Baked Ham Recipe (With Glaze)
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This Baked Ham Recipe (With Glaze) starts with a fully cooked ham brushed with orange juice and mustard, then finished with a homemade brown sugar citrus glaze. The ham bakes covered until heated through, then gets glazed during the final 15–20 minutes. The result is a sweet, savory finish that makes it perfect for Easter, Christmas, or any special gathering.
Serve with Vegetable Au Gratin and Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes. For more side inspiration, check out this list of my top Thanksgiving Dishes.
Quick Look: Baked Ham Recipe (With Glaze)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours and 35 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours and 45 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free
- Method: Oven-baked
- Technique: Low-and-slow heating with a final glaze and caramelization
- Flavor & Texture: Sweet and savory with bright citrus notes; juicy, tender slices with a glossy, caramelized finish
Why You’ll Love This Holiday Favorite!
There is something special about oven-baked ham with brown sugar glaze in perfect slices on a beautiful serving platter at your dinner table. It makes the meal seem a little “extra,” and that is precisely what you will get with this ham roast! It’s incredibly easy, and really, the oven does all the hard work for you! All you have to do is keep an eye on the cooking time.
Even better, you can easily scale it down to use half a ham if you are feeding a smaller group. But what really makes it so good is the delicious Simple Brown Sugar Glaze For Ham that enhances the flavor of the ham.
Try my Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey and How to Cook a Small Prime Rib Roast recipe next time.
Made With Amore,
“I thought I didn’t like glazed ham roast until I tried this recipe. 10 out of 10! My mouth drools just thinking about it.”
– Daniela
Simple Ingredients
This recipe uses a fully cooked or smoked ham, a simple orange juice and mustard coating, and a homemade brown sugar citrus glaze. The glaze combines sweet, tangy, and savory flavors for a delicious finish.
- Bone-In Ham: Choose a 7-9-pound bone-in ham. Bone-in hams stay juicier and develop better flavor as they bake. Most are fully cooked and often labeled spiral-sliced, which allows the glaze to seep into every slice.
- Orange Juice and Mustard: Fresh orange juice and grainy mustard are brushed over the ham before the first bake, adding citrus brightness and savory flavor.
- Brown Sugar Citrus Glaze: Butter, brown sugar, honey or maple syrup, orange juice, mustard, ginger, thyme, and optional paprika create the sweet-savory glaze.
See the recipe card for the full ingredient list and quantities.
Variations & Substitutions
- Herb-Infused Glaze: Add 1–2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme, rosemary, or sage to the glaze for a savory, aromatic finish that balances the sweetness and complements the citrus just like this Best Fresh Ham Roast Recipe.
- Warm Spiced Glaze: Stir in ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon or nutmeg, or add 2–3 whole cloves to the glaze while it simmers for a classic holiday aroma and subtle warmth. Pair with another spiced holiday favorite, like my Cranberry Relish Recipe (Fresh).
- Fruit-Forward Glaze: Replace ¼ cup of the orange juice with pineapple juice, apple cider, or cranberry juice to give the glaze a bright, fruity twist that pairs beautifully with baked ham.
How to Bake a Ham with Glaze
A simple way to serve a crowd, this oven-baked ham comes together easily and makes plenty for dinner and next-day leftovers. Follow the step-by-step photos and see the recipe card at the bottom for a printable version.
- Place the ham in a shallow roasting pan, with the cut side down. If your ham has a skin, score it lightly with a sharp knife in vertical and diagonal rows every two inches, creating a crosshatch pattern. This allows the glaze to soak into the meat.
- Mix the mustard and orange juice in a small bowl.
- Brush this mixture over the surface of the ham.
- Cover the ham with foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes per pound. For a 9-lb bone-in ham, it will take about 135 minutes in total.
- Remove the ham 20 minutes before the final finish time to add the glaze. Increase the oven temperature to 425°F.
- Brush HALF of the prepared glaze on top of the ham. Return it to the oven without covering it, and bake for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, add the remaining glaze and bake another 5-10 minutes or until the exterior is a nice golden brown, and the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F.
- Remove the cooked ham from the oven and spoon the glaze from the bottom of the pan over the ham. Cover loosely with foil and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.
- To make the glaze, whisk together the butter, brown sugar, honey, orange juice, mustard, ginger, thyme, and paprika in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 minutes until it is slightly thickened and the sugar is dissolved, stirring occasionally. Remove the glaze from the heat and allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes to thicken even more.
Baked Ham Recipe FAQs
No. Cover the ham with foil during the initial bake to help keep it moist. Remove the foil for the final glazing stage so the glaze can caramelize.
As a general rule of thumb, plan on approximately ½ to 3⁄4 pounds of ham per person when serving bone-in ham. You can estimate about 1⁄4 to 1⁄3 pounds per person for boneless ham.
Save the ham bone for my 15 Bean Soup Recipe, or use chopped leftover ham in this Ham and Noodle Casserole or Classic Italian Chopped Salad Recipe.
Store the leftover ham in airtight containers or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze it for up to 2 months. Reheat leftover ham by placing it in the oven at a low temperature (around 325°F or 163°C) until warmed through. Alternatively, individual slices can be reheated in a microwave, but be cautious not to overheat to avoid drying out the ham.
Serving Suggestions
This baked ham is a great choice for Christmas, Easter, or any special dinner with family. The brown sugar citrus glaze makes it extra delicious, and it pairs well with so many classic sides. Serve it with Roasted Asparagus, Easy Cheesy Potatoes, and Best Mashed Potatoes. For Sunday dinner, try it with Roasted Green Beans with Garlic and Lemon, Honey Glazed Carrots, or Homemade Au Gratin Potatoes.
And don’t let those leftovers go to waste! They’re delicious in Navy Bean Soup with Ham, Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup, or Hot Italian Sliders.
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- Choose the right ham: Make sure to use a bone-in ham. Confirm the size before cooking so the glaze quantity and timing are appropriate.
- Check the temperature: Use a meat thermometer to check that the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).
- Score if needed: If the ham has skin or rind, lightly score it to help the glaze seep into the surface.
- Glaze in two stages: Apply half the glaze, bake for 10 minutes, then add the rest for the final 5–10 minutes.
- Save the pan juices: Spoon the glaze from the bottom of the pan over the ham before resting, and serve extra pan juices on the side.
More Holiday Main Dishes
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Baked Ham Recipe with Brown Sugar Glaze
Equipment
- Strong aluminum foil
Ingredients
Ham:
- 1 bone-in ham, approximately 7-9 pounds
- 2 tablespoons grainy mustard, or mustard of choice
- ¼ cup orange juice , freshly squeezed is preferred
Brown Sugar Glaze:
- ¼ cup butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup honey, or real maple syrup
- ¼ cup orange juice, freshly squeezed is preferred (pineapple juice will also work)
- 1-2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, or whole-grain mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon powdered ginger
- 1 sprig thyme, stem removed
- ¼ teaspoon paprika, optional
Instructions
For the Ham (1st bake):
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Place the ham in a shallow roasting pan, with the cut side down. If your ham has a skin, score it lightly with a sharp knife (most precooked hams are already scored). Score the ham’s skin in vertical and diagonal rows every two inches, creating a crosshatch pattern, which allows the glaze to soak into the meat.
- In a small bowl, mix mustard and orange juice. Brush this mixture over the surface of the ham.
- Cover the ham with foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes per pound. Calculate the total cooking time* based on how much your ham weighs. For a 9-lb bone-in ham, it will take about 135 minutes in total. You will remove the ham 20 minutes before the final finish time and add the glaze for the second bake at a higher temperature (see below).
Make the Brown Sugar Glaze:
- In a small saucepan, whisk together the butter, brown sugar, honey, orange juice, mustard, ginger, thyme, and paprika (if using). Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 minutes until it is slightly thickened and the sugar is dissolved; stir occasionally. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes to thicken even more.
Ham (2nd bake):
- Twenty minutes before the ham is done, remove it from the oven and turn the oven temperature up to 425°F. Brush HALF of the prepared glaze on top of the ham; do not cover, and continue baking for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes- add the remaining glaze and bake another 5-10 minutes or until there is a nice golden brown exterior. Your ham is done reheating when it reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees F.
- Remove the cooked ham from the oven and spoon the glaze on the bottom of the pan over the ham. Cover loosely with foil and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.
- Serve with the extra pan juices/glaze on the side.
- Enjoy your delicious ham for any occasion!
Notes
- Serve with Vegetable Au Gratin and Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes. For more side inspiration, check out this list of my top Thanksgiving Dishes.
- Choose the right ham: Make sure to use a bone-in ham. Confirm the size before cooking so the glaze quantity and timing are appropriate.
- Check the temperature: Use a meat thermometer to check that the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).
- Score if needed: If the ham has skin or rind, lightly score it to help the glaze seep into the surface.
- Glaze in two stages: Apply half the glaze, bake for 10 minutes, then add the rest for the final 5–10 minutes.
- Save the pan juices: Spoon the glaze from the bottom of the pan over the ham before resting, and serve extra pan juices on the side.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I thought I didn’t like glazed ham roast until I tried this recipe. 10 out of 10! My mouth drools just thinking about it.
I agree! I am not one for ham glazes, but this one- I love.
I made this ham for Easter, it was amazing! The glaze was perfect!
Thank you for the recipe!!
Yay! It’s so yummy and easy! The only glaze we like!
BEST ham roast I’ve ever had!