If you’re on the hunt for a truly show-stopping, melt-in-your-mouth holiday centerpiece, look no further than this Honey Baked Ham Recipe. I absolutely love how this recipe combines sweet, sticky honey glaze with warm spices, creating a beautiful caramelized crust that will have everyone asking for seconds. Whether it’s for Christmas, Easter, or simply a Sunday family dinner, this recipe delivers a flavorful ham that’s impressive yet surprisingly easy to pull off!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Sweet & Spiced Perfection: The honey glaze with warm spices creates a perfect balance of sticky-sweet and aromatic flavors.
Simple Steps, Big Impact: You don’t have to be a pro to make this—it’s straightforward, with tips to help you nail it every time.
Impresses Every Crowd: Whether it’s a family feast or friends coming over, this ham always steals the spotlight.
Juicy & Tender: Slow baking with periodic glazing keeps the ham moist and flavorful throughout.

A white plate holds a spiral-sliced cooked ham with a shiny, dark brown glazed surface on the outside and light pink, tender meat on the inside. The ham sits on a white marbled surface with a knife nearby and a grey cloth partially visible on the right side. The ham shows many evenly spaced layers, with the darker glazed edges contrasting against the softer pink slices inside photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses ingredients that complement each other beautifully—the natural sweetness of honey and brown sugar, the bright tang of orange juice, plus a medley of warm spices bring this ham to life. I recommend grabbing fresh orange juice for the best flavor punch.

Bone-in ham: Go for a fully cooked one; bone-in adds extra flavor and keeps the ham juicy.
Water: Helps keep the ham moist as it bakes in the oven.
Coconut sugar or brown sugar: Coconut sugar adds a subtle caramel note, but brown sugar works great too.
Honey: The star of the glaze, giving it that beautiful glossy sweetness.
Fresh orange juice: Adds a lovely citrus brightness—bottled juice just isn’t the same.
Dijon mustard: Balances the sweetness with a bit of tang and depth.
Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger: These warm spices make the glaze irresistible and complement the ham perfectly.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how flexible this Honey Baked Ham Recipe is—you can easily tweak it to match your taste or dietary needs. Over the years, I’ve played with a few twists that turned out fantastic, and I encourage you to experiment too!

Glaze Variations: Sometimes I swap orange juice with pineapple juice for a tropical spin—it adds a juicy tang that’s addictive.
Sweetener Swaps: If you prefer less sugar, try using maple syrup instead of honey and sugar, it lends a deeper, richer flavor.
Spice Adjustments: For a little kick, add a pinch of cayenne or chili powder; my family loves the subtle heat alongside the sweet glaze.
Dietary Notes: This recipe is naturally gluten-free and can easily be adapted to be paleo-friendly by choosing appropriate sweeteners.

How to Make Honey Baked Ham Recipe

Step 1: Thaw and Prepare Your Ham

First things first—if your ham is frozen, let it thaw in the refrigerator for at least 1 to 2 days. This step is crucial because it ensures even cooking and juicy slices. Before baking, I always let the ham sit at room temperature for about 2 hours; this helps it heat through evenly without drying out.

Step 2: Preheat Oven and Prep Pan

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and move the rack to the lowest position. Pour water into the bottom of your roasting pan—this little trick keeps the ham tender by creating a steamy environment during baking.

Step 3: Mix Your Honey Glaze

In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, honey, freshly squeezed orange juice, Dijon mustard, and warm spices—cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. The moment this comes together, you’ll smell the magic happening. This glaze is where the ham gets its signature shine and flavor, so don’t skimp!

Step 4: Brush, Cover, and Bake

Place your ham cut-side down in the roasting tray. Brush about a quarter of the honey glaze evenly over the top. Cover the ham tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 10 to 12 minutes per pound. For example, a 9-pound ham takes roughly 1 ½ hours. Every 30 minutes, peek inside, pull the ham out carefully, and apply some more glaze. This layering builds that irresistible sticky crust.

Step 5: Caramelize the Glaze

Once the slow baking is done, crank the oven temperature up to 425°F (220°C). Remove the foil and brush on the remaining glaze all over the ham. Pop it back in and roast uncovered for 15–20 minutes. This step caramelizes the sugar and honey, creating a gorgeous shiny, slightly crisp crust that’s out of this world.

Step 6: Rest and Slice

Let the ham rest for a few minutes after coming out of the oven. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, so when you slice, it stays moist. I always start slicing from the wider, flat end, removing the spiral slices carefully. My family goes crazy for this ham every single time!

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Pro Tips for Making Honey Baked Ham Recipe

Room Temperature Ham: Bringing the ham to room temp before baking helps it cook evenly and prevents dryness.
Frequent Glazing: Reapplying the glaze every 30 minutes builds a more flavorful, sticky coating—don’t skip this step!
Use a Roasting Pan with a Rack: Elevating the ham keeps it from sitting in its own juices, promoting even cooking and better texture.
Watch the Caramelizing Stage Closely: The high heat broiling can burn sugar quickly—stay close and remove as soon as the ham is shiny and golden.

How to Serve Honey Baked Ham Recipe

The image shows a sliced ham displayed on a white plate in the background, with several thick slices cut and lying flat, showing a glossy, caramel brown outer layer and a pinkish inner layer. In the front, there is a white round plate with four slices of ham neat and slightly overlapping, the slices reveal a smooth, pink interior with a darker, caramelized edge. A silver fork rests on the right side of the plate, and a black knife with silver rivets is placed on the edge of the white marbled surface in front. A grey cloth napkin is placed in the background near the white plate. The whole scene sits on a white marbled textured surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I keep garnishes simple but vibrant—fresh sprigs of rosemary or thyme add a lovely herbal touch and look elegant on the platter. Sometimes I scatter a few orange slices around for a pop of color that echoes the orange juice in the glaze.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides with this honey baked ham are creamy mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts with balsamic glaze, and buttery dinner rolls. A fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette also balances the sweetness perfectly. These sides round out the meal without overpowering the ham.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to carve the ham into perfect spiral slices and arrange them in a circular pattern on a large wooden board or platter. Add some small bowls of mustard or apple chutney on the side for guests to customize their bites. It definitely makes the presentation memorable!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

My family almost never wastes ham because leftovers taste fantastic, but when I do store it, I slice the ham and place pieces in an airtight container in the fridge. Using a tight seal keeps the ham moist and tasty for up to 4 days.

Freezing

I’ve frozen leftover sliced ham successfully by wrapping portions tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before sealing in a freezer bag. This method prevents freezer burn and keeps the ham fresh for up to 2 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to use.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers without losing moisture, I cover the ham slices in a baking dish, add a splash of water or broth, then cover with foil. Warm in a 275°F oven until heated through—this gentle method keeps the ham tender and juicy.

FAQs

Can I use a boneless ham for this Honey Baked Ham Recipe?

Absolutely! While bone-in ham adds extra flavor and juiciness, a boneless ham will work fine too. Just adjust your cooking time slightly—boneless hams tend to cook a bit faster, so keep an eye on it during baking and use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
Do I need to baste the ham multiple times?

Yes! Basting with the glaze every 30 minutes helps build that signature sticky, flavorful crust. It also keeps the ham moist throughout the slow baking process, so it’s a key step you don’t want to skip.
What is the best way to slice the ham for serving?

I recommend slicing from the wider, flat end first and pulling off the spiral slices carefully. Using a sharp carving knife helps you get even, beautiful slices that look great on the platter and are easy to serve.
Can I prepare the glaze in advance?

Definitely! You can mix the glaze a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Just bring it to room temperature before applying to the ham for the best consistency and flavor absorption.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Baked Ham Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s a reliable crowd-pleaser that feels decadent without being complicated. Every time I make it, the aroma fills the kitchen and sets the mood for a happy gathering. I’m confident you’ll enjoy making it just as much as your family and friends will love eating it. So go ahead—give this recipe a try and watch it become your next go-to celebration dish!