Elevate your holiday feast with this spectacular Brown Sugar Glazed Ham. Sweet, savory, and perfectly tangy, this effortless recipe promises a show-stopping centerpiece that will impress every guest! Discover how easy it is to create a truly unforgettable ham glaze from scratch.
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There’s a special magic that a beautifully glazed ham brings to any holiday table. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a tradition, a centerpiece, and a symbol of warmth and celebration. While some debate between turkey and ham as the ultimate holiday roast, a perfectly prepared ham, especially one adorned with a glistening, homemade brown sugar glaze, often wins hearts with its tender texture and irresistible flavor profile. This recipe isn’t just about cooking a ham; it’s about transforming a simple cut of meat into a masterpiece that will be remembered long after the last bite.
Imagine serving up this succulent Brown Sugar Glazed Ham alongside classic holiday favorites like creamy sweet potato casserole, comforting funeral potatoes, fluffy dinner rolls, the surprisingly delightful Snickers salad, and vibrant scalloped corn and broccoli. It’s a feast designed to delight the senses and create cherished memories. The harmony of flavors, from the rich ham to the sweet and savory sides, creates a holiday spread that’s both elegant and deeply comforting.
The Unforgettable Holiday Centerpiece: Brown Sugar Glazed Ham
Are you firmly “team turkey” or an avid “team ham” enthusiast when the holidays roll around? While both are fantastic options, there’s something uniquely appealing about a beautifully roasted ham. Perhaps it’s the rich, savory flavor that pairs so well with a touch of sweetness, or the fact that it often feels less demanding to prepare than its feathered counterpart. For many, a ham dinner is the quintessential holiday classic, marking special occasions like Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Often, people feel intimidated by the thought of making a holiday ham, believing it to be a complicated culinary endeavor reserved for seasoned chefs. However, I’m here to tell you that a glazed ham is, in fact, one of the most straightforward and forgiving dishes you can prepare. With this Brown Sugar Glazed Ham recipe, we’re ditching those generic, often additive-filled glaze packets that come with the ham. Instead, we’ll create a homemade glaze using just four simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. This homemade approach not only guarantees superior flavor but also allows you to control exactly what goes into your meal, making it a healthier and more delicious choice for your family and guests.
Preparing Your Ham for Maximum Flavor Absorption
The secret to an incredibly flavorful glazed ham lies in a simple yet crucial step: scoring the ham. This technique allows the rich, sweet, and tangy glaze to penetrate deeper into the meat, ensuring every bite is infused with deliciousness. Even if your ham is spiral-cut (which we’ll discuss more below), the top surface still benefits greatly from scoring.
- Choose Your Roasting Vessel: Begin by placing your ham, flat side down, into a sturdy roasting pan. If you don’t have a dedicated roasting pan, a 9×13-inch baking dish can work perfectly, provided your ham fits snugly. For larger hams that might overflow, a baking sheet with a sufficiently tall lip is essential to catch all those precious juices and prevent a messy oven.
- Master the Score: To score the ham, take a sharp knife and make shallow diagonal cuts across the surface, aiming for a depth of about 1/4 inch. Repeat this process in the opposite direction, creating a beautiful diamond pattern. These diamond grooves are not just for aesthetics; they are channels designed to hold and absorb the glaze, intensifying the flavor throughout the ham.
- Initial Bake: Once scored, cover the ham securely with aluminum foil. This step is vital for retaining moisture and ensuring the ham warms evenly. Place it in your preheated oven to begin its warming process before the glaze is introduced.
Crafting the Perfect Glaze: Simple Ingredients, Incredible Flavor
The beauty of this brown sugar ham glaze lies in its simplicity and the incredible depth of flavor it achieves with just a few pantry staples. Forget complicated concoctions or mystery ingredients; all you need are four humble components: rich brown sugar, golden honey, zesty apple cider vinegar, and a touch of prepared mustard. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating a glaze that’s perfectly balanced—sweet, tangy, and deeply savory, with a beautiful shine.
