Here’s a classic, easy, and delicious Glazed Ham recipe—perfectly sticky, sweet, savory, and holiday-worthy with minimal effort.
Ingredients (for a 7–10 lb fully cooked ham)
For the ham:
- 1 fully cooked bone-in or boneless ham (7–10 lbs)
For the glaze:
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup orange juice or pineapple juice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves (optional, but classic)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Optional add-ins:
- Zest of 1 orange
- 2 tablespoons bourbon
- A pinch of cinnamon
Instructions
1. Prep the ham
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Place ham cut-side down in a roasting pan or baking dish.
- Score the top fat layer in a diamond pattern (optional but helps the glaze stick).
- Add 1/2 cup water to the bottom of the pan to keep it moist.
- Cover tightly with foil.
2. Bake the ham
- Bake for 12–15 minutes per pound, until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).
3. Make the glaze
While the ham bakes, heat a small saucepan over medium heat:
- Combine brown sugar, honey (or maple), mustard, butter, juice, cloves, and garlic powder.
- Simmer 3–5 minutes until thickened and glossy.
4. Glaze the ham
When the ham has about 30 minutes left:
- Uncover the ham.
- Brush generously with glaze.
- Increase oven temperature to 400°F (205°C).
- Return ham to the oven UNCOVERED for 25–30 minutes, brushing with additional glaze once or twice.
5. Rest and serve
- Let ham rest 10 minutes before slicing.
- Drizzle extra glaze or pan juices over the slices.
Tips for Perfect Glazed Ham
- Don’t overbake—ham dries quickly. Pull it at 140°F since it’s pre-cooked.
- Use foil early, remove later for a shiny, caramelized finish.
- For extra sticky glaze: boil the glaze an extra 2–3 minutes to reduce more.
- Pairing ideas: scalloped potatoes, roasted carrots, mac & cheese, green beans, rolls.
If you want, I can give you a pineapple-brown sugar spiral ham version, a maple-bourbon version, or a super-simple 3-ingredient glaze.
