Get ready to impress your guests with this absolutely delightful Sweet Honey Glazed Ham. It’s a showstopper that’s surprisingly easy to prepare, boasting a beautiful, glistening glaze and a tender, juicy interior. The warm blend of spices in the glaze adds a comforting aroma and a touch of magic to your meal.
Imagine a perfectly caramelized ham, glistening with a sweet and savory glaze, ready to be carved and shared.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Sweet, savory, with warm spice notes.
- Textures: Tender and moist ham with a sticky, caramelized glaze.
- Total Active Time: Approximately 30 minutes.
- Total Cook Time: Approximately 1 hour 35 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes.
- Difficulty Level: Easy. Perfect for beginner cooks or busy hosts.
What You’ll Need
To create this Sweet Honey Glazed Ham, you’ll primarily need a delicious fully cooked turkey ham as your centerpiece, and a simple yet flavorful glaze made from pantry staples like butter, brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, cloves, and garlic powder. You’ll also need a roasting pan and aluminum foil.
Ingredient Notes
- Fully Cooked Turkey Ham (6-8 lbs): This is the star of the show! Opt for a boneless or bone-in ham depending on your preference. Since it’s already cooked, our main goal is to heat it through and coat it in that irresistible glaze.
- Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup, melted): Butter provides richness and helps the glaze adhere beautifully to the ham, contributing to that gorgeous caramelized finish.
- Dark Brown Sugar (1/2 cup, packed): The brown sugar brings a deep, molasses-rich sweetness and helps create that sticky, syrupy texture in the glaze. Packing it ensures you get the right amount of sweetness and moisture.
- Pure Honey (1/2 cup): Honey adds a lovely floral sweetness and contributes to the glossy sheen of the glaze. It works wonderfully with the other sweet and savory elements.
- Dijon Mustard (2 tbsp): A little Dijon mustard adds a subtle tang and depth of flavor that perfectly balances the sweetness of the sugar and honey, preventing the glaze from becoming one-dimensional.
- Ground Cinnamon (1/2 tsp): Cinnamon brings warmth and a hint of spice that complements the sweetness of the ham and the glaze.
- Ground Cloves (1/4 tsp): Cloves offer a more pungent, aromatic spice that adds complexity. Use them sparingly, as their flavor is quite strong.
- Garlic Powder (1/4 tsp): A touch of garlic powder adds a savory undertone that enhances the overall flavor profile without being overpowering.
Add-ins and Substitutions
While this recipe is wonderful as is, you can certainly personalize it! If you enjoy a bit more spice, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the glaze for a gentle kick. For a citrusy twist, a tablespoon of orange zest or a squeeze of fresh orange juice can brighten the glaze beautifully. Some cooks also like to add a splash of maple syrup along with the honey for an extra layer of woodsy sweetness.
How to Make Sweet Honey Glazed Ham Recipe
Making this Sweet Honey Glazed Ham is a straightforward process that will fill your kitchen with a comforting aroma. We’ll start by preheating the oven and preparing the ham.
- Preheat and Prepare: Begin by warming your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Take your fully cooked turkey ham and score the skin in a diamond pattern if desired. This helps the glaze penetrate and creates a beautiful presentation. Place the ham in a roasting pan.
- Mix the Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, packed dark brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and garlic powder until everything is smooth and well combined.
- First Glaze and Bake: Brush about half of the prepared glaze generously all over the turkey ham. Cover the roasting pan tightly with aluminum foil. Place the ham in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. This initial bake allows the ham to heat through gently.
- Second Glaze and Caramelize: After the first baking period, carefully remove the foil from the roasting pan. Brush the remaining half of the glaze evenly over the ham. Return the uncovered ham to the oven and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes. This final bake is crucial for achieving that beautiful, caramelized, glistening finish.
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Rest and Serve: Once the ham is beautifully caramelized and heated through, remove it from the oven. Let the ham rest in the roasting pan for at least 10 to 15 minutes before carving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a wonderfully moist and tender ham.
