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Perfect Honey Glazed Ham Recipe with Easy Brown Sugar Mustard Crust

honey glazed ham - featured image

A sweet and tangy honey glazed ham with a caramelized brown sugar mustard crust that is perfect for holidays and family gatherings. This easy recipe delivers a moist, flavorful ham with a sticky, flavorful crust.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 7 to 8 pounds bone-in fully cooked ham, pre-scored if possible
  • ½ cup honey (preferably raw or pure)
  • ¾ cup brown sugar, packed (light brown sugar preferred)
  • ¼ cup Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • A pinch of ground cloves
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup water

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
  2. Score the ham surface by cutting shallow diagonal lines about ½ inch apart in one direction, then repeat in the opposite direction to create a diamond pattern. Be careful not to cut too deep, just through the fat layer.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth and sticky.
  4. Place the ham cut side down on a roasting rack inside your roasting pan. Pour ½ cup water into the bottom of the pan to keep the environment moist during baking.
  5. Bake the ham uncovered for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, brushing the glaze generously over the ham every 15 minutes starting after the first 30 minutes to build the sticky crust.
  6. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature in the thickest part without touching bone; it should reach about 140°F (60°C).
  7. Optional: For extra caramelization, switch the oven to broil for the last 3-5 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
  8. Remove the ham from the oven and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let it rest for 15-20 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
  9. Slice the ham about ¼ to ½ inch thick and drizzle any remaining glaze over just before serving.

Notes

If the glaze starts to get too dark during baking, tent the ham with foil to prevent burning. Do not skip the resting period after baking to ensure moist and tender meat. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. You can prepare the glaze up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. For a smoky flavor, try smoking the ham before glazing and baking. Substitute maple syrup for honey for a different sweetness. This recipe is naturally gluten-free but check mustard labels if allergies are a concern.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey glazed ham, brown sugar mustard crust, holiday ham, easy ham recipe, baked ham, Christmas ham, Easter ham, glazed ham