There’s something incredibly satisfying about sinking your teeth into a ham that’s been glazed with a sweet, tangy, and sticky sauce. This Honey Mustard Maple Glazed Ham Recipe hits all those notes perfectly, turning a classic ham into a celebration-worthy centerpiece that’s sure to impress everyone at your table.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I genuinely love this honey mustard maple glazed ham because it balances the sweet with the savory in such a natural way, making it a delicious crowd-pleaser every time I serve it. Plus, it’s surprisingly simple to make!
- Easy to Prepare: The glaze comes together quickly with just a few pantry staples, so you can whip it up without any fuss.
- Perfectly Moist Ham: Low-and-slow baking ensures your ham stays juicy, not dry like some hams can get.
- Beautiful Caramelized Finish: Broiling at the end gives the glaze a gorgeous sticky crust that everyone loves to dig into.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether it's holiday dinner or a Sunday feast, this ham fits right in and makes the occasion feel special.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe’s star mover is the balance between the sweet maple syrup, the tang of Dijon mustard, and the gentle warmth of honey. Each ingredient plays its role in building complexity and bringing that irresistible glaze to life.
- Bone-in spiral-cut half ham: Spiral-cut hams are perfect because they’re pre-sliced for the perfect portion sizes and soak up the glaze beautifully.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness with a smooth texture that helps thicken the glaze.
- Pure maple syrup: The rich, earthy sweetness of real maple syrup deepens the flavor beyond just sugar.
- Dijon mustard: Provides that sharp tang and a subtle bite to keep the glaze from being overly sweet.
- Brown sugar: Gets sprinkled on before baking to help with a caramelized crust and extra depth of flavor.
Make It Your Way
I love swapping things up here and there depending on the season or what I have on hand — and you should too! This glaze is incredibly flexible, so feel free to customize for your taste buds or dietary needs.
- Variation: I sometimes add a splash of apple cider vinegar for a little extra tanginess that cuts through the richness; it really brightens things up.
- Dietary tweaks: For a paleo-friendly version, just double-check that your mustard and brown sugar fit your brand choices or try coconut sugar instead.
- Spice it up: Toss in a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes if you like a hint of heat mingling with your sweet glaze.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Mustard Maple Glazed Ham Recipe
Step 1: Whisk Your Glaze
Start by mixing the honey, pure maple syrup, and Dijon mustard together in a small bowl. This is your magic glaze, and whisking until smooth ensures all the flavors meld perfectly together. Cover it and pop it in the fridge while you prep the ham so it’s nice and cold when you spread it on.
Step 2: Prep the Ham
Unwrap your spiral-cut half ham and lay it flat-side down in a deep, parchment-lined roasting pan. This makes clean-up easier and keeps your ham from sliding around. Sprinkle the brown sugar all over its top and sides, gently pressing it so it sticks well, which will start building that caramelized crust.
Step 3: Low and Slow Bake
Cover the pan tightly with foil to trap moisture, then bake the ham at 275°F for about 15 minutes per pound — so for an 8-pound ham, plan on roughly 2 hours. This slow, gentle heat keeps the meat juicy and lets the brown sugar begin to caramelize without burning.
Step 4: Broil and Glaze for Finish
Once the baking time is up, take off the foil and turn your oven to broil. Pour the chilled glaze over the ham, coating it all over, and then return it to the oven, uncovered. Watch it closely and broil just 5-8 minutes — this step heats the glaze through and creates that irresistible, shiny, caramelized finish. Be careful not to burn it!
Step 5: Slice and Serve
Pull your ham out, let it rest a few minutes so juices redistribute, then slice along the spiral cuts to keep it looking tidy. Serve warm and enjoy all the compliments headed your way.
Top Tip
From my many attempts making this Honey Mustard Maple Glazed Ham Recipe, a few tips really made the difference between good and great – and I want you to nail this right from the first try.
- Slow Baking: Cooking low and slow ensures the ham stays juicy and tender — rushing it with higher heat tends to dry it out.
