My FAMOUS 5-minute Glaze for Ham creates a beautifully caramelized finish. As a food scientist, I’ll share my best pro tips to make it glossy and absolutely delicious every time!
Say hello to your new go-to ham glaze recipe for the glossiest, tastiest, sticky finish ever!
Whether you have are making a spiral-cut ham, boneless ham, a bone-in ham roast, pressure cooker ham or a crockpot ham recipe, here are the juicy secrets 👇
Science-Based Secrets for the BEST Glazed Ham
I’m a food scientist and I love sharing geeky tips for perfect results. Here’s how to glaze ham like a pro:
- Score the Ham: Lightly score in a diamond pattern for better glaze absorption and caramelization.
- Line the Pan: Use foil or parchment for easy cleanup—glaze can be a sticky mess.
- Check Temperature: Start glazing at 110-115°F to avoid burning the sugars.
- Glazing Timing: Apply in the last 25-30 minutes for caramelization without burning.
- Finish with High Heat: Broil briefly at the end, watching closely.
- Rest Before Carving: Let it sit 15 minutes for juicier slices.
Ham Glaze Ingredients
- Brown sugar
- Maple syrup (or honey)
- Orange juice or pineapple juice
- Dijon mustard
- Apple cider vinegar
- Garlic powder
- Ground cloves (optional)
Ingredient quantities in the recipe card at the bottom of the article
Substitutions and Variations
- Honey or agave nectar can replace maple syrup for a slightly different sweetness.
- Pineapple juice can be swapped with apple juice or lemon juice for a different citrusy twist. For a deeper flavor, use fresh orange juice instead.
- Spices: Ground cinnamon can replace ground cloves or try a little ground ginger or allspice. Try fresh garlic in place of garlic powder.
Tools to Grab
You’ll need a saucepan, a basting brush, and a whisk to make this recipe. A sharp knife and chopping board will help slice your ham once you remove it from the oven.
How to Make Glaze for Ham
Here is my go-to method to make the glaze, as well as how to glaze the ham with it:
Combine Ingredients
- In a small saucepan, whisk together all the glaze ingredients.
- Set over medium heat and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Let the mixture cook for 5-7 minutes until it thickens slightly.
How to Glaze the Ham
First Glaze
- About 25-30 minutes before the ham is finished baking, brush a thin layer of glaze over the ham. Increase the oven temperature to 425°F to achieve a beautifully caramelized finish.
Second Glaze
- Apply a second layer of glaze 10-15 minutes before the ham is done cooking to enhance the flavor and caramelization.
Third Glaze (Optional)
- For an extra glossy finish, brush a final layer of glaze onto the ham after removing it from the oven. Slice and serve.
💡 Recipe Tip
How to Estimate Glaze Time: Plan to glaze the ham during the final 25-30 minutes of baking. Most hams bake at 325°F for 10-15 minutes per pound to reach 135°F internally.
- Example: A 6-pound ham at 325°F takes around 1 1/2 hrs. You’d apply the glaze at the 1-hour mark for the last 30 minutes.
- OR Use a Thermometer: The most accurate way is to check the internal temperature. When the ham reaches around 110-115°F, you’re about 25-30 minutes away from the finish line.
Make Ahead and Storage
The glaze can be prepared up to a week in advance. Simply whisk the ingredients together in a saucepan, cook until slightly thickened, and let it cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- To use it, reheat it over low heat, stirring occasionally, before applying it to the ham. If it has thickened too much during storage, add a splash of water or juice to loosen it.
Leftovers:
- Leftover ham glaze can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. It’s perfect for brushing on other meats like chicken or pork chops.
- If you have leftover glazed ham, store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave, covered with foil, to retain moisture.
How to Serve Glazed Ham
Nothing is better than a glossy glazed ham for Easter, Christmas or any other special dinner.
- Condiments: Offer mustards, mango chutney, or relishes to enhance the ham’s flavor. Here’s what I like to serve with it:
- Side Dishes: Pair the ham with complementary sides such as roasted vegetables, easy au gratin potatoes (Gluten free naturally) mashed potatoes, or fresh salads.
What to do with Leftover Glazed Ham:
- Sandwiches with thick slices of ham are the BEST!
- Soups and Stews: Dice leftover ham to add a smoky flavor to ham and bean soup, ham bone soup (if you have a large bone), or my favorite ham and lentil soup recipe.
- Breakfast Dishes: Incorporate chopped ham into omelets, mini quiches, breakfast tater tot casserole, or Ham & Cheese Buttermilk Waffles.
FAQs About Glaze for Ham
Just whizzing through his article? These are 2 queries I get asked a lot:
Yes, by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or substituting the mustard for a spicier variety.
You can use coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener, but be mindful that the texture and flavor may vary.
Other Easy Glaze Recipes You’ll Love
- Best Meatloaf Glaze (just 3 ingredients!)
- Honey Teriyaki Glaze (amazing on salmon)
- Maple-Butter Glaze (used on a boneless turkey breast roast, but works on ham, too!)
Perfect Glaze for Ham (Easy 5-Minute Recipe + Pro Tips!)
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup maple syrup or honey
- ½ cup orange juice or pineapple juice
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp ground cloves optional for warm spice
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Whisk all ingredients together in a small saucepan. Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Cook for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened.
- First Glaze: Brush a thin layer of glaze over the ham about 25-30 minutes before the ham is done baking (see notes below). Increase the oven temperature to 425°F for a beautifully caramelized finish.
- Second Glaze: Brush on a second layer 10-15 minutes before it’s done.
- Optional Third Glaze: After removing the ham from the oven, brush with a final layer for a glossy finish.
- Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing so the juices redistribute. Serve with any extra glaze from the pan for drizzling.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I tried the optional third glaze. It added an extra kick. Thanks for the suggestion.
never made glaze before but this made it simple. thanks a lot!
The perfect glazed ham! This glaze was superb. Will be recommending this to my followers!
Loved the glaze recipe! Made it with what I had in the pantry and turned out great. Thx for the tips!