey mustard

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
2. Place your ham cut side down in a large baking dish. A 13″x9″ casserole dish will work.
3. Drizzle ½ cup of honey all over the ham, making sure to cover it.
4. Cover the dish with ham with aluminum foil.
5. Bake for 13 to 14 minutes per pound.
6. Check the internal temperature in a meaty part of the ham. It should be around 140 degrees F.
7. When the ham is done, spoon out ½ cup of drippings from the baking dish.
8. In a small bowl, whisk the ham juices from the ham, brown sugar, spices (cinnamon, ground cloves, ground ginger) and honey mustard. Pour over the ham.
9. Broil the ham for 1 to 3 minutes, until the glaze bubbles and caramelizes.
10. Remove from oven and let cool before slicing. You can serve it with the pan juices.

Notes:

1. If your honey is very thick, it helps to heat it up a little bit in the microwave (15-20 seconds). It should be quite easy to just pour it over the ham and cover it without using a pastry brush to spread it.
2. To estimate the number of servings, count approximately 2 servings per each pound of ham.
3. Please note that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use a calorie counter you are familiar with for precise values.

Nutrition:

Calories: 87kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 24mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg