So, you know how during the festive season, you kinda need to make something that just makes everyone happy? Well, this Honey Glazed Ham is exactly that kind of thing.
And the best part like seriously is the glaze. It’s a little sweet, a little spicy, and then there’s that golden, crispy layer on top that, as you can see, makes every bite feel kinda perfect.
Now, the thing about this recipe is that it’s actually super easy to make. But when you look at it or taste it, it totally feels like one of those fancy hotel-style dishes.
You just need a little bit of time and, you know, some love and then your whole house is gonna be filled with its amazing aroma. Like, really, it’s that good.
Honey Glazed Ham Recipe
Description
This Honey Glazed Ham is kinda perfect when you want something nice and festive for dinner. Like, it just works really well as the centerpiece. You know, the thing that makes the whole table look complete.
Now, on the inside it’s super juicy, soft and tender. Then on the outside, it’s got that caramelized finish that looks really pretty and tastes even better.
The glaze is a mix of honey and brown sugar for sweetness, and then there’s Dijon mustard and black pepper to add a little spice. So as you can see, it’s not just sweet, it’s got a bit of a kick too.
And once it bakes, the glaze turns into this golden, crispy crust that sticks to the ham and makes every bite feel flavorful and kinda satisfying.
You can serve it for holidays, family gatherings, or really any special meal where you want people to feel like you made something nice without going overboard.
Instructions
- First, go ahead and preheat your oven to 165°C (that’s 325°F). Just get that out of the way before you start anything else.
- Now take a roasting pan and pour in a bit of water like around ¾ cup. Toss in two star anise and about 12 cloves.
- Then place a rack inside the pan and put your ham on top as it should be around 7 pounds, which is roughly 3.2 kg.
- Next, make shallow cuts about ¼ inch deep across the ham both lengthwise and widthwise so you get that grid-like pattern going. It helps the glaze seep in better and also looks kinda nice.
- Now just pop it into the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Nothing fancy here, just let it do its thing.
- While that’s baking, grab a bowl and mix together the following: 1 cup brown sugar, ¼ cup honey, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1½ teaspoons black pepper, ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.
- And yeah, a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little kick Mix it all up really well until it’s smooth and kinda sticky.
- After that first 20 minutes, take the ham out and brush that glaze all over it like generously.
- Then put it back in the oven and keep glazing it every 20 minutes. You’ll do this for about 2 hours and 10 minutes total. So yeah, it’s a bit of a process, but worth it.
- You’ll know it’s done when the internal temperature hits 63°C (or 145°F). That’s your signal that it’s cooked through.
- Finally, for that crispy, caramelized top, use a kitchen torch or switch your oven to broiler mode. Let it go for about 2 to 5 minutes, just enough to get that golden finish.
- And that’s it, your honey glazed ham is ready to go!
Step 1: Preheating the oven:
Step 2: Prepping the ham:
Step 3: First bake:
Step 4: Making the glaze:
Step 5: Glazing the ham:
Step 6: Checking if it’s cooked:
Step 7: Making the crust:
Pro Tips & Variations
Pro Tips:
- Don’t let the ham dry out: So yeah, while it’s baking, just keep adding a little water to the pan from time to time like not too much, just enough to keep the ham moist. Otherwise it can get dry and that’s not fun.
- Go easy on the glaze at first, then go big: Start with a light layer of glaze in the beginning. Then, in the final round, brush on a generous amount. That way, you get better color and deeper flavor, kinda like that perfect finish.
- Let it cool a bit before slicing: After it’s done cooking, give the ham a rest for about 10-15 minutes. This helps the juices stay inside when you slice it, so it doesn’t end up dry or messy.
- Adjust the sweetness: If you’re not into super sweet stuff, just reduce the brown sugar a little. Like, no big deal, tweak it to your taste.
- For a better aroma: You can add a little orange zest to the glaze. It gives a nice fresh vibe and makes the whole thing smell amazing, kinda like a citrusy upgrade.
Variations:
- Maple-Bourbon Glaze: Instead of honey, use some maple syrup and add a tablespoon of bourbon. It gives a richer, deeper flavor, kinda bold and fancy.
- Pineapple-Ginger Glaze: Mix in a bit of pineapple juice and fresh ginger juice. It makes the whole thing taste more tropical like a beachy twist.
- Spicy Honey-Sriracha Glaze: If you like a little heat, just add some sriracha sauce. It balances the sweetness and gives it a spicy kick.
- Apple Cider-Mustard Glaze: You can swap out the rice vinegar for apple cider vinegar. It adds a tangy note that works really well with mustard. It’s kinda sharp but tasty.
- Brown Sugar-Orange Marmalade Glaze: You can mix a tablespoon of orange marmalade with the brown sugar. You’ll get a sweet and citrusy twist that’s super nice and a little unexpected.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Storage Instructions:
- Keeping it in the fridge: If you’ve got leftover ham, just put it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. It’ll stay good for about 3 to 4 days. Not too long, but enough to enjoy it again.
- Freezing it: Now, if you wanna keep it for longer, slice it up and store it in a freezer-safe bag. That way, it’ll stay fine for up to 2 months. Just make sure the bag’s sealed properly so it doesn’t get freezer burn or weird smells.
- Keeping the glaze separate: If you’re worried the glaze might go soft or lose its texture, you can keep a little bit of it aside and brush it on again later when reheating. It kinda helps bring back that fresh flavor and shine.
- Container check: Make sure the container is sealed tight like really tight, so the glaze doesn’t leak out and make a mess in your fridge. Nobody wants sticky shelves.
- Before using again: When you take the ham out of the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 to 15 minutes. It helps it warm up a bit and makes reheating smoother.
Reheating Instructions:
- Reheating in the oven: Cover the ham with foil and heat it at 160°C for around 15 to 20 minutes. That way, it warms up nicely without drying out. The foil kinda traps the moisture, so yeah, it’s helpful.
- Using the microwave: If you’re in a rush, you can microwave it for 30 seconds to 1 minute. But don’t overdo it because if you go too long, it’ll turn hard and chewy, and that’s just not fun.
- On the skillet: You can also warm up slices on a skillet with a little butter. It’s quick and gives the edges a nice crispy finish, which is kinda great if you like that texture.
- Adding extra glaze: While reheating, brush on a bit of the leftover glaze. It makes the flavor feel fresh again and adds that glossy look, kinda like a mini makeover.
- Preventing dryness: To keep the ham soft while reheating, sprinkle a few drops of water over it. It’s a small thing, but it really helps keep the texture nice and moist.
Serving Suggestions:
- Pair it with a side dish: You can serve this with mashed potatoes, some grilled veggies, or even garlic bread as it just makes the whole meal feel more complete, you know? Like, everything comes together on the plate.
- For a festive dinner: This ham works really well as a main course for Christmas, New Year, or any special party kinda thing. It looks impressive and tastes great, so it totally fits the vibe of a celebration.
- Using the leftovers: Now, if you’ve got some ham left the next morning, you can totally make a sandwich or toss it into an omelette. It’s quick, easy, and honestly, super satisfying when you’re in a rush or just want something cozy.
- With drinks: If you’re serving drinks along with it, apple cider or red wine go really well. They balance the flavors and kinda elevate the whole experience without trying too hard.
- For presentation: Right before serving, brush a little extra honey on top of the ham. It makes it look shinier and fresher like, more glossy and appetizing. Just that small touch makes a big difference.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 16
Serving Size 1 slice (about 200g)
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 455kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 26g40%
- Saturated Fat 9g45%
- Cholesterol 97mg33%
- Sodium 1919mg80%
- Potassium 476mg14%
- Total Carbohydrate 19g7%
- Sugars 18g
- Protein 34g68%
- Calcium 29 mg
- Iron 2 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
FAQ
Q1. What kind of ham works best for this recipe?
So, if you want your ham to turn out soft and juicy, you should go for country-style or bone-in ham. As you can see, these types usually give better flavor and texture like, they just hold up nicer during baking.
Q2. Can I make the glaze ahead of time?
Yeah, totally. You can make the glaze 1-2 days in advance and keep it in the fridge. Just warm it up a little before using so it’s easier to brush on, otherwise it might feel too thick or sticky.
Q3. What if the ham tastes too salty. Any fix for that?
If your ham feels super salty, you can soak it in a bit of water for around 30 minutes before baking. That helps reduce the saltiness a bit. It’s not a magic trick, but it works well enough.
Q4. Can this glaze be used on other meats too?
Yes, for sure. This glaze goes really well with chicken, pork chops, and even roasted vegetables. So if you’ve got leftovers or just wanna try something different, you can totally use it elsewhere.
Q5. What if I don’t like it too sweet. Can I tweak it?
You can cut down the brown sugar or add a bit more mustard. That way, the flavor turns a little more tangy and less sweet. It kinda balances things out if you’re not into sugary stuff.
