Apricot Jam Glazed Ham is one of those holiday mains that looks impressive but is truly so simple to pull off. If you’ve ever felt intimidated by cooking a ham, this version will change that—it’s fully cooked, super forgiving, and the glaze comes together in minutes. The apricot adds the perfect sweet-tangy shine that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. Make it once and you’ll wonder why you didn’t start doing this every year.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this apricot jam glazed ham — an easy, crowd-pleasing centerpiece that’s sweet, sticky, and perfect for any holiday table.
- Boneless spiral-cut ham: A fully cooked 10-lb ham makes this recipe effortless; all you’re doing is warming it through and adding flavor.
- Apricot preserves: The star of the glaze — sweet, tangy, and perfect for caramelizing on the edges.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a little sharpness and helps the glaze cling to every spiral slice.
- Brown sugar: Melts into the preserves for a glossy, candy-like finish.
- Cinnamon & cloves: Just a pinch of warm spice to round out the sweetness without overpowering it.
See the recipe card for full quantities and step-by-step instructions.
Serving Suggestions
This apricot jam glazed ham is a total crowd-pleaser and fits into just about any holiday or hosting moment — rich, sweet, and easy to pair with all your favorites.
- Holiday mains: Serve it as the star alongside mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, buttery rolls, or a bright salad to balance the sweetness.
- Weekend gatherings: Perfect for brunch boards, family dinners, or Friendsgiving — it slices beautifully and stays tender.
- Leftover magic: Make ham + cheese sliders, breakfast scrambles, hearty sandwiches, or toss it into soups and pastas.
- Buffets + potlucks: Spiral-cut ham holds up well at room temperature, making it ideal for parties where people graze all night.
This one’s versatile, low-stress, and guaranteed to feed a crowd with ease.
📋 Recipe
Apricot Jam Glazed Ham
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Equipment
- A large roasting pan (or a 9×13-inch baking dish)
- Aluminum Foil
- Small saucepan
- Pastry brush
- Instant-Read Thermometer
- Carving board & sharp carving knife
Ingredients
- 10 pound boneless spiral-cut fully cooked ham chilled
- 1 cup apricot preserves
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Bring to room temp: Remove the ham from the fridge and let it sit out for about 30 minutes while the oven heats so it warms evenly.
- Preheat: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Position the ham: Place the ham cut-side down in a roasting pan or baking dish so the glaze can pool into the slices.
- Make the glaze: In a small saucepan over medium–high heat, whisk together the apricot preserves, Dijon, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cloves. Bring just to a boil, then remove from heat.
- Glaze the ham: Brush half of the glaze all over the ham, making sure to get between the spiral slices.
- Cover & roast: Tightly cover the ham with foil and roast for 90 minutes (or according to package instructions) until the internal temperature reaches about 140°F (60°C).
- Caramelize: Remove the foil, brush on the remaining glaze, increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C), and roast uncovered for about 10 minutes until glossy and caramelized.
- Rest & serve: Transfer the ham to a carving board, let it rest for about 15 minutes, then slice and serve with any extra glaze.
Notes
- Since the ham is already cooked, the goal here is warm through + glaze magic, not over-bake.
- You can absolutely adapt: if apricot preserves are hard to find, use apricot jam or marmalade instead—taste will still shine.
- Leftovers? Slice it thin, wrap tight, store in the fridge 3-5 days. Reheat at 325 °F for ~10 minutes in foil.
Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
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