brown sugar honey ham glaze

This brown sugar honey ham glaze recipe coats baked ham with a glossy, gooey, caramelized honey mustard finish. The most beautiful ham will be made!

I always felt like this was a special year when my family ordered honey-roasted ham. It was my favorite holiday entree, and it may still be. That’s why I begged Chef Richard to provide me with his personal ham glaze. And I’m excited to say it’s here.

Use this glaze in your favorite ham recipes or any glazed ham recipe that calls for this glaze. It’s ready in 5 minutes and can be prepared up to a week in advance.

main ingredients

Apple juice: This forms the base of the glaze. I reach for bottled apple juice, but freshly squeezed apple juice gives it even more of an apple flavor. Brown sugar: Brown sugar melts into the glaze, creating a glossy and sticky finish. Light brown sugar is perfect, but dark brown sugar will work just as well. Honey: Use good quality honey. The combination of honey and mustard is a classic combination for ham and really adds a floral flavor. Mustard: Use Dijon to create a smooth, velvety glaze. Stir in a spoonful of whole grain mustard for extra texture and to create cute little specks all over the ham. Apple Cider Vinegar: A splash wakes everything up. Add a bright, lively punch without making the glaze too sweet. Worcestershire sauce: Just add a little to add richness and flavor. We highly recommend that you include it. Black pepper and allspice: These warm spices round out everything. No salt is needed here, as the ham has plenty of salt.

See the complete recipe with measurements below.

How to make ham glaze

Tip 1: Add everything to the pot. This glaze hardens quickly. Add all ingredients to a small pot and bring to a gentle simmer. Whisk well, then whisk slowly over medium-low heat until it thickens slightly. As it simmers, the sugar and honey melt and caramelize, turning the mixture into a glossy, syrupy glaze. Please keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t boil over.

Tip 2: Save until ready. The glaze can be made up to a week in advance. Pour into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. When applying the glaze to the ham, warm it until it’s tender, then brush it all over the ham.

Tip 3: How to glaze your ham. You can follow the baked ham recipe for details, but here’s a simple version of how to make it.

Start with a fully cooked or smoked ham. Next, remove the skin from the ham, leaving all the lovely fat behind. Make cuts all over the ham in a cross-hatch pattern, about 1/4 inch deep so the glaze has plenty of places to settle. Cover the ham with foil and roast until the internal temperature rises to about 115°F. Then, open the lid, brush on a generous layer of glaze, and return to the hot oven (375°F). Roast for about 40 minutes or until ham reaches about 140°F. Layer the glaze while baking. Every 10-15 minutes, open the oven door and brush on another layer. I usually add 4-5 coats, each caramelizing a little bit.

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