There’s something undeniably comforting about the aroma of Baked Glazed Ham wafting through the house, particularly around the holidays or during special gatherings. The caramelized, sweet glaze envelopes the tender meat, making every slice a delicious experience. With its beautiful golden-brown exterior and juicy, flavorful interior, this dish isn’t just a feast for the taste buds but a sight to behold. As we prepare to serve our loved ones, this Baked Glazed Ham promises to be the centerpiece that sparks joy and nostalgia at every gathering.
I still remember the very first time I made a Baked Glazed Ham for a family celebration. The mingling scents of orange zest and spices filled the kitchen, drawing everyone in like moths to a flame. People started popping their heads in to check on the progress, their excitement palpable. This Baked Glazed Ham became my go-to main dish—easy to prepare, budget-friendly, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. So, let’s embark on this delicious journey together!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: With just 10 minutes of prep and around 100 minutes in the oven, you’ll have a stunning dish without too much fuss!
- Irresistible Flavor: The combination of sweet honey, warm spices, and a hint of citrus creates a glaze that’s simply mouthwatering.
- Eye-Catching Appeal: Garnished with fresh herbs or oranges, this ham is as beautiful to look at as it is to eat.
- Flexible Serving: Perfect for festive occasions, holiday dinners, or casual family gatherings—you can enjoy it anytime!
- Diet-Friendly Options: This dish fits into Whole30 lifestyles, making it a versatile option for many diets.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 8 – 10 lb. cooked spiral cut ham: The star of the show! A spiral cut ham makes slicing a breeze and ensures each piece is beautifully glazed.
- 1 ½ cups water: This helps keep the ham moist during cooking, preventing it from drying out.
- Zest and juice of 1 large orange (1–2 teaspoons zest and about ½ cup juice): The citrus notes brightens the glaze, offering a fresh and lively flavor.
- ¼ cup brown sugar: For that delightful sweetness and caramelization as it bakes.
- ¼ cup pure honey: This adds a rich sweetness that pairs perfectly with the spices.
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard: Adds a slight tang and depth to the glaze.
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar: This elevates the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- ½ teaspoon black pepper: A bit of spice to complement the sweetness.
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon: Warms up the flavor profile with a hint of warmth.
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice: Adds complexity with its aromatic qualities.
- ¼ tsp dried ground ginger: Enhances the glaze with its zesty undertones.
- ⅛–¼ teaspoon ground cloves: Provides a lovely warmth and depth to the overall flavor.
How to Make Baked Glazed Ham
- Preheat Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 325℉, positioning the oven rack in the lower third to accommodate the ham comfortably.
- Prepare the Ham: Unwrap the ham and place it on its flat side in a large roasting pan.
- Add Water: Pour 1 ½ cups of water into the bottom of the pan to keep the ham moist during cooking.
- Cover Tightly: Use heavy-duty aluminum foil to cover the pan snugly.
- Bake the Ham: Cook the ham for 12 to 15 minutes per pound. For an 8-lb ham, this will be about 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- Make the Glaze: While the ham cooks, combine the zest, juice, brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, cinnamon, allspice, ginger, and cloves in a small saucepan.
- Heat the Glaze: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat until the mixture comes to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer until it thickens, reducing the volume by about a third.
- Brush with Glaze: When there are 30 minutes left in the cooking time for the ham, remove it from the oven and carefully uncover.
- Apply More Flavor: Brush the thickened glaze generously over the ham, covering it beautifully.
- Return to Oven: Bake the ham uncovered until the internal temperature reaches 140℉, which may take another 30 minutes or longer, depending on the size.
- Rest the Ham: Remove the ham from the oven and tent it loosely with the saved foil, allowing it to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
- Slice and Serve: Enjoy the beautiful slices of glazed ham and savor the delicious flavors you’ve created!
Storing & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you need to keep the ham longer, freezing is an option—just wrap it securely and it will last in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply reheat in the oven at 350℉ for about 20-25 minutes until warmed through. Keep in mind, that while the flavor remains exceptional, the texture might be slightly different than when it was freshly baked, so a splash of water can help maintain moisture.
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Test the glaze for sweetness—add more honey or brown sugar if you’d like it sweeter!
- Be careful not to overcook the ham; keep an eye on the temperature for perfect juiciness.
- For even more flavor, consider scoring the surface of the ham before glazing to let the flavors penetrate deeper.
- Let the ham rest! This is crucial for ensuring the juices redistribute for maximum flavor in every slice.
As you prepare and serve this scrumptious Baked Glazed Ham, take a moment to relish in the joy it brings—each bite is a celebration. Don’t hesitate to experiment with additional spices or elements; let your palate guide you. I assure you, every gathering can benefit from this delightful centerpiece that everyone will adore!
Recipe FAQs
Can I use a different type of ham?
Absolutely! While this recipe is tailored for a cooked spiral cut ham, you can use bone-in or boneless hams. Just adjust the cooking time according to the ham’s weight and doneness.
How do I know when the ham is done?
An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part should read 140℉ for the ham to be safely enjoyed. If you’ve allowed the ham to rest before slicing, those delicious juices are sure to be evenly distributed.
Can I make the glaze ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the glaze a day in advance. Just refrigerate it in an airtight container and reheat before brushing on the ham to ensure it goes on smoothly.
What should I serve with Baked Glazed Ham?
Many choose traditional sides like mashed potatoes, green beans, or a festive salad. Bread rolls or cornbread also make wonderful accompaniments to soak up the glaze!
Print
Baked Glazed Ham
This Baked Glazed Ham features a mouthwatering blend of orange, honey, and spices for an irresistibly delicious meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for gatherings.
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 8 – 10 lb. cooked spiral cut ham
- 1 ½ cups water
- zest and juice of 1 large orange (1–2 teaspoons zest and about ½ cup juice)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup pure honey
- 3 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ tsp dried ground ginger
- ⅛–¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325℉ and position the rack in the lower third of the oven.
- Unwrap the ham and place the cut side down in a large roasting pan.
- Add water to the bottom of the pan.
- Cover the pan tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes per pound.
- While the ham cooks, prepare the glaze by combining orange zest, orange juice, brown sugar, honey, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, cinnamon, allspice, ginger, and cloves in a saucepan.
- Heat the glaze mixture over medium-high until boiling, then reduce to low and simmer until thickened.
- With 30 minutes left, remove the ham from the oven, discard the foil, and brush the glaze over the ham.
- Return the ham uncovered to the oven until an internal temperature of 140℉ is reached.
- Remove from the oven, tent loosely with foil, and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
Ensure the ham is fully cooked before serving as it only needs reheating.
Use fresh orange juice for the best flavor in the glaze.
The glaze can be made ahead of time and refrigerated.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 100 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 1100mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
