Christmas honey-glazed ham is the centerpiece of many holiday feasts, offering a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors. The rich, tender ham is coated in a glossy honey glaze that caramelizes beautifully as it bakes, creating a golden, slightly crispy exterior while keeping the meat juicy and flavorful on the inside. This dish is not only a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes, making it the ideal choice for Christmas dinners and festive gatherings.
The star of this dish is, of course, the ham. Whether you choose a bone-in ham or a boneless variety, the meat itself is typically pre-cooked, so the goal is to warm it through while developing a flavorful, sticky glaze. The glaze is what makes this ham truly shine. Made with honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and a touch of apple cider vinegar, the glaze creates a perfect balance of sweetness, tang, and a hint of spiciness. You can also add a dash of cinnamon, cloves, or even a bit of orange zest to give the glaze a festive, aromatic depth.
To prepare the honey-glazed ham, the ham is first scored in a diamond pattern, which allows the glaze to penetrate the meat and infuse it with flavor. The glaze is generously brushed over the ham before baking, and it’s important to baste the ham every 20 minutes to ensure the glaze forms a beautiful, sticky coating that caramelizes evenly.
Once the ham is done, it should be rested before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute. When served, the honey glaze creates a deliciously sticky exterior that contrasts beautifully with the tender, flavorful meat inside. The sweetness of the honey and brown sugar complements the savory ham, making each bite perfectly balanced.
Christmas honey-glazed ham pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes, from roasted vegetables to mashed potatoes or a fresh green salad. It’s an iconic holiday dish that not only fills the house with irresistible aromas but also becomes the centerpiece of any Christmas meal. Rich, flavorful, and absolutely mouthwatering, this ham will surely become a cherished tradition at your holiday table.
Ingredients
- 1 whole ham bone-in, fully cooked, about 8-10 pounds
- 1/2 cup honey use a good quality honey
- 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard or spicy brown mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves for extra flavor
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Place the ham in a roasting pan, and score the surface in a diamond pattern.
- In a small bowl, mix together the honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and ground cloves.
- Brush the glaze over the ham, ensuring it covers all the scored areas and the surface.
- Bake the ham in the preheated oven for about 2 hours, basting with more glaze every 20 minutes.
- Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Simple and delicious! My grandma always made ham like this and it brought back nice memories. Thanks for sharing!
Ham? Good! Christmas? Good! Honey? Too much honey. Meh.
I’m skeptical about honey on ham. Seems like a weird combo to me. But you do you, I guess.
I thought the same at first, but honey really adds a nice sweetness! Give it a try!
I used maple syrup instead of honey, it turned out great! Who knew it would work so well?
Amazing recipe! I used maple syrup instead of honey. It worked great!
Wow, sounds delicious! Maple syrup is a great idea for a twist. I gotta try that!
Maple syrup? Really? Is that even gonna taste good with ham? Seems weird to me.
Honestly, it was good but a little too sweet for my taste. I think I’d reduce the honey next time.
Less honey? Nah, that’s like taking the Christmas out of Christmas ham! 😂 But hey, it’s all personal taste.
I get what you mean! Honey can be super sweet sometimes. Maybe try maple syrup instead? It’s way less sweet.
This ham was a hit at our Christmas dinner! The glaze was so sweet and flavorful. Definitely making it again!
Sounds delicious! I love a good glaze on ham. Would you recommend any sides to go with it?
SO GOOD! Just the right amount of sweetness and the glaze caramelized perfectly! YUM!
I dont know about this recipe. The cloves were too strong for my taste. Maybe less cloves next time?
I think the cloves give it a nice kick! But yeah, you can always adjust it to your taste. Maybe try 1/4 teaspoon if it’s too much.
This ham was a hit at our Christmas dinner! So tender and flavorful. Will definitely make it again!
I’m so glad to hear that! It’s my go-to recipe for the holidays too. Did you add any special sides?
Really? I found the ham kinda dry. Maybe I didn’t baste it right? 🤔
Honestly, I just put ketchup on my ham. This honey stuff seems like a lotta work!
Ham?? No thanks. I only eat turkey for Christmas. That’s the real festive meat!
I dunno about the cloves… they seemed out of place. Not sure if I’d recommend this recipe.