Brown Sugar Glazed Ham

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This brown sugar glazed ham is a succulent, show-stopping centerpiece. We lavishly brush a fully-cooked ham with a decadent blend of rich brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and aromatic cloves then bake. The perfectly glazed slices will leave holiday guests begging for seconds.

📌 Pin Brown Sugar Glazed Ham

Pair this main course with delicious sides like Brussels sprouts with bacon, Southern baked mac and cheese, sour cream mashed potatoes and gravy, cheesy scalloped potatoes, and a basket of upgraded Jiffy cornbread.

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, you can make scrambled eggs with ham, or thinly slice the meat for sandwiches. Or cube the ham and add it to casseroles, baked beans, and pizza, or use it as a meaty garnish for soups.

🧑🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips

• Choose the right ham. Select a high-quality ham, whether it’s bone-in or boneless. I prefer a spiral-cut ham as it allows the brown sugar glaze to penetrate the meat better. When cooking for a small family, 1 to 3 people, look for a small boneless “anytime” ham (usually about 4 pounds) and halve the glaze. Follow the recipe instructions as written.
• Score the ham. If your ham is not spiral cut, score it so the glaze can penetrate the meat. Use a sharp knife to make shallow cuts in a diamond or crisscross pattern. Ensure the cuts are not too deep. We’re just creating grooves for the glaze, not cutting through the meat.
• Prevent brown sugar glaze from losing moisture: When assembling the glaze, don’t let it simmer too long or it will lose too much moisture. It’ will’ll harden up like caramel when it cools. But if it does harden, rewarm over medium low heat (about 2 minutes) until it’s the consistency of syrup.
• Let the ham rest. Allow the ham to rest for 15 to 20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicier and more flavorful ham.

🛒 Ingredients

• Bone-in Spiral Ham: This type of ham is fully cooked and just needs to be reheated. If you choose a ham that is not already spiral cut, make sure that it’s already fully cooked! I recommend a bone-in ham for the best flavor and juiciness. Costco has a great one – their Kirkland brand.
• Salted Butter: This rich creamy ingredient helps the brown sugar glaze stick to the ham. It also helps the outside of the ham become browned, crisp and beautifully caramelized.
• Light Brown Sugar: Adds an earthy sweetness that comes from molasses, and pairs deliciously with salty ham.
• Honey: Helps create a sticky glaze, and enhances the sweetness of the brown sugar. Additionally, honey and mustard are a great combination!
• Fresh Minced Rosemary: Adds a bit of fresh herbaceousness to the brown sugar glazed ham.
• Garlic: Is another classic flavor that pairs well with ham. We’re grating the garlic so it will evenly incorporate into the glaze.
• Dijon Mustard or Whole Grain Mustard: A classic pairing with ham. We’re using just a touch in the glaze for a light tasty bite. Dijon mustard is a classic for brown sugar glazed ham, but for a lovely texture – feel fee to use grainy mustard instead. However, if you aren’t a fan of mustard, feel free to leave it out, or sub with a splash of apple cider vinegar.
• Ground Cloves: This holiday spice adds a warm touch of heat, and provides the brown sugar glaze with a bold comforting aroma.
• Kosher Salt: This delicious seasoning enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and balances out the sweet.
• Freshly-cracked Black Pepper: Adds an earthy taste with a bit of complexity, and a slight touch of heat.

📖 Recipe Steps

RECIPE PREP: Preheat oven to 325ºF. Calculate your ham’s approximate cooking time by multiplying the weight of the ham by 15 minutes per pound. A 9-pound ham will need to cook for approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.

1. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add in brown sugar, honey, garlic, and rosemary. Cook just until the mixture is bubbly and the brown sugar has dissolved. Immediately remove from heat. Stir in mustard, cloves, salt and pepper.
2. Remove the spiral ham from its package. Place the meat cut side down on a rimmed baking sheet.
3. Brush 1/3 of the brown sugar glaze over the ham. Cover the ham loosely with aluminum foil. Bake the ham for half of its total cook time. (For a 9-pounder this is 1 hour.)
4. Carefully remove the foil from the ham. Brush it with another 1/3 of the glaze. Return the ham to the oven – uncovered. Roast it for the remainder of its cook time, or until the internal temperature reaches 140ºF on an instant-read thermometer.

RECIPE TIP: The brown sugar glaze will thicken as it sits. To restore it’s pourable/brushable consistency, thin it out by setting the saucepan over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes. It will warm and melt.

1. Remove the ham from the oven.
2. Transfer ham to a serving platter. Optional: Surround the bottom of the ham with perky fresh herbs to add a pop of green color for a beautiful presentation.
3. Add any pan drippings to the saucepan with the last 1/3 of the glaze. Heat over medium-low heat until bubbly and hot, about 2 minutes. Transfer the sauce to a gravy boat to serve with the ham.
4. Use a large meat fork to hold the ham steady, while using a carving knife (or serrated knife) to slice the ham from the bone.

👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQ

These are the most commonly-asked questions for making the BEST brown sugar glaze for ham, and the most helpful answers for recipe success.

🍽 More Classic Holiday Recipes

Get your holiday menu ready with these delicious biscuits and sides. Print your favorites for later. Or for complete access to these recipes from anywhere, at any time, pin them to Pinterest.

• Baking Powder Biscuits
• Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
• Roasted Fall Vegetables
• Sweet Potato Fluff
• Sautéed Mushrooms
• Cheesy Mushroom Polenta with Bacon
• Green Beans Almondine

Rate This Recipe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Flavor testers rated this the BEST brown sugar glazed ham. They loved the combination of sweet and savory flavors in the delicious glaze, and the charred edges and caramelized flavor it contributed to the baked ham.

If you agree the brown sugar glaze recipe is amazing, give this easy recipe a 5-star rating in the comments. Then be a recipe hero. Pin it to Pinterest.

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