Honey Glazed Ham brings a beautiful balance of sweet, salty, and savory flavors that make it a timeless centerpiece for any holiday table. This classic dish stands out with its shiny, amber coating and tender slices that practically melt as you cut into them. If you love meals that feel comforting yet festive, this ham delivers every time.
What makes Honey Glazed Ham so special is its simple preparation combined with the rich aroma it fills your kitchen with. As the glaze caramelizes, you get a mix of honey, warm spices, and buttery notes that cling to the crisp edges. Every bite offers a soft interior paired with a slightly sticky, candied crust, giving you the perfect contrast of textures. It is exactly the kind of dish that encourages everyone to go back for seconds.
There is also something incredibly nostalgic about serving ham during the holidays. It brings people together, sets the mood, and instantly makes a meal feel more complete. The honey glaze adds a layer of warmth and brightness, enhancing the natural flavor of the meat without overpowering it. Whether you are hosting a large gathering or preparing a cozy dinner at home, this ham fits the moment effortlessly.
One thing cooks love about Honey Glazed Ham is how convenient it is. You can prepare the glaze ahead of time, the cooking process is mostly hands off, and leftovers are incredibly versatile. Thin slices tuck perfectly into sandwiches, thicker pieces pair well with roasted vegetables, and small diced bits can elevate soups or breakfast scrambles. It is a recipe that keeps giving long after the main event is over.
Pairing this dish with simple sides is always a good idea. Think buttery mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, green bean casserole, or a fresh cranberry relish. The sweetness of the ham complements earthy and bright flavors, creating a well rounded plate. For a festive touch, you can also serve it with a citrus salad or warm dinner rolls that soak up the glaze.
Honey Glazed Ham is a tradition worth keeping on your table. It combines ease, elegance, and incredible flavor, making it a go to recipe for any celebration. Whether it is Christmas, Easter, or a special Sunday meal, this ham has a way of turning an ordinary dinner into something truly memorable.
Ingredients
- 1 whole ham preferably bone-in, around 8-10 pounds
- 1/2 cup honey use a mild honey
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard for added flavor
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves adds warmth and spice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Place the ham in a roasting pan lined with foil.
- In a medium bowl, combine the honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, melted butter, and ground cloves to create the glaze.
- Score the surface of the ham by making shallow cuts in a diamond pattern.
- Brush the glaze generously over the ham, ensuring it gets into the scored cuts.
- Cover the ham loosely with foil and place it in the preheated oven.
- Bake for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, basting with the glaze every 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil for the final 30 minutes to allow the glaze to caramelize and turn golden brown.
- Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before carving and serving.
Nutrition
This ham was a big hit at our family dinner! So sweet and tasty. Everyone loved it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This recipe is AMAZING! I made it for Thanksgiving and everyone loved it!
Why would you put cloves in ham? That sounds weird! But hey, good for you if you like it. 🤷♂️
It tasted good but I think I maybe miscalculated the baking time. My ham was a little dry. 😕
Delicious!! I added pineapples on top cause why not? 🍍 Ham is not just ham! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Not as hard as I thought! Just mix the stuff and bake it? 🥳 I got some compliments!
My grandma makes the best ham and this one just wasn’t the same, it needs something more… 🤔
Honey Ham Good! Wanna eat more! 🐷
Isn’t ham supposed to be cooked at like 400? This seems wrong to me… just saying.
Too sweet for my taste 😕. I think the honey and brown sugar are overkill. I prefer a savory ham.
I get what you mean! I also like my ham less sweet. Have you tried a spice rub instead?
Lol, this is a honey glazed ham! What’d you expect? Just leave out the sweet stuff next time. 😅
This was AMAZING! I cooked this for our family gathering and everyone loved it! Definitely going to make it again.
This honey glazed ham was a hit at our family dinner! Everyone loved it. Definitely making it again!
I tried this recipe but I couldn’t find Dijon mustard, so I used yellow mustard. It didn’t taste right!
This is pretty simple! Great for beginners. Just take your time with the glaze!
8-10 pounds is a lot of ham… do you really get enough glaze for the whole thing? Maybe I’ll double the sauce just in case.
Ham is way too sweet for my taste. I would cut down the honey. My opinion, maybe try maple syrup?
I actually prefer the sweetness! But I get it, not everyone likes it sweet. Maple syrup sounds like a cool idea though!
This sounds insanely good. The honey + Dijon combo is such a nice sweet-savory balance, and I love that they actually tell you to baste every 30 minutes instead of “occasionally.”
Agreed—honey + Dijon is such a killer combo. I’m always worried “glaze” means it’ll dry out, but basting every 30 minutes sounds way more reliable. 😋
This glaze is legit. The mustard + honey combo gives it that sweet-savory balance, and the caramelized top is 🔥. I basted a little extra and it turned out perfect.
I swear ham always turns out dry for me, even when I follow recipes. If the foil comes off too early, the glaze could burn—still, I’ll give your basting schedule a shot.
Hunny glazed ham? Sounds like somthing my grandma would cook! I love it! 10/10!
This ham came out so juicy and delicious! My whole family loved it. Definitely a keeper!
Why 325°F? I baked my last ham at 350 and it was done way sooner. This one took forever for me.
Followed the recipe exactly but my ham turned out dry. Didn’t enjoy it.
I’m sorry to hear that! Did you make sure not to overcook it? That can definitely make it dry.
Dry ham? That’s weird! I always get it juicy. Maybe try lowering the oven temp next time? Just a thought!
Looks good on paper, but I had to guess the cooking time. Also, 325°F feels low for an 8-10 lb ham—mine seemed underdone at first. After longer bake it was great.
Not bad, but really confused about the cooking times. Mine was a bit dry. Will follow the steps better next time.
Isn’t ham made from pig? idk but I think it should be cooked way longer.
Easy to follow! But is there a way to make it less sticky? I feel like I’m glued to the countertop now 😂
Made this for Sunday dinner and the glaze caramelized beautifully. Super flavorful and not overly sweet—will definitely do it again.
Really good recipe, but why does the butter need to be melted? Can I just mix it cold? Asking for a friend.
Cloves AND Dijon seems like too much going on. Honey is great, but I’m skeptical about the flavor combo. Might try it but I’m not convinced.