Baked spiral ham finished with a homemade honey glaze—made from fresh orange juice, pineapple juice, honey, Dijon mustard and a hint of brown sugar—is an easy, crowd-pleasing centerpiece for holidays and special dinners.
Honey Baked Ham Recipe
Spiral-cut hams are convenient for large gatherings because they are fully cooked and pre-sliced, making serving simple when they come out of the oven. Preparing your own glaze takes just a few minutes and gives you a fresher, more affordable finish than a pre-glazed ham. The glaze in this recipe balances bright citrus and pineapple with honey and a touch of brown sugar, while Dijon mustard adds a gentle tang that keeps the flavor well rounded.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Spiral ham: a fully cooked, bone-in spiral ham, about 6 to 8 pounds.
- Juices: pineapple juice and fresh orange juice for bright, fruity acidity.
- Dijon mustard: adds a subtle sharpness to cut the sweetness.
- Sweeteners: honey for body and gloss, and a tablespoon of brown sugar for a slight caramel note.
How to Cook a Baked Ham
Because the ham is already cooked, your goal is to reheat it gently and finish with a sticky glaze. Below are clear steps to get a juicy, well-glazed result:
- Preheat: Set the oven to 275°F. Place the ham cut side down in a large roasting pan and cover tightly with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
- Reheat time: Bake the ham for about 12 to 15 minutes per pound—smaller hams toward the lower end, larger hams toward the higher end.
- Make the glaze: Combine pineapple juice, fresh orange juice, honey, Dijon mustard and brown sugar in a small saucepan. Warm gently and simmer on low for 8–10 minutes, stirring often, until the mixture reduces slightly and becomes syrupy.
- Glaze and finish: Remove the ham from the oven about 15 minutes before the total cook time is up. Brush the glaze all over the exposed slices and return the ham to the oven uncovered for the final 15 minutes so the glaze can set and caramelize lightly.
What to Serve with Honey Baked Ham
This honey-glazed spiral ham is ideal for Easter, Christmas, or any holiday meal where you’re feeding a crowd. It pairs especially well with fresh spring vegetables and comforting sides. Suggestions to round out the meal:
- Pea soup or a light vegetable soup to start.
- Roasted asparagus or sautéed green beans for a bright, seasonal side.
- Roasted heirloom carrots finished with feta and lemon zest.
- Scalloped potato gratin or mashed potatoes for a classic, hearty option.
- Spring asparagus risotto for a more elegant accompaniment.
Baked Ham FAQs
A spiral ham comes from the hind leg of the pig and is sliced in one continuous spiral around the bone, making it easy to serve uniform slices while keeping the bone for flavor if desired.
One typical serving of ham is about 3 ounces (boneless). A 9-pound spiral ham generally serves around 12–15 people, depending on appetite and other dishes served.
Reheat the ham covered to keep it moist. After you apply the glaze, uncover it for the final 10–20 minutes so the glaze can brown and set.
An unopened, vacuum-sealed ham can usually be stored in the refrigerator for about two weeks—check the package date and follow food-safety guidelines. If you plan to serve it warm, wait until a few hours before guests arrive to reheat and glaze.
Cooked ham will keep in the refrigerator for about 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze portions for up to two months for the best quality.
Leftover Ham Ideas
Leftover ham is versatile and makes great meals the next day. Try any of the following:
- Ham and cauliflower fried rice.
- Crustless ham and cheese quiche for breakfasts or brunch.
- Add diced ham to omelets or frittatas.
- Slow-cooker black-eyed peas with ham for a hearty side or main.
- Ham sandwiches on whole wheat rolls with your favorite toppings.
- Cobb salad or a classic Italian-style broccoli and ham salad.
- Use the ham bone to make a flavorful soup with potatoes and cabbage.
Additional Ham Recipes to Try
- Apricot-rum glazed spiral ham.
- Slow-cooker black-eyed peas with ham.
- Veggie ham and cheese breakfast egg casserole.
- Pressure-cooker split pea soup with ham.
- Slow-cooker spiral ham with apricot-Dijon glaze.
Honey Baked Ham Recipe
A simple baked spiral ham glazed with a bright, sticky mixture of orange and pineapple juices, honey, Dijon mustard and brown sugar. Easy to prepare, economical, and ideal for holiday gatherings.
Prep: 5 mins Cook: approx. 2 hrs Total: approx. 2 hrs
Ingredients
- 6 to 8 lbs fully cooked spiral bone-in ham
Glaze
- 1/3 cup pineapple juice
- Juice of 1/2 orange (freshly squeezed)
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 275°F.
- Place the spiral ham in a roasting pan, cut side down, and cover tightly with foil to keep it moist.
- Bake at 275°F for about 12–15 minutes per pound (roughly 2 hours for a 8–9 lb ham).
- While the ham reheats, combine the pineapple juice, orange juice, Dijon, honey and brown sugar in a small saucepan. Whisk to blend, then simmer on low for 8–10 minutes, stirring frequently until the mixture reduces slightly and thickens into a glaze.
- About 15 minutes before the ham is finished, remove it from the oven and brush the glaze generously over the exposed slices.
- Return the ham to the oven uncovered for the final 15 minutes so the glaze can caramelize.
- Let rest 10–15 minutes before slicing further, then serve warm.
Notes
N.I. (Nutrition Information) is based on a 3-ounce serving of ham without the bone. Servings will vary by ham size and how thinly it is sliced.
Nutrition (per 3 oz serving)
Calories: 135 kcal; Carbohydrates: 7.5 g; Protein: 16 g; Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: 1.5 g; Cholesterol: 48.5 mg; Sodium: 764 mg; Sugar: 7 g.