The brown sugar honey glazed ham recipe is a classic and delicious way to prepare a ham for a special occasion or holiday meal.
The recipe calls for a pre-cooked ham to be baked in the oven until heated through, then brushed with a flavorful glaze made from brown sugar, honey, butter, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, and cloves. The ham is then baked again until the glaze is caramelized and bubbly.
The resulting dish is a mouthwatering combination of sweet and savory flavors that is sure to impress guests.
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Why You'll Love this Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Ham
- Delicious flavor: The sweet and savory flavors of the brown sugar, honey, and mustard glaze create a perfect balance that is sure to tantalize taste buds.
- Leftovers: The recipe yields plenty of leftovers that can be used in sandwiches, soups, or other recipes for days to come.
- Presentation: The glazed ham looks impressive and is sure to be a centerpiece for any meal.
Ingredients
- 1 fully cooked ham (7-9 pounds,) All-Natural Applewood Smoked Bone-In Spiral Ham
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Get you All-Natural Applewood Smoked Bone-In Spiral Ham here!
Substitutions
- Brown Sugar: Substitute brown sugar with granulated white sugar, maple syrup, honey, or coconut sugar.
- Honey: Substitute honey with maple syrup, agave nectar, or molasses.
- Butter: Substitute unsalted butter with salted butter or margarine, or vegetable oil.
- Dijon Mustard: Substitute Dijon mustard with yellow mustard, honey mustard, or grainy mustard.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Substitute apple cider vinegar with white wine vinegar, rice vinegar, or lemon juice.
- Cinnamon & Cloves: Substitute ground cinnamon and cloves with pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, or allspice.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Remove the packaging from the ham and place it in a roasting pan with the flat side facing down.
- Bake the ham in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until heated through or has an internal temperature of 130 degrees F when measured with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, honey, butter, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, and cloves. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the butter is melted and the ingredients are well combined.
- Brush about half of the glaze over the ham, making sure to get into any crevices or scored cuts.
- Return the ham to the oven and bake for another 30-45 minutes or until the glaze is bubbly and caramelized or has an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
- Baste the ham with the pan juices and glaze every 10-15 minutes while it bakes.
- Once the ham is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Variations
Pineapple Glaze: Add 1 cup of crushed pineapple to the glaze mixture to give it a tropical twist. You can also use pineapple juice instead of apple cider vinegar.
Orange Glaze: Replace the apple cider vinegar with fresh orange juice and add 1 tablespoon of orange zest to the glaze mixture for a citrusy flavor.
Spicy Glaze: Add 1-2 teaspoons of hot sauce or red pepper flakes to the glaze mixture for a spicy kick.
Bourbon Glaze: Add ¼ cup of bourbon to the glaze mixture and cook it until the alcohol evaporates for a boozy twist.
Mustard and Herb Glaze: Replace the Dijon mustard with whole grain mustard and add 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage to the glaze mixture for a savory, herbaceous flavor.
Maple and Mustard Glaze: Replace the honey with maple syrup and add 2 tablespoons of whole grain mustard to the glaze mixture for a sweet and tangy flavor.
FAQ's
Yes, you can use a spiral ham for this recipe. It may take less time to cook since it's already pre-sliced, so be sure to check the internal temperature regularly with a meat thermometer.
Yes, you can make the glaze ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat the glaze in a saucepan over low heat before brushing it over the ham.
Yes, you can substitute apple cider vinegar with white wine vinegar, rice vinegar, or lemon juice.
Yes, you can substitute Dijon mustard with yellow mustard, honey mustard, or grainy mustard.
Yes, you can substitute brown sugar with granulated white sugar, maple syrup, honey, or coconut sugar. You can also substitute honey with maple syrup, agave nectar, or molasses.
Yes, you can add other spices or herbs to the glaze, such as ginger, allspice, thyme, or rosemary, to give it your desired flavor.
Yes, you can make the ham in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat the ham in the oven at 325°F for about 15-20 minutes per pound, until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
Tips
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the ham. The ham should have an internal temperature of 130 degrees F when it's heated through and 145 degrees F when it's fully cooked.
- Baste the ham with the glaze every 15-20 minutes while it's baking to ensure that it's evenly coated and caramelized.
- Let the ham rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing it. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the ham juicier and more flavorful.
- Use a sharp carving knife to slice the ham thinly and serve it with the remaining glaze.
- If you're using a spiral ham, you can insert cloves or pineapple rings into the slices for added flavor and presentation.
- Don't forget to cover the ham with foil while it's resting to keep it warm.
- If you want a crispier glaze, you can broil the ham for the last few minutes of baking.
- Experiment with different glaze variations and seasonings to find your perfect flavor combination.
📋 Recipe
Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Ham
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Equipment
- Roasting pan
- Meat Thermometer
- Medium saucepan
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula (for stirring the glaze)
- Basting brush
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Aluminum foil (optional, for tenting ham)
Ingredients
- 1 fully cooked ham 7-9 pounds, Bone-In Spiral Ham
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F.
- Prepare the Ham: Remove the packaging from the ham and place it flat-side down in a roasting pan.
- Bake the Ham: Bake the ham in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until the internal temperature reaches 130°F when measured with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham.
- Make the Glaze: Combine 1 cup packed brown sugar, ½ cup honey, ½ cup unsalted butter, ¼ cup Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon ground cloves in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the butter is melted and the ingredients are well combined.
- Glaze the Ham: Remove the ham from the oven and brush about half of the glaze over it, making sure to get into any crevices or scored cuts.
- Finish Baking: Return the ham to the oven and bake for another 30–45 minutes, basting with the glaze and pan juices every 10–15 minutes, until the glaze is bubbly and caramelized and the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Video
Notes
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- Check the Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the ham reaches 130°F when heated through and 145°F when fully cooked.
- Baste for Flavor: Brush the ham with glaze every 15–20 minutes while baking to ensure even coating and caramelization.
- Rest the Ham: Let the ham rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute for a juicier, more flavorful ham.
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