by Holly
Honey Baked Ham is the most tender succulent ham you’ve ever had! A juicy spiral cut ham is smothered in a sweet honey glaze. The ham is baked until the meat is perfectly tender and the glaze turns sticky and delicious!
This spiral ham recipe is the perfect holiday ham for Christmas or Easter served with Scalloped Potatoes, Ambrosia Salad and our favorite Sweet Potato Casserole!
This Honey Baked Ham recipe starts with a spiral ham which allows all of the delicious glaze can to get into the ham. While I do often make a brown sugar glaze, there really is nothing quite like a homemade honey baked ham served with Hashbrown Casserole and homemade dinner rolls!
How to Prepare a Honey Baked Ham
Most hams (and spiral hams) are pre-cooked when you purchase them. Double check the package that it says fully cooked or pre-cooked.
Ham is easy to make since you’re really just heating it up. I use a spiral ham for this recipe because it’s very easy to cut but even more importantly, all of that yummy glaze gets into the meat. You can make honey baked ham without a a spiral ham too, simply score the ham before adding the honey glaze.
How much Spiral Ham per Person
When buying the spiral ham, you’ll want to account for 2-3 servings of ham per pound if you’re purchasing a bone in ham. I always lean towards 3 pounds so I have leftovers for soups and casseroles like my fave Broccoli Cheese Casserole with Ham, ham sandwiches and of course scalloped potatoes with ham!
How to Cook a Honey Baked Ham
Honey baked ham has both honey and a bit of brown sugar so the glaze gets beautifully caramelized! Since the glaze can be sticky, I like to line my pan with thick foil on the bottom for easy clean up.
- Place the ham cut side down and bake uncovered.
- Brush with glaze and turn the oven up high caramelize the glaze.
- Remove from the oven when the temperature reaches 140°F.
- Rest about 20 minutes before cutting and serving.
How long to Cook a Spiral Ham
A spiral ham is usually fully cooked and just needs heating (double check on the package you buy). A lower temperature allows the ham to cook through and become tender and juicy. If the temperature is higher, the edges can dry out before the center is warm.
- A fully cooked spiral ham will take about 13-16 minutes per pound in a 250° F oven.
- If making Crockpot Ham an 8-10 pound ham will take about 4-5 hours.
- A partially cooked ham needs longer, about 20 minutes per pound when roasting.
Be sure to check your label to make sure your ham is fully cooked for the honey baked ham recipe below. Ham should be cooked to 140° F, and just like Pork Tenderloin, use a meat thermometer to ensure it’s not over or under! To really make a perfect honey baked ham, I suggest using a thermometer like this one.
How Long Does a Honey Baked Ham Last?
You can buy ham well before you bake it! Check the best before date on the package but it’ll often keep in the fridge for a month or more before cooking if it’s sealed! This allows you to watch for coupons or sales.
Leftovers
- You can keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days. After that you’ll want to freeze them.
- Can You Freeze Honey Baked Ham? Yes! Cooked cubed or sliced ham will last in the freezer for 2 to 3 months if well sealed.
- Leftover cooked ham is perfect to enjoy in soups, stews, casseroles and sandwiches!
- Save the leftover ham bone for Ham Bone Soup.
- Find our favorite leftover ham recipes here.
More Ham Recipes You’ll Love
- