The Best Honey-Butter Glazed Ham Recipe: Easy, Flavorful & Perfect for Any Celebration
Imagine a show-stopping centerpiece for your next holiday meal that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor. This Honey-Butter Glazed Ham recipe is precisely that! Crafted with just 5 simple ingredients, it promises a sweet, savory, and incredibly juicy ham that will have everyone asking for seconds. Say goodbye to complicated roasts and hello to stress-free entertaining with this foolproof spiral ham.
This recipe is proudly sponsored by Challenge Dairy, ensuring only the highest quality butter elevates our glaze.
When it comes to impressing a crowd without spending hours in the kitchen, a beautifully glazed spiral ham is your secret weapon. Whether you’re planning an elaborate Easter brunch, a festive Christmas dinner, or a large gathering with beloved friends and family, this Honey-Butter Glazed Ham recipe stands out as the ideal stress-free main course. Its simple preparation and irresistible flavor make it a perennial favorite.
The magic begins with a fully cooked spiral-cut ham, which takes the guesswork out of the cooking process. The real star, however, is the homemade glaze – a luscious blend of real butter, golden honey, aromatic fresh rosemary, and pungent crushed garlic. This combination transforms a humble ham into an unforgettable culinary experience. My family has long adored my citrus spice glazed ham, and I’m thrilled to share that this honey-butter version has quickly become another cherished staple in our holiday repertoire. Its delightful balance of sweet and savory notes is truly addictive.
Crafting the Irresistible Honey-Butter Glaze
Many spiral hams come with a pre-packaged glaze, but trust me when I say, you’ll want to toss that packet aside and create your own. This homemade honey-butter glaze is not only incredibly easy to prepare but also infuses your ham with a depth of flavor that no store-bought packet can match. For this recipe, the goal was to achieve maximum taste with minimal fuss, using just a few high-quality ingredients.
To whip up this delectable honey-butter glaze, you’ll need just four key components:
- Pure Honey: The cornerstone of our glaze, providing natural sweetness and helping to create that beautiful caramelized crust. Opt for a good quality, flavorful honey.
- High-Quality Salted Butter: Butter adds richness, depth, and a silky texture to the glaze. Using salted butter perfectly balances the sweetness of the honey. My absolute favorite brand for recipes like this is Challenge Butter. It’s made the old-fashioned way, from the freshest milk and cream sourced from happy cows on family-owned dairies. Plus, it’s completely free of any hormones, additives, or fillers, meaning you’re getting pure, wholesome flavor.
- Fresh Rosemary: This fragrant herb introduces a beautiful piney, slightly peppery note that perfectly complements the sweetness of the ham and honey. Fresh is key here for the best aroma and taste.
- Fresh Garlic: Crushed fresh garlic provides a warm, pungent undertone, adding a savory dimension that elevates the entire glaze. Don’t be tempted by garlic powder – fresh garlic makes all the difference.
Each of these ingredients plays a crucial role, so don’t be tempted to cut corners. Investing in the best ingredients will truly result in a superior, more flavorful glazed ham that your guests will rave about. The simplicity of this glaze belies its incredible impact on the overall dish.
Mastering the Art of Baking a Spiral Ham for Juiciness and Flavor
For ultimate simplicity and exceptional results, I always recommend using a fully cooked spiral ham. This significantly reduces your preparation time and stress. Furthermore, when selecting your ham, I highly suggest choosing a bone-in ham. While boneless options are convenient, a bone-in ham consistently delivers superior flavor and moisture due to the marrow and connective tissues that render during cooking. Since the ham is already fully baked, our primary goal is to rewarm it gently and evenly, ensuring it remains incredibly moist and juicy before we apply our spectacular glaze.
Here’s how to bake your spiral ham to perfection:
- Initial Bake for Moisture: Begin by placing your ham cut side-down in a sturdy roasting pan or a 9×13-inch baking dish. This orientation helps to keep the ham moist as the juices collect at the bottom. Cover the ham tightly with aluminum foil. This creates a steamy environment, preventing the ham from drying out during the rewarming process. Bake it at a low temperature of 325°F (160°C) for approximately 12-15 minutes per pound. For a typical 10-pound ham, this will mean about 2 to 2 and a half hours of baking. The key here is low and slow heat.
- Prepare the Glaze: While your ham is warming, prepare your honey-butter glaze. In a small saucepan, combine the Challenge butter, honey, fresh rosemary, and crushed garlic. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then whisk continuously until it’s smooth and all ingredients are well combined. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly. This simmering process also helps the flavors meld beautifully.
- The Glazing Process: During the last 30 minutes of the ham’s baking time, increase your oven temperature to 400°F (200°C). Carefully remove the foil from the roasting dish. Now, generously brush the ham all over with your homemade honey-butter glaze. The higher temperature, combined with the sweet glaze, will work wonders. Continue to bake, basting the ham generously with the glaze about every 10 minutes. This repeated basting allows the glaze to build up in layers, creating a beautiful, glossy, and caramelized crust that locks in flavor. The edges will get delightfully sticky and slightly crispy.
- Rest Before Serving: Once your ham is beautifully glazed and heated through, remove it from the oven. For optimal juiciness and flavor distribution, brush it one last time with any remaining glaze from the pan and let it rest, loosely tented with foil, for 10-15 minutes before carving. This resting period is crucial as it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every slice is as succulent as possible.
By baking the covered ham at a lower temperature for several hours, you guarantee a moist and incredibly juicy interior. The final glazing stage at a higher temperature then works its magic, caramelizing the natural sugars in the glaze and on the ham’s surface, resulting in those irresistible crispy, flavorful edges that truly define a perfect glazed ham.
