- This glaze only requires brown sugar, mustard, and your choice of juice or water, making it incredibly simple to prepare.
- It’s perfect for any type of ham, whether bone-in, boneless, or spiral-cut.
- The glaze provides a beautiful, caramelized finish to baked ham with minimal effort.
I grew up in a household where holiday hams were a staple at Christmas and Easter. Whether it was a big family brunch with hashbrown casserole and biscuits, or a more formal dinner, ham was always a centerpiece. Sometimes, we’d even include ham alongside turkey at Thanksgiving or have two different types of ham, which was definitely indulgent but a Southern tradition.
Through the years, I’ve had my fair share of ham and have prepared quite a few myself. Legend has it that when I was nearly two, I asked for ham for Christmas. Sure enough, it was under the tree on Christmas morning, and I was delighted.
My experience has taught me that a good ham doesn’t need much to become great—a simple glaze is enough to turn it into a spectacular main dish.
Although “glaze” might sound like it requires a complex recipe, I often use a straightforward three-ingredient glaze. It adds a sweet and tangy layer to the ham’s exterior and gives it a shiny finish. It’s foolproof and consistently delivers great results.
This Glaze Complements Any Ham
Indeed, this glaze is suitable for all kinds of baked ham. You can use it on bone-in, boneless, or spiral-cut varieties. It even works well on partially cooked or raw hams—just add the glaze towards the end of the cooking process as per the instructions on the packaging.
This recipe produces enough glaze for a ham weighing about 10 to 15 pounds. If you have a larger ham, you may want to increase the quantities slightly.
About the Liquid Component
While many recipes suggest using pineapple juice, orange juice, or even cola, I find that these don’t make a significant difference in flavor—it’s just 1/3 cup, after all. The real flavor comes from the brown sugar and mustard.
However, you can certainly experiment with the liquid component of the glaze. Options like pineapple, orange, or apple juice are popular choices. For a more tangy glaze, consider using apple cider vinegar, or for a unique twist, try beer, soda, or spiced rum.
Easy Ham Glaze
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
- 1/3 cup water, pineapple juice, or orange juice
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
Method
- Make the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, your choice of liquid, mustard, and cloves if using. Heat over medium until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to simmer.
- Allow to simmer for one minute, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Using the glaze: Follow the package instructions for heating the ham, usually wrapped in aluminum foil. Near the end of the heating time, remove the foil and apply the glaze evenly over the ham. Return it to the oven, basting a few more times every 20 minutes.
- For an extra glossy finish, broil the ham briefly until the glaze bubbles and shines. Let it rest a few minutes before serving.
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Riley Morgan simplifies health and wellness topics, providing readers with practical advice and insights. Dedicated to empowering others, Riley covers everything from mental health to medical breakthroughs.
