This easy, 4-ingredient Honey-Mustard Ham features a simple glaze of Dijon mustard, honey, and dark brown sugar brushed over a baked spiral ham. The glaze balances sweet and tangy flavors and keeps the ham moist and juicy—ideal for holidays or any large gathering.
Honey-Mustard Ham
Honey-mustard is a classic pairing for ham. This easy spiral-ham glaze uses only three pantry ingredients to create a glossy, flavorful finish that caramelizes in the oven. Because the ham is reheated rather than cooked from raw, the method focuses on warming without drying and on building a bold glaze flavor that complements, rather than overwhelms, the meat.
I tested several approaches to get a reliably moist ham with a pronounced honey-mustard flavor. The method below worked best for 6 to 6½ pound spiral hams. If your ham is closer to 8 pounds, consider increasing the Dijon and dark brown sugar by about a tablespoon each to intensify the glaze.
Ingredients
This three-ingredient honey-mustard glaze is quick to mix and uses standard pantry items. For the ham, buy a fully cooked, spiral-sliced, bone-in ham in the 6–8 pound range.
- Dijon mustard: adds a bright, tangy note to balance the glaze.
- Honey: provides sweetness and helps the glaze cling to the ham.
- Dark brown sugar: contributes caramelized richness and a bit of texture.
- Ham: 6 to 8 pound fully cooked, spiral, bone-in ham (reheat only).
How to Make Honey-Mustard Glazed Ham
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Position the oven rack in the lower third. Place the ham cut-side down in a large baking dish that fits comfortably and cover it tightly with aluminum foil to trap moisture.
- Reheat the ham: Warm the fully cooked spiral ham until the internal temperature reaches 135°F (about 57°C) at the thickest part. Plan on roughly 15 minutes per pound, so a 6-pound ham will take about 1½ hours and an 8-pound ham closer to 2 hours. The goal is thorough reheating without drying the meat.
- Make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, and dark brown sugar. Taste and adjust the mustard or honey to suit your preference—if your mustard is especially strong, start with a little less and increase to taste.
- Glaze and brown: When the ham reaches 135°F, raise the oven temperature to 400°F (205°C). Remove the foil and brush the glaze evenly over the ham, taking care not to let it pool excessively in the baking dish. Return the ham to the oven and roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until the glaze is bubbling and golden-brown. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
- Rest and serve: Remove the ham and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing and serving. Resting helps redistribute juices and makes slicing easier.
Serving Suggestions
This honey-mustard ham is perfect for Easter, Christmas, or any family gathering. Its sweet-tangy glaze pairs well with classic sides—choose a mix of vegetables, starchy dishes, and a light, bright starter to balance the rich main:
- Appetizers: deviled eggs, a colorful crudité platter, or small quiches.
- Vegetables: roasted or glazed carrots, a green bean salad, or sautéed asparagus with a mustard vinaigrette.
- Starches: scalloped potatoes or a creamy risotto, plus warm biscuits or dinner rolls.
- Dessert: carrot cake, fruit-based desserts, or light cupcakes to finish the meal.
Storage and Leftovers
- Refrigeration: Cooked spiral ham will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container or tightly wrapped.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze sliced ham in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to three months.
- Leftover ideas: Use leftover ham in fried rice, omelets, quiches, soups, or beans. Save the ham bone to simmer into a flavorful vegetable or bean soup to extend the meal.
Spiral Ham FAQs
A precooked ham can be eaten cold, but when glazing and reheating, cover it while it warms to retain moisture, bake at a low temperature (about 325°F), and aim for roughly 15 minutes per pound to reach 135°F internally. Finish at a higher temperature with the glaze to brown it.
Unglazed, unprocessed ham is naturally gluten-free. Some pre-glazed or processed hams can contain gluten, so check labels. This honey-mustard glaze contains no gluten ingredients.
Recipe Details
Yield: about 16 servings (3 oz each). Prep time: 5 minutes. Cook time: about 2 hours (depending on ham weight). Resting time: 10 minutes. Total time approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.
Ingredients (for one 6–8 lb ham)
- 6 to 8 pound fully cooked spiral bone-in ham
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard (or to taste)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
Instructions (concise)
- Preheat oven to 325°F and place a rack in the lower third.
- Place the ham cut side down in a baking dish, cover tightly with foil, and bake until the thickest part reaches 135°F (about 15 minutes per pound).
- While the ham heats, combine mustard, honey, and brown sugar in a small bowl. Adjust to taste.
- When the ham reaches temperature, increase the oven to 400°F, uncover, and brush the glaze all over the ham.
- Roast 15–20 minutes more until the glaze is bubbling and caramelized. Let rest 10–15 minutes before slicing.
Nutrition (per 3 oz serving)
Calories: 106 kcal; Protein: 16.5 g; Carbohydrates: 4 g; Sugar: 4 g; Fat: 3 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Cholesterol: 48.5 mg; Sodium: 826 mg.
More Ham Recipes
- Honey-Baked Spiral Ham (classic glazed ham)
- Slow-Cooker Black-Eyed Peas with Ham
- Crustless Ham and Cheese Quiche
- Pressure Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham
- Apricot-Rum Glazed Spiral Ham