Here is my go-to honey glazed spiral ham recipe, with a sweet and sticky glaze that creates the perfect coating, and tender meat that practically falls off the bone. Perfect for both special occasions and Sunday dinners.
This ham has become our family’s favorite holiday centerpiece. I always make sure to get a bigger size than needed because everyone loves taking home leftovers. And let’s be honest – ham sandwiches the next day are almost better than the main event, right?
Why You’ll Love This Honey Glazed Ham
- Make-ahead friendly – You can prepare the glaze in advance, and the ham tastes great warm or at room temperature, making it perfect for holiday gatherings or special occasions.
- Simple 5-ingredient glaze – The glaze uses basic pantry ingredients like honey and orange, creating a perfect balance of sweet and citrusy flavors without any complicated steps.
- Feeds a crowd – One ham serves 10-12 people generously, making it ideal for family gatherings, and any leftovers are great for sandwiches and other meals.
- Mostly hands-off cooking – Once you’ve applied the glaze, the oven does most of the work, letting you focus on other dishes or spending time with your guests.
What Kind of Ham Should I Use?
For this recipe, you’ll want to look for a spiral-cut smoked ham with the bone in, which you can find at most grocery stores. These hams come pre-cooked and pre-sliced in a spiral pattern around the bone, making them super convenient for serving. The bone adds extra flavor during heating and helps keep the meat moist. While you might see both “city hams” and “country hams” at the store, stick with a city ham for this recipe – they’re more common and have that classic mild, smoky flavor we’re looking for. When shopping, plan for about 1/2 pound per person if you’re serving it as a main dish, and make sure to check that your ham is labeled “with natural juices” rather than “water added” for the best quality.
Options for Substitutions
Need to make some swaps for this ham recipe? Here are some helpful substitutions you can try:
- Honey: While honey gives the best results, you can swap it with maple syrup or agave nectar. Brown sugar mixed with 2 tablespoons of water works too, though you might need to adjust the sweetness to taste.
- Orange zest and juice: No oranges? Use lemon or tangerine zest and juice instead. For the juice only, you can use store-bought orange juice, but skip the artificial stuff.
- Fresh ginger: If you’re out of fresh ginger, use 1 teaspoon of ground ginger instead. In a pinch, you can also use 1 teaspoon of allspice, though the flavor will be slightly different.
- Ground cloves: Ground cinnamon or nutmeg can work instead of cloves – use the same amount. Or try a mix of both (¼ teaspoon each).
- Spiral ham: This glaze works great on any type of ham, but for best results, stick with a pre-cooked, smoked ham. The spiral cut helps the glaze seep into the meat, but you can use a non-spiral ham and score the surface in a diamond pattern.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake when cooking a spiral ham is drying it out – since it’s already fully cooked, you’re really just warming it through while adding flavor. To keep your ham moist, cover it tightly with foil for most of the cooking time, only removing the foil during the last 20-30 minutes to apply the glaze. Another common error is cooking the ham at too high a temperature – stick to 325°F and heat it just until the internal temperature reaches 140°F, using a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part (but not touching the bone). If you’re glazing too early in the cooking process, the sugars in the honey can burn, so wait until the last 20 minutes to brush on your glaze, applying it in 2-3 layers for the best coverage and caramelization. For the most flavorful results, baste the ham with its own juices every 20-30 minutes during cooking, and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before serving to help retain its juices.
What to Serve With Honey Glazed Ham?
A honey glazed ham calls for classic side dishes that complement its sweet and smoky flavors. Creamy mashed potatoes or sweet potato casserole make perfect partners, soaking up all that delicious ham glaze. For some green veggie options, roasted Brussels sprouts or green beans almondine add a nice crunch and balance to the meal. Since this ham has citrus notes from the orange zest, a fresh spring salad with mandarin segments works really well too. Don’t forget some warm dinner rolls or buttermilk biscuits to round out this crowd-pleasing dinner!
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: Leftover ham is a gift that keeps on giving! Place your honey glazed ham in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in aluminum foil, then pop it in the fridge. It’ll stay good for 4-5 days, perfect for sandwiches, omelets, or quick dinner fixes throughout the week.
Freeze: Got more ham than you can handle? Cut it into smaller portions, wrap them well in plastic wrap and foil, then place in freezer bags with the air squeezed out. Your ham will keep nicely in the freezer for up to 2 months. Pro tip: label the bags with the date so you know when to use them!
Reheat: To warm up your ham without drying it out, place it in a baking dish with a splash of water or chicken broth, cover with foil, and heat at 325°F until it reaches 140°F inside. For smaller portions, microwave on medium power with a damp paper towel over the top. The glaze might get a bit sticky, but the flavor will still be there!
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 105-120 minutes |
| Total Time | 120-140 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 3500-4000
- Protein: 200-220 g
- Fat: 150-170 g
- Carbohydrates: 200-250 g
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup honey (clover or orange-blossom variety)
- 1 tablespoon finely shredded orange zest, plus 2 tablespoons squeezed orange juice
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 smoked spiral half ham with bone (around 8 pounds; ideal for special occasions)
Step 1: Prepare the Glaze and Ham
Preheat your oven to 325°F and position the rack in the lower third.
In a mixing bowl, stir together honey, orange zest and juice, ginger, cloves, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to create the flavorful glaze.
Meanwhile, take the ham and wrap it tightly with parchment-lined foil, ensuring that the fat-cap-side is facing up.
Step 2: Initial Bake
Place the wrapped ham on a rimmed baking sheet or in a small roasting pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
This initial baking phase allows the ham to warm gradually while staying moist inside the foil wrapping.
Step 3: Unwrap and Apply First Glaze
After the first hour, carefully unwrap the ham, leaving the foil underneath to catch juices.
Brush the ham generously with some of the prepared glaze.
This step will begin infusing the ham with the sweet and zesty flavors.
Step 4: Bake and Baste
Return the ham to the oven, uncovered, and continue baking for an additional 45 minutes to 1 hour.
During this time, baste the ham with more glaze every 15 minutes.
This repeated basting ensures the ham remains juicy and develops a delicious caramelized surface.
Step 5: Final Glaze and Serve
Once the ham is heated through and has developed a beautiful glaze, brush it with any remaining glaze for a finishing touch.
Allow the ham to cool slightly before serving to let the flavors meld and the glaze to set.
Serve warm and enjoy your succulent, flavorful ham!
