Nothing brings family and friends together quite like a beautifully glazed ham roast. This tender, spiral-cut smoked ham infused with a rich honey mustard glaze offers the perfect centerpiece for holiday feasts or special gatherings. The balance of savory, sweet, and spice flavors creates a mouthwatering experience you’ll want to revisit year after year.
Whether you’re an experienced cook or preparing your first holiday ham, this recipe guides you through each step to achieve moist, flavorful slices that melt in your mouth. With simple ingredients and easy preparation, it’s a delicious tradition made effortless.
- Produces moist, flavorful spiral-cut smoked ham perfect for holiday celebrations.
- Rich honey and mustard glaze adds a beautiful balance of sweetness and spice.
- Simple, straightforward technique using accessible ingredients and easy preparation.
- Customizable glaze options and an optional clove garnish for extra flavor and festive presentation.
Ingredients
- 8 pound bone-in spiral-cut smoked ham: A precooked ham with spiral slices for easy serving and consistent heating throughout.
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted: Adds richness and helps the glaze stick evenly across the meat.
- 1 cup brown sugar: Provides deep caramel sweetness to balance the saltiness of the ham.
- ¼ cup honey: Offers natural sweetness and a smooth texture for the glaze.
- ¼ cup spicy brown mustard: Combines heat and tanginess to complement the ham’s smoky flavor.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the glaze’s flavors without overpowering the ham.
- ½ teaspoon black pepper: Adds a gentle warmth and subtle bite to the glaze.
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves: Infuses warm, aromatic spice to deepen the glaze complexity.
- 1 cup water: Keeps the ham moist during baking by creating steam in the roasting pan.
- Whole cloves, optional garnish: Traditional festive decoration that adds both aroma and visual appeal when studded into the ham.
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare your roasting setup
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Begin by adjusting your oven rack to a lower middle position and preheat the oven to 325°F. Using a large roasting pan and heavy-duty aluminum foil ensures even cooking and easy cleanup, while preventing moisture loss.
- Prepare the ham for roasting
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Remove all packaging from the ham, discarding any seasoning packets that sometimes come with it. Place the ham spiral side up in the roasting pan to evenly distribute heat during baking.
- Mix the honey mustard glaze
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In a small bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, honey, spicy mustard, salt, black pepper, and ground cloves. This glaze infuses the ham with sweet, spicy, and savory notes that enhance its natural smoky flavor.
- Start baking covered
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Add water to the bottom of the roasting pan to create steam that keeps the ham moist. Seal the ham tightly with foil to lock in moisture during the initial 1 ½ hours of baking to warm it thoroughly without drying out.
- Glaze and uncover for final baking
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After the initial baking period, remove foil and brush the glaze generously over the ham’s surface and between the slices. If using whole cloves, randomly poke them into the ham now to add fragrance and a festive look. Return the ham uncovered to the oven for the last 30 minutes.
- Baste periodically as it finishes
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Every 10-15 minutes, spoon pan juices over the ham to keep it moist and further enhance the glaze’s flavor. This basting helps create a shiny, caramelized finish on the ham’s exterior.
- Check temperature and rest before serving
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The ham should reach an internal temperature of about 140°F, indicating it’s warmed through. Tent loosely with foil and let rest 15 minutes to redistribute juices, producing moist, tender slices when cut.
- This recipe uses precooked smoked ham, which only requires warming and glazing; do not use fresh ham as it needs different preparation.
- Allow roughly 13 minutes per pound for cooking time, adjusting as necessary for larger hams.
- Disposable foil pans and heavy-duty foil simplify cleanup and oven handling.
- Reserve and spoon pan juices at serving for extra moisture and flavor, much like gravy.
- Wildflower or clover honey blends best with mustard, while specialty honeys may alter flavor balance.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently to preserve moisture by wrapping slices in foil and warming in a low oven.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this ham roast alongside classic sides like mashed potatoes, green beans, or roasted root vegetables. Add a fresh cranberry sauce or warm dinner rolls for a complete feast.
- Use a disposable roasting pan placed on a rimmed baking sheet for easy transport and minimal cleanup.
- Customize the glaze by swapping spicy brown mustard for Dijon or yellow mustard according to taste preference.
- The clove garnish is optional but adds beautiful aroma and a festive look; adjust ground cloves if skipping whole cloves.
FAQs
- Can I use a fresh ham for this recipe?
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No, this recipe is designed for precooked smoked ham only. Fresh hams require longer cooking and different preparation methods.
- How do I know when the ham is done?
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The ham is done when it reaches an internal temperature of about 140°F. Since it is already cooked, you are only warming it through.
- Can I make the glaze ahead of time?
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Yes, prepare the glaze up to a day before and refrigerate it. Bring it to room temperature before brushing it onto the ham.
- What if I don’t have whole cloves?
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You can omit whole cloves and instead increase ground cloves in the glaze by ¼ to ½ teaspoon to maintain the spiced flavor.
- Can I use a larger ham?
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Yes, for larger hams (16-18 pounds) double the glaze ingredients and adjust baking time to about 13 minutes per pound.
- Is there a substitute for honey in the glaze?
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While honey complements the mustard best, pure maple syrup or light corn syrup can work as alternatives but may slightly alter the flavor.
Honey Glazed Spiral Ham Roast
Equipment
- 1 Roasting pan
- 1 heavy-duty aluminum foil extra-large piece to cover ham
- 1 pastry brush
- 1 small bowl
Ingredients
- 8 pounds bone-in spiral-cut smoked ham
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup spicy brown mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves or 1/8 teaspoon if using whole cloves
- 1 cup water
- whole cloves optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F and adjust oven rack to lower or remove the middle position.
- Remove all packaging from the ham and discard any seasoning packet.
- Place ham in a large roasting pan.
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, honey, mustard, salt, pepper, and ground cloves to make the glaze.
- Pour water into the bottom of the roasting pan.
- Cover ham tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil, sealing edges to trap steam.
- Bake ham for approximately 1 1/2 hours, or all but the last 30 minutes according to ham size.
- Remove foil and brush the glaze evenly over the entire surface and between slices.
- Optionally, stud ham with whole cloves for garnish.
- Return uncovered ham to oven and bake for another 30 minutes, basting with pan juices two to three times during this period.
- Ensure internal temperature reaches approximately 140°F.
- Remove ham from oven and let rest tented with foil for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use fully cooked spiral ham for best results; fresh ham requires different preparation.
- Adjust glaze quantity when cooking larger hams.
- Reserve pan juices to baste or serve like gravy for extra moisture and flavor.
- Basic clover or wildflower honey blends best with mustard in glaze.
- Disposable roasting pans and heavy-duty foil ease cleanup and transport.
- Garnish ham with whole cloves for aroma and presentation, or substitute ground cloves.
