Baked Glazed Ham Recipe
If you’re anything like me, you know that a beautifully glazed, tender ham can totally steal the show at any gathering. This Baked Glazed Ham Recipe is exactly that kind of recipe – simple, incredibly flavorful, and guaranteed to impress. Whether it’s a holiday feast or a weekend family get-together, once you try this ham, you’ll be hooked on how foolproof and delicious it is. Trust me, I’ve made this ham for years and every time it disappears quickly!
Why This Recipe Works
- Easy Prep: The glaze uses simple ingredients you likely have on hand, making this recipe stress-free.
- Flavor Balance: Sweetness from brown sugar and pineapple perfectly complements the savory ham.
- Tender & Juicy Result: Baking low and slow ensures the ham stays moist and melts in your mouth.
- Perfect for Entertaining: Spiral-cut hams serve easily and look gorgeous on any dining table.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Baked Glazed Ham Recipe is chosen to build layers of flavor that are both traditional and interesting, making the ham pop in every bite. Shopping tips? Pick a good quality spiral-cut ham, and get pineapple with juice for the best glaze consistency.
- Bone-in Spiral-Cut Ham: The bone adds flavor and keeps the meat juicy; spiral-cut makes serving easy and elegant.
- Brown Sugar: Adds deep sweetness that caramelizes beautifully during baking.
- Crushed Pineapple with Juice: Brings a tangy sweetness and moisture to the glaze, keeping the ham moist.
- Lemon Juice: Cuts through the sweetness with a touch of brightness, balancing flavors.
- Dijon Mustard: Gives a subtle kick and complexity that builds under the sweet glaze.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds warmth and familiarity, perfect for a comforting, holiday-style flavor.
- Ground Cloves: A pinch introduces a lovely aroma and depth, without overpowering.
Make It Your Way
I love encouraging folks to make this baked glazed ham recipe their own. It’s a fantastic base, and tweaking the glaze or serving it with your favorite sides gives it a fun twist every time.
- Variation: I once swapped out lemon juice for fresh orange juice when I wanted a sweeter, brighter glaze – it was a hit with my family!
- Dietary Tip: If you want to skip the sugar, try using pure maple syrup instead of brown sugar for a natural alternative.
- Spice it Up: Add a dash of cayenne or ground ginger for a little heat and zing in your glaze.
- Make It Mini: Use this recipe with smaller hams or ham steaks when cooking for fewer people – just adjust baking times.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Baked Glazed Ham Recipe
Step 1: Preheat & Prepare Your Ham
Start by heating your oven to 325°F. This moderate temperature lets the ham warm through gently without drying out. Line a deep baking dish with heavy-duty nonstick foil — I can’t stress enough to use heavy-duty or double layers of regular foil. It prevents sticky cleanup and keeps all those lovely juices contained. Then, unwrap your bone-in spiral ham and discard any glaze packet included; you’ll be using your own glaze instead. Place the ham flat side down in the pan – this ensures stability and even heating. Bake uncovered for 1 hour to let the ham start warming up nicely.
Step 2: Whip Up the Glaze
While your ham is warming up, mix the glaze. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, crushed pineapple with its juice, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves. The pineapple juice helps keep everything smooth and helps the glaze cling to the ham. Stir well so all flavors come together beautifully. It just takes a minute but gets this dish from good to unforgettable.
Step 3: Glaze & Bake in Stages
After the first hour, take the ham out of the oven and start glazing. Use a spoon or pastry brush to drizzle half of your glaze all over the ham’s surface, making sure to get some between those spiral cuts – that’s where the magic happens! Pop it back in the oven for 30 minutes to let the glaze caramelize and soak in. Then, repeat the process with the remaining glaze, baking for another 30 minutes. Keep an eye on your ham’s internal temperature; it should reach 140-145°F to be perfectly heated through and safe to eat.
Step 4: Rest, Slice, and Serve
When you take your ham out, transfer it to a nice rimmed platter and place it with the flat side out – it makes it easier to slice and serve those beautiful spirals. I like to surround it with a few kale leaves or fresh herbs for some color and presentation points, but that’s totally optional. Don’t forget to save those pan juices! They’re fantastic for serving alongside the ham or turning into a quick gravy. Serve warm or at room temperature and enjoy the applause!
Tips from My Kitchen
- Glaze Timing Matters: Applying the glaze in two batches balances caramelization without burning the sugar.
- Don’t Skip the Foil: Using a heavy-duty foil liner saves you from scrubbing sticky pans for hours.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: I swear by mine to make sure the ham is perfectly heated and juicy every time.
- Rest Before Slicing: Letting the ham rest a few minutes helps juices redistribute, so slices stay moist.
