There’s just something magical about a beautifully glazed ham, especially when that glaze combines sweet, tangy, and a little smoky kick. This Honey Mustard Maple Glazed Ham Recipe is a favorite of mine because it hits all those notes perfectly, turning an ordinary ham into a show-stopping centerpiece your family will actually talk about.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Honey Mustard Maple Glazed Ham Recipe is a total crowd-pleaser that brings out the best in ham without any fuss. I've made it for holidays and casual dinners alike, and every time it delivers that perfect balance of sweet and zesty glaze that keeps folks coming back for seconds.
- Simple yet impressive: It’s a glaze that’s easy to make but tastes like you’ve spent all day nursing it to perfection.
- Perfect caramelization: The broil step adds a mouthwatering, slightly crispy finish you won’t find in any store-bought glaze.
- Versatile for any occasion: Whether it’s a holiday feast or a Sunday family dinner, this recipe fits right in without being intimidating.
- Hands-on tips to help you succeed: I’ll walk you through what to watch for, so your ham never dries out or gets too sweet.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic here comes from a simple combo of honey, maple syrup, and Dijon mustard — ingredients that complement a smoky or naturally cured ham beautifully. I always recommend using pure maple syrup for its richer flavor and a quality honey that you enjoy on its own. The brown sugar adds a touch more caramelization and depth without overpowering the glaze.
- Bone-in spiral-cut ham: This cut is perfect because it heats evenly and the slices make serving a breeze.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps the glaze stick while caramelizing.
- Pure maple syrup: Offers a deeper, woodsy sweetness that pairs wonderfully with mustard.
- Dijon mustard: Gives the glaze that gentle tang and balance against all the sweet.
- Brown sugar: Sprinkled on top for extra caramelization and a golden crust.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this Honey Mustard Maple Glazed Ham Recipe is how easy it is to tweak for your taste. I often swap the Dijon mustard for a spicy brown mustard to add a little more bite, or sometimes sprinkle a few cloves across the ham for warmth and aroma.
- Variation: For a smoky twist, try adding a touch of smoked paprika to your glaze mix — I did it once when friends came over, and they kept asking for the secret ingredient!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Mustard Maple Glazed Ham Recipe
Step 1: Whisk together your glaze
Start by mixing honey, maple syrup, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl. Whisk it until it’s fully blended and smooth. I like to cover and chill the glaze while the oven heats to let the flavors meld — it really makes a difference.
Step 2: Prepare your ham for roasting
Line a deep roasting pan with parchment paper to catch drips and keep cleanup easy. Place your ham flat side down, then rub brown sugar all over the top and sides for that perfect caramel touch. Don’t skip this step — it’s a game changer!
Step 3: Slow bake low and slow
Cover the pan tightly with foil to keep moisture in, then pop it in the oven set at 275°F. Bake it for about 15 minutes per pound — so for an 8-pound ham, I roast it roughly 2 hours. This gentle heat warms the ham through without drying it out.
Step 4: Glaze and broil for that golden finish
Once the baking’s done, take off the foil and crank your oven to broil. Pour the glaze evenly over the ham and return it to the oven uncovered. Watch closely and broil for 5-8 minutes until the glaze gets those irresistible caramelized spots. Don’t walk away here — it can burn quickly.
Step 5: Slice and serve
Remove the ham once it’s beautifully caramelized and heated all the way through. The spiral-cut slices make serving so easy, and the glaze shines with every bite. I always recommend letting it rest a few minutes before slicing for juiciness.
Top Tip
From my experience, this dish nails the balance between sweet and tangy when you pay attention to timing and temperature. Those little details make starving your ham of moisture or burning the sugars avoidable.
- Glaze early and chill: Making the glaze ahead and letting it sit in the fridge lets the flavors deepen before hitting the ham.
- Low and slow is key: Baking at a low temp ensures the ham stays juicy and tender instead of drying out.
- Watch the broil step: Keep a close eye when broiling the glaze; that thin sugary layer can go from perfect to burnt fast.
- Use foil wisely: Cover during the bake but uncover toward end to get a stunning caramelized crust without sacrificing moisture.
How to Serve Honey Mustard Maple Glazed Ham Recipe
Garnishes
I’m all about simplicity here — a sprinkle of fresh thyme or rosemary adds a lovely aromatic touch, and a few whole cloves poked into the ham not only look pretty but infuse warmth and depth. Sometimes I toss a handful of fresh cranberries around the platter for color and tartness contrast.
Side Dishes
Classic sides like roasted root vegetables, creamy scalloped potatoes, or simple green beans work perfectly. Once, I paired this ham with a bright apple and fennel slaw — the crisp acidity was a delightful foil to the sweet glaze!
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday dinners, I like serving the ham on a rustic wooden board surrounded by seasonal fruits like pears, figs, and pomegranate seeds for a festive look that doubles as a conversation starter. You could even lay out some artisanal mustard and honey on the side for that extra indulgence.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I always store leftover ham slices in an airtight container in the fridge. To keep the glaze from getting sticky or soggy, I sometimes separate layers with parchment paper. The ham stays tender and delicious for up to 4 days this way.
Freezing
Freezing leftover ham is totally doable — just wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before placing them in a freezer bag. It’s best eaten within 2 months for optimal flavor, and I suggest thawing overnight in the fridge rather than defrosting quickly.
Reheating
Reheat your ham slices gently in the oven at about 275°F, covered with foil to keep moisture locked in. I like pouring a little bit of leftover glaze over the slices before warming — it keeps them extra juicy and flavorful without drying out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
This recipe is designed for fully cooked, bone-in spiral-cut hams, which only need reheating and glazing. Using an uncooked ham would require a different cooking time and method to ensure it’s safely cooked through before glazing.
Keep a very close eye on the ham during the broil step, as the sugars caramelize quickly. Position the oven rack so the ham isn’t too close to the broiler element, and broil in short intervals, checking frequently to avoid burning.
Absolutely! Making the glaze ahead lets the flavors meld and can save you time on the day you cook the ham. Just keep it covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to apply it.
I recommend Dijon mustard for its balance of mild heat and tanginess, which perfectly complements the sweet maple and honey. If you prefer more spice, you can experiment with spicy brown mustard, but Dijon gives the best glaze texture and flavor balance.
Final Thoughts
This Honey Mustard Maple Glazed Ham Recipe has become a go-to whenever I want something both comforting and a touch special with minimal stress. The blend of sticky-sweet maple and honey with sharp mustard is just downright addictive. I really hope you give this one a try — you’ll love how it fills your kitchen with that cozy aroma and saves you from scrambling for a last-minute dinner idea!
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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 recipe featuring a sweet and tangy glaze made from honey, pure maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar, baked to perfection for a tender, flavorful holiday centerpiece.
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.
- Make Glaze: In a small bowl, combine the honey, maple syrup, and Dijon mustard. Whisk thoroughly until well mixed, then cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Prepare Pan and Ham: Line a deep baking pan with parchment paper. Unwrap the ham from its packaging and place it flat-side down in the pan.
- Apply Brown Sugar: Rub the brown sugar evenly all over the top and sides of the ham to add sweetness and help caramelization.
- Bake Ham: Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and bake the ham in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes per pound (approximately 2 hours for an 8-pound ham), until heated through.
- Glaze and Broil: Remove the foil and pour the prepared glaze evenly over the ham. Set the oven to broil and return the ham uncovered to the oven. Broil for 5 to 8 minutes, watching carefully to caramelize the glaze without burning.
- Serve: Remove the ham from the oven, slice, and serve warm for a flavorful and festive meal centerpiece.
Notes
- Make sure to watch the ham closely while broiling to avoid burning the glaze.
- You can use either smoked or uncured ham based on your preference.
- For a deeper flavor, let the ham rest with the glaze for 10 minutes before serving.
- Parchment paper helps with easy cleanup and prevents sticking.
- If you want a more pronounced mustard flavor, increase the Dijon mustard by a tablespoon.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 6 oz)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
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