Juicy Honey-Glazed Baked Ham Recipe for Family Gatherings

Succulent baked ham brings a delightful centerpiece to any gathering, promising rich flavors and pure comfort.

Meat lovers crave this classic dish that transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering experience.

Generations have cherished this timeless recipe, passing down secrets from kitchen to kitchen.

Salt, herbs, and a perfect glaze create magical moments around the dinner table.

Juicy slices promise to satisfy even the most discerning palates.

Each bite tells a story of tradition and warmth.

You’ll want to savor every delectable morsel of this irresistible ham that’s sure to impress everyone at your meal.

What Makes Baked Ham a Classic Favorite

• Create Stunning Presentation: Impress guests with the beautiful diamond-scored surface and clove-studded ham that looks professionally prepared.
• Hands-Off Cooking Technique: Enjoy a stress-free cooking experience with minimal active preparation and long, slow baking that guarantees tender, flavorful results.
• Sweet and Savory Flavor Fusion: Combine the rich, salty ham with a caramelized brown sugar coating that creates an irresistible sweet-and-savory taste profile perfect for special gatherings.
• Simple Ingredient Magic: Transform a basic ham into a gourmet dish using just a few pantry staples like brown sugar and whole cloves, making it accessible for home cooks of all skill levels.

What You’ll Need for Baked Ham

• Ham: A classic centerpiece protein with a rich, savory flavor that becomes deliciously caramelized when baked.

• Cloves, Brown Sugar: These ingredients create a sweet and aromatic crust that adds depth and caramelization to the ham's surface.

• Water: Helps maintain moisture during the long cooking process and prevents the ham from drying out.

Easy Guide to Making Baked Ham

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350°F, ensuring it’s fully heated before your ham arrives.

Step 2: Create Decorative Scoring

Gently slice the ham’s top in elegant diamond shapes, creating a beautiful pattern that will catch seasonings and glaze.

Step 3: Infuse with Aromatic Cloves

Carefully press whole cloves into each diamond intersection, adding a warm, spicy fragrance to the meat.

Step 4: Pack on Sweet Brown Sugar Coating

• Brown sugar
• Gentle hand pressure

Generously spread brown sugar across the ham’s surface, pressing it firmly into the scored lines to create a caramelized exterior.

Step 5: Set Up Roasting Environment

• Roasting pan
• Water

Place the ham in a deep roasting pan and pour water around it, reaching about one inch up the pan’s sides to keep the meat moist during cooking.

Step 6: Slow Roast to Perfection

Slide the ham into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 4.5 to 5 hours. Use a meat thermometer to check that the center reaches at least 160°F, avoiding contact with the bone.

Step 7: Rest and Prepare for Serving

Let the ham relax for 15-20 minutes after removing from the oven. This crucial resting period allows juices to redistribute, ensuring each slice is succulent and flavorful.

Tips for Serving Baked Ham Like a Pro

• Score the ham carefully to create a beautiful diamond pattern, ensuring even clove distribution for maximum flavor infusion.
• Press brown sugar gently but firmly onto the ham's surface to create a delicious caramelized crust that adds sweetness and texture.
• Use an instant-read thermometer for precise doneness, checking the internal temperature without touching the bone for accurate results.
• Let the ham rest after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, guaranteeing moist and tender meat when slicing.
• Add water to the roasting pan to create a steamy environment, preventing the ham from drying out during the long cooking process.

Unique Takes on Traditional Baked Ham

• Honey Mustard Glaze: Replace brown sugar with a blend of honey, Dijon mustard, and a splash of apple cider vinegar for a tangy, sweet coating that caramelizes beautifully during baking.
• Pineapple Rum Infusion: Create a tropical glaze using crushed pineapple, dark rum, and brown sugar, adding exotic flavors and keeping the ham incredibly moist.
• Maple Bourbon Coating: Mix pure maple syrup with bourbon whiskey and a touch of ground cinnamon for a rich, complex flavor profile that elevates the traditional ham preparation.
• Herb and Citrus Version: Incorporate fresh rosemary, thyme, orange zest, and a light orange marmalade glaze to bring bright, aromatic notes to the classic baked ham recipe.

