This Honey Baked Ham recipe is insanely delicious and will definitely help you save money on your holiday meal. Juicy and tender spiral ham gets extra flavor with a caramelized and sticky layer of butter and sweet honey glaze.
The first time I had Honey Baked Ham it was love at first bite! I used to buy their delicious honey ham for special occasions but after making my own, I just have to do it again,… and again.
This easy recipe is made with simple ingredients and is a great addition to any holiday meal. So let’s get cooking!
TO MAKE THIS HONEY BAKED HAM, YOU WILL NEED
- 1 (8-lbs) half spiral cut ham, bone in or boneless
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- ⅓ cup honey
Spice mix:
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp cloves
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp ginger
- ¼ tsp allspice
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
HOW DO YOU MAKE HONEY BAKED HAM?
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 325º Fahrenheit and place the oven rack in the lower 1/3 part of the oven. Cover a roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet with foil and coat the metal wire rack insert with cooking spray.
Remove the ham from it’s package. If using bone in ham, remove the plastic cap that’s over the bone. Place the ham flat-side down on the roasting rack
Step 2: In a small bowl combine the melted butter and the honey. Pat the ham dry with paper towels. Using a pastry brush (or with your hands), slather or massage the mixture all over the outside of the ham and in between the slices.
If any of the honey glaze lands at the bottom of the roasting pan, you can scoop it up and slather it on the ham.
Step 3: Add about a cup of water to the bottom of the roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet. This will create a moist environment in the oven so you end up with a juicy ham.
Bake covered for about 2.5 hours (about 20 minutes per pound of ham) or until an instant-read thermometer registers 140º Fahrenheit when inserted into the thickest part of the ham. Remove ham from the oven and tented with aluminum foil to keep it warm
Step 4: Combine the spice sugar mixture in a small bowl. Uncover the ham. If the edges are dry, baste the ham with the pan juices then, pat half of the spice sugar mixture (about ¾ cup) all over the surface of the ham.
Alternatively, you can place the sugar mixture on a sheet pan and then roll the ham through the sugar mixture until nicely coated.
Step 5: Return the ham to the oven and broil until caramelized and bubbly. You can also use a blow torch if preferred.
Step 6: In a small saucepan, combine the remaining sugar mixture with about ⅓ cup of ham drippings (pan juices) or water (or a combination of both).
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat and cook until it reaches a glaze consistency, about 2 minutes.
Step 7: Pour or brush the glaze over the ham. Broil for 1-2 minutes or until bubbly. Keep an eye on it as it can burn quickly.
Step 8: Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Serve your freshly made Honey Baked Ham warm or cold.
RECIPE NOTES AND HELPFUL TIPS:
Pat dry the ham with paper towel before adding the honey butter. Store bought hams come in bags with a bit of liquid. You want to dry it up as much as possible so the honey butter doesn’t slide right off!
Make sure you purchase a ham with the label “pre-cooked or fully-cooked” spiral cut ham.
Although the ham is already precooked, it should be baked until it reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit to make sure is warm through.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
Yield: 8 | Estimate the nutritional information for each serving:
Calories: 419kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 1724mg | Potassium: 428mg | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 55IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1.4mg
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs):
1. What type of ham is best for Honey Baked Ham?
A fully-cooked spiral-cut ham is often preferred for convenience. It can be bone-in or boneless, depending on your preference.
2. Do I need to score the ham before applying the glaze?
Scoring the ham in a diamond pattern allows the glaze to penetrate the meat and creates an appealing presentation. It’s recommended but not mandatory.
3. How often should I baste the Honey Baked Ham during baking?
Baste the ham with the honey glaze every 15-20 minutes during baking. This enhances the flavor and gives the ham a glossy finish.
4. Can I use a slow cooker to make Honey Baked Ham?
While the traditional method involves baking, you can cook a smaller ham in a slow cooker. Follow the slow cooker instructions for ham and adjust the glazing accordingly.
5. What should I do if the Honey Baked Ham is browning too quickly during baking?
If the ham is browning too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning while still allowing the glaze to set.
Let’s Make The Ultimate Honey Baked Ham!
And there you have it – this easy, yummy Honey Baked Ham is ready to take its place on your table. If you decide to give it a shot, make sure to snap a photo and share it with us on Facebook and Pinterest.
Be sure to follow us for more yummy recipes in the future. Until next time, happy cooking!
The Ultimate Honey Baked Ham
Print ThisIngredients
- 1 (8-lbs) half spiral cut ham, bone in or boneless
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- ⅓ cup honey
- >>>Spice mix:
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp cloves
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp ginger
- ¼ tsp allspice
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 325º Fahrenheit and place the oven rack in the lower 1/3 part of the oven. Cover a roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet with foil and coat the metal wire rack insert with cooking spray.
Remove the ham from it’s package. If using bone in ham, remove the plastic cap that’s over the bone. Place the ham flat-side down on the roasting rack
Step 2: In a small bowl combine the melted butter and the honey. Pat the ham dry with paper towels. Using a pastry brush (or with your hands), slather or massage the mixture all over the outside of the ham and in between the slices.
If any of the honey glaze lands at the bottom of the roasting pan, you can scoop it up and slather it on the ham.
Step 3: Add about a cup of water to the bottom of the roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet. This will create a moist environment in the oven so you end up with a juicy ham.
Bake covered for about 2.5 hours (about 20 minutes per pound of ham) or until an instant-read thermometer registers 140º Fahrenheit when inserted into the thickest part of the ham. Remove ham from the oven and tented with aluminum foil to keep it warm
Step 4: Combine the spice sugar mixture in a small bowl. Uncover the ham. If the edges are dry, baste the ham with the pan juices then, pat half of the spice sugar mixture (about 3/4 cup) all over the surface of the ham.
Alternatively, you can place the sugar mixture on a sheet pan and then roll the ham through the sugar mixture until nicely coated.
Step 5: Return the ham to the oven and broil until caramelized and bubbly. You can also use a blow torch if preferred.
Step 6: In a small saucepan, combine the remaining sugar mixture with about 1/3 cup of ham drippings (pan juices) or water (or a combination of both).
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat and cook until it reaches a glaze consistency, about 2 minutes.
Step 7: Pour or brush the glaze over the ham. Broil for 1-2 minutes or until bubbly. Keep an eye on it as it can burn quickly.
Step 8: Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Serve warm or cold.
