Brown Sugar Glazed Ham Recipe
This Brown Sugar Glazed Ham Recipe is sweet, savory, and baked to juicy perfection with a sticky brown sugar glaze made from honey, garlic, and a hint of orange zest. It’s simple to make and perfect for holiday dinners or a cozy Sunday meal—it’s all about keeping things easy and delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 8 - 10 pound fully cooked, bone-in spiral-sliced ham (boneless ham works too)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- ½ cup liquid honey
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Instructions
- Bring ham to room temperature: Remove the ham from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 1 hour.
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Adjust your oven rack to the lowest position to fit your roasting pan. Line a large roasting pan with several layers of foil and spray with cooking spray (or use a shallow roasting rack for easier cleanup). Preheat the oven to 300°F.
- Unwrap the Ham: Remove any packaging and cut off any netting. Pro Tip: Don’t forget to take off the plastic disk that usually covers the bone on the cut side!
- Place the Ham in the Pan: Set the ham cut-side down in the prepared pan and pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the pan.
- Bake Low and Slow: Cover with foil and bake for 10 minutes per pound.
- Make the Glaze: While the ham bakes, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until golden brown. Add brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, and ground cloves. Stir constantly for about 2 minutes until fully combined and the brown sugar is dissolved.
- Add Garlic and Zest: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the garlic and orange zest. Let it simmer for 1–2 minutes, just until fragrant, then remove from heat. Set aside to cool slightly. Pro Tip: Don’t let it boil too long or it will thicken too much—it should be the consistency of room-temp honey.
- Glaze the Ham: After baking, remove the ham from the oven and discard the foil. Increase oven temperature to 425°F. Brush ⅓ of the glaze over the top of the ham and between the slices.
- Roast and Baste: Return the ham to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, brush with another ⅓ of the glaze and some pan juices. Repeat once more after another 15 minutes with the remaining glaze and pan juices. Pro Tip: If the glaze thickens while sitting, stir in a bit of pan juice and reheat gently until it’s pourable again.
- Rest and Serve: Total roasting time at 425°F will be 45 minutes. Once the glaze has caramelized and the top is golden and glossy, remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 20 minutes before slicing.
- Optional Garnish: Serve with orange slices and cranberries for a festive touch.