Tips for Glazed Ham Success
Achieving the perfect honey-butter glazed ham is simple, but a few expert tips can elevate your results from great to extraordinary:
- Don’t Overcook: Since your spiral ham is already fully cooked, the goal is to rewarm it without drying it out. Overcooking is the biggest pitfall. Follow the time per pound guidelines and use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of a fully cooked ham should reach 140°F (60°C).
- Score if Not Spiral-Cut: If you’re not using a spiral-cut ham, consider scoring the fat cap in a diamond pattern before applying the glaze. This allows the glaze to penetrate deeper and creates more surface area for that delicious caramelized crust.
- Even Glaze Application: Use a good quality basting brush to ensure the glaze is evenly distributed over the entire surface of the ham during the final baking stage. Don’t be shy with it!
- Catch the Drippings: Place foil at the bottom of your roasting pan or a rack to catch any glaze drippings. These can be used to baste the ham or even served as an extra sauce alongside.
- Let it Rest: As mentioned, resting the ham for 10-15 minutes after baking is vital. It allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a more tender and juicy ham.
- Storage: Leftover ham should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It can also be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
Make it a Complete Meal: Perfect Pairings
A glorious honey-butter glazed ham deserves equally delicious companions. Building a complete, harmonious menu around this magnificent main course is easier than you think. Here are a few suggestions for side dishes that perfectly complement its sweet and savory profile, creating a truly memorable feast:
- Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes: Creamy, rich, and utterly comforting, these potatoes are a classic pairing that soaks up all the delicious ham juices.
- Classic Rice Pilaf: A light, fluffy, and aromatic rice pilaf offers a wonderful textural contrast and absorbs the ham’s flavors beautifully.
- Maple Dijon Brussels Sprouts: The slight bitterness and earthy notes of roasted Brussels sprouts, especially with a touch of maple and Dijon, cut through the richness of the ham for a balanced meal.
- Homemade Caesar Salad: A crisp, vibrant Caesar salad provides a refreshing counterpoint, adding freshness and tanginess to the plate.
- The Best White Dinner Rolls: Soft, warm rolls are perfect for soaking up any extra glaze or serving alongside the ham with a smear of butter.
Creative Ideas for Leftover Ham
One of the best parts about making a large ham is the delicious leftovers! Don’t let a single slice go to waste. Honey-butter glazed ham leftovers are incredibly versatile and can be transformed into a variety of equally delightful meals. Here are some ideas to inspire you:
- Hearty Ham & Cheese Sandwiches: Slice the ham thinly and layer it with your favorite cheese on fresh bread. A quick toast in a panini press makes it even better.
- Savory Ham & Bean Soup: Use the ham bone (if you have one) and leftover meat to make a comforting, flavorful soup. It’s a classic for a reason!
- Ham & Egg Breakfast Dishes: Dice the ham and add it to omelets, scrambles, quiches, or frittatas for a protein-packed breakfast or brunch.
- Creamy Ham Casseroles: Combine diced ham with pasta, potatoes, or rice, a creamy sauce, and some vegetables for a comforting weeknight meal.
- Ham & Split Pea Soup: Another fantastic soup option that truly utilizes every bit of flavor from the ham.
- Ham Croquettes: A delicious way to use up finely diced ham, mixed with a béchamel sauce, breaded, and fried.
Frequently Asked Questions About Honey-Butter Glazed Ham
To ensure your glazed ham experience is as smooth as possible, here are answers to some common questions:
- Can I use a boneless ham? Yes, you can, but a bone-in ham is generally recommended for superior flavor and moisture. If using boneless, be extra careful not to overcook it, as it tends to dry out more easily.
- How far in advance can I prepare the glaze? The honey-butter glaze can be made up to 2-3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Gently rewarm it on the stovetop over low heat, whisking until smooth, before glazing the ham.
- What if my ham is smaller or larger than 10 lbs? Adjust the initial baking time accordingly, aiming for 12-15 minutes per pound at 325°F (160°C). The glazing time (last 30 minutes at 400°F) usually remains the same regardless of ham size. Always use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).
- Can I add other spices to the glaze? Absolutely! While this recipe focuses on simplicity, feel free to experiment. A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg can add a holiday spice note, or a dash of cayenne pepper for a subtle kick.
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Ingredients
- 8-10 lb spiral-cut bone-in cooked ham
- 6 tablespoons saltedChallenge butter
- ⅓ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
- 4 garlic cloves smashed
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Place the spiral-cut ham in a roasting dish, cut side-down, and cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for approximately 2 hours, or about 12-15 minutes per pound, ensuring the ham warms through gently.
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While the ham is baking, prepare the honey-butter glaze. In a small saucepan, combine the Challenge butter, honey, chopped fresh rosemary, and smashed garlic cloves. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, then whisk continuously until the butter is fully melted and the glaze is smooth. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the glaze to thicken slightly and for the flavors to meld.
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Increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C). Carefully remove the foil from the roasting dish. Generously brush the ham with a layer of the prepared honey-butter glaze. Continue to cook for an additional 30 minutes, basting the ham thoroughly with the glaze approximately every 10 minutes. This step creates a beautiful, caramelized, and sticky crust.
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Once the ham is finished baking and perfectly glazed, remove it from the oven. Brush it one last time with any remaining glaze from the pan. Allow the ham to rest, loosely tented with foil, for 10-15 minutes before carving and serving. This resting period ensures the ham remains incredibly juicy.
Disclosure: This recipe was created in partnership with Challenge Dairy, Inc. Thank you for supporting partnerships with brands I love and believe in, which make Completely Delicious possible. All opinions are always 100% my own. To learn more about Challenge Dairy, you can visit their website here. You can also find them on facebook, instagram, youtube, and pinterest.