Listen, I’m going to be completely honest with you. For years and I mean years I used those little packets of glaze that come with store bought hams. You know the ones, right? That weird granulated powder you’re supposed to mix with water that never quite dissolves and leaves you with a gritty, disappointing coating that barely clings to the meat?
Yeah, I was that person. Until one Thanksgiving when my sister in law showed up with a honey glazed ham that was so gorgeously caramelized, so perfectly glossy, that it looked like it belonged in a magazine spread. When I asked where she bought it, she laughed and said, “Bought it? Girl, I made that glaze myself. Takes like five minutes.”
That conversation changed everything. Now I’m here to share this absolute game changer of a brown sugar honey glazed ham recipe with you, because honestly? Once you make your own glaze, you’ll never go back to those packets again.
Why This Honey Glazed Ham Recipe Works Every Single Time
Here’s what I love about this recipe: it’s foolproof. You don’t need any fancy culinary skills or special equipment. If you can stir ingredients in a pot and wield a pastry brush, you’re golden.
This glaze hits that perfect sweet and savory balance that makes people go back for seconds (and thirds, but who’s counting?). The brown sugar and honey bring the sweetness, while the Dijon mustard adds just enough tangy bite to keep things interesting. A splash of apple cider vinegar cuts through the richness, and butter makes everything glossy and luxurious.
The real magic happens when you brush this gorgeous mixture onto your spiral cut ham during the final 30 minutes of cooking. The heat caramelizes the sugars, creating this incredible sticky coating that seeps between every single slice. Trust me, when you bring this to the table, people will absolutely lose their minds.
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The Ultimate Honey Glazed Ham Recipe That’ll Make You the Holiday Hero
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
Description
The best sweet and tangy 5-ingredient honey brown sugar glaze for a holiday-worthy ham. This easy recipe creates a perfectly caramelized, glossy coating that makes every bite unforgettable.
Ingredients
1 bone-in spiral-cut ham (8-10 pounds), with no added water or juices
2 cups packed light brown sugar
1 cup honey
½ cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
1. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 275°F. Line a roasting pan with 2 sheets of aluminum foil long enough to wrap the ham.
2. Remove ham from packaging and place cut-side down in the pan. Fold the foil up and around the ham, sealing well to create a moisture-locking pouch.
3. Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center (not touching bone) registers at least 120°F, about 2 to 2½ hours total (15-20 minutes per pound). Check temperature after 1½ hours.
4. Meanwhile, combine brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, butter, and apple cider vinegar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring regularly to break up lumps.
5. Reduce heat to medium-low and gently simmer until reduced by a third, darkened in color, and thickened to a syrupy consistency, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat.
6. When the ham has about 30 minutes left, remove from oven and unwrap. Brush the warm glaze generously onto and between the ham slices wherever possible.
7. Return ham to oven uncovered. Bake until thermometer registers 120°F to 140°F, about 30 minutes more.
8. Remove from oven and let rest 5-10 minutes. Use a long thin knife to cut around the bone, then slice along natural fat lines to separate the spiral-cut slices. Serve warm with extra glaze.
Notes
Make ahead: The glaze can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat over low heat until simmering before using.
Storage: Leftover ham can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Best ham choice: Look for bone-in, spiral-cut hams labeled with no added water or juices for the best flavor and texture.
Temperature options: At 275°F, bake 15-20 minutes per pound. At 350°F, bake 10 minutes per pound (faster but requires more attention).
Extra glaze: Don’t skip simmering the glaze for the full 20 minutes—this concentrates flavors and creates the perfect sticky consistency.
Serving tip: Pair with scalloped potatoes, honey glazed carrots, or green beans for a complete holiday feast.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Holiday Recipe
- Method: Baking, Glazing
- Cuisine: American, Holiday
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 6 oz)
- Calories: 751
- Sugar: 57g
- Sodium: 3131mg
- Fat: 44g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 43g
- Cholesterol: 142mg
Keywords: honey glazed ham recipe, brown sugar honey glazed ham, easy glazed ham, spiral cut ham recipe, holiday ham, Christmas ham, Easter ham
What You’ll Need for the Perfect Honey Glazed Ham
For the Ham:
- 1 bone in, spiral cut ham (8-10 pounds), preferably with no added water or juices
For the Honey Brown Sugar Glaze:
- 2 cups packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup honey
- 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
That’s it. Five ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, and you’re about to create something spectacular.
