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When it comes to holiday celebrations, it’s hard to beat a brown sugar glazed ham. Hams are big enough to feed the whole family, and still have leftovers. And since it’s already cooked, all you need to do is gently reheat it in the oven.
If you’re looking for a picture-perfect centerpiece, you’ll want to a ham glaze recipe to steal the show. The glaze not only flavors the ham with brown sugar, savory mustard and tangy vinegar, but the sugars also caramelize, giving your ham a lightly crispy edge and an appealing finish.
Once you know how easy it is to make a brown sugar glaze with ingredients you have on hand, you’ll never buy an expensive glazed ham again!
When to use this ham glaze
The glaze goes on for the final 15 to 30 minutes of cook time, so you definitely don’t want to glaze the ham in advance. It’s best to wait until the ham is heated to an internal temperature of 130°F before hitting it with this easy ham glaze. That way, the sugars will caramelize instead of burn.
Key Ingredients in a Ham Glaze
With so few ingredients, you know they’ll all be working extra hard to flavor and tenderize your ham.
- Brown Sugar: You can’t have a brown sugar glaze without the ingredient that gives it its name! Unlike white sugar, brown sugar has molasses in it, creating a distinctly caramelizing quality and an ever-so-light smoky hint.
- Dijon Mustard: To balance the sweetness coming from the brown sugar, Dijon mustard offers a spicier, less acidic flavor than regular yellow mustard. Less acidity is exactly what we’re looking for since that will be added through the vinegar.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is a powerhouse ingredient to keep in your pantry. While it has many uses, the most basic is its ability to tenderize meat. Because of the apple base, it will add sweeter flavor to your ham than regular white vinegar would.
How to Make a Ham Glaze
This recipe yields about 14 servings.
Ingredients
- 1 fully cooked bone-in ham (5 to 7 pounds)
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 to 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Editor’s Tip: We always opt for bone-in ham so we can use the bone to make split pea and ham soup.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the ham
To cook the ham, preheat the oven to 325° and grab a shallow roasting pan or a large casserole dish. (Be sure to choose the best ham.) Place the ham on a rack and score the surface of the ham with 1/4-inch deep cuts in a diamond pattern. This opens up the outer layer of the ham, allowing the glaze to soak into the meat. For a traditional look, insert whole cloves into each diamond point of the ham.
Cover the ham with a piece of foil and bake for 1-1/2 to 2 hours, until a thermometer reaches 130°.
Editor’s Tip: If you don’t have a rack for your roasting pan, you can use an oven-safe cooling rack. Better yet, elevate the ham by lining the bottom of the pan with onions, carrots or potatoes. The vegetables will taste great as they cook in the ham drippings!
Step 2: Ready the glaze
While the ham is baking, combine the brown sugar and mustard in a small bowl. Add enough vinegar to create a thick paste. You may not need all the vinegar.
Step 3: Glaze away
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Remove the ham from the oven and discard the piece of foil. Spread the glaze over the ham using a high-heat resistant spatula. The glaze will be thick, but the heat of the ham will help you spread it evenly. Bake the ham, uncovered, for an additional 15 to 30 minutes, until it reaches an internal temperature of 140°.
Tips for Making Ham Glaze
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How can you make this ham glaze recipe your own?
Our brown sugar glaze recipe is very basic, but it has incredible flavor. Feel free to have some fun with it! You can remove the vinegar and replace it with orange or pineapple juice, or you can increase the mustard to 2 tablespoons and add 1/4 cup of honey to make a honey mustard glaze.
Is glazing a ham necessary?
It isn’t necessary to glaze a ham. However, it does enhance the flavor of the ham and elevates the ham with a beautiful glazed look worthy of its place as the center of your holiday feast.
Do you put ham glaze on before or after cooking?
This glaze should be applied to your ham about fifteen minutes before the ham is finished cooking. Applying the glaze when the ham is almost done helps keep it thoroughly coated upon serving and prevents the glaze from drying out from over-cooking.
What else can you glaze?
