There are few dishes that feel more welcoming than a warm ham glazed with honey and mustard. In my opinion, this is pure comfort food, and it is the kind of centerpiece that makes any meal feel special without making you work all day in the kitchen. It is rich, glossy, and just sweet enough to feel festive.
This baked honey mustard glazed ham starts with 1 (8- to 9-pound) fully cooked bone-in spiral-cut ham, then gets brushed with a fragrant glaze made from 3/4 cup honey, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/3 cup whole grain mustard, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon. As a result, every slice tastes sweet, tangy, buttery, and warmly spiced, with a nice balance of savory ham and caramelized glaze.
The method is simple, too. First, you warm the ham in the oven, then you simmer the glaze on the stove while the ham bakes. After that, you brush on the glaze and finish at a higher heat so the outside turns shiny and golden. With 15 minutes of prep time, 1 hour 30 minutes of cooking time, and 1 hour 45 minutes total time, this recipe is easy to manage. It serves 12 and comes in at about 380 kcal per serving.
This recipe is especially handy for holiday dinners, Sunday suppers, and family gatherings. In fact, it is a great choice when you want something that looks impressive but still feels easy enough for an everyday cook. It also works well for potlucks, Easter, Christmas, or any cold evening when you want a cozy main dish that feeds a crowd.
Why You’ll Love This Baked Honey Mustard Glazed Ham
- It is easy to prepare, since the ham is already fully cooked and mostly needs warming.
- The glaze uses simple pantry ingredients you may already have on hand.
- It delivers a sweet, tangy, and slightly spiced flavor that many guests enjoy.
- It is great for feeding a group, so it works well for holidays and family meals.
- It makes wonderful leftovers, which means you get more meals from one main dish.
Spiral-Cut Ham Tips
A fully cooked bone-in spiral-cut ham is the best choice for this recipe because the slices are already cut, which makes serving much easier. Since the ham is already cooked, your main job is to warm it gently and keep it moist. For the best result, place it cut-side down in the roasting pan, and be sure to add a little water to the bottom of the pan. Also, when you brush on the glaze, try to work it between the spiral slices so the flavor reaches deeper into the meat. If your ham is slightly larger or smaller than the one listed, just adjust the warming time as needed, and always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
Options for Substitutions
- Use maple syrup instead of honey for a slightly deeper, woodsy sweetness.
- Swap dark brown sugar for light brown sugar if you want a richer molasses flavor.
- Replace the whole grain mustard with stone ground mustard for a similar texture.
- Use yellow mustard if you prefer a milder glaze.
- Substitute salted butter for unsalted butter, but reduce any added salt elsewhere.
- Replace apple cider vinegar with white wine vinegar or lemon juice for a sharper finish.
Watch Out for These Mistakes
One common mistake is overheating the ham. Since this is a fully cooked spiral-cut ham, you are not cooking it from raw. Instead, you are warming it through. So, if you leave it in the oven too long, the meat can dry out. For that reason, keep the first bake covered and gentle.
Another mistake is adding the glaze too early. If you brush it on during the long covered bake, the sugars can darken too fast or even burn. Instead, make the glaze while the ham warms, then add it near the end when the oven is hotter. That way, you get a glossy finish without a bitter taste.
Also, do not skip the resting time. If you slice the ham right away, the juices will run out, and the meat may seem less tender. Let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. This short wait really helps.
Finally, be careful with the glaze thickness. If it cooks too long on the stove, it can become too sticky and hard to brush on. On the other hand, if it is too thin, it will run off the ham. You want it to lightly coat the back of a spoon, so it stays on the slices and caramelizes nicely.
What to Serve With Baked Honey Mustard Glazed Ham?
This baked honey mustard glazed ham pairs well with comforting sides like creamy mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, green beans, and soft dinner rolls. In addition, scalloped potatoes or a simple cabbage slaw would round out the meal nicely. Because the ham is sweet and savory, sides with mild creaminess or fresh crunch work especially well.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freeze: Freeze leftovers for up to 2 months. For best results, wrap slices tightly before placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
Reheat: For the stovetop, warm slices in a covered skillet over low heat with a splash of water or pan juices. For the microwave, heat in short bursts at medium power, covering the ham so it stays moist. In either case, stop heating as soon as the ham is warmed through.
Recipe Info
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 12
Calories: 380 kcal per serving
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
Calories: about 4,200 to 4,600
Protein: about 360 to 420 grams
Fat: about 140 to 180 grams
Carbohydrates: about 160 to 220 grams
Ingredients
- 1 (8- to 9-pound) fully cooked bone-in spiral-cut ham
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup whole grain mustard
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Set Up the Ham
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Then remove the ham from its packaging and pat it dry with paper towels. Place it cut-side down in a large roasting pan, and add about 1/2 cup water to the bottom of the pan. This helps keep the ham moist while it warms.
Step 2: Warm the Ham Gently
Cover the ham tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour. Since the ham is already fully cooked, this first bake is mostly about warming it through. The foil also helps trap moisture, so the meat stays tender.
Step 3: Make the Honey Mustard Glaze
While the ham bakes, combine the honey, brown sugar, whole grain mustard, Dijon mustard, butter, apple cider vinegar, cloves, and cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir often, and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Then cook it for 5 to 6 minutes, until the sugar dissolves and the glaze thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Step 4: Glaze and Finish Baking
Remove the ham from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 400°F (205°C). Take off the foil, then brush the ham generously with about half of the glaze. Be sure to get the glaze between the spiral slices so the flavor spreads through the meat. Return the ham to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Brush with the remaining glaze halfway through, and watch closely so the top becomes deeply caramelized without burning.
Step 5: Rest, Slice, and Serve
Check that the internal temperature reaches at least 140°F in the thickest part, away from the bone. If the edges darken too quickly, tent the ham loosely with foil. Then let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes before slicing along the spiral cuts. Finally, serve warm and spoon any extra glaze from the pan over the slices.
Conclusion
This baked honey mustard glazed ham is warm, easy, and full of comforting flavor. With a simple glaze, a short prep time, and a reliable baking method, it is a smart choice for holidays, family meals, or any time you want a special main dish without extra stress. Plus, the leftovers are just as useful the next day.
If you make this recipe, I would love for you to try it, share your thoughts, and let me know how it turned out. And if you are planning more family meals, take a look at my other easy dinner recipes for more simple, home-cooked ideas.
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Baked Honey Mustard Glazed Ham
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Total Time: 105 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: None
Description
A warm, comforting ham glazed with honey and mustard, perfect for holiday dinners and gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 (8- to 9-pound) fully cooked bone-in spiral-cut ham
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup whole grain mustard
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Then remove the ham from its packaging and pat it dry with paper towels. Place it cut-side down in a large roasting pan, and add about 1/2 cup water to the bottom of the pan.
- Cover the ham tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour.
- Combine the honey, brown sugar, whole grain mustard, Dijon mustard, butter, apple cider vinegar, cloves, and cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir often and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until the sugar dissolves.
- Remove the ham from the oven, increase the oven temperature to 400°F (205°C), take off the foil, and brush the ham generously with about half of the glaze.
- Return the ham to the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, brushing with the remaining glaze halfway through.
- Let the ham rest for 15 to 20 minutes before slicing along the spiral cuts.
Notes
For best results, keep the ham covered while warming and avoid overheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 1800mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