How to Serve Baked Glazed Ham Recipe
Garnishes
I like to garnish with simple fresh herbs or a ring of kale leaves to add some pop of green contrast against the golden glaze. For festive occasions, adding pineapple slices or maraschino cherries tucked around the edges brings a charming vintage vibe that guests love.
Side Dishes
This baked glazed ham pairs incredibly well with classic sides like creamy mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, and sweet potato casserole. For a lighter note, a fresh green salad or steamed green beans dressed with lemon and garlic bring balance to the plate.
Creative Ways to Present
When I’m hosting, I like to place the ham on a wooden cutting board surrounded by rustic bread, sliced cheeses, and fresh fruit. It makes for a stunning buffet centerpiece and lets folks pick and choose exactly what they want. Wrapping the ham platter in a large banana leaf (if you can find one) has been a fun tropical twist at summer BBQs too.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once you’re done enjoying your feast, store any leftover ham in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in foil to keep it fresh. I’ve found it stays great in the fridge for 3-5 days. Keeping those juices with the meat really helps maintain moisture.
Freezing
If you want to save ham for later, freezing works well too. Slice the ham first and pack individual portions in freezer bags with a little bit of the juices to prevent freezer burn. It’ll keep well up to 2 months and thaw quickly in the fridge overnight when you’re ready.
Reheating
When reheating, I prefer covering the ham with foil and warming in a 325°F oven for 10-15 minutes to keep it juicy and tender. If you’re short on time, reheating slices in the microwave on medium power works fine – just watch closely so the meat doesn’t dry out.
FAQs
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Can I use a boneless ham instead of bone-in for this Baked Glazed Ham Recipe?
Absolutely! Boneless hams work fine and often cook a bit faster since there’s no bone. Just check the internal temperature regularly to avoid overcooking.
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Do I need to baste the ham while baking?
The two-step glazing process essentially bastes the ham well. You don’t need extra basting between; just apply the glaze as directed to lock in moisture and flavor.
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What should I do if I don’t have crushed pineapple?
You can substitute with pineapple juice alone for some sweetness, or try apple juice with a little zest of lemon to mimic the tangy vibe.
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How do I know when the ham is done?
Use an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part (without touching the bone). It’s done when it reads 140-145°F internal temperature.
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Can I prepare the glaze ahead of time?
Yes, you can mix the glaze a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Just bring it back to room temperature before glazing your ham to spread it easily.
Final Thoughts
This baked glazed ham recipe has become my go-to whenever I want a show-stopping centerpiece that’s surprisingly easy to pull off. The glaze is both familiar and special, and the slow bake keeps the ham tender and juicy. I genuinely think you’ll love how effortlessly it impresses your friends and family. Give it a try—you might just find it becomes your signature dish for holidays and celebrations!
Print
Baked Glazed Ham Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 20 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Easy Baked Glazed Ham recipe features a 10-pound bone-in fully cooked spiral cut ham enhanced with a sweet and tangy glaze made from brown sugar, crushed pineapple, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, and cloves. Perfect for holiday gatherings or special occasions, the ham is baked to a juicy, tender finish with a caramelized glaze that seeps into the spiral cuts for maximum flavor.
Ingredients
Ham
- 10 pound bone-in fully cooked spiral cut ham
Glaze
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 8 ounces crushed pineapple with juice
- 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Line a deep baking dish with heavy duty nonstick foil, doubling the foil if using regular strength foil for durability.
- Prepare Ham: Remove the ham from its packaging and discard the glaze packet if included. Place the ham with the flat side down in the prepared baking dish. Bake uncovered for 1 hour.
- Make Glaze: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, crushed pineapple with juice, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves, mixing well to form the glaze.
- First Glaze Application: Carefully remove the ham from the oven. Using a spoon or pastry brush, drizzle half of the glaze over the surface and between the spiral layers of the ham to ensure good coverage. Return the ham to the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes.
- Second Glaze Application: Remove the ham from the oven again and pour the remaining glaze evenly over the ham. Bake for another 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the ham reaches 140-145 degrees F, ensuring it is heated through.
- Serve: Remove the ham from the oven. Transfer it to a rimmed serving platter with the flat side out for easy slicing. Optionally, garnish with kale leaves around the edges for presentation. Serve warm or at room temperature. Reserve the pan juices for serving or for making ham gravy if desired.
Notes
- Discard the glaze packet included with the ham if present, as this recipe’s glaze provides better flavor.
- Nutritional information is based on ½ pound of ham per serving, keeping in mind the bone weight.
- A 10-pound ham should serve approximately 20 people; adjust accordingly for buffet or leftovers.
- Store leftover ham in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheat leftovers in the microwave or bake covered with foil at 325 degrees F for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ pound ham
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