- Watch the Broil: Don’t walk away during the broiling phase. That sweet glaze can turn from perfect to burnt in seconds.
- Use Parchment Paper: It makes clean-up a breeze and keeps sugars from sticking and burning on the pan.
- Rest Before Serving: Let your ham rest just a bit after broiling — it makes slicing easier and keeps juices locked in.
How to Serve Honey Mustard Maple Glazed Ham Recipe
Garnishes
I like to finish the ham with a handful of freshly chopped parsley or rosemary sprigs for a pop of color and herbal brightness that cuts the richness nicely.
Side Dishes
Classic sides like buttery mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon, or a crisp winter slaw always work wonderfully. If you want to keep things lighter, a simple mixed greens salad with a lemon vinaigrette balances the sweetness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive touch, I’ve arranged the sliced ham on a wooden board surrounded by slices of fresh oranges and whole cloves embedded in the edges for extra aroma and pizzazz. It’s a real conversation starter and looks stunning on the table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover ham tightly in foil or an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. I always slice what I’ll eat soon and keep the rest whole — it retains moisture better that way.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked ham slices wrapped in plastic wrap and sealed in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating for best results.
Reheating
To reheat without drying, cover ham slices with foil and warm gently in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes. A splash of water or broth in the pan helps keep it moist.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Most spiral-cut hams sold in stores are pre-cooked, so this recipe mainly focuses on warming them through and glazing them with that delicious honey mustard maple mix. Just make sure to adjust your baking time accordingly by heating until warmed throughout.
Dijon mustard is my go-to here because it adds a smooth, tangy punch that complements the sweetness without overpowering the flavors. If you prefer something milder, yellow mustard can work too, but it won't have quite the same depth.
Yes! Making the honey mustard maple glaze up to a day ahead helps the flavors marry even better. Just keep it covered tightly in the fridge and give it a good whisk before using.
Broiling is a quick method and requires constant attention. Keep your oven rack a bit lower than usual if your broiler is very intense, watch closely, and pull the ham out as soon as the glaze starts to bubble and caramelize. A few seconds too long can lead to bitter burnt bits.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Honey Mustard Maple Glazed Ham Recipe has become my go-to for gatherings because it manages to feel both fancy and utterly homey. The luscious glaze makes the ham something to get excited about, and it’s always a hit whether family or friends are around. Give it a try — I think you’ll love how it transforms a simple ham into a star dish.
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Honey Mustard Maple Glazed Ham Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A delicious Honey Mustard Maple Glazed Ham featuring a sweet and tangy glaze made from honey, pure maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar, baked to perfection for a caramelized finish.
Ingredients
Ham
- 8 pound bone-in spiral-cut half ham smoked or uncured
Glaze
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 cup pure maple syrup
- ½ cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 275°F to prepare for slow baking the ham.
- Prepare Glaze: In a small bowl, combine honey, maple syrup, and Dijon mustard. Whisk thoroughly until well mixed. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Prepare Ham: Line a deep pan with parchment paper. Unwrap your ham and place it flat-side down in the pan.
- Apply Brown Sugar: Rub the brown sugar all over the top and sides of the ham evenly.
- Bake Ham: Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and bake the ham for about 15 minutes per pound at 275°F. For an 8-pound ham, this will take about 2 hours.
- Broil and Glaze: Remove the ham from the oven and uncover it. Set the oven to broil. Pour the prepared glaze evenly over the ham, then return the ham to the oven uncovered. Broil for 5 to 8 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning. This step caramelizes the glaze and heats the ham through.
- Serving: Remove the ham from the oven, slice, and serve warm for the best flavor experience.
Notes
- Use a bone-in spiral-cut ham for easy slicing and better flavor absorption.
- If you prefer a less sweet glaze, reduce the brown sugar to 1 tablespoon.
- Watch the ham carefully during broiling to avoid burning the glaze.
- The glaze can be prepared in advance and refrigerated for several hours before use.
- Letting the ham rest for 10 minutes after broiling enhances juiciness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 6 oz)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
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