Don’t feel like you have to use this ham glaze recipe just for special occasions. Brush it on ham steaks before cooking them, or use it to glaze other quick-cooking meats like salmon. You can also use it to glaze vegetables. After cooking the veggies, toss them in the glaze with a little melted butter.
Use Up Extras in These Leftover Ham Recipes
Taste of Home
Homemade biscuits add a layer of nostalgia and comfort to any recipe. Leftover ham is usually a result of the holiday season coming to a close, so why not carry some of the warmth over into the new year?
Go to Recipe
Ham & Egg PocketsFrom
Christmas ham to the morning after, this six ingredient recipe is a quick breakfast that can be made while the kids are still asleep. Essentially a homemade Hot Pocket, you can eat these on the go.
Shortcut Split Pea SoupThis simple soup is the perfect way to round off a week's worth of heavy dinners. The ham adds a necessary density and richness to the dish.
Mini Ham ‘n’ Cheese FrittatasNothing will put you to sleep faster than the thought of eating these ham and cheese frittatas in the morning. Light and airy, you can add spinach or other vegetables for a bit of variety.
Creamy Ham & PotatoesThis cozy entree has all the staples; cheese, potatoes and ham. This dense and creamy dish is exactly what will get you through the cold winter months.
Ham & Cheese SconesThe sweet and spicy sauce that's paired with these cheesy scones will make you want to
cook a ham just for the leftovers! Light and moist, the scones make a wonderful appetizer or snack.
Jambalaya Rice SaladThis cold rice salad has a bit of kick to it with red, green and cayenne peppers. Colorful and festive, it can also be served warm.
Ham and Cheese PocketsRather than using crescent rolls, these ham and cheese pockets are made with frozen bread dough. This gives them more of a rounded pocket shape.
Mac ‘n’ Cheese DinnerThis customizable macaroni and cheese really complements all that goes well with ham. With peas and cheese, you'll finish your plate with ease.
Grilled Cheese, Ham and Apple SandwichHam and cheese sandwiches are pretty commonplace, but have you ever considered adding apple to the mix? The crunch and tartness makes for an unforgettable combination.
Ham, Broccoli and Orzo CasseroleGreat for a big gathering, this casserole is a nice pivot from traditional broccoli and cheese casseroles. The leftover ham adds a necessary protein to the otherwise complete and satisfying meal.
Quick Hawaiian PizzaThe age old debate of whether pineapple belongs on pizza is solved with this quick and simple dish. The homemade sauce is made by combining barbecue sauce with marinara for some sweetness.
Ham Pasta TossWhen you're coming down from the rush of making a
holiday ham, or just a busy week, nothing beats a 25-minute meal. These simple ingredients make for the perfect butter and garlic pasta.
Apple Butter Biscuit Breakfast BakeThis recipe is great for the holiday season, as it combines the warm winter flavors of ham and apple butter. This is a leftovers dream and will quickly become a tradition for years to come.
Ham & Veggie CasseroleCasseroles are a gift to slow days, and this one is no exception. With broccoli and cauliflower, this can offset a traditionally sweet ham for a more savory and cheesy dish.
Chicken Cordon Bleu PastaChicken cordon bleu is thin breaded chicken wrapped around ham and cheese. This dish reimagines the concept by taking all those ingredients and mixing them with pasta, onion and garlic for a creamy and indulgent meal.
Priscilla’s Vegetable ChowderPanera's bread bowls really changed the game for soups. This broccoli, carrot, celery and potato chowder is comfortable and homey with the added surprise and texture of ham.
Pineapple-Dijon Ham SandwichesPineapple on pizza might be a debate, but pineapple on sandwiches isn't. The Dijon mustard, green peppers and brown sugar really compete for the leading taste.
Southwestern Breakfast Slow-Cooker CasseroleThis slow cooker breakfast can be prepared right when you wake up and eaten in the later hours of a winter morning. The smell alone will lull you back to sleep while you wait for the delicious end result.
Fiesta Ham SoupChowders are a scrumptious way to warm the spirits during the holidays. This festive soup is brimming with ham, green chilies, potatoes and corn.
Loaded Baked Potato CasseroleYou might have leftover ham but you won't have any leftover casserole. If anything, you'll have arguments over who gets the last plate.
Ham & Potato-Rutabaga ChowderPotatoes and rutabagas are usually presented as side dishes to a ham dinner. This chowder combines them to make the ultimate comfort meal.
My Best-Ever JambalayaThis jambalaya proudly earns its spot as the best. The cajun seasoning and hot pepper sauce add a kick to the chorizo, ham and chicken.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Crescent RingThis wonderfully presented take on chicken cordon bleu uses crescent rolls in the shape of a ring. This makes for a portable, hand-held treat for any party.
Early-Riser Oven OmeletThis fluffy breakfast omelet is packed with tomato, onion, broccoli and ham. It's a simple but hearty meal that'll set the tone for the rest of the day.
Ham & Chicken RollsThese ham and chicken sandwich rolls can be served any time of day for a fast meal. They can even be refrigerated in advance for an event or trip.
Ham & Cheese Grits CasseroleThis cheesy, omelet-adjacent casserole highlights one of the most underrated breakfast dishes. Grits offer a nice and smooth texture for a meal that melts in your mouth.
Ham & Broccoli PastaThis one-pan dish relies on one ingredient: chive and onion cream cheese. The cream cheese works wonderfully in this pasta to not only create a creamy consistency, but also to complement the ham and broccoli.
Scrambled Egg BreadYou've heard of avocado toast and egg sandwiches, but let's meet somewhere in the middle for this scrambled egg bread. This fun breakfast takes a traditional omelet and turns it into something new with ease.
Slow Cooker Split Pea SoupThis recipe is recommended as a dip for bread. Comforting and warm, this soup has all the fixings for a cold night.
Green Bean and Cauliflower CasseroleAdding cauliflower and ham to the traditional
green bean casserole creates new flavors and textures that really complement this dish. Perfect for the day after Christmas, it can be a side dish or the main event.
Ham and Spinach PieThis ham and spinach pie makes a wonderful breakfast and an equally as enticing breakfast for dinner. The mushrooms and spinach add a softness to the crunch that phyllo dough creates.
Sweet Onion Creamed CornThis creamed corn has every comfort flavor you can imagine. Sweet and savory elements fight against each other for dominance and it's for the best that all of them win.
Ham & Green Onion BiscuitsThese ham and onion biscuits are infused with flavor, literally. Great for an on-the-go breakfast, you can really make these your own.
Ham & Swiss Baked PenneThis is the pasta equivalent of a ham and Swiss sandwich. The crunchy breadcrumb topping is so divine over the creamy pasta that you'll be happy you had leftover ham in the fridge.
Truly Tasty Turnips with GreensThese slow cooker greens are a wonderful way to bring people together. Your kitchen will smell heavenly throughout the day.
Ham and Broccoli CornbreadGive your leftover
best ham and veggies the perfect home in this cornbread. Easy and accessible, these can make a great breakfast or appetizer for a group.
Sweet Potato and Ham HashA lot of breakfast recipes fail to utilize sweet potatoes, but this is not one of them. This recipe offers a fresh take on breakfast and gives you the option of what to serve it with.
Chicken Marsala LasagnaThis chicken marsala dish serves 12 people. This is not a rushed recipe, but the time and effort put in will really shine through in this lasagna remix.
Ham & Jack Pudgy PieThis is a very straightforward recipe for a quick lunch. These spicy sandwiches are surprisingly well rounded while also being gooey and delicious.
Muffuletta PastaMuffuletta sandwiches are a New Orleans creation that combine olive salad and cold cuts. This pasta is all of that and more.
Mustard Ham StrataStrata are a group of layered casseroles, usually for brunch, with cheese, eggs and bread as the base. This strata has mustard, ham and green onion.
Roasted Red Pepper TrianglesThese roasted red pepper triangles have pepperoni and ham for some strong flavors. The spice from the red pepper is balanced with the cheese and meat.
Grilled Ham BurgersGive your leftover ham new life with these delicious grilled burgers. With crushed pineapple, these burgers are sweet and smokey
Up Next: Check out our
leftover stuffing recipes.
Updated: Oct. 02, 2023
