If you're craving a show-stopping centerpiece that's both comforting and a little sophisticated, a Honey Glazed Ham Recipe is exactly what you want. It's perfect for festive gatherings, Sunday dinners, or any time you want to feel a bit fancy without fuss. The sweet, glossy glaze cuts through the savory richness of the ham, delivering that joyful balance you'll notice from the very first slice.
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What Sets This Apart
This Honey Glazed Ham Recipe stands out because it's designed for dependable, luscious results every time, even if you're not a pro at glazing meat. The glaze strikes just the right balance of sweet, tangy, and warm spices, giving your ham a glossy finish that's impressive and delicious.
- Consistent Results: Scoring the ham and regularly basting ensures the glaze soaks in and caramelizes evenly.
- Rich, Balanced Flavor: The mix of honey, brown sugar, mustard, and cloves creates a depth that's sweet without overpowering.
- Pantry-First Ingredients: You won't need fancy or hard-to-find items-just basics you likely have on hand.
- Weeknight Friendly: Though elegant, this recipe is straightforward enough for a relaxed cooking evening.
Ingredient Snapshot
Choosing a good quality ham and fresh ingredients makes all the difference for this Honey Glazed Ham Recipe. I always recommend picking a bone-in ham for added flavor and moisture.
- Fully cooked bone-in ham: Look for a ham around 8-10 pounds with a nice layer of fat to score; it helps lock in juiciness.
- Honey: Opt for mild-flavored honey to complement but not compete with the ham's savoriness.
- Brown sugar: Use dark brown sugar if you want a deeper molasses note.
- Dijon mustard: Gives a bright tang that cuts through the sweetness beautifully.
- Ground cloves: Use sparingly for warmth - it's potent but important for that classic holiday vibe.
- Fresh orange juice: Adds brightness and balances the honey's sweetness.
- Unsalted butter: Helps the glaze stay silky and glossy while cooking.
Quick Note: Exact measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom.
How to Make Honey Glazed Ham Recipe
Step 1 - Prep & Season
Start by warming your oven to 325°F (165°C). Set the bone-in ham on a roasting rack inside a sturdy baking dish. Take a sharp knife and score the ham's fat in a diamond pattern, making shallow slits-don't cut too deep, just through the fat layer. This lets the glaze seep in and creates that stunning texture once baked. Cover the ham loosely with foil to keep moisture locked in while it starts cooking.
Step 2 - Build Flavor
While the ham starts roasting, get the glaze ready. Combine honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, ground cloves, fresh orange juice, and butter in a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat, stirring constantly, so the sugar dissolves and the ingredients meld into a velvety, slightly thickened glaze. Be gentle-don't let it bubble aggressively to avoid burning. Taste and tweak: a little more mustard if you want zest, or extra cloves for that cozy spice.
Step 3 - Finish for Best Texture
Once your ham's roasting about 1.5 hours, baste it with the glaze every 20 minutes. This layering is key to building a sticky, caramelized crust. Remove the foil for the last 30 minutes to let the glaze thicken and deepen in color. To nail doneness, use a meat thermometer-the internal temperature should hit 140°F (60°C). Pull it out just before to avoid dryness, then let it rest for 10-15 minutes. This rest is where magic happens: juices redistribute, leaving every slice juicy and tender.
Cook's Notes & Tricks
From years of making this Honey Glazed Ham Recipe, I've learned a few tricks to keep things effortless and tasty. Don't rush the glaze-slow simmering keeps it luscious and prevents bitterness. The scoring might seem tedious but it truly elevates both flavor and presentation. Lastly, resting the ham isn't optional; skipping it can mean drier slices, and that's just a shame for such a good ham.
- Doneness Cue: Aim for 140°F internal temperature; beyond that risks dryness.
- Temperature Trick: Use an oven thermometer to keep your oven exact-some ovens run hot.
- Make-Ahead Move: You can prep the glaze a day ahead; just rewarm gently before glazing.
- Avoid This Pitfall: Don't skip basting-this step layers flavor and prevents a dull finish.
Serve & Enjoy
Finishing Touches
I love serving extra warmed glaze on the side for guests to spoon over their slices-it's sticky and luscious, a perfect final flourish. A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or a dusting of cracked black pepper adds a bit of color and a touch of heat that brightens the plate.
