There's something truly magical about the combination of sweet and tangy flavors clinging to a perfectly cooked ham. This Honey Mustard Maple Glazed Ham Recipe brings that magic to your table with a luscious glaze that marries honey, mustard, and maple syrup for a show-stopping main dish everyone will rave about.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made this Honey Mustard Maple Glazed Ham Recipe a handful of times, and each occasion turns into a little celebration around the dinner table. The flavors are bright but comforting, and the glaze creates this irresistible caramelized finish that has everyone digging in for seconds.
- Effortless elegance: The glaze is simple yet impressive—just a few pantry staples come together to transform the ham.
- Consistent juicy ham: Cooking low and slow before broiling ensures every slice is tender and moist.
- Perfect balance of flavors: Honey’s sweetness, the tang from Dijon mustard, and pure maple syrup make a glaze that’s both sweet and savory.
- Great for gatherings: Whether it’s a holiday or a Sunday dinner, this ham steals the show without hours of fuss.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Honey Mustard Maple Glazed Ham Recipe plays a starring role. The smoky ham is your canvas, and the glaze ingredients create that glossy, sticky coating that’s packed with flavor. Here’s a quick take on the essentials and why they matter.
- Bone-in spiral-cut half ham: This cut is perfect because the spiral slices make it easy to serve, and the bone adds extra flavor and juiciness.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps the glaze caramelize on top of the ham for that gorgeous finish.
- Pure maple syrup: Brings deep, warm sweetness that complements both the ham and the mustard.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a bright, tangy punch that cuts through the sweetness and keeps the glaze balanced.
- Brown sugar: Rubbed onto the ham before baking, it helps start the caramelization process and adds another layer of sweet richness.
Make It Your Way
One of the things I love most about this Honey Mustard Maple Glazed Ham Recipe is how flexible it is. You can tweak the glaze or cooking times to suit your taste—or dietary needs—and still end up with a crowd-pleaser.
- Variation: Sometimes I like to swap Dijon mustard for whole grain mustard to add extra texture and a bit of rustic flair; it’s a personal favorite for casual dinners.
- Spicy twist: Adding a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika gives the glaze a subtle kick that wakes up the flavors.
- Seasonal switch: During the holidays, I sometimes add orange zest or a splash of apple cider vinegar to brighten the glaze even more.
- Difficulty adjustment: For a quicker version, you can skip the low-and-slow baking and broil with the glaze only—just watch it closely to avoid burning.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Mustard Maple Glazed Ham Recipe
Step 1: Whisking up the perfect glaze
Start by combining honey, pure maple syrup, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl. I like to whisk these vigorously until they look smooth and well blended. Cover it and set it in the fridge while you prep the ham—this way, the flavors get to marry a bit before glazing.
Step 2: Prepping the ham for juicy goodness
Place the bone-in spiral-cut ham flat-side down in a deep pan lined with parchment paper. I always unwrap it carefully to remove any packaging and pat it dry if needed. Then, rub brown sugar all over the top and sides. This little step really jumpstarts the caramelization for the best crust.
Step 3: Slow baking is key
Cover the ham tightly with aluminum foil to lock in moisture and bake it low and slow at 275°F. Plan for about 15 minutes per pound, so an 8-pound ham takes roughly 2 hours. This method keeps the meat tender and allows the glaze flavors to seep in gently.
Step 4: Broil and glaze for caramelized perfection
When the baking time is up, take the ham out and remove the foil. Switch your oven to broil. Pour that lovely glaze all over the ham, and pop it back in the oven uncovered. Broil for 5-8 minutes, watching closely so it doesn’t burn — you want a shiny, caramelized finish, not scorched edges.
Step 5: Slice and celebrate!
Once glazed and bubbly, take it out and let it rest a few minutes before slicing. Those spiral cuts make it super easy to serve, and you’ll love how every bite bursts with that sweet and tangy glaze.
Top Tip
I've learned over the years that achieving the perfect glaze takes patience and attention. Here’s what made the biggest difference in my Honey Mustard Maple Glazed Ham Recipe successes—and it’ll help you nail it too.
- Don’t skip the low and slow bake: It ensures the ham stays juicy, so you don’t end up with a dry edge when broiling.
- Watch the broil closely: The sugars caramelize fast, so stay near the oven to prevent burning.
- Use a deep pan lined with parchment: It makes clean-up much easier and keeps the glaze contained for basting.
- Let the glaze rest a bit: After broiling, let your ham sit for a few minutes before slicing to lock in those delicious juices.
How to Serve Honey Mustard Maple Glazed Ham Recipe
Garnishes
I like to keep it simple when garnishing—often fresh rosemary sprigs or a few orange slices nestled around the ham plate brighten things visually and add a complementary fresh aroma. Plus, if you’re feeling festive, a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds adds a pop of color and tang.
Side Dishes
This ham pairs beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts tossed in a bit of bacon, and a fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette. I also love pairing it with sweet potato casserole or buttery dinner rolls to soak up every bit of glaze.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve arranged the ham on a large wooden board surrounded by seasonal fruits like figs, grapes, and apples—this turns your ham into a brunch-worthy centerpiece. You could also serve slices on a platter with assorted cheeses and nuts for a festive appetizer twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I always store leftover ham tightly wrapped in foil or an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 4 days, and the glaze helps maintain moisture and flavor even after reheating.
Freezing
If I know we won’t finish it right away, I portion the ham into freezer-safe bags with a bit of the glaze spooned inside to preserve moisture. Frozen ham will stay good for up to 2 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, I gently warm ham slices in a low oven (around 275°F) covered with foil or in a skillet over low heat, adding a touch of extra glaze or maple syrup if needed. This keeps the ham from drying out and revives that beautiful sticky coating.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Pre-cooked, bone-in spiral-sliced hams work perfectly here because they’re already tender and just need warming and glazing. Just adjust baking time if needed—since they’re pre-cooked, focus on heating through and glazing rather than cooking from raw.
Broiling caramelizes the sugars quickly, so the key is to watch closely—don’t walk away! Use the upper oven rack but keep the ham a bit lower than the broiler to avoid direct contact. Broil in short bursts of 1-2 minutes, then rotate or baste if needed.
Definitely! I often make the glaze a day ahead and store it covered in the fridge. This gives the flavors a chance to meld beautifully. Just bring it to room temperature before pouring it over the ham for broiling.
Leftover ham is great cold in sandwiches, chopped into salads, or warmed gently and served with eggs for breakfast. I also like to dice leftover ham to add to soups, casseroles, or stir-fries for extra flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Honey Mustard Maple Glazed Ham Recipe holds a special place on my table—it’s my go-to for holidays and big family dinners because it never fails to warm hearts (and stomachs). I hope you’ll enjoy making it as much as I do, and that it brings a touch of sweet, tangy joy to your gatherings just like it has to mine. Give it a try; I promise it’ll become a favorite in your recipe box too!
Print
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
This Honey Mustard Maple Glazed Ham is a deliciously sweet and tangy main course perfect for holiday dinners or special occasions. Featuring a bone-in spiral-cut ham glazed with a mixture of honey, pure maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar, this recipe results in a beautifully caramelized, juicy ham that's easy to prepare and impress guests.
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 baking the ham.
- Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons honey, 1 cup pure maple syrup, and ½ cup Dijon mustard. Whisk together thoroughly until well mixed, then cover and refrigerate the glaze until ready to use.
- Prepare the Pan and Ham: Line a deep roasting pan with parchment paper. Remove the ham from all packaging and place it flat-side down in the pan.
- Apply Brown Sugar: Rub 2 tablespoons brown sugar all over the top and sides of the ham evenly.
- Bake the Ham: Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and bake the ham in the oven at 275°F for about 15 minutes per pound, which will take approximately 2 hours for an 8-pound ham.
- Glaze and Broil: Remove the ham from the oven and discard the foil. Set the oven to broil. Pour the prepared glaze evenly over the ham’s surface. Place the ham back in the oven uncovered on the broil setting for 5 to 8 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning. This step caramelizes the glaze and heats it through.
- Serve: Remove the ham from the oven, slice it, and serve warm.
Notes
- Use a bone-in spiral-cut ham for even cooking and easy slicing.
- Watch the ham closely during the broil stage to avoid burning the glaze.
- Covering the pan tightly during baking keeps the ham moist.
- For extra flavor, let the ham rest with glaze for 10 minutes before slicing.
- If you want a stronger mustard flavor, increase Dijon mustard slightly in the glaze.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 6 ounces)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
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