Perfect Honey Baked Ham Recipe for Easy Holiday Dinners

Can you imagine the mouthwatering aroma of sweet honey, fragrant spices, and savory ham wafting through your kitchen? That’s exactly what happens every time I make this Perfect Honey Baked Ham recipe. It’s the kind of dish that fills your home with warmth and excitement, instantly setting the mood for a cozy holiday feast. I still remember the first time I made this—my family couldn’t stop raving about how the glaze caramelized to perfection. It was one of those moments where I thought, “This is going to be the star of every holiday dinner from now on.” And I wasn’t wrong!

Growing up, honey baked ham was a staple at our family gatherings, especially during the holidays. My grandmother would spend hours perfecting her glaze, always claiming it was her secret ingredient that made everyone fall in love at first bite. Now, I’ve taken her wisdom and added my own twist to create a recipe that’s easy, incredibly flavorful, and perfect for making memories around the dinner table. Trust me, once you make this, you’ll never want to buy store-bought ham again!

Whether you’re hosting a large festive dinner or simply want to treat yourself to something special, this honey baked ham is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The best part? It’s so much easier to prepare than you might think. You’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe year after year—it’s that good.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Effortless yet impressive: This honey baked ham recipe may look fancy, but it’s so simple to prepare. Most of the time is spent waiting while the oven does all the work.
• Perfect balance of flavors: The sweet honey glaze, combined with hints of mustard, garlic, and warm spices, creates a harmony of savory and sweet that’s just irresistible.
• Ideal for any festive occasion: Whether it’s Christmas dinner, Easter brunch, or a family gathering, this ham is guaranteed to be the centerpiece of your celebrations.
• Crowd-pleaser: Everyone from kids to grandparents loves this ham. It’s the kind of dish that gets people asking for seconds—and the recipe!
• Customizable: You can tweak the glaze to suit your taste. Add a little more spice or keep it super sweet—it’s all up to you.
• Make-ahead friendly: This ham tastes just as good the next day, making it great for leftovers or meal prep.
• Restaurant-quality at home: Skip the expensive store-bought honey baked ham and enjoy this homemade version that’s just as delicious, if not better!

What makes this recipe stand out is the simplicity of its ingredients and the foolproof method to achieve that golden, caramelized glaze. It’s all about layering flavors and letting the oven do its magic. You’ll be amazed at how easily you can create a masterpiece that rivals anything you’ve had before. Plus, there’s something satisfying about knowing you made it all yourself!

What Ingredients You Will Need

This recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients to create a perfectly glazed and flavorful ham that’s sure to impress. Most of these are pantry staples, so you won’t need to hunt down anything fancy!

• Fully cooked bone-in ham: About 8–10 pounds is ideal. Make sure to choose one with a nice amount of marbling for maximum flavor.
• Honey: The star of the glaze! I recommend using a high-quality, pure honey for the best results.
• Brown sugar: Adds a rich caramel-like sweetness to the glaze.
• Dijon mustard: Provides a subtle tang and depth of flavor.
• Unsalted butter: Helps create a smooth glaze that coats the ham beautifully.
• Ground cinnamon: A pinch of this warm spice gives the glaze a cozy vibe.
• Ground cloves: Adds a touch of warmth and complements the ham’s flavor perfectly.
• Garlic powder: Balances the sweetness with a savory note.
• Apple cider vinegar: A splash of acidity to brighten up the glaze.
• Orange juice: A fresh and zesty addition—it enhances the sweetness and adds a citrusy zing.

If you’re out of any of these ingredients, don’t worry! You can swap orange juice for pineapple juice, or use maple syrup in place of honey for a slightly different twist on the glaze. Trust me, this recipe is forgiving, so feel free to adapt it to what you have on hand.

Equipment Needed

• Roasting pan: A sturdy pan with a rack is essential for even cooking and catching all the drippings.
• Aluminum foil: Helps keep the ham moist while baking.
• Small saucepan: Perfect for preparing the glaze.
• Whisk: Makes blending the glaze ingredients a breeze.
• Basting brush: Ideal for applying the glaze evenly over the ham.
• Meat thermometer: Ensures your ham is heated to the perfect temperature.

If you don’t have a roasting pan, you can use a large baking dish and prop the ham up on a bed of vegetables or a wire rack. A silicone spatula can also work in place of a basting brush if needed.

Preparation Method

1. Preheat your oven: Set your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line your roasting pan with aluminum foil for easy cleanup and place the rack inside.
2. Prepare the ham: Remove any packaging and plastic cap from the bone. Place the ham on the rack in your roasting pan, cut side down.
3. Score the ham: Using a sharp knife, make shallow cuts in a crisscross pattern across the surface of the ham. This allows the glaze to seep into the meat for maximum flavor.
4. Make the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup honey, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, and 1/4 cup orange juice. Heat over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth.
5. Glaze the ham: Use a basting brush to generously coat the ham with the glaze. Cover the ham loosely with foil and place it in the preheated oven.
6. Bake the ham: Bake for 2–2.5 hours, basting with the glaze every 30 minutes. Remove the foil during the last 15 minutes of cooking to let the glaze caramelize.
7. Check for doneness: Using a meat thermometer, ensure the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).
8. Rest and slice: Let the ham rest for 15 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute. Serve warm and enjoy!

Pro tip: If you notice the glaze pooling at the bottom of the pan, scoop it up and drizzle it over the ham during the basting process—it’s too good to waste!

Cooking Tips & Techniques

• Don’t skip scoring the ham: It allows the glaze to penetrate deeper into the meat, making every slice flavorful.
• Be generous with the glaze: The more you baste, the richer and more caramelized the ham will be.
• Troubleshooting glaze consistency: If it’s too thick, add a splash of orange juice to thin it out. If it’s too runny, simmer it a bit longer to reduce.
• Use a meat thermometer: Nothing’s worse than overcooked ham. Make sure to monitor the internal temperature for perfect results.
• Multi-tasking tip: While the ham is baking, you can prepare side dishes like mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables to save time.

Remember, it’s all about patience and attention to detail. The more love you put into the basting and glazing process, the better your ham will turn out!

Variations & Adaptations

• Maple-glazed ham: Substitute honey with pure maple syrup for a richer, deeper sweetness.
• Spicy honey ham: Add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the glaze for a subtle kick of heat.
• Citrus twist: Replace orange juice with pineapple juice for a tropical flair.
• Gluten-free option: Ensure your Dijon mustard and other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegetarian adaptation: Use the glaze on roasted vegetables like butternut squash or sweet potatoes for a delicious plant-based dish.

My personal favorite tweak is the spicy honey version—it adds just the right amount of zing without overpowering the sweet and savory balance.

Serving & Storage Suggestions

Serving: Serve your honey baked ham warm with classic holiday sides like mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and dinner rolls. Pair it with a glass of crisp white wine or sparkling cider for a festive touch.

Storage: Wrap leftover ham tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 5 days.

Freezing: You can freeze slices of ham for up to 2 months. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheating: Warm slices in the oven at 300°F (150°C) covered with foil, or microwave them for 1–2 minutes on medium power. The glaze will stay deliciously sticky and sweet.

Nutritional Information & Benefits

This honey baked ham recipe is packed with protein and features natural sweetness from honey and orange juice. Here’s a quick look at the nutritional profile:

• Serving size: 3 ounces
• Calories: Approximately 200
• Protein: 18g
• Fat: 10g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Sugar: 8g

The honey provides antioxidants, while the ham is a great source of iron and B vitamins. If you’re watching your sugar intake, you can reduce the amount of brown sugar or opt for a sugar substitute.

Conclusion

Perfect Honey Baked Ham Recipe for Easy Holiday Dinners

Print Recipe

A flavorful and easy-to-make honey baked ham recipe with a sweet and savory glaze, perfect for holiday dinners and family gatherings.

• Author: paula
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 10-12 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8–10 pounds fully cooked bone-in ham
• 1 cup honey
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup orange juice

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line your roasting pan with aluminum foil and place the rack inside.
2. Remove any packaging and plastic cap from the bone. Place the ham on the rack in your roasting pan, cut side down.
3. Using a sharp knife, make shallow cuts in a crisscross pattern across the surface of the ham.
4. In a small saucepan, combine honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, unsalted butter, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, garlic powder, apple cider vinegar, and orange juice. Heat over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth.
5. Use a basting brush to generously coat the ham with the glaze. Cover the ham loosely with foil and place it in the preheated oven.
6. Bake for 2–2.5 hours, basting with the glaze every 30 minutes. Remove the foil during the last 15 minutes of cooking to let the glaze caramelize.
7. Using a meat thermometer, ensure the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).
8. Let the ham rest for 15 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

[‘Don’t skip scoring the ham to allow the glaze to penetrate deeper into the meat.’, ‘Be generous with the glaze for a richer and more caramelized flavor.’, ‘If the glaze is too thick, add a splash of orange juice to thin it out. If it’s too runny, simmer it longer to reduce.’, ‘Use a meat thermometer to ensure the ham is cooked perfectly.’, ‘While the ham is baking, prepare side dishes to save time.’]

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3 ounces
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 8
• Fat: 10
• Carbohydrates: 10
• Protein: 18

Keywords: Honey baked ham, holiday dinner, ham recipe, glazed ham, Christmas ham, Easter ham, family dinner