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.

Easy Honey Glazed Ham Recipe | 5-Ingredient Glaze

Name: The Ultimate Honey Glazed Ham Recipe That'll Make You the Holiday Hero
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 2 h 30 min
Total time: 2 h 40 min
Cuisine: American

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