This Honey Glazed Ham is a holiday main dish that looks impressive but is actually very easy to make, even if it’s your first time cooking ham! Instead of spending a fortune on a store-bought version, this homemade honey ham gives you the same exciting taste for a fraction of the price. It’s a real show stopper with a sweet and delicious finish (it’s slightly addictive in the BEST way). Each slice has the warmth of honey, brown sugar, and warm spices, and makes your entire kitchen smell like Easter dinner is just around the corner. And the rest is half the fun. So let me show you how it all comes together!
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Easy Glazed Honey Ham Recipe
I used half a spiral-cut smoked ham here, which is fully cooked, so all you do is warm it up and coat the flavors in an easy homemade glaze. Ham glaze is often made with honey or brown sugar. Honey gives the ham a lighter, floral sweetness and glossy finish, while the brown sugar glaze provides a deeper, more caramelized flavor, like in our baked ham recipe.
I like both flavors, so I used honey And a little brown sugar in this ham glaze recipe for the best of both worlds. It’s also one of the reasons I prefer homemade ham to store-bought glazed ham whenever I can. Store-bought versions are convenient, but they often contain added preservatives and less flavor flexibility. Making my own glaze means I can balance the sweetness with Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, cinnamon, and a few simple spices for a more customizable glaze. best sticky-sweet finish!
- Choose spiral-cut ham if you can. This recipe works best with pre-sliced spiral ham and is written for. I love it because it’s already sliced and ready to serve. The glaze also seeps in between the slices as they bake, creating most flavored honey ham. Using uncut ham? Simply scratch the surface in a diamond pattern so the glaze has something to stick to.
- Choose the right size ham for your table. I usually estimate about 5 ounces. (roughly 1/3 pound) of ham per person, so a 3.5-4 pound ham should make about 12 servings (depending on how generous you are!). This little guideline makes it easy to decide how much ham to buy, especially if you want leftovers for sandwiches the next day.
- Boneless is usually the cheapest option. Since hams are often priced by weight, I prefer to use boneless hams because you’re not paying for the bone, and they usually cook more quickly too. That said, boneless ham will still work if you give it more time in the oven covered with foil (internal temperature should reach 140°F). Whatever you choose, make sure you start with an unglazed ham so the homemade honey glaze can work!
- Simplify further. This easy recipe uses just a few simple ingredients for the glaze, so it’s perfect for beginners. You can even skip the Dijon mustard, spices, and vinegar for a simpler 3-ingredient honey glazed ham (honey + brown sugar + ham).
- Don’t miss the water in the pan. I like to add a little water to the bottom of the dish to create a steamy environment that gently heats the ham without letting the glaze burn. The glaze will still thicken and caramelize after you remove the foil at the end.
- Make it in a slow cooker. Place the ham in the slow cooker, pour the glaze over it, cover, and cook on low for 3-4 hours, brushing once or twice if possible.
- The glaze created is more advanced. You can make the honey glaze 24 hours in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Warm slightly before use.
Honey Glazed Ham
Cost $18.13 recipe / $1.51 serving
This easy Honey Glazed Ham recipe turns spiral-cut smoked ham into a sweet, sticky, holiday main dish with a simple homemade glaze made from pantry staples!
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Gather all the ingredients and preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
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In a small saucepan, whisk together the honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cinnamon. Heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the glaze thickens slightly.
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Place the ham cut side down in a 9×13 casserole dish. Spread half of the glaze over the ham.
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Pour ½ inch of water into the bottom of the pan around the ham**.
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Cover loosely with foil and roast for 18-20 minutes per pound, basting once or twice with pan juices. For a 4 pound boneless smoked ham, you will need to bake it for a total of about 1 hour & 20 minutes. Internal temperature should reach 140°F for precooked ham***.
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Remove the foil during the last 20-30 minutes of baking. Brush with the remaining glaze every 10 minutes to create a golden brown, sticky crust.
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Let the ham rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Spoon extra glaze over slices when serving.
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**Don’t miss the water in the pan. Add ½ inch water keeps the ham moist and prevents the sugar from burning to the bottom of your dish.
***Temperature matters! You don’t “cook” the ham, you warm it up and baste it because it’s pre-cooked. Aim for an internal temperature of 140°F for best texture and moisture.
Portion: 1serving (~1/3 pound)Calories: 211kcal (11%)Carbohydrate: 17G (6%)Proteins: 25G (50%)Fat: 5G (8%)Sodium: 1891mg (82%)Fiber: 0.1G
Percentages are daily values.
how to make Honey Glazed Ham step by step photos
Gather all the ingredients and preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
Making honey glaze: Add ½ cup honey, ¼ cup packed brown sugar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper, and ¼ tsp ground cinnamon to a small saucepan. Whisk everything together and cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the glaze thickens slightly.
Grease the ham: Place a 3.5-4 pound boneless spiral cut smoked ham (cut side down) in a 9×13 casserole dish. Spread about half a layer of honey on the outside of the ham.
Pour enough water into the baking dish to come about ½ inch around the ham.
Grilling: Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 18-20 minutes per pound, spooning some of the pan juices over the ham once or twice as it cooks. For a 4 pound ham, this will take a total of about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Since the ham is already cooked, you just heat it until the center reaches 140°F.
During the last 20-30 minutes of baking, remove the foil. Brush the ham with the remaining glaze every 10 minutes until it produces a shiny, sticky coating.
Rest and serve: Let your honey glazed spiral ham rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with additional glaze spooned on top.
Serving Suggestions
Honey-glazed ham pairs beautifully with almost any classic holiday dish, which is why I love serving it for Easter dinner. Our balsamic roasted vegetables are easy to eat, and the mashed potatoes are a real comforting addition to the salty-sweet ham. For a traditional spread, creamed corn is always a winner! The addition of mac and cheese will also make the dish taste more delicious and a little special. I also like to add a simple salad for something fresh and crunchy.
Leftover honey glazed ham is half the reason to make this. This is meal prep GOLD! Ham and cheese sliders are always an easy choice for lunch or dinner, especially if you want to use a lot of ham at once. They also make a great appetizer for a party or gathering.
The honey mustard ham panini is another favorite. I layer leftover slices of ham with Swiss cheese and a dollop of honey mustard on sturdy bread, then toast it in a skillet or panini press until the outside is crispy and the cheese is melted.
You can also make a simple ham salad sandwich by finely chopping the ham and tossing it with a little mayo, Dijon, and enjoy, then pile it on soft bread or rolls for a casual lunch.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover ham tightly wrapped or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Store additional glaze separately if possible. Honey glazed smoked ham also freezes very well. Wrap the slices in individual portions, then place them in freezer bags or containers. Freeze for 1-2 months for best quality. To reheat, warm gently in the microwave or cover in the oven to prevent drying out. Add a spoonful of the remaining glaze or a splash of stock to help keep the moisture.
Have More Ham Leftover? Try These Recipes:
- We Pasta with Peas and Ham is a quick dinner with sweet beans, savory ham and parmesan that’s perfect for busy nights.
- I like this Ham and Cheese Biscuits for a very comforting breakfast or lunch treat!
- This Chunky Ham and Bean Soup is a budget-friendly way to turn leftover ham into a comfort food with lots of nuts and comfort food appeal.
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