Brown sugar, with its molasses content, provides a deep, caramel-like sweetness and helps create that desirable sticky texture. Honey adds another layer of sweetness and a lovely sheen, while apple cider vinegar cuts through the richness with a bright, acidic tang, preventing the glaze from being overly cloying. Finally, the prepared mustard (Dijon or even a classic yellow mustard works wonders here) doesn’t make the ham taste like mustard; rather, it provides a subtle, savory counterpoint and a hint of spice that truly elevates the overall flavor profile. Together, these ingredients transform into a magical elixir that turns a simple ham into a showstopper.
The Art of Glazing: Building Layers of Sweet and Savory
The application of the glaze is an art form that transforms your ham from merely baked to gloriously caramelized. It’s a process of layering flavors and textures that results in that perfect golden-brown crust and juicy interior.
- Mix the Glaze: Once your ham has baked for approximately half of its total cooking time, it’s time to prepare the glaze. In a medium bowl, simply combine the brown sugar, honey, apple cider vinegar, and prepared mustard. Whisk until thoroughly combined and smooth.
- First Basting: Carefully remove the ham from the oven. Uncover it and generously brush or spoon about one-third of your freshly made glaze over the entire surface of the ham, ensuring it seeps into those scores you made earlier. Recover the ham tightly with foil and return it to the oven. This initial basting allows the flavors to begin their magic, penetrating the meat while still keeping it moist.
- Second Basting: After another 15 minutes of baking, remove the ham from the oven once more. Apply another generous layer, using half of the remaining glaze. Recover the ham and place it back in the oven. Each layer of glaze builds upon the last, contributing to a deeper flavor and a more beautiful, lacquered finish.
- Final Glaze and Caramelization: After a final 15 minutes, remove the ham for the last basting. Spread the remaining glaze evenly over the ham. This is also a perfect opportunity to baste the ham with any delicious juices that have accumulated at the bottom of the pan. These pan juices are packed with flavor and will add extra moisture and richness. Recover the ham and continue baking until it reaches the desired internal temperature. If you desire an extra crispy, caramelized crust, you can remove the foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking, or even briefly broil it (watch carefully!) for a minute or two at the very end.
Mastering the Bake: Timing and Temperature for a Juicy Ham
One of the most common misconceptions about cooking a ham is that it requires extensive baking. The truth is, most hams you purchase from the grocery store are already fully cooked or smoked. Your primary goal when preparing a glazed ham is simply to warm it through to a safe internal temperature while allowing the glaze to caramelize beautifully. However, because it is a substantial piece of meat, this warming process still requires a good amount of time and patience.
As a general guideline, I recommend baking your ham at 325ºF (160ºC) for approximately 12 minutes per pound. For instance, if you have a 10-pound ham, you can expect it to bake for about 2 hours. Always use a reliable meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham (avoiding the bone) to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 140ºF (60ºC).
If you opt for a boneless ham, the cooking time might be slightly shorter, typically ranging from 10 to 15 minutes per pound. Boneless hams tend to heat through more quickly because of their uniform shape and often smaller size. Regardless of the type of ham, the internal temperature is your most accurate indicator of readiness. A crucial tip for a perfectly juicy ham: once it reaches the target temperature, remove it from the oven and let it rest, covered, for 15-20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful slice.
Expert Tips for Glazed Ham Success
Achieving the perfect glazed ham involves a few simple tips and tricks that can make all the difference, ensuring your ham is juicy, flavorful, and a true delight for your holiday gathering:
- Spiral-Cut vs. Bone-In: These days, spiral-cut hams are widely available and incredibly convenient. While they work perfectly for this recipe, it’s essential to be mindful that their pre-cut nature can lead to them drying out faster. To combat this, always keep your spiral-cut ham covered tightly with foil throughout the majority of the baking process. If you can find an uncut, bone-in ham, I highly recommend it for superior flavor and moisture. While it requires a bit more effort in carving, the rich taste is often worth it.
- Check if Your Ham is Pre-Cooked: Most hams sold in stores are fully cooked or smoked, meaning your main task is simply to heat them through. Always double-check the label! If you happen to purchase an uncooked ham, be aware that it will require a significantly longer baking time and needs to reach a higher internal temperature (usually 145ºF/63ºC).
- Embrace the Bone: There’s a distinct advantage to using a bone-in ham beyond just the exceptional flavor it imparts during baking. Don’t discard that ham bone after the feast! It’s a fantastic foundation for creating incredibly rich and flavorful soups, stews, or homemade stock. A simple ham and bean soup the day after a holiday is a beloved tradition for good reason.
- Serving Temperature Flexibility: Glazed ham is wonderfully versatile when it comes to serving temperature. It can be served warm, straight from the oven, or at room temperature. This flexibility is a huge bonus, especially during busy holiday cooking when oven space is at a premium. If you plan to serve it at room temperature, keep it covered with foil until just before serving to prevent it from drying out and to maintain its tenderness.
- Carving with Confidence: For bone-in hams, locate the bone and slice around it. For both bone-in and boneless hams, slice against the grain for the most tender pieces. Thin slices are generally preferred as they allow the glaze to shine through.
- Creative Leftovers: A large ham means delicious leftovers! Think beyond just sandwiches. Use diced ham in breakfast scrambles, omelets, quiches, hearty split pea soup, casseroles, or even as a flavorful addition to pasta dishes.
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Your Glazed Ham
A magnificent Brown Sugar Glazed Ham deserves equally delicious accompaniments to complete your holiday spread. Here are some fantastic side dish ideas that complement the sweet and savory notes of your ham:
- Creamy Potato Dishes: Think classic mashed potatoes, gratin dauphinois, or a cheesy potato casserole.
- Roasted Vegetables: Carrots, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or a medley of root vegetables roasted with herbs and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Sweet and Tangy Options: Cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought), apple sauce, or a simple fruit chutney.
- Fresh Salads: A vibrant green salad with a light vinaigrette or a crisp coleslaw can offer a refreshing contrast.
- Bread Rolls: Soft dinner rolls or a crusty baguette are perfect for soaking up any delicious pan juices.
Explore More Ham Creations
If you’ve fallen in love with homemade ham glazes, don’t stop here! There’s a world of flavor to explore. Here are some other fantastic ham glaze recipes to try:
- Sweet and Spicy Ham Glaze Recipe
- Brown Sugar and Cherry Glazed Ham
- Root Beer Glazed Ham
- Honey Glazed Ham
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Brown Sugar Glazed Ham
Deborah Harroun
10 minutes
2 hours
2 hours
10 minutes
20
servings
Main Dish
American
Pin
Ingredients
-
1
fully cooked bone-in ham
around 10 lbs* -
1 1/2
cups
packed brown sugar -
1/2
cup
honey -
2
tablespoons
cider vinegar -
1
tablespoon
prepared mustard
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325ºF (160ºC).
- Place the ham in a roasting pan, flat side down.1 fully cooked bone-in ham
- Using a sharp knife, score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern, making the cuts about 1/4-inch deep.
- Cover the pan with foil and set a timer for about 12 minutes per pound of ham. (So for a 10 pound ham, it would be 2 hours).
- About halfway through the cook time, prepare the glaze by combining the brown sugar, honey, vinegar and mustard in a bowl. Remove the ham from the oven and spread about 1/3 of the glaze over the top of the ham. Recover and return to the oven for 10-15 minutes.1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar,
1/2 cup honey,
2 tablespoons cider vinegar,
1 tablespoon prepared mustard - After 10-15 minutes, use another 1/3 of the glaze to baste the ham.
- Another 10-15 minutes later, spread the remaining glaze over the ham. At this point, I like to baste the ham with any juices that have accumulated in the pan.
- Cook until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140ºF (60ºC). If desired, when the ham is done, remove the foil and broil for a minute or two to crisp up the glaze. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only. Various brands and products can significantly change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide and not a definitive value.
Nutrition Information
Calories:
429
kcal
(21%)
,
Carbohydrates:
27
g
(9%)
,
Protein:
22
g
(44%)
,
Fat:
26
g
(40%)
,
Saturated Fat:
8
g
(50%)
,
Polyunsaturated Fat:
0
g
,
Trans Fat:
0
g
,
Cholesterol:
70
mg
(23%)
,
Sodium:
1913
mg
(83%)
,
Fiber:
0
g
,
Sugar:
27
g
(30%)
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