Honey-Glazed Ham Recipe for Chirstmas

Honey-Glazed Ham recipe perfect for Christmas dinner.This is the kind of recipe that makes you look like a culinary genius.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

First off, ham is basically impossible to screw up. Unlike turkey, which can turn into cardboard if you blink wrong, ham comes pre-cooked. You’re literally just heating it up and making it look fancy. The glaze? Three ingredients that you probably already have lurking in your pantry.

Plus, leftovers mean ham sandwiches for days, and honestly, that’s the real Christmas miracle. This recipe feeds 8-10 people, pairs with literally any side dish, and gives you plenty of time to actually enjoy your guests instead of stress-sweating over the stove.

Honey-Glazed Ham Recipe for Chirstmas

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Ham:

• 1 bone-in ham (8-10 lbs) – spiral-cut makes your life easier
• Whole cloves (optional, but they look fancy)
• 1 cup pineapple juice (or orange juice if you’re feeling rebellious)

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup brown sugar (packed, not sad and loose)
• ½ cup honey (the good stuff, not that plastic bear nonsense)
• ¼ cup Dijon mustard (trust me on this)
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• Pinch of cinnamon (because Christmas)

Classic Sides:

• Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon
• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Cranberry sauce (homemade or canned, no judgment)
• Dinner rolls

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Yes, right now. Don’t be that person who forgets this step and wonders why everything takes forever.
2. Prep your ham. Remove the packaging and place the ham in a roasting pan, cut side down. Score the top in a diamond pattern if you’re feeling artistic. Stick whole cloves into the intersections if you want to look really impressive (or skip this—seriously, it’s optional).
3. Add moisture to the pan. Pour the pineapple juice into the bottom of the pan. This keeps things from drying out and adds a subtle sweetness. Cover the whole thing tightly with aluminum foil.
4. Bake low and slow. Pop it in the oven for about 15 minutes per pound. So for an 8-pound ham, that’s 2 hours. Set a timer and go do literally anything else.
5. Make your glaze. About 30 minutes before the ham is done, whisk together brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, melted butter, and cinnamon in a small saucepan. Heat it over medium-low until everything melts together into a gorgeous, sticky mess.
6. Glaze that beauty. Remove the foil from the ham and brush about half the glaze all over the top and sides. Crank the oven up to 400°F and return the ham, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes until it’s caramelized and gorgeous.
7. Apply the second coat. Brush on the remaining glaze and give it another 5-10 minutes. You want that picture-perfect, glossy finish that screams “I know what I’m doing.”
8. Rest before carving. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This is when you take your Instagram photos, FYI.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Buying the wrong ham. Pre-cooked is your friend. Raw ham requires hours of cooking and a level of commitment you don’t need on Christmas. Also, spiral-cut = easy slicing = happy you.

Skipping the foil. If you leave the ham uncovered the whole time, you’ll end up with a dried-out disappointment. Cover it for most of the cooking time, then remove the foil only for glazing.

Applying glaze too early. Sugar burns. If you put the glaze on too soon, you’ll have a blackened mess instead of a golden masterpiece. Wait until the last 30 minutes, seriously.

Not letting it rest. If you start carving immediately, all those delicious juices run out and you’re left with dry ham. Patience, young grasshopper.

Overthinking the sides. Keep them simple. You don’t need seven different potato dishes. Pick 3-4 sides, make them well, and call it a day.

Alternatives & Substitutions

No brown sugar? White sugar mixed with a tablespoon of molasses works in a pinch. Or just use maple syrup instead of honey—it’s basically the same vibe.

Don’t eat pork? This glaze works beautifully on a turkey breast or even a beef roast. Just adjust cooking times accordingly.

Vegetarian guests? A glazed tofu roast or stuffed squash with the same glaze (minus the ham, obviously) is surprisingly festive. Don’t sleep on roasted cauliflower either—it’s a crowd-pleaser.

Hate Dijon mustard? First of all, reconsider your life choices. But fine, swap it for whole grain mustard or even a tiny splash of apple cider vinegar for tang.

Speaking of menu flexibility, if you need to round out your holiday spread with some gluten-free starters that’ll wow everyone, grab some inspiration from our collection of Christmas appetizers—from bacon-wrapped dates to spinach artichoke dip, they’ve got you covered.

Final Thoughts

Look, Christmas dinner doesn’t have to be a stress fest. With this honey-glazed ham, you get maximum wow factor with minimal effort. Your family will think you’re a holiday hero, and you’ll actually have time to enjoy the celebration instead of hiding in the kitchen panic-eating cookies.

The best part? Even if something else goes sideways (burned rolls, lumpy gravy, whatever), a gorgeous glazed ham covers a multitude of kitchen sins. So go ahead, put on that festive playlist, pour yourself something nice, and get that ham in the oven. You’ve totally got this. Now go impress someone—or yourself—with your new culinary skills. You’ve earned it!

Want it spicier? Add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the glaze. Christmas dinner doesn’t have to be boring.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Shivani

I’m Dr. Shivani, a Kolkata-based nutritionist since 2015. After 10 years of igniting a love for healthy eating in young minds as a High School nutritionist teacher, I now help individuals unlock their full potential through personalized diet plans. My passion for writing and sharing nutrition knowledge (through blogs and observations) keeps my practice fresh and fuels my love for the field!