This spiral ham is a timeless holiday favorite with a bright, fresh glaze made from just four ingredients: orange, cloves, Dijon mustard, and honey. It’s simple to prepare, feeds a crowd, and makes a beautiful centerpiece for Easter, Christmas, or any festive gathering.
Spiral Ham with Orange and Clove
If you’re in charge of the main course this holiday, this glazed spiral ham delivers flavor with very little fuss. A pre-cooked spiral ham is already sliced for easy serving; the glaze brings bright citrus, warm spice, and a touch of sweetness that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. Use fresh orange zest and juice to give the ham a lively citrus note, and finish under the broiler for a glossy, golden finish. If you prefer a different profile, consider swapping spices or sweeteners as suggested below.
Why You’ll Love This Spiral Ham
The oven does most of the work: whisk the glaze, pour it over the ham, and bake. This recipe uses simple, recognizable ingredients so you can avoid processed glaze packets and control sweetness and spice.
- From-scratch glaze: Cleaner ingredients and fresher flavor than many packaged glazes.
- Feeds a crowd: Perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you need a hearty main course.
- Great leftovers: Use leftover ham in breakfast sandwiches, omelets, fried rice, quiche, or salads.
- Diet friendly: Easily adapted for gluten-free, dairy-free, high-protein, and low-carb preferences.
If you make this recipe, consider sharing a photo—it’s always fun to see how others serve it.
What You’ll Need
Below are the ingredients and key notes for this orange-and-clove spiral ham. See the recipe card for exact quantities and step-by-step instructions.
- Bone-in spiral ham: Use a fully cooked spiral-cut ham, typically 6–8 pounds for gatherings.
- Honey: Adds sweetness and helps the glaze adhere and caramelize.
- Oranges: Zest and juice brighten the glaze; orange slices beneath the ham add aroma and keep it moist.
- Dijon mustard: Provides tang and balances the sweetness.
- Cloves: Ground cloves lend a warm, aromatic spice—use sparingly to avoid overpowering the glaze.
How to Make Spiral Ham
Since spiral hams are pre-cooked, the goal is to warm the ham through and coat it with a flavorful glaze. The method below produces a tender, shiny ham with a caramelized finish.
- Make the glaze: Whisk honey, fresh orange juice and zest, Dijon mustard, and ground cloves until smooth.
- Prepare the pan: Arrange orange slices in an even layer across the bottom of a roasting pan and set the ham on top, cut side down. Spoon about one-third of the glaze over the ham, then cover tightly with foil.
- Bake: Heat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Bake 12 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.
- Finish under high heat: Remove foil, turn the ham so the fattier side faces up, brush with the remaining glaze, and broil or place under high heat for 3–5 minutes until the glaze caramelizes. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Rest and serve: Remove from oven, baste with pan juices, transfer to a platter, and carve or let guests slice along the spiral cuts.
Variations
- Swap sweeteners: Use maple syrup instead of honey for a deeper, woodsy sweetness.
- Change the spice: Replace ground cloves with a pinch of cinnamon or allspice, or omit spices for a pure citrus glaze.
Serving Suggestions
This orange-glazed spiral ham pairs beautifully with classic spring and holiday sides. Choose a mix of vegetables, starchy sides, appetizers, and a light dessert to balance the meal.
- Appetizers: Deviled eggs, a crudité platter, or mini quiches.
- Vegetables: Roasted carrots, green bean salad, or asparagus with a Dijon vinaigrette.
- Starchy sides: Scalloped potatoes, cheddar biscuits, or a spring risotto.
- Dessert: Carrot cake, hummingbird cupcakes, or lemon poppy seed treats.
Storage
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: Freeze up to 3 months in an airtight container or zip-top bag, placing parchment between slices for easy portioning.
- Use: Thawed leftovers are perfect in quiches, fried rice, soups, omelets, sandwiches, or salads.
Spiral Ham FAQ
A spiral ham is pre-sliced in one continuous spiral cut, making it quicker and easier to serve. A regular ham is typically whole and unsliced, requiring carving into portions.
Keep the ham covered with foil while it bakes, cook at a moderate temperature (325°F), and avoid overcooking. The glaze and pan juices help keep the meat moist as it warms through.
Leftovers are versatile: add to fried rice, quiche, omelets, soups, bean dishes, or sandwiches. You can also chop it for salads or breakfast hashes.
Save the bone to simmer into a flavorful stock or to make a hearty ham-and-vegetable soup. The bone adds depth and richness to broths and stews.
More Easter Recipes You’ll Love
Round out your holiday menu with fresh sides and simple starters. Consider a bright pea salad, a savory artichoke pie, crustless quiche, roasted asparagus, or herb-roasted carrots to complement the glazed ham.
- Pea Salad
- Artichoke Pie
- Crustless Quiche Lorraine
- Roasted Asparagus
- Roasted Carrots
Spiral Ham Recipe with Orange and Clove
Ingredients
- 1 (6–8 pound) fully cooked spiral-sliced ham
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (about 1 large orange)
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 navel orange, cut into 1/4-inch rounds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C).
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, orange juice, orange zest, Dijon mustard, and ground cloves until smooth.
- Arrange orange slices in a single layer on the bottom of a roasting pan. Set the ham on top, cut side down. Spoon one-third of the glaze over the ham and cover tightly with foil.
- Bake for 12 minutes per pound, until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).
- Remove the foil and increase the oven setting to broil. Turn the ham so the fattier side faces up. Brush or spoon the remaining glaze over the ham.
- Broil 3–5 minutes, watching closely, until the glaze is caramelized and golden. Remove from oven and baste with pan juices. Transfer to a platter and serve.
Notes
- Cook time: Varies by ham size—plan 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours 25 minutes total.
- Makes: Serves approximately 16–32, depending on portion size and ham weight.
Nutrition (per 3 oz serving)
Calories: 130 kcal • Protein: 16 g • Carbs: 6 g • Fat: 5 g • Sodium: 771 mg • Fiber: 0.5 g • Sugar: 6 g
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