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A perfectly cooked honey glazed ham, sliced and ready to serve.

Classic Honey Glazed Ham

This classic honey-glazed ham recipe features a delicious balance of sweet and tangy flavors. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a special family meal, this ham is sure to impress with its tender meat and caramelized glaze.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings 10 people
Calories 250 kcal

Equipment

  • roasting pan
  • foil
  • small saucepan
  • basting brush
  • meat thermometer
  • toothpicks (optional)

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 8-10 lbs pre-cooked bone-in ham spiral-cut works wonderfully for easy carving
  • 1 cup honey good quality, for the best flavor
  • ½ cup brown sugar packed
  • ¼ cup Dijon mustard for a little tang and depth
  • 1-2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar to cut through the sweetness and balance the glaze
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves or a few whole cloves for simmering in the glaze

Optional Garnish

  • pineapple rings for garnish and extra flavor
  • maraschino cherries for garnish and extra flavor

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and score the ham if it's not spiral-cut. Place the ham, cut-side down, in a roasting pan with about ½ cup of water.
  • Cover the ham tightly with foil and bake for 10-12 minutes per pound until the internal temperature reaches 120-130°F (49-54°C).

Glaze

  • Combine honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and ground cloves in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture simmers, then remove from heat.

Finishing the Ham

  • Remove the ham from the oven 30-45 minutes before it's done, increase oven temperature to 375°F (190°C), and brush with one-third of the glaze.
  • Return the ham to the oven, uncovered, and continue baking. Brush with more glaze every 10-15 minutes until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).
  • Once done, remove the ham from the oven, tent loosely with foil, and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving.

Notes

For an extra touch, consider garnishing the ham with pineapple rings and maraschino cherries held on with toothpicks during the last glazing steps. Always remember to check ham packaging for specific cooking instructions if your ham is not pre-cooked.