Baked Glazed Ham Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for the ultimate crowd-pleaser, you’ve come to the right place. This Baked Glazed Ham Recipe is one of my all-time favorites — it’s perfectly sweet, tender, and stunning on any table. Whether it’s a holiday dinner, family gathering, or just a special weekend meal, this ham brings cozy flavors and impressive presentation without any fuss. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step so you nail it every time!
Why This Recipe Works
- Simple but Flavorful: The glaze blends brown sugar, pineapple, and spices perfectly for a sweet and tangy finish without overpowering the ham.
- Hands-Off Cooking: You pop the ham in the oven and glaze in intervals, so you have time to prep sides or relax.
- Moist, Not Dry: Baking the ham uncovered and glazing halfway through keeps it juicy with a delicious caramelized crust.
- Beginner Friendly: Even if you’re new to cooking ham, this recipe’s step-by-step process makes it easy to succeed every time.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The key to this Baked Glazed Ham Recipe is balancing sweet, tangy, and warm spices. Each ingredient not only adds flavor but also helps the glaze stick and caramelize beautifully on the ham.
- Bone-in fully cooked spiral cut ham: Using a bone-in ham keeps the meat juicy and adds great flavor; spiral cut makes serving super easy.
- Brown sugar: Adds deep sweetness and helps create that sticky, caramelized glaze everyone loves.
- Crushed pineapple with juice: Brings natural tartness and moisture, balancing the glaze perfectly.
- Lemon juice: A little acid brightens and lifts the other flavors for a glaze that sings.
- Dijon mustard: Adds subtle tang and complexity; it also cuts through the sweetness nicely.
- Ground cinnamon: Warm spice that adds depth without overpowering.
- Ground cloves: A pinch packs a punch of festive warmth and fragrant aroma.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this ham depending on the occasion. Don’t hesitate to add your own spin — the beauty of this Baked Glazed Ham Recipe is how forgiving and customizable it is.
- Variation: One time, I swapped out crushed pineapple for apricot preserves—my family was obsessed with the fruity twist!
- Dietary tweak: If you want to skip the sugar punch, try using honey or maple syrup for a different kind of sweetness.
- Spice level: Add a pinch of ground ginger or even cayenne if you like a little warmth and kick.
- Difficulty: If you want cheat-day ease, buy a pre-glazed ham but still add this glaze for a fresh, homemade touch.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Baked Glazed Ham Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Start Baking
First, get your oven ready and preheated to 325°F. I always line my deep baking dish with double layers of heavy-duty nonstick foil—trust me, hams can get messy, and cleanup is so much easier this way. Place your fully cooked spiral ham flat side down in the pan. You’ll bake it uncovered for one hour before adding any glaze. This step warms the ham through evenly, prepping it to soak up all that glaze goodness.
Step 2: Whisk Up the Glaze
While the ham is baking, mix the glaze ingredients—brown sugar, crushed pineapple with juice, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, and cloves—into a small bowl. This blend of sweet, tangy, and spice is what makes this Baked Glazed Ham Recipe truly shine. I like stirring mine with a whisk to make sure the sugars dissolve and spices are evenly spread.
Step 3: First Glaze Application and Bake
After your hour of initial baking, carefully pull the ham out (watch out, it’s hot!). Using a spoon or pastry brush, drizzle half the glaze over the ham, and gently get some glaze between the spiral slices so every bite is flavorful. Pop it back in the oven for 30 minutes to let the glaze caramelize and soak in. This step seals in moisture and builds a perfectly sticky crust.
Step 4: Final Glaze and Finishing Bake
Take the ham out again, add the remaining glaze on top, and bake for another 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches about 140-145°F. This final bake locks in all the flavors and ensures your ham is heated through perfectly. Once done, transfer the ham to a serving platter—flat side down for easy slicing—and save those delicious pan juices for gravy or to spoon over each slice.
Tips from My Kitchen
- Choose a Good Ham: I always buy a bone-in spiral ham—it stays moist and looks beautiful on the platter.
- Don’t Skip the Foil: Trust me, double foil lining means less scrubbing later and no sticky pans.
- Glaze With Patience: Applying glaze mid-cook keeps the sugars from burning and builds layers of flavor.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: To avoid drying out the ham, check that internal temp hits 140°F and no higher.
How to Serve Baked Glazed Ham Recipe
Garnishes
I like to arrange a few kale or fresh parsley leaves around the edge of my serving platter—it adds a pop of color and freshness that contrasts perfectly with the golden glaze. Sometimes I even toss in a handful of fresh pineapple chunks for a fun, complementary bite.