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Pro Tip: Don’t skip the resting step! It makes a huge difference in the final texture and juiciness of your ham.
Recipe Tips
- Scoring the Ham: Scoring the ham not only looks pretty but also helps the delicious glaze to penetrate the meat, infusing it with flavor. A sharp knife is all you need for this simple step.
- Glaze Application: For the best caramelized result, make sure to brush the glaze on evenly. Applying the second coat uncovered allows the sugars to really bubble and transform into that delightful sticky glaze.
- Checking for Doneness: Since the ham is fully cooked, we’re looking for it to be heated through. The glaze should be bubbly and slightly thickened, and the internal temperature should reach at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Roasting Pan Choice: Use a sturdy roasting pan that can accommodate the size of your ham. If your ham seems a bit tall, a pan with higher sides will help catch any glaze drips.
- Resting is Key: Allowing the ham to rest after baking is non-negotiable for a juicy result. Tent it loosely with foil to keep it warm while it rests.
FAQs
- Can I use a different type of fully cooked ham?
Yes, this glaze is versatile and works wonderfully with other fully cooked hams like spiral-cut hams. Adjust baking time slightly if needed to ensure it’s heated through. - My glaze isn’t thickening, what should I do?
If the glaze seems too thin after the final baking period, you can carefully spoon some of the pan juices into the glaze in the roasting pan and whisk to combine. Place the ham back in the oven, uncovered, for another few minutes to allow it to thicken further, watching closely to prevent burning. - How do I prevent the glaze from burning?
Keep an eye on the ham during the final uncovered baking time. Ovens can vary, and the sugars in the glaze can caramelize quickly. If you notice it browning too fast, you can loosely tent it with foil again.
Serving Suggestions
This Sweet Honey Glazed Ham is a fantastic centerpiece for any holiday gathering or special meal. It pairs beautifully with classic sides like creamy mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables, or a fresh green bean casserole. For a lighter touch, consider serving it alongside a bright, crisp salad or some fluffy dinner rolls. It’s also delicious with a side of cranberry sauce or a dollop of apple chutney.
Make This Recipe in Advance
You can prepare the glaze for your Sweet Honey Glazed Ham a day or two in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Gently warm it before brushing it onto the ham. The turkey ham itself is already cooked, so no advance cooking is needed. Simply follow the baking instructions when you’re ready to serve.
Sweet Honey Glazed Ham Recipe
- Total Time: Approximately 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
Description
This Sweet Honey Glazed Ham is a showstopper that’s surprisingly easy to prepare, boasting a beautiful, glistening glaze and a tender, juicy interior. The warm blend of spices in the glaze adds a comforting aroma and a touch of magic to your meal.
Ingredients
1 fully cooked boneless or bone-in turkey ham (6–8 lbs)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup pure honey
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
Warm your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare your turkey ham by scoring the skin and placing it in a roasting pan. Mix together the glaze ingredients until smooth, then brush half over the ham. Bake covered for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Uncover, brush with the rest of the glaze, and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes until beautifully caramelized and heated through. Let it rest before you carve and serve.
Notes
Scoring the ham not only looks pretty but also helps the delicious glaze to penetrate the meat, infusing it with flavor. A sharp knife is all you need for this simple step.
For the best caramelized result, make sure to brush the glaze on evenly. Applying the second coat uncovered allows the sugars to really bubble and transform into that delightful sticky glaze.
Since the ham is fully cooked, we’re looking for it to be heated through. The glaze should be bubbly and slightly thickened, and the internal temperature should reach at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Use a sturdy roasting pan that can accommodate the size of your ham. If your ham seems a bit tall, a pan with higher sides will help catch any glaze drips.
Allowing the ham to rest after baking is non-negotiable for a juicy result. Tent it loosely with foil to keep it warm while it rests.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 35 minutes - 1 hour 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
