Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Ham (Holiday Perfection!)

This Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Ham is the perfect centerpiece for your holiday table! It’s a show-stopping dish that’s both beautiful and incredibly delicious. The ham is baked to tender perfection and coated in a sweet, savory, and slightly spiced brown sugar glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. I love how this recipe is easy enough for a beginner cook, yet impressive enough for a special occasion. Get ready for a ham that’s sure to be the star of your meal!

Why You’ll Love This Brown Sugar Glazed Ham

• Sweet and Savory Flavor: The combination of brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, mustard, and spices creates a perfectly balanced glaze.
• Tender and Juicy: Baking the ham at a moderate temperature and glazing it frequently ensures it stays moist and tender.
• Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
• Holiday-Worthy: This ham is perfect for Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any special occasion.
• Beautiful Presentation: The glistening glaze and the scored ham create a stunning centerpiece for your table.

Ingredients for Brown Sugar Glazed Ham

Here’s what you’ll need to make this holiday-worthy ham. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Ham and Glaze

• Bone-in, fully cooked, smoked ham, at room temperature (Meat)
• Brown sugar (Sweetener)
• Pineapple juice (Liquid)
• Honey (Sweetener)
• Whole grain mustard (Condiment)
• Fresh thyme leaves, chopped (Herb)
• Fresh rosemary, chopped (Herb)
• Ground cinnamon (Spice)
• Ground cloves (Spice)
• Freshly ground black pepper (Spice)

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)

Variations

I love this Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Ham as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:

• Different Fruit Juice: Use orange juice or apple cider instead of pineapple juice.
• Add Spices: Add a pinch of ground allspice or nutmeg to the glaze for a warmer flavor.
• Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the glaze.
• Use a Different Type of Mustard: Try using Dijon mustard or honey mustard instead of whole grain mustard.
• Add Pineapple Rings: Arrange pineapple rings around the ham during the last 30 minutes of baking.

How to Make Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Ham

Let me show you how simple it is to make this Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Ham:

Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet

1. I preheat my oven to 350 degrees F (175°C).
2. I line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.

Prepare the Ham

1. Using paper towels, I pat the ham dry. This helps the glaze adhere better.
2. Using a sharp knife, I score the top side of the ham by making shallow cuts in a diamond pattern. This allows the glaze to penetrate the ham and creates a beautiful presentation.

Make the Brown Sugar Glaze

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, I combine the brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, mustard, thyme, rosemary, cinnamon, cloves, and pepper.
2. I bring the mixture to a boil.
3. Then I reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the glaze is reduced and slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.

Glaze and Bake

1. I place the ham, cut side down, onto the prepared baking sheet.
2. I brush the ham evenly with 1/2 cup of the brown sugar mixture, making sure to get the glaze into the scored cuts.
3. I place the ham into the oven.
4. I brush with the remaining glaze every 30 minutes.
5. I bake, brushing with the remaining brown sugar mixture every 30 minutes, until the ham is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees F (60°C), about 2 hours and 30 minutes total cooking time.

Rest and Serve

1. I remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful ham.
2. I serve immediately.

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Glazed Ham

Here are my secrets for making this ham truly exceptional:

• Use a Bone-In Ham: A bone-in ham is more flavorful and juicy than a boneless ham.
• Score the Ham: Scoring the ham allows the glaze to penetrate the meat and creates a beautiful presentation.
• Baste Frequently: Basting the ham with the glaze throughout the cooking process keeps it moist and adds flavor.
• Use a Meat Thermometer: The best way to ensure the ham is cooked to the perfect temperature is to use a meat thermometer.
• Let it Rest: Letting the ham rest after baking is crucial for allowing the juices to redistribute.

How to Serve

This Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Ham is perfect for:

• Holiday Meals: A classic centerpiece for Easter, Christmas, or Thanksgiving dinner.
• Special Occasions: Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or any celebration.
• Sunday Supper: A comforting and flavorful meal for a Sunday supper.
• Buffets: A great addition to a buffet or potluck.

Make Ahead and Storage

You can make the glaze ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Leftover ham can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave. Leftover ham is also delicious in sandwiches, salads, and omelets.

FAQs about Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Ham

• Can I use a boneless ham?
  • Yes, you can use a boneless ham, but a bone-in ham will be more flavorful and juicy.
• Can I make this without the pineapple juice?
  • Yes, you can substitute orange juice or apple cider for the pineapple juice.
• Can I use a different type of mustard?
  • Yes.

Enjoy this flavorful and easy-to-make Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Ham! It’s a holiday classic that’s sure to impress.

Easy Brown Sugar Ham

• Author: Caoimhe Byrne
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Resting Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Total Time: 3 hours
• Yield: 12–16 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Cuisine: American

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Description

This Easy Brown Sugar Ham features a fully cooked, bone-in ham glazed with a sweet and savory mixture of brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, mustard, and spices. It’s a simple yet impressive centerpiece for any holiday meal or special occasion.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 (8-pound) bone-in, fully cooked, smoked ham, at room temperature

For the Brown Sugar Glaze:

• 1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard (or Dijon mustard)
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Equipment:

• Baking Sheet
• Saucepan
• Instant Read Thermometer

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Instructions

• Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
• Prepare Ham: Remove the ham from its packaging and pat it dry with paper towels.
• Score Ham: Using a sharp knife, score the top side of the ham in a diamond pattern. Make shallow cuts, about 1/4-inch deep, spaced about 1 inch apart. This helps the glaze penetrate the ham and creates a beautiful presentation.
• Make Glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, whole grain mustard (or Dijon), chopped thyme, chopped rosemary, cinnamon, cloves, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
• Simmer Glaze: Bring the glaze mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the glaze is slightly reduced and thickened, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Place Ham on Baking Sheet: Place the ham, cut-side down, on the prepared baking sheet.
• First Glaze: Brush the ham evenly with 1/2 cup of the prepared brown sugar glaze.
• Bake and Glaze: Place the ham in the preheated oven. Bake, brushing with the remaining glaze every 30 minutes, until the ham is heated through and reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C), about 2 hours and 30 minutes total baking time. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature.
• Rest and Serve: Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest, loosely tented with foil, for 15 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful ham.

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Notes

• Ham: This recipe is designed for a fully cooked, bone-in, smoked ham. A spiral-cut ham also works well.
• Room Temperature Ham: Bringing the ham to room temperature before baking helps it cook more evenly.
• Scoring: Scoring the ham allows the glaze to penetrate and flavor the meat.
• Glaze: The glaze will thicken slightly as it cools.
• Internal Temperature: The USDA recommends heating fully cooked ham to 140°F (60°C).
• Serving Suggestions: Serve this brown sugar ham with your favorite holiday side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, roasted vegetables, or sweet potato casserole.