How to Glaze a Fully Cooked Ham for a Perfect Holiday Feast

A beautifully glazed ham is the ultimate centerpiece for a holiday meal. The sweet, sticky coating provides a rich contrast to the salty, savory ham. But achieving that picture-perfect glazed ham requires some skill. Undercook the glaze and you’ll have a bland ham. Overdo it and you’ll end up with a burnt mess.

Luckily, glazing a fully cooked ham is easier than you think With my simple step-by-step instructions, you’ll have a restaurant-worthy glazed ham ready for your next special occasion Keep reading to learn how to brush on sweet, spicy or savory glazes that will have your guests begging for seconds!

Choosing the Right Ham for Glazing

Glazing requires a cured, fully cooked ham—not a fresh ham steak Fully cooked hams are sold already smoked or cooked, so they just need to be heated and glazed. Here are some great options

• Spiral sliced ham
• Bone-in smoked ham
• Gammon (British unsmoked ham)
• Cooked city ham

For the best results, choose a ham labeled “fully cooked” not “cook before eating.” It should feel firm with a bright pink interior when you unwrap it. Stay away from any hams with grayish or dried out spots.

Estimate 1/3 to 1⁄2 pound of boneless ham per person, or 1⁄4 to 1/3 pound bone-in. A 10-12 pound ham serves 16-20 people Leftover glazed ham also makes amazing sandwiches!

How to Prepare a Fully Cooked Ham for Glazing

Proper prep ensures your glaze adheres well and develops maximum flavor:

• Remove skin and excess fat – Trim off the rind and any thick sections of fat, leaving about 1/8 inch. This prevents burning.

• Score the fat – Use a sharp knife to cut 1/4 inch slits or a diamond pattern across the remaining fat. This helps the glaze seep into the meat.

• Stud with cloves (optional) – For fancy ham, decorate with whole cloves. Press them into the scored fat about 1 inch apart.

• Coat with mustard – Brush a thin layer of Dijon or yellow mustard over the ham. It helps the glaze stick.

Your ham is now ready for its flavorful final touch!

How to Make a Sweet Glaze for Ham

The best part of glazed ham is the glistening, jewel-toned topping. Choose from countless glaze varieties, or get creative with your own.

Here are some easy sweet glaze recipes:

Brown sugar glaze

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 1/4 cup apple juice

Cherry cola glaze

• 1 (12 oz) jar cherry preserves
• 1 cup cola
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves

Orange marmalade glaze

• 1 cup orange marmalade
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary

Maple bourbon glaze

• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup bourbon
• 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard

Coca-cola glaze

• 1 cup cola
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Savory Glaze Ideas for Ham

Looking for a change from sweet glazes? Try one of these more savory, umami-packed ham glaze recipes:

• Soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and brown sugar
• Spicy mustard and brown sugar
• Miso paste, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, and garlic
• Hoisin sauce and five spice powder
• Chili sauce and orange marmalade
• Fig jam and balsamic vinegar

Step-by-Step Instructions for Glazing a Ham

Once your ham is prepped and you’ve mixed up a delicious glaze, it’s go time! Follow these steps for perfect results:

1. Preheat the oven

Heat oven to 350°F. Use a roasting pan just large enough to fit the ham. The ham may release liquid as it cooks, so you don’t want the pan to be too big.

2. Score the ham

If you haven’t already, use a sharp knife to cut slits across the top and sides of the ham about 1/4 inch deep. This helps the glaze soak in.

3. Bake the untopped ham

Place ham cut side down in the roasting pan. Bake for around 10-15 minutes per pound until heated through. An 8 pound ham bakes for 80-120 minutes.

4. Apply the glaze

Remove ham from the oven. Use a basting brush to coat the top and sides with a thin, even layer of glaze. Avoid any uncooked areas near the bone.

5. Broil the glazed ham

Turn oven to broil. Return the glazed ham and broil 3-5 minutes until the glaze bubbles and caramelizes slightly. Watch closely to avoid burning.

6. Let the ham rest

Remove ham from oven and tent loosely with foil. Let rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing. This allows juices to reabsorb for moist, tender ham.

7. Carve and serve

Use a sharp knife to cut thin slices, cutting perpendicular to the bone. Arrange artfully on a platter and spoon extra glaze over the top. Now dig into your juicy, glistening holiday ham!

Troubleshooting Ham Glazing Problems

Having issues getting the perfect sticky glaze? Here are some common problems and solutions:

Glaze won’t stick? Make sure the ham is fully cooked and hot when you apply the glaze. Heat helps it adhere. Also try coating the ham with a thin layer of mustard first.

Glaze burned? Avoid putting the glaze on too thick. Broil a shorter time, watching carefully. Tent with foil if needed.

Ham too salty? Opt for a sweeter glaze to balance the saltiness. Rinse briefly before glazing to remove some surface salt.

Dry, bland glaze? Use more flavorful glaze ingredients like fruit jams, spices, citrus, etc. Broil a bit longer so the glaze caramelizes more.

Ham dried out? Don’t overcook initially before glazing. Let the ham rest after baking so juices redistribute. Slice thinly across the grain.

What to Do with Leftover Glazed Ham

A big baked ham often leaves you with delicious leftovers. Here are some great ways to use them up:

• Ham and cheese omelets or quiche
• Diced ham in fried rice, egg scrambles or pasta
• Ham, egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches
• Ham and pesto paninis
• Ham, bbq sauce, and pineapple pizza
• Split pea or bean soup with ham
• Ham salad sandwiches with mayo, mustard, celery

Leftover glazed ham stays good for 3-4 days in the fridge or 2-3 months in the freezer. With a little creativity, you can enjoy the flavors of your holiday ham long after the big meal is over.

So next time a special dinner calls for a showstopping main dish, wow your guests with a perfectly glazed ham. In just a few simple steps, you can put together an elegant, mouthwatering centerpiece. Get ready to see those happy faces when you serve slice after slice of tender, juicy ham coated in sweet, sticky glaze.