Best Dishes to Pair with Baked Ham

• Elevate Flavor Harmony: Perfectly Paired Companions
• Riesling Revelry: A crisp, slightly sweet German Riesling cuts through the ham's richness, balancing the brown sugar's caramelized notes with its bright acidity and complementary fruity undertones.
• Roasted Veggie Symphony: Honey-glazed roasted carrots and Brussels sprouts create a complementary sweetness that echoes the ham's caramelized sugar coating, while providing a tender vegetable contrast to the meat's dense texture.
• Mustard Magic: A tangy Dijon or whole-grain mustard serves as a zesty condiment, offering a sharp counterpoint to the ham's sweet and salty profile, which helps cleanse the palate between rich bites.

How to Store and Reheat Baked Ham

• Refrigerate: Store leftover ham in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in aluminum foil. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze: Slice ham into portions, wrap securely in plastic wrap and freezer bag. Frozen ham stays good for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Microwave Reheat: Place ham slices on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, checking temperature and moisture to prevent drying out.
• Oven Reheat: Warm ham in 325°F oven, covered with foil to retain moisture. Add splash of water or broth to prevent drying. Heat until internal temperature reaches 140°F, typically 10-15 minutes.

Baked Ham FAQs

• Why score the ham before baking?

Scoring creates diamond patterns that help the glaze penetrate the meat and allows fat to render more evenly, creating a beautifully caramelized exterior with enhanced flavor absorption.

• Do I need a special thermometer to check ham doneness?

An instant-read meat thermometer is recommended to ensure the ham reaches a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C), preventing undercooking and potential foodborne illness.

• Can I use whole cloves if I don't have ground cloves?

Whole cloves work perfectly in this recipe. Simply press them into the intersections of the scored diamond pattern for a traditional, aromatic flavor enhancement that complements the brown sugar glaze.

• What type of ham works best for this recipe?

A fully cooked, bone-in ham is ideal.

Baked Ham Recipe

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4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 5 hours and 20 minutes to 5 hours and 25 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Succulent Honey Glazed Ham brings festive warmth to family gatherings with its golden-brown exterior and rich, caramelized flavor. Delightful slices promise a memorable meal that celebrates classic comfort and culinary tradition.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 (12-pound) bone-in rump portion ham

Seasonings and Sweeteners:

• Whole cloves
• 1 cup brown sugar

Liquid:

• Water (about 1 inch in the roasting pan)

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Instructions

1. Prepare oven to 350°F, ensuring rack is positioned in lower third of oven for even heat distribution.
2. Using a sharp knife, create elegant diagonal crosshatch pattern across ham’s surface, cutting approximately 1/4 inch deep to help seasoning penetrate.
3. Strategically insert whole cloves into each diamond intersection, providing aromatic depth and visual texture.
4. Generously coat ham’s exterior with brown sugar, gently pressing and massaging to create a caramelized crust that will develop during roasting.
5. Select a deep roasting pan and position ham with fat side facing upward, then carefully pour water around ham’s base to create moisture environment.
6. Roast ham for 4.5 to 5 hours, monitoring internal temperature periodically with meat thermometer to ensure it reaches minimum 160°F at ham’s thickest section.
7. Once cooking completes, remove ham from oven and let rest undisturbed for 15-20 minutes, allowing internal juices to redistribute and ensuring succulent, tender meat when carved.

Notes

• Use a sharp knife to create precise diamond-shaped scores, ensuring even caramelization and flavor penetration across the ham’s surface.
• Experiment with different spice blends like smoked paprika or herbes de Provence to customize the ham’s flavor profile and add personal flair.
• Cover the ham with aluminum foil during the first few hours of baking to prevent excessive browning and maintain moisture, then uncover to allow the brown sugar to caramelize beautifully.
• For dietary modifications, substitute brown sugar with honey or maple syrup for a lower glycemic index option, making the dish more suitable for those monitoring sugar intake.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 4.5 to 5 hours
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg