Make every holiday meal unforgettable with this Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Ham. Slow-roasted until perfectly tender and brushed with a rich glaze of brown sugar, honey, butter, Dijon mustard, and warm spices, this ham develops a beautifully caramelized finish with sweet, savory, and smoky flavors in every bite. Whether you’re serving it for Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, or a special family gathering, this show-stopping centerpiece is surprisingly easy to make and guaranteed to impress.

Flavour Quest Recipes

Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Ham

Print Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 2 15

Total Time 2 30

Servings: 12

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

Ham

1 fully cooked bone-in spiral ham 8–10 pounds

Brown Sugar Honey Glaze

1 cup light brown sugar packed
½ cup honey
¼ cup unsalted butter
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon black pepper

Optional Garnish

Fresh rosemary sprigs
Fresh thyme
Orange slices
Whole cranberries

Method

Step 1

Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).

Step 2

Place the spiral ham cut-side down in a large roasting pan. Cover loosely with foil.

Step 3

Bake for about 1½ hours, or until warmed through (about 10–12 minutes per pound).

Step 4

Meanwhile, combine the brown sugar, honey, butter, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cinnamon, cloves, smoked paprika, and black pepper in a saucepan over medium heat.

Step 5

Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring often, until the glaze becomes smooth and slightly thickened.

Step 6

Remove the foil from the ham.
Brush a generous layer of glaze over the entire ham, making sure it gets between the slices.

Step 7

Return the ham to the oven uncovered for 30–40 minutes, brushing with more glaze every 10 minutes.

Step 8

For a glossy caramelized finish, broil for the final 2–3 minutes, watching carefully.

Step 9

Let the ham rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Brush with any remaining glaze and garnish with rosemary, thyme, orange slices, and cranberries if desired.

Enjoying this recipe? You may also love my Comfort Dinner Guide — a simple collection of easy, cozy meal ideas for busy weeknights. It’s a helpful extra resource for those nights when you want something comforting without overthinking dinner.

🔄 Variations

Maple Brown Sugar Glazed Ham
Pineapple Brown Sugar Ham
Orange Honey Glazed Ham
Bourbon Brown Sugar Ham
Cherry Cola Glazed Ham

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

🧀 Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole
🥔 Creamy Mashed Potatoes
🥬 Green Bean Casserole
🥕 Honey Glazed Carrots
🌽 Corn Casserole
🍞 Homemade Dinner Rolls
🥧 Pumpkin Pie
🍎 Apple Crisp

🧊 Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezing

Slice the leftover ham and freeze for up to 2 months.

💡Pro Tips

Brush the glaze between every slice for maximum flavor.
Use a meat thermometer and warm the ham to 140°F (60°C) since it’s already cooked. Don’t skip the final caramelization—it creates the irresistible sticky glaze.
Save leftover ham for sandwiches, soups, breakfast casseroles, and fried rice.

❓ FAQs

Can I use a non-spiral ham?

Yes. Score the surface in a diamond pattern before glazing so the flavors soak in.

Can I make the glaze ahead of time?

Absolutely. Prepare it up to 3 days in advance and gently reheat before using.

Do I need to baste the ham?

Yes. Brushing the glaze over the ham every 10 minutes during the final baking stage creates a glossy, flavorful crust.

Can I use this recipe for Christmas and Easter?

Yes! This recipe is perfect for Christmas dinner, Easter celebrations, Thanksgiving, Sunday family dinners, and any special gathering.