Glazed Holiday Ham Recipe

When it comes to making a ham for Easter or Christmas, it doesn’t get much better or easier than this Glazed Holiday Ham recipe. A simple, yet delicious homemade glaze spread over a pre-cooked ham and heated to perfection.

The slightly sweet, citrusy glaze pairs perfectly with the natural saltiness of the ham. Best of all, it requires only 3 simple ingredients.

Then as the ham bakes in the oven all that you have to do is brush the glaze on the outer surface. Once it heats through the glaze caramelizes giving you a slightly crispy texture that has great concentrated flavor.

Easy Ham Glaze Ingredients

So what makes this glaze so delicious? The most common glazes are made with sweet and citrus flavors. Often brown sugar or honey is combined with orange juice or pineapple juice for that classic Honey Baked Ham flavor.

Although this recipe also includes brown sugar, there are two other unique ingredients that makes this ham glaze so delicious. The result is a sweet, tangy and citrus glaze that you will love!

Brown Sugar: Provides the primary sweetness of the glaze. When heated it caramelizes creating that rich brown color.

Dijon Mustard: Adds a sharp, tangy that balances our the sweetness of the brown sugar and orange marmalade.

Orange Marmalade: Brightens the flavor with its citrus notes. It also adds a pleasant aroma when baked and is the thickener that allows the glaze to adhere to the surface.

These three ingredients work together to create a delicious and balanced Holiday Ham glaze.

However to make sure that the ham itself remains nice and juicy, there is another key ingredient in this recipe. And that is the liquid that is used in the bottom of the roasting pan.

Lemon-Lime Soda

Instead of using broth, pineapple juice or orange juice to cook your Holiday ham, pour a can of lemon-lime soda in the bottom of the roasting pan instead. The sweetness of the soda helps to balance out the saltiness of the ham.

In addition it also provides another layer of citrus flavor with both the subtle hints of lemon and lime. However the main purpose of adding the soda is to help keep the ham moist and juicy, preventing it from drying out during baking.

Why Score And Add Whole Cloves To Your Glazed Holiday Ham

Although optional, if you have the time be sure to score the exterior of the ham and place a whole clove in each section. Not only does the crisscross pattern of the scoring creates a visually appealing presentation, it also has another purpose.

The cuts created by scoring allows the glaze to better penetrate the meat, infusing it with more flavor throughout. However, the scoring also helps the heat distribute evenly through the ham.

Then add the whole cloves on the surface of the ham to not only make it more visually impressive, but also to add a warm, spicy flavor without the heat.

The Keys To Making The Perfect Glazed Holiday Ham

1. Purchase a Fully Cooked Ham

There are so many options when it comes to buying a ham for your Easter or Christmas dinner. The first decision to make is whether or not to buy a fully cooked or raw ham.

I would highly suggest purchasing a fully cooked ham. Not only do they taste incredible, they take less time to heat.

For example, a full cooked, bone-in, half ham requires 18 minutes per pound to heat through. However, a raw, bone-in, half ham takes approximately 35-45 minutes per pound to cook.

The majority of the ham that you find at the grocery store around the holidays will be fully cooked. However, before making the purchase, be sure to read the label to verify that it has indeed been previously cooked.

2. Bone-In vs. Boneless Ham

I always get the question about what is best to buy, a bone-in or boneless ham. Although a ham without the bone is much easier to slice, I always purchase a bone-in ham.

The bone itself provides so much additional flavor to the meat during the cooking process. Just be sure to not hit the bone when you are checking the internal temperature for doneness.

3. When to Glaze the Ham

Now comes the big debate. There are differing opinions on when you should apply the glaze to the surface of the holiday ham.

Because most glaze mixtures contain a sugar substance, it is best to brush the glaze on the ham during the last 30-45 minutes of cooking time.

If you put the glaze on at the beginning of the cooking process, the glaze will likely burn. Instead, brush the glaze on 2-3 times during the last several minutes of the baking time.

Adding several layers of glaze at different times will allow the ham began to develop a light crust that looks and smells delicious!

In fact, everyone loves the taste of this glaze so much that it has become our go-to Holiday Ham recipe. And it tastes even better when it is served with Baked Scalloped Potatoes and Corn Casserole!

However, if you don’t have the room or the time in your oven to make a ham, be sure to check out this Instant Pot Bone-In Ham recipe. It is a great way to enjoy a ham that is cooked on your counter in a multi-cooker.

And don’t forget to enjoy the leftovers by making Ham, Broccoli and Rice Casserole , Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup, Monte Cristo Sandwiches or Ham & Cheese Sliders!

Glazed Holiday Ham Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 fully cooked bone in ham, 6-8 pounds
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
• 3/4 cup orange marmalade
• 1 1/2 teaspoons whole cloves
• 1 can of lemon-lime soda

INSTRUCTIONS

The first step in making this ham is to score the surface of the ham. Using a sharp knife, make several slices, about ½ inch deep in one direction.

Then in the opposite direction, make additional slits to create diamond shapes. Next, insert a whole clove in the center of each diamond, pushing down to secure them.

In the bottom of a large roasting pan, add the lemon lime soda. Place a cooking rack in the pan and place ham cut side down on the rack.

Place the uncovered roasting pan in the oven and bake for 2 hours. While the ham is in the oven, prepare the glaze for your holiday ham.

In a small bowl add the brown sugar, mustard and orange marmalade. Whisk the mixture until well combined and then set aside.

After the ham has been in the oven for 2 hours, open the door and brush the glaze over the surface of the ham. Continue to bake for 45 minutes longer, brushing the glaze over the ham every 15 minutes.

A previously cooked ham is ready to eat when the internal temperature reads 145°F when tested with an Instant Read Digital Thermometer.

Remove the ham from the oven and slice. Serve with the remaining glaze for drizzling as desired.

Enjoy! Mary

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