Go Back

Christmas Honey Glazed Ham

Christmas honey glazed ham is roasted until tender, then brushed with a buttery honey and brown sugar glaze until glossy. Dijon mustard and ground cloves add a savory, warm-spiced finish to this bone-in holiday centerpiece.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Resting 15 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 14 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the ham
  • 1 ham 8- to 10-pound, fully cooked, bone-in half, not spiral-sliced
  • 1 cup water
For the glaze
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 0.5 cup honey
  • 0.5 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 0.25 tsp ground cloves

Equipment

  • 1 large roasting pan

Method
 

Prepare the ham
  1. Heat the oven to 325°F.
  2. Set a rack in a large roasting pan.
  3. Remove any rind from the ham, leaving about 1/4 inch of fat.
  4. Score the fat in a 1-inch diamond pattern without cutting into the meat.
  5. Set the ham cut side down on the rack.
  6. Add the water to the pan and cover the pan tightly with foil.
  7. Roast until the center of the ham reaches 110°F to 115°F, about 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours.
Make the glaze
  1. While the ham roasts, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
  2. Stir in the honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and ground cloves.
  3. Cook, stirring, until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves, 3 to 5 minutes.
Glaze and finish the ham
  1. Remove the foil and brush the ham with about one-third of the glaze.
  2. Roast uncovered, brushing with the remaining glaze in two more additions about 10 minutes apart, until glossy and the center reaches 140°F, about 25 to 35 minutes.
  3. Transfer the ham to a carving board, tent loosely with foil, and rest for 15 minutes before carving.

Notes

For the best texture, score only the fat so the glaze coats the ham without drying the meat. Refrigerate leftovers for 3 to 4 days; the cooked ham can be frozen for up to 2 months. For a dairy-free option, use an equal amount of plant-based butter.