Pairs Beautifully With
Honey glazed ham pairs wonderfully with creamy mashed potatoes or buttery roasted vegetables. For a refreshing crunch, add a crisp apple and fennel salad. Don't forget a crusty bread or dinner rolls to mop up any glaze left on your plate-trust me, you'll want every bite.
Simple Plating Wins
Keep the presentation effortless by slicing the ham into thick slices and fanning them out on a warm platter. Drizzle some extra glaze over the top and scatter fresh herbs nearby. For holidays or special dinners, nestle citrus wedges around for a pop of color and a subtle aroma boost.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheat
Storing Leftovers
Place leftover ham slices in an airtight container or wrap tightly with foil and plastic wrap to keep moisture in. Stored this way, it'll stay good in the fridge for 3-5 days. You'll notice the texture stays tender, but don't wait too long if you want that perfect succulence.
Freezing Tips
This Honey Glazed Ham Recipe freezes well if you wrap slices individually first with plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. While freezing can slightly change texture, it's a fantastic option for saving leftovers without waste.
Reheating Honey Glazed Ham Recipe Without Drying Out
To reheat without drying out, cover your slices loosely with foil and warm gently in a 275°F oven for 10-15 minutes, brushing on a little extra glaze or broth to keep things moist. The microwave works for a quick fix-use a damp paper towel over the ham to trap steam and heat in short bursts to prevent chewy spots. Air fryers need close attention; keep temperature low and check often so the glaze stays sticky instead of burnt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Boneless hams work fine, though bone-in adds extra moisture and flavor. If using boneless, adjust your cooking time slightly and be sure to baste regularly.
While not mandatory, scoring helps the glaze penetrate deeply and creates a beautiful diamond crust. It's a small step that makes a big difference in texture and appearance.
Yes, you can prepare the glaze a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Just reheat gently before applying during baking to keep it silky and easy to baste.
Store-bought orange juice works perfectly fine. Just make sure it's 100% juice without added sugars or preservatives for the best flavor balance.
Final Thoughts
I find this Honey Glazed Ham Recipe consistently delivers that comforting, rich flavor that keeps family and friends coming back for seconds. It's approachable enough for a weeknight but elegant enough for holiday celebrations. Whether it's your first ham or fiftieth, following these steps will give you a juicy, sticky, beautiful ham that's sure to impress. Enjoy every glossy, tender bite!
PrintFull Recipe
Honey Glazed Ham Recipe
This Honey Glazed Ham recipe features a fully cooked bone-in ham coated with a sweet and tangy glaze made from honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, ground cloves, orange juice, and butter. The ham is roasted to perfection, resulting in a tender, juicy centerpiece with a caramelized, sticky crust, perfect for festive occasions or a hearty meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 to 10 lbs fully cooked bone-in ham
- 1 cup honey
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ cup orange juice, freshly squeezed or store-bought
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- Prepare the Ham: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Place the ham on a roasting rack inside a baking dish. Score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern by cutting shallow slits into the fat layer to help the glaze penetrate and enhance presentation. Cover the ham loosely with foil.
- Make the Glaze: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, ground cloves, orange juice, and unsalted butter. Stir continuously until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly, taking care to prevent burning. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired by adding more mustard for tang or cloves for warmth.
- Bake the Ham: Place the ham in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes, basting generously with the prepared glaze every 20 minutes. Remove the foil during the last 30 minutes to allow the glaze to caramelize and form a sticky, flavorful crust. Ensure the internal temperature of the ham reaches 140°F (60°C) using a meat thermometer.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring each slice is moist and tender. Carve the ham and serve with extra glaze on the side for added flavor.
Notes
- Using a fully cooked ham means you are just reheating and glazing it-no raw cooking needed.
- Score the ham carefully without cutting too deeply to allow glaze absorption without drying out the meat.
- Basting every 20 minutes helps create a glossy, caramelized finish.
- If orange juice is not available, apple juice or pineapple juice can be a good substitute.
- Letting the ham rest after baking helps keep it juicy and easier to carve.
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