This ham is a delicious balance of sweet and savory, with a sticky brown sugar glaze that caramelizes to perfection.

Close up of sliced brown sugar glazed ham

Why I Love This Recipe

Okay, friends, I have to tell you: this glazed ham recipe is hands down one of my all-time favorites! It's the perfect combination of sweet and savory, with a simple brown sugar glaze that makes it feel extra special.

The glaze is so rich and sticky-it caramelizes beautifully in the oven, creating a gorgeous crust. Plus, the whole thing is super easy to make, so I can spend more time enjoying my guests and less time stressing in the kitchen.

Whether you're making this for a holiday dinner or even just a cozy weekend meal, your family is going to love it!

Recipe Ingredients

8-10 lb bone-in cooked ham
⅓ cup water

For The Glaze:

1 cup packed brown sugar
½ cup salted butter
½ cup honey
¼ cup orange juice
2 Tbsp dijon mustard
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves

Kitchen Equipment I Used

Staub Cast Iron Saute Pan
Meat Thermometer

What Ham Should I Use?

Bone-in ham will give you the most flavor, as the bone adds richness and keeps the meat moist.
Pre-cooked ham is the easiest option since it's already cooked and only needs reheating.
Spiral Cooked Ham: These are already pre-cut and can be convenient but can also dry out while cooking.
Bone-in vs. boneless: Bone-in tends to be juicier and more flavorful, but boneless is easier to slice and can be a good option if you're serving a crowd.

Four images grouped, first is had with paper towel over ham, second and third is ham surface raw with diamond shapes sliced into it, last image is ham face down in a pan

How To Make Brown Sugar Glazed Ham

Full ingredients and instructions are also in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.

STEP 1: Prep Ham

Allow the ham to sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours before cooking. Use a sharp knife to create shallow cuts in a diamond pattern all over the ham, about ¹/₂ inch deep.

STEP 2: Bake The Ham

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Adjust the oven rack to the lower third of the oven. Place the ham face down in a baking dish. Pour ¹/₂ cup of water into the base of the dish. Cover the ham loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Two images of a pot, first with butter, cinnamon and liquid dumped in, second everything mixed together to form a glaze.

STEP 3: Make The Glaze

While ham is cooking you can make the glaze. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt ½ cup butter with 1 cup brown sugar, ½ cup honey, ¼ cup orange juice, 2 Tbsp dijon mustard, 1 tsp cinnamon, and ½ tsp ground cloves. Stir together so that brown sugar dissolves.

Bring to a simmer and cook for about 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir often so sugar doesn't burn. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. The consistency will thicken as it cools down.

Four images grouped, first is ham in black pan, second has meat thermometer poking into ham, third is close up of meat thermometer, fourth is silicone brush over ham

STEP 4: Glaze The Ham

After 30 minutes of baking, remove the ham from the oven and poke the meat thermometer into the center of the ham (if you're using one). Pour ¹/₂ cup glaze over the ham, brushing it into the cuts to coat evenly.

STEP 5: Bake Ham

Return the ham to the oven and bake uncovered. Brush the ham with the leftover glaze every 30 minutes, until the internal temperature of the ham reaches 140°F.

Quick Tip

Baste the ham with the glaze every 30 minutes for the best caramelized crust. Be sure to spoon the glaze over the top and let it drip down into the nooks and crannies.

Four images of a glazed ham with diamond shapes cut into it, the skin has darkened and is glistening with glaze over top

STEP 6: Let Rest, Then Slice

Transfer the ham to a cutting board. Brush on more glaze. Let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing. Once sliced, serve and enjoy!

How to Slice a Bone-In Ham:

Place it on a cutting board with the bone facing you. Carefully work around the bone for clean slices.
Identify the muscle fibers and slice perpendicular to them.
You can slice about ¹/₈ to ¹/₄ inch thick, or thicker if you prefer!
Need a visual? Watch this Youtube Video - it'll show you how to do it - it's really easy I promise.

Recipe Tips

Make sure to coat the ham generously with the brown sugar glaze, but leave some glaze for basting every 30 minutes or so during cooking. This ensures the glaze thickens and caramelizes beautifully.
Slow and steady is the key: Cook the ham at a lower temperature to prevent the sugar in the glaze from burning. A long, slow cook gives the flavors time to meld together.

How To Store Leftovers

REFRIGERATE - Wrap leftover ham tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can also store it in an airtight container. Leftover ham will stay good in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
TO FREEZE - Slice the ham and freeze it in an airtight container or freezer bags. It'll last up to 2-3 months in the freezer. When reheating, you can either defrost in the fridge overnight or warm slices in the oven.

Reheating Tips

OVEN - When reheating, add a little moisture (like a splash of water or broth) to prevent the ham from drying out. Cover it with foil and bake at 325°F for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
MICROWAVE - Microwave individual slices for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.

Slices of glazed ham with the whole hame all on a plate with sprigs of rosemary

Amber says

October 21, 2025 at 1:03 am

This glaze was excellent on our ham I made this evening. Even my non-ham lovers thought it was terrific. Definitely will make this again and again! Thank you for the recipe, did not change a thing.