Irresistible Holiday Glazed Ham in 5 Simple Steps

Oh my goodness, let me tell you about my absolute favorite holiday tradition – making this glorious glazed ham! There’s nothing quite like walking into a house filled with the sweet, spicy aroma of honey and cloves caramelizing on a golden-brown ham. I’ve been making this holiday glazed ham recipe for every Christmas and Easter gathering since my aunt first showed me her secret technique back in 2012.

What I love most is how simple yet impressive it is – just a handful of pantry ingredients transform an ordinary ham into this sticky, shiny masterpiece that always disappears first from the buffet table. The pineapple juice in the glaze? That was my accidental discovery one year when I ran out of orange juice – turns out it makes the ham extra juicy with this subtle tropical sweetness that balances perfectly with the Dijon’s tang.

Trust me, once you see how easy it is to make this holiday glazed ham (and hear all the compliments you’ll get), it’ll become your go-to centerpiece too. My kids now start asking about “Mom’s special ham” around Thanksgiving – and honestly, watching their faces light up when I pull that glistening beauty from the oven makes all the basting totally worth it.

Why You’ll Love This Holiday Glazed Ham Recipe

Oh, where do I even start? This holiday glazed ham recipe checks all the boxes for me, and here’s why it’ll become your new favorite too:

• Unbelievably easy – With just 15 minutes of hands-on time, you can focus on enjoying your guests rather than stressing in the kitchen
• That showstopper factor – The glossy, caramelized crust makes everyone think you slaved for hours (I won’t tell!)
• Perfect for crowds – One ham feeds a whole holiday gathering with leftovers for sandwiches (trust me, they’ll disappear fast)
• Flexible timing – It rests happily while you finish side dishes, so no last-minute panic when guests arrive early

Seriously, this recipe is my secret weapon for stress-free entertaining that always impresses.

Holiday Glazed Ham Recipe Ingredients

Okay, let’s gather our simple but magical ingredients – these are the key players that make this holiday ham so unforgettable:

• 1 (8-10 lb) fully cooked ham – I prefer bone-in for extra flavor, but boneless works too (just watch the cooking time)
• 1 cup packed brown sugar – Dark brown sugar gives the deepest flavor, but light works in a pinch
• 1/2 cup honey – The glue that makes that gorgeous, sticky glaze
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard – Must be Dijon! Yellow mustard will give you a totally different, less sophisticated taste
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice – Fresh is amazing, but canned works beautifully too (I always have a little can in my pantry just for this)
• 1 tsp ground cloves – That warm, festive spice that makes the whole house smell like the holidays

See? Nothing fancy – just pantry staples that come together in the most magical way!

Equipment You’ll Need

Don’t worry – you probably already have everything needed for this holiday glazed ham! Here’s what I always grab from my kitchen:

• Roasting pan – A sturdy one with a rack keeps the ham elevated
• Meat thermometer – My trusty digital one never lies about that perfect 140°F
• Basting brush – Silicone ones won’t lose bristles in your gorgeous glaze

That’s it – simple tools for spectacular results!

How to Make Holiday Glazed Ham

Alright, let’s get to the fun part – transforming that plain ham into a glistening holiday masterpiece! Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have everyone begging for your secret recipe.

Step 1: Prep the Ham

First, grab your sharpest knife and score the ham’s surface in a diamond pattern – about 1/4 inch deep. This lets the glaze seep into all those little pockets of flavor! Warning: don’t cut too deep or you’ll lose those precious juices. I like to angle my cuts at about 45 degrees for maximum caramelization surface area.

Step 2: Make the Glaze

Now for the magic potion! Whisk together the brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, pineapple juice, and cloves until completely smooth. No lumps allowed – we want that glaze silky enough to brush on evenly. Taste it? Oh my, that sweet-spicy-tangy combo is already incredible!

Step 3: Bake and Baste

Pop your ham in the oven (middle rack position is perfect) and let the magic begin! Brush half the glaze over the ham right away, then every 30 minutes, lovingly baste it with more of that sticky goodness. The smell after the second basting? Absolute heaven! Bake until your thermometer hits 140°F – usually about 1.5 hours total. Pro tip: Tent with foil if the glaze starts browning too fast!

Tips for the Best Holiday Glazed Ham

After making this holiday glazed ham dozens of times (and learning from a few oops moments!), here are my can’t-live-without tips:

• Thermometer is king – That 140°F internal temp is your golden ticket to juicy perfection. No guessing!
• Glaze consistency matters – Too thick? Add a splash more pineapple juice. Too thin? Whisk in extra brown sugar.
• Watch the clock – Overbaking dries out even the juiciest ham. Set timers for basting intervals!

Trust me – follow these, and your ham will be legendary.

Holiday Glazed Ham Variations

One of my favorite things about this recipe? How easily you can tweak it to match your taste! Here are some delicious variations I’ve tried over the years:

• Sweet swap: Use pure maple syrup instead of honey for a deeper, earthy sweetness
• Citrus twist: Orange juice works beautifully in place of pineapple for a brighter flavor
• Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne to the glaze for a sweet-heat combo that’s incredible
• Bourbon boost: Replace 2 tbsp pineapple juice with bourbon – adult-only but oh-so-good!

The possibilities are endless – make it your own family tradition!

Serving and Storage

Oh, the moment of truth! Let that gorgeous ham rest for 15 minutes before slicing – this keeps all those juices right where they belong. I like to cut 1/4-inch slices against the grain for maximum tenderness. Leftovers? Your future self will thank you! Store cooled ham airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days – it makes THE BEST sandwiches next day. To reheat, just pop slices in a 325°F oven with a splash of water to keep them juicy. Pro tip: freeze some for surprise ham and cheese omelets later!

Holiday Glazed Ham Nutrition

Here’s the scoop on nutrition per serving (about 150g slice) – but remember, these are estimates! Actual values can vary based on your specific ham brand and glaze ingredients. My philosophy? Everything in moderation during the holidays!

Common Questions About Holiday Glazed Ham

I get asked these questions every holiday season, so let me share my hard-earned ham wisdom with you!

Can I use spiral-cut ham?

Absolutely! Spiral-cut hams work beautifully – just be extra gentle when basting since the slices can catch more glaze. I actually pour some glaze between the slices for maximum flavor penetration. Reduce baking time by about 15-20 minutes since the pre-slicing makes it heat through faster.

How do I adjust for a smaller ham?

No problem! For a 5-6 lb ham, halve the glaze ingredients and check for doneness at 1 hour. The key is maintaining that 1/4 cup glaze per pound ratio. My neighbor once used a tiny 3-pounder for her small family – just quartered everything and it turned out perfectly!

Can I make the glaze ahead?

You sure can! The glaze keeps beautifully in the fridge for 3 days – just whisk it smooth again before using. I often make a double batch on Christmas Eve so I’m not mixing while the kids are opening presents. The flavors actually deepen overnight – bonus!

Share Your Experience

I’d love to hear how your holiday glazed ham turns out! Tell me in the comments – did your family go crazy for it like mine always does?

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