Unlock the secret to the most succulent, flavorful, and impressive holiday centerpiece with this ultimate copycat Honey Baked Ham recipe. Forget paying premium prices when you can create that iconic, crackly sweet glaze and incredibly juicy meat right in your own kitchen. This guide will walk you through every step, ensuring a perfect result that will have everyone asking for seconds. It’s the perfect main course for Easter, Christmas, or any special family gathering.
Why This is the Best Honey Baked Ham Recipe
This isn’t just another ham recipe; it’s a foolproof method to replicate the famous original. The magic lies in the two-part glazing process, which creates a crust that is unbelievably crunchy and packed with flavor. We use a simple blend of butter, honey, and sugars that caramelizes into a perfect shell, balancing the savory, smoky flavor of the spiral-cut ham. It’s a culinary experience that will become a new family tradition.
Key Ingredients for the Perfect Glaze
The star of any Honey Baked Ham is the glaze. While the original recipe is a secret, this combination of simple ingredients comes incredibly close, creating a perfectly balanced sweet and savory crust. You’ll need:
- Fully Cooked Spiral-Cut Ham: Look for a bone-in ham, about 8-10 pounds. The pre-sliced nature allows the glaze to seep into every layer.
- Unsalted Butter: The rich base of our glaze.
- Honey: For that classic, floral sweetness.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds a deep, molasses flavor.
- Granulated Sugar: Helps create that signature crystalline crunch.
- Spices: A subtle blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves adds warmth and complexity.
- Dijon Mustard: Provides a tangy counterpoint to the sweetness.
How to Make Honey Baked Ham (Step-by-Step)
Achieving a perfectly cooked Honey Baked Ham is easier than you think. Just follow these key phases for a juicy ham with an irresistibly crunchy glaze.
Step 1: Prepare the Ham
First, preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Place the spiral ham, cut-side down, in a roasting pan. Add about a cup of water or pineapple juice to the bottom of the pan to create steam, which helps keep the ham moist. Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake. The general rule is about 10-12 minutes per pound, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part (avoiding the bone) reads 110°F.
Step 2: Make the Signature Glaze
While the ham is heating, you can prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the honey, brown sugar, granulated sugar, spices, and Dijon mustard. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring until the sugars are completely dissolved. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat. The glaze will thicken slightly as it cools.
For side dishes that are just as impressive, consider serving your ham with some creamy homemade mashed potatoes or a batch of our foolproof soft dinner rolls.
Step 3: Apply the Glaze
Once the ham reaches 110°F, remove it from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C). Remove the foil and brush about half of the glaze mixture evenly over the entire surface of the ham, making sure to get it between the slices. Return the ham to the hot oven, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes, or until the glaze is bubbly and beginning to caramelize.
Tips for a Juicy, Flavorful Ham Every Time
Keep these simple tips in mind to guarantee a perfect ham that never dries out.
- Don’t Overcook: Remember, the ham is already cooked. You are simply reheating it. Overcooking is the number one cause of dry ham.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: This is the most reliable way to know when your ham is ready. The final internal temperature should be around 140°F after the final glazing.
- Let It Rest: After removing the ham from the oven, let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every slice is moist.
What to Serve with Your Holiday Ham
A beautiful ham deserves equally delicious side dishes. This centerpiece pairs wonderfully with a variety of classic accompaniments. Consider a vibrant vegetable side like brown sugar glazed carrots or our easy air fryer broccoli. For something rich and comforting, you can’t go wrong with a classic Southern macaroni salad.
Storing and Using Leftover Ham
Leftover ham is a gift that keeps on giving! Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, your ham will last for 3-5 days. You can use leftovers in sandwiches, omelets, or as a flavorful addition to soups and casseroles. For a truly comforting meal, try adding diced ham to our hearty potato and bean soup.
Frequently Asked Questions about Honey Baked Ham
Yes, you can bake the ham a day in advance. Let it cool completely before wrapping and refrigerating. You can serve it chilled or gently reheat it in a low oven until warmed through. The glaze will soften upon refrigeration but will still be delicious.
The secret to the crunchy glaze is a combination of granulated and brown sugar in the glaze, and a final, high-heat bake (425°F) for 10-15 minutes to caramelize the sugars into a hard, crackly shell.
The key is to heat it low and slow in a covered roasting pan with a little liquid (like water or pineapple juice) in the bottom to create steam. Only apply the sugary glaze in the last 15-20 minutes of cooking to prevent it from burning and the ham from overcooking.
A good rule of thumb for a bone-in ham is to plan for about 3/4 pound per person. This will ensure everyone gets a generous portion and you have some delicious leftovers.
A bone-in, spiral-cut, fully cooked ham is the best choice. The bone adds flavor and moisture, and the spiral cut allows the delicious glaze to penetrate every single layer of the ham.
The Perfect Honey Baked Ham Recipe
Honey Baked Ham Recipe (The Ultimate Copycat)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Place the ham cut-side down in a large roasting pan. Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the pan. Cover tightly with foil.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes per pound, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 110°F. For an 8-pound ham, this will be about 80-90 minutes.
- While the ham bakes, combine the melted butter, honey, brown sugar, granulated sugar, Dijon mustard, and all spices in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Let it simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
- When the ham reaches 110°F, remove it from the oven. Increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C). Brush about half of the glaze all over the ham, getting between the slices.
- Return the ham to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 10-15 minutes until the glaze is bubbly and caramelized. The internal temperature should now be around 140°F.
- Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest on a cutting board for at least 15 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to settle back into the meat.
Notes
Tip 2: For an extra-crunchy crust, you can sprinkle a little extra granulated sugar over the glaze before the final bake. For an even more authentic touch, use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar after glazing.
Share Your Culinary Triumph!
We are confident this Honey Baked Ham recipe will be the star of your next celebration. If you loved making it as much as we do, we’d be thrilled if you shared your experience in the comments below or saved the recipe to your holiday board on Pinterest!
