Get ready to transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience with this Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Ham that will have your guests begging for seconds! Imagine a perfectly cooked ham with a glistening, caramelized exterior that's simultaneously sweet, tangy, and absolutely irresistible. This isn't just another ham recipe - it's a showstopping centerpiece that combines classic American flavors into one stunning dish that's surprisingly simple to prepare.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 2 hrs
Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 fully cooked ham (5-7 lbs)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Remove ham from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to bring to room temperature.
- Place ham fat-side up in a large roasting pan. If ham has a layer of fat, score the surface in a diamond pattern with shallow cuts about 1/4 inch deep to help glaze penetrate.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar until smooth and well combined.
- Brush approximately 1/3 of the glaze mixture over the entire surface of the ham, ensuring even coverage.
- Cover the ham loosely with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning and place in preheated oven.
- Bake ham for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, or about 15-20 minutes per pound. Every 30 minutes, remove ham from oven and brush with additional glaze.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, remove foil to allow ham to caramelize and develop a rich, golden-brown exterior.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Ham is ready when it reaches 140°F (60°C).
- Remove ham from oven and let rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing. This allows juices to redistribute, ensuring moist meat.
- Drizzle remaining glaze over ham just before serving for extra flavor and shine.
Tips
- Temperature Matters: Always let your ham sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking to ensure even heating.
- Scoring Technique: When scoring the fat layer, use a sharp knife and make shallow, diagonal cuts to create a beautiful diamond pattern that helps the glaze penetrate and caramelize.
- Glaze Application: Don't dump all the glaze at once! Brush in layers during cooking for maximum flavor development and a gorgeous golden-brown finish.
- Foil Protection: Use aluminum foil strategically to prevent burning while allowing the ham to cook and caramelize perfectly.
- Rest Time is Crucial: Letting the ham rest after cooking allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring each slice is incredibly moist and flavorful.
- Thermometer Check: Always use a meat thermometer to ensure your ham reaches the perfect 140°F internal temperature - no guesswork needed!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