Side Dishes
This ham has such a standout flavor, so my go-to sides are simple and classic: creamy mashed potatoes, roasted green beans with almonds, and buttery dinner rolls. If you’re feeling festive, a sweet potato casserole or apple cranberry chutney also pairs beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I’ve laid out the sliced ham on a wooden board with rosemary sprigs, whole cloves studded around the edges, and small bowls of glaze on the side. It turns a simple meal into a memorable centerpiece that always sparks conversation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I tightly wrap leftover ham in foil and store it in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the fridge. It keeps perfectly for 3-5 days. I always make sure to save some of the pan juices—reheating slices with them prevents the ham from drying out.
Freezing
If I want to keep ham longer, I portion it into freezer bags with a bit of glaze or juice to maintain moisture, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge for best results before reheating.
Reheating
To warm leftovers without losing juiciness, I cover ham slices with foil and bake at 275°F for 10-15 minutes. For a quick fix, the microwave works fine—just cover the slices and add a splash of pan juice or water to keep them moist.
FAQs
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Can I use a boneless ham for this Baked Glazed Ham Recipe?
Absolutely! A boneless ham works well too. Just keep in mind that the bone helps keep the ham juicy and adds extra flavor. You may want to reduce baking time slightly with boneless cuts, so keep a thermometer handy to avoid drying out.
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Is it necessary to discard the glaze packet that comes with the ham?
I recommend discarding it for this recipe because it has its own simple, homemade glaze that offers better flavor control and a fresher taste. The glaze packet might contain extra preservatives or be too sweet for this style.
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Can I prepare the glaze ahead of time?
Yes, you can mix the glaze a day in advance and refrigerate it. Just bring it to room temperature and give it a good stir before glazing the ham to ensure all ingredients are well combined.
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How do I avoid the glaze burning during baking?
Applying the glaze halfway through the cooking process and in two stages helps prevent burning. Also, baking at a moderate 325°F and monitoring the glaze during baking ensures it caramelizes beautifully without charring.
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How long does a 10-pound ham serve?
A 10-pound bone-in ham generally serves 15-20 people generously or up to 25-30 when paired with plenty of sides. If you want leftovers, plan on about ¾ pound of ham per person.
Final Thoughts
This Baked Glazed Ham Recipe holds a special spot in my kitchen because it’s the kind of dish that makes gatherings feel warm and effortless. I’ve made it for holidays and casual dinners alike, and every time it’s met with raves and seconds. I hope you give it a try and can’t wait to hear how it becomes part of your tradition too. It’s truly the friend you want in your oven when feeding a crowd!
Print
Baked Glazed Ham Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 20 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Easy Baked Glazed Ham recipe features a succulent 10-pound bone-in spiral cut ham baked to perfection and coated with a sweet and tangy homemade glaze made from brown sugar, pineapple juice, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and warm spices. Perfect for holiday gatherings or special occasions, this ham is tender, flavorful, and beautifully presented.
Ingredients
Ham
- 10 pound bone-in fully cooked spiral cut ham
Glaze
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 8 ounces crushed pineapple with juice
- 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Line a deep baking dish with heavy duty nonstick foil. If using regular strength foil, line the dish twice to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Prepare the Ham: Remove the ham from its packaging and discard any glaze packet that might come with it. Place the ham flat side down in the prepared baking dish and bake uncovered for 1 hour to start warming through and drying the surface for better glaze adherence.
- Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, crushed pineapple with juice, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed, forming a smooth glaze.
- Apply First Glaze and Continue Baking: Carefully remove the ham from the oven after the initial hour. Using a spoon, drizzle half of the prepared glaze evenly over the surface of the ham. Use the back of the spoon or a pastry brush to spread some glaze into the spiral layers of the ham. Return the ham to the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes to let the glaze caramelize and flavor the ham.
- Apply Second Glaze and Finish Baking: Remove the ham from the oven once more. Drizzle the remaining glaze all over the ham. Place back into the oven and bake for another 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the ham reaches 140-145 degrees F and the glaze is properly set and bubbling.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the ham from the oven. Transfer it to a rimmed serving platter, positioning the flat side outward for easy slicing. Reserve any pan juices for serving or to make a flavorful ham gravy. For presentation, optionally arrange kale leaves around the platter edges. Serve the ham warm or at room temperature for best flavor.
Notes
- If your ham comes with a glaze packet, discard it and use this homemade glaze instead for better flavor.
- Nutritional information is based on serving half a pound of ham per person, including the bone weight, so actual meat portion will be less.
- A 10-pound ham generally serves 15-20 people, or 25-30 on a buffet with many other proteins and sides.
- For leftovers, plan on ¾ pound of ham per person to ensure ample servings.
- Store leftover ham in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheat leftover slices in the microwave, or for multiple portions, cover the ham with foil and bake at 325°F for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 pound ham
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 1100 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