How to Glaze a Ham with Honey: My Step-by-Step Method
Step 1: Prep Your Ham
First things first preheat your oven to 275°F. I know it seems low, but trust the process. Lower and slower keeps your ham moist and tender.
Line a roasting pan with two long sheets of aluminum foil. Unwrap your ham and place it cut side down in the pan. Now here’s a crucial step that beginners often skip: wrap that ham completely in the foil, sealing it tight. This creates a little steam chamber that prevents your ham from drying out while it heats through. Nobody wants dry ham, right?
Step 2: Start Baking
Pop that foil wrapped ham into the oven. You’re looking for an internal temperature of 120°F on an instant-read thermometer (make sure you’re not touching the bone when you check). At 275°F, this takes about 2 to 2.5 hours total roughly 15 to 20 minutes per pound.
“But wait,” you might be thinking, “how long does it take for a honey glazed ham to cook?” Great question! The total cooking time depends on your oven temperature. At 275°F, plan for about 2-2.5 hours for an 8-10 pound ham. If you’re in a hurry and crank it up to 350°F, you’re looking at about 1-1.5 hours total (10 minutes per pound). I prefer the lower temperature because it gives you more wiggle room and the ham stays juicier.
Step 3: Make That Magic Glaze
While your ham is doing its thing in the oven, it’s time to make the star of the show. Grab a medium saucepan and combine all your glaze ingredients: brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, butter, and apple cider vinegar.
Turn the heat to medium high and start stirring. You’ll want to break up any lumps in the brown sugar as everything melts together. Once it comes to a simmer, reduce the heat to medium low and let it gently bubble away for about 20 minutes.
Here’s what you’re watching for: the glaze should reduce by about a third, darken in color, and get nice and thick almost syrupy. This step is crucial because it concentrates all those flavors and creates a glaze that actually clings to your ham instead of just running off.
Step 4: The Glazing Moment
This is where the transformation happens. When your ham has about 30 minutes of cooking time left, pull it out of the oven and carefully peel back that foil. You should see a perfectly heated ham just waiting for its glaze up.
Grab a pastry brush (or a silicone basting brush either works great) and start painting that warm glaze all over your ham. And here’s the insider tip: work the glaze between those spiral-cut slices wherever you can. Get it in there! Those glazed interior edges are absolute flavor bombs.
Step 5: The Final Bake
Return your now gorgeous glazed ham to the oven, but leave the foil off this time. You want that glaze to caramelize and get all sticky and beautiful. Bake for another 30 minutes until your thermometer reads between 120°F and 140°F.
When it comes out, let it rest for 5-10 minutes. Use a long, thin knife to cut around the bone, then slice along the natural fat lines to separate those perfect spiral cut pieces.
Your Honey Glazed Ham Questions Answered
Is It Better to Cook a Ham at 325 or 350?
Honestly, both temperatures work, but I’ve found that the sweet spot is actually 275°F. Here’s why: the lower temperature gives you more control and reduces the risk of drying out your ham. However, if you’re short on time, 350°F works perfectly fine just watch your ham closely and don’t skip the foil wrapping step.
Do You Put Glaze on Ham Before or After Cooking?
This is probably the most common mistake I see beginners make. You absolutely do NOT glaze at the beginning. If you brush that sweet, sugary glaze on a cold ham and then bake it for 2+ hours, you’ll end up with burnt sugar and a bitter taste.
The secret is patience. Apply your glaze during the final 30 minutes of cooking when the ham is already hot and flexible. This way, the sugars caramelize beautifully without burning, and the glaze seeps into all those spiral cuts while the ham is still warm enough to be pliable.
How Do You Make a Honey Glaze?
Making honey glaze is incredibly simple! Combine honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, butter, and apple cider vinegar in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for about 20 minutes until the mixture reduces by a third and becomes thick and syrupy. The key is letting it cook long enough to concentrate the flavors and achieve that perfect sticky consistency.
How Long to Cook a Glazed Ham?
For a spiral cut ham at 275°F, allow 15-20 minutes per pound (about 2-2.5 hours for an 8-10 pound ham). At 350°F, you’ll need 10 minutes per pound (about 1-1.5 hours total). Always use a meat thermometer to ensure your ham reaches an internal temperature of 120-140°F.
What to Serve with Your Honey Glazed Ham
Now that you’ve got this showstopper centerpiece, let’s talk sides. I always go with a mix of creamy, crunchy, and fresh options:
Classic comfort sides: Scalloped potatoes or cheesy potatoes au gratin are absolute winners. The creamy richness pairs beautifully with the sweet ham.
Vegetable options: Honey glazed carrots (yes, double down on that honey!), roasted Brussels sprouts with balsamic, or crisp green beans with garlic keep things balanced.
Fresh elements: A spring salad with berries, nuts, and citrus dressing cuts through the richness perfectly.
Don’t forget the bread: Fluffy dinner rolls or buttermilk biscuits are non negotiable in my book.
Leftover Ham Ideas (Because There Will Be Leftovers)
Here’s the beautiful thing about making a big honey glazed ham the leftovers are almost better than the main event. I’m talking:
- Ham and bean soup: Use that ham bone to make the most incredible broth
- Monte Cristo sandwiches: Sweet, savory, and absolutely decadent
- Scalloped potatoes and ham: The ultimate comfort food casserole
- Ham and cheese quiche: Perfect for breakfast or brunch
- Ham salad: Great for quick sandwiches throughout the week
Store your leftover ham in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Pro Tips for Honey Glazed Ham Success
Make the glaze ahead: You can prepare this glaze up to 5 days in advance and store it in the fridge. Just reheat it gently over low heat until it simmers before using.
Don’t skip the thermometer: Seriously, get yourself an instant read thermometer. It’s the difference between perfectly juicy ham and disappointingly dry meat.
Let it rest: Those 5-10 minutes of resting time allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. I know it’s tempting to carve immediately, but patience pays off.
Save that glaze: Have extra glaze? Drizzle it over individual slices when serving, or save it to brush on ham sandwiches later. It keeps in the fridge for up to a week.
Where to Buy the Best Ham for This Recipe
You might be wondering about where to buy honey glazed ham that’s already prepared, but honestly, starting with a quality unglazed spiral cut ham and making your own glaze is so much better (and cheaper!). Look for bone in, spiral cut hams with no added water or juices at your local grocery store. I’ve found great options at regular supermarkets like Walmart or H-E-B you don’t need to go to specialty shops.
The Bottom Line on This Easy Honey Glazed Ham
Look, I get it. The holidays are stressful enough without adding complicated recipes to your plate. But this brown sugar honey glazed ham is honestly one of the easiest, most impressive dishes you can make. Five ingredients, minimal active cooking time, and results that’ll have your family asking you to make it for every single holiday from now until forever.
The first time I made this, my mom actually asked if I’d ordered it from somewhere fancy. When I told her I made it myself, she looked at me like I’d just performed magic. And honestly? That’s kind of what cooking should feel like sometimes a little bit of magic that brings people together around the table.
So grab that ham, mix up this glaze, and get ready to become the holiday hero. You’ve totally got this.
Ready to make your own honey glazed ham masterpiece? Save this recipe, bookmark this page, and let me know in the comments how it turns out! And if you’re looking for more holiday recipe inspiration, check out our pumpkin coffee cake or pumpkin bars for the perfect dessert pairing.
Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes (Prep: 5-10 minutes | Cook: 2-3 hours)
Yield: Serves 16
Dietary Notes: Gluten-free, egg-free, nut-free
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