Simple Brown Sugar Glaze For Ham
Updated Oct 21, 2025, Published Mar 08, 2024
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This simple Brown Sugar Glaze for Ham is made with brown sugar, orange juice, honey or maple syrup, and spices. It’s the BEST holiday ham addition, and it takes only 15 minutes to make! It’s an easy, yet delicious way to upgrade your fresh ham roast or baked ham for Sunday supper or a holiday meal.
Quick Look at This Recipe
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: less than 20 minutes
- Servings: about 6 servings, enough for a 5-8 pound ham
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free
- Method: Stovetop
- Technique: Simmered glaze, brushed on during baking
- Flavor & Texture: Sweet, tangy, slightly sticky with a caramelized crust after being baked on a ham
Why you’ll love this holiday favorite!
I tried many ingredient combinations to make the best brown sugar glaze recipe. After testing 15 different variations, I’ve narrowed it down to one that hits all the marks of flavor and pairs well with any ham. I know you will use it year after year for special occasions.
The simple brown sugar honey glaze turns your boneless ham, bone-in ham, ham steaks, or spiral-cut ham into the most delicious and flavorful honey-baked ham. Perfect for the holiday season or any special occasion, just like this roasted Thanksgiving turkey or oven-baked turkey tenderloin.
Made With Amore,
Simple Ingredients
The combination of brown sugar and honey creates a sweet, sticky glaze that caramelizes beautifully on the ham, imparting a mouthwatering sweetness to every bite. Here’s what you need to make it!
- Butter: Serves as a base to help the flavors caramelize and come together, just like in this herb butter for turkey.
- Light Brown sugar: Adds sweetness and caramelization to the glaze. You can use dark brown sugar for a deeper molasses flavor, or use white sugar or coconut sugar for a different sweet flavor.
- Honey or Maple syrup: Imparts a rich and distinct flavor to the glaze.
- Fresh orange juice: Adds a citrusy and tangy element to the glaze. For more orange flavor, you can add some orange zest.
- Dijon mustard: Gives the glaze a unique tanginess, like in this roasted rack of lamb recipe, and balances out the sweetness. Yellow mustard or whole grain mustard also works, but each brings a slightly different flavor profile to the glaze.
See recipe card for the full ingredient list with quantities.
Homemade Ham Glaze Variations
- Pineapple Brown Sugar Glaze: Replace the orange juice with pineapple juice and add crushed pineapple for a tropical and fruity glaze. For more ways to cook with pineapple, try these tacos al pastor too!
- Spicy Bourbon Glaze: Spike the glaze with a splash of bourbon and a pinch of cayenne pepper for a sweet and spicy kick.
- Apricot Dijon Glaze: Add a few tablespoons of apricot preserves along with the Dijon mustard to balance sweet and savory notes. You can use the extra apricot preserves to make this Italian crostata recipe.
- Warm Spices: Add a bit of cinnamon, nutmeg, ground or whole cloves, or allspice to the brown sugar sauce for additional warmth.
How to Make Brown Sugar Glaze for Ham
While the ham roasts in the oven, the house will smell amazing. It’s so easy to make, and the whole family will love this glaze.
- Whisk together the butter, brown sugar, honey, orange juice, mustard, ginger, thyme, and paprika in a small saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 minutes until it is slightly thickened and the sugar is dissolved. Be sure to stir occasionally as it cooks.
- Remove the brown sugar glaze from the heat and allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes to thicken even more. Use to glaze your ham and serve with side dishes like these candied sweet potatoes and fresh green bean casserole.
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- Score the Ham: Before applying the glaze, score the surface of the ham in a crisscross pattern. This not only enhances the presentation but also allows the glaze to penetrate and flavor the meat more effectively.
- Baste Regularly: During the last 30 minutes of the baking process, baste the ham regularly with the glaze. Basting every 10-15 minutes helps to build up a flavorful crust and ensures the ham stays moist. You can also use the pan juices to baste along with the glaze!
- Reheat Glaze Before Applying: If the glaze thickens or solidifies, gently reheat it before applying it to the ham. This ensures a smooth and even glaze application.
- Storing: To store any remaining glaze, allow it to cool to room temperature and transfer it to a clean, airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks. Before using the glaze, gently reheat it on the stovetop or microwave, stirring well to restore its original consistency.
Recipe FAQs
For the best results, apply the glaze on the ham before, during, and after cooking. This allows the glaze to caramelize and adhere to the ham, creating a flavorful crust. Baste the entire ham with additional glaze during the cooking process to enhance the flavor and appearance.
Yes. This will help the glaze to caramelize on the ham.
Using too much sugar or not making sure that the sugar fully melts can cause the glaze to become grainy. Cook long enough and stir occasionally to ensure the sugar fully dissolves.
This brown sugar glaze for ham recipe is perfect for a baked ham of about 5-8 pounds. For a larger ham, you can easily double the recipe if needed.
Absolutely! You can make it up to a week in advance. Refrigerate until the day you plan to use it. Reheat it in a saucepan for 5-10 minutes, and then allow it to cool slightly to thicken before brushing it on the ham.
Serving Suggestions
This brown sugar ham glaze recipe is one of my favorite ways to cook ham for Easter or Christmas, especially when paired with crispy Brussels sprouts and Duchess potatoes.
Honey-glazed carrots, creamed spinach, and au gratin potatoes are other favorites to serve with ham.
Don’t forget a delicious holiday dessert like these pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting or this Italian Easter rice pie.
More Holiday Main Dish Recipes
Looking for other holiday centerpiece recipes? Try these:
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Brown Sugar Glaze Recipe for Ham
Ingredients
- 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
Optional spices:
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, whisk together the butter, brown sugar, honey, orange juice, mustard, ginger, thyme, and paprika or other spices (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. Enjoy with fresh ham or smoked ham.
Notes
- Score the Ham: Before applying the glaze, score the surface of the ham in a crisscross pattern. This not only enhances the presentation but also allows the glaze to penetrate and flavor the meat more effectively.
- Baste Regularly: During the last 30 minutes of the baking process, baste the ham regularly with the glaze. Basting every 10-15 minutes helps to build up a flavorful crust and ensures the ham stays moist. You can also use the pan juices to baste along with the glaze!
- Reheat Glaze Before Applying: If the glaze thickens or solidifies, gently reheat it before applying it to the ham. This ensures a smooth and even glaze application.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Looks delicious