Description
This Sweet & Savory Glazed Christmas Ham features a perfectly caramelized honey-brown sugar glaze with aromatic spices. Tender, juicy, and impressively delicious, it’s the ultimate holiday centerpiece that feeds a crowd and creates unforgettable memories. The combination of sweet honey, tangy mustard, and warming spices creates a flavor profile that appeals to everyone at your festive table.
Ingredients
1 (8-10 pound) bone-in, fully cooked spiral-cut holiday roast
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup pure honey
1/3 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Whole cloves for studding (optional)
Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Line roasting pan with foil and place rack inside.
2. Remove meat from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Pat completely dry with paper towels.
3. In medium saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, honey, mustard, vinegar, and orange juice. Whisk until sugar dissolves.
4. Add butter and all spices to saucepan. Reduce heat to low and simmer 8-10 minutes until slightly thickened. Set glaze aside.
5. Place meat flat-side down on roasting rack. If using whole cloves, insert one at each scored diamond intersection.
6. Tent loosely with aluminum foil. Pour 1 cup water into bottom of roasting pan. Place in preheated oven.
7. After 45 minutes, remove foil tent carefully. Brush generously with glaze over entire surface.
8. Continue roasting uncovered, basting with glaze every 15-20 minutes. Apply 4-5 layers total during remaining cooking time (approximately 35-55 more minutes).
9. Check internal temperature with instant-read thermometer in thickest part, avoiding bone. Target is 140°F (60°C).
10. When target temperature is reached, remove from oven and tent loosely with clean foil. Rest 15-20 minutes before carving.
11. While meat rests, simmer remaining glaze on stovetop for 3-4 minutes to thicken. Use as sauce for serving.
12. Carve and serve warm, drizzling with extra glaze. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs.
Notes
Total cooking time is approximately 10-12 minutes per pound for fully cooked meat.
Always use internal temperature as your guide rather than cooking time alone.
Leftover meat can be stored in refrigerator for 5-7 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
For extra caramelization, finish under broiler for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
If glaze darkens too quickly during cooking, tent loosely with foil again.
The glaze can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored refrigerated.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 100
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 1450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: glazed christmas ham, holiday ham, christmas dinner, honey glazed ham, sweet and savory ham