Honey Baked Ham Recipe

If you’re craving that melt-in-your-mouth, sticky-sweet, and perfectly spiced holiday centerpiece, this Honey Baked Ham Recipe is going to become your new favorite. I absolutely love how this recipe layers flavor with a luscious honey glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. Whether you’re cooking for a family feast or just want to savor something extra special, hang tight—I’ll walk you through every step to nail that golden, glossy finish without any fuss.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Choosing the right ingredients makes all the difference here. I recommend using a fully cooked bone-in ham because the bone adds extra depth of flavor and keeps the meat juicy. The glaze ingredients work so well together—each one brings its own magic to that sticky, shiny finish.

• Bone-in ham, fully cooked: The star of the show! Bone-in adds flavor and keeps it moist while baking.
• Water: Keeps the ham steamy in the oven to prevent drying out.
• Coconut sugar or brown sugar: Adds deep caramel notes with a hint of molasses richness.
• Honey: The natural sweetener that creates that signature glossy glaze.
• Fresh orange juice: Provides a bright citrus punch that balances the sweetness.
• Dijon mustard: Adds subtle tang and depth—it’s a game changer in savory glazes.
• Ground cinnamon: Warms the flavor profile without overpowering.
• Ground nutmeg: Just a pinch adds cozy spice reminiscent of the holidays.
• Ground cloves: Tiny amounts pack a fragrant, almost exotic punch.
• Ground ginger: Brings mild heat and warmth to round out the spices.

Variations

I love that this Honey Baked Ham Recipe is such a great canvas for you to make it your own. Over the years, I’ve tried all sorts of tweaks that keep things interesting, so don’t hesitate to experiment with flavors that suit your palate or dietary needs.

• Maple Twist: I once swapped honey for pure maple syrup in the glaze, and it gave the ham a subtle smokiness that was unexpected but delightful.
• Spice it Up: Adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the glaze gave it a nice warmth without being spicy, which my kids surprisingly liked!
• Gluten-Free Version: Ensure your Dijon mustard is gluten-free—most are, but always check the label just in case.
• Seasonal Flair: Use fresh lemon juice instead of orange in spring for a brighter glaze or add finely chopped fresh rosemary for a woodsy aroma during winter holidays.

How to Make Honey Baked Ham Recipe

Step 1: Let the Ham Come to Room Temperature

Don’t skip this! When I first tried skipping this step, the ham cooked unevenly. Remove your bone-in, fully cooked ham from the fridge about 2 hours before baking to let it come to room temp—it helps the meat cook evenly and absorb that gorgeous glaze better.

Step 2: Prepare Your Oven and Pan

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and move your rack to the lowest position—you want the ham a bit lower so that the bottom doesn’t dry out. Pour 2 cups of water into the bottom of your roasting pan; the steam keeps the ham juicy during the slow bake.

Step 3: Whip Up That Perfect Honey Glaze

Mix together your sugar, honey, fresh orange juice, Dijon mustard, and those cozy spices in a bowl. I discovered this trick when I started adding the orange juice—it brightens up the deep sweetness and works wonders with the cinnamon and nutmeg.

Step 4: Brushing and Baking

Place the ham in your roasting pan and brush about a quarter of your glaze all over the top, making sure to get into the crevices. Cover the ham tightly with foil and bake it low and slow—about 10 to 12 minutes per pound. If you have a 9-pound ham like me, that’s roughly 1½ hours. Every 30 minutes, sneak in and brush on some more glaze to build up that luscious coating.

Step 5: Caramelize the Glaze

This is my favorite part. After the low-temp bake, crank your oven up to 425°F (220°C), toss the foil, and give your ham one last generous brush with the remaining glaze. Pop it back in uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes until you see that beautiful shine and a slightly caramelized crust forming. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn—this is where all the magic happens!

Step 6: Rest and Slice

Let your honey baked ham rest just a few minutes once it’s out of the oven—this helps the juices redistribute, making every slice tender and juicy. I like to start slicing from the flat, wider end, working through those spiral slices, which makes serving a breeze and looks super impressive at the table.

How to Serve Honey Baked Ham Recipe

Garnishes

I love garnishing this ham with fresh orange slices and a few sprigs of rosemary or thyme for a festive, aromatic touch. It instantly elevates the presentation and pairs beautifully with the glaze’s citrus and spice notes.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides are creamy mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts with a drizzle of balsamic glaze, and a crisp green salad with vinaigrette to cut through the richness. Sweet potato casserole or honey-glazed carrots are also fantastic partners that bring out the subtle sweetness of the ham.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to carve the ham tableside and arrange the slices fanned out on a wooden board with a small bowl of extra glaze for dipping. Adding some pomegranate seeds or cranberries on the platter adds a pop of festive color and slight tartness everyone appreciates.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After your feast, I usually wrap leftover slices tightly in plastic wrap or airtight containers and keep them in the fridge for up to 5 days. This keeps the ham’s flavor fresh and lets me reheat only what I need.

Freezing

I have frozen leftover cooked ham before by tightly wrapping slices with foil and placing them in freezer-safe bags. It’s best to consume within 2 months for optimal taste and texture. When thawing, do it slowly in the fridge overnight.

Reheating

To reheat your honey baked ham slices, I gently warm them in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water and a little extra glaze to keep things moist. It only takes a few minutes and helps keep that lovely caramelized coating intact.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Honey Baked Ham Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen for holidays and special dinners alike. I love how it’s both approachable and impressive, turning a simple ham into a glazed masterpiece that everyone raves over. If you give it a try, I promise you’ll come back to it year after year—there’s just something magical about that sticky orange-spiced glaze that makes any gathering feel a little more festive. So go ahead, roast that ham, brush on that glaze, and enjoy the smiles around your table!

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