Honey Glazed Baked Ham

Honey Glazed Baked Ham is a classic dish that is perfect for any occasion. Whether it's for a holiday gathering or a simple family dinner, this incredibly delicious dish is sure to please everyone. The sweet and savory flavors of the honey and ham complement each other perfectly, making it a star of any holiday table.

To make honey-glazed baked ham, coat it with a mix of honey, brown sugar, and mustard, then bake until the ham cooks through and the glaze caramelizes. The result is a juicy and flavorful ham that is perfect for slicing and serving.

It's also a great dish to make ahead of time that you can serve hot or cold, making it a versatile option for any meal.

What is Honey Glazed Baked Ham?

Honey-glazed baked ham is a delightful and popular dish that is perfect for serving on special occasions like Easter, Christmas, or Thanksgiving.

To prepare this festive dish, you bake a ham and then coat it with a sweet and sticky glaze made from honey, brown sugar, and mustard.

When baked, the glaze caramelizes, giving the ham a beautiful golden color and a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. The glaze for baked ham can vary based on personal taste and regional influences.

Some recipes use honey and brown sugar, while others add mustard, vinegar, cloves, or extra spices for a more complex flavor. Typically, you apply the glaze to the ham during the final 30 minutes of cooking, allowing it to caramelize and create a flavorful, sticky crust.

Choosing the Right Ham

When selecting the ideal ham for your honey-glazed baked ham recipe, here are some simple considerations to keep in mind;

• Quality and Fat Content: Look for a good-quality ham with an even layer of fat. This fat contributes to flavor and juiciness.

• Bone-In vs. Boneless: A bone-in ham provides more flavor but can be a bit trickier to carve and takes longer to cook. A boneless ham is easier to carve but may be slightly less flavorful.

• Spiral Ham: Consider a spiral ham, which is pre-sliced in a spiral pattern. It's convenient to carve and serve but may have slightly less flavor than traditional bone-in ham. Make sure it's labeled as "spiral-cut."

• Smoked Ham: If you enjoy a smoky flavor, opt for a smoked ham. It offers a deeper, richer taste than an unsmoked ham, but keep in mind that it can be saltier.

• Sizing: Determine the size of the ham based on your gathering and preparation time. A general guideline is to allow ½ to ¾ pounds of ham per person. If you want leftovers, consider buying a larger ham.

For this recipe, a boneless small ham weighing around 2 pounds, which hasn't been pre-cooked, is ideal. It's perfect for a small gathering of 4-6 people and eliminates the need for pre-boiling the ham.

Why This Recipe Works?

• The mix of sweet honey and savory spices creates a delicious blend that many people enjoy.

• The baking process ensures the ham stays moist and tender, making it a delightful and juicy centerpiece for any meal.

• The glaze turns crispy and flavorful while baking, providing a tasty contrast to the tender ham.

• This recipe is versatile; you can customize it with different spices and ingredients to suit your personal taste.

• You can prepare this ham in advance, saving you time and effort on the day of your event.

• The leftovers are great for making sandwiches or adding to salads, omelets, and pasta dishes.

Ingredients You'll Need

Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

• Ham - I prefer uncooked, boneless ham, which works perfectly for this recipe. You can opt for a spiral-cut or bone-in ham, depending on your preference.

• Honey - This is the star ingredient that gives the ham its sweet flavor and sticky texture. I use organic farm honey with a runny consistency that can coat the ham. You can use any good-quality clear runny honey you have on hand.

• Brown Sugar - Brown sugar adds depth and richness to the honey glaze.

• Mustard - Dijon or English mustard adds a tangy flavor that balances out the sweetness of the honey.

How to Make Baked Ham with Honey Glaze?

Honey-glazed Baked Ham is extremely easy to make and to achieve the best results, you need to follow a few simple steps:

Preheat the oven to 356°F (180°C) and place the oven rack in the lower third of the oven. Line a roasting pan with aluminum foil for easy cleanup, or if you have a smaller ham, you can use a baking dish

Remove the ham from the packaging and bring it to room temperature for about an hour before cooking. Score the ham with a sharp knife in a diamond pattern, being careful not to cut too deep.

Make a few cuts in the ham, and then insert some cloves. This will infuse it with a delightful aroma. Place the ham in the prepared roasting pan or baking dish, and cover it with foil.

Bake the ham for about 15-18 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C) when measured with a meat thermometer.

While the ham is cooking, prepare the honey glaze by mixing together honey, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl.

About 30 minutes before the ham is done, remove it from the oven and brush the honey glaze all over the ham.

Return the ham to the oven and continue baking, uncovered, for the remaining time until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).

Once the ham is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for about 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving.

Top Tips From the Chef

• Select a good quality ham that has an even layer of fat.

• Remove the ham from the packaging and bring it to room temperature for about an hour before cooking.

• To help the glaze penetrate the ham, make shallow cuts (scoring) on the surface in a crisscross pattern.

• To ensure your ham is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer. It should reach an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).

• Let the baked ham rest for about 15-20 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to be redistributed, resulting in a juicier ham.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this delicious honey-glazed ham as a main dish, and pair it with some classic holiday side dishes such as;

Pomme Puree - Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans, Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips, Fondant Potatoes - Buttery Melting Potatoes, and Homemade Sourdough Dinner Rolls.

Storing and Reusing Leftovers

Storage

Store leftover ham in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you don't plan on using your leftover ham within 5 days, you can freeze it for later use. It will keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.

When you're ready to use the ham, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and use it within 2-3 days.

Reusing

There are many ways to reuse leftover ham. Here are some ideas:

• Ham sandwiches: My favorite way to reuse leftover ham is to turn them into sandwiches. I layer sliced ham, cheddar cheese, and a various of condiments on Homemade Sandwich Bread for a quick and easy lunch.

• Ham and eggs: Add diced ham to scrambled eggs or an omelet for a protein-packed breakfast.

• Ham and macaroni cheese: Replace the bacon with leftover ham to add flavor to Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese.

• Ham fried rice: Toss diced ham into Spicy Egg Fried Rice for a tasty twist on a classic dish.

Recipe FAQs

Related Recipes

For more delicious side dish recipes to serve with Honey Glazed Ham, why not try:

Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

I hope you enjoy the process of making this moist and perfectly sweet Honey Glazed Ham recipe as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂 

Bon appétit! / Afiyet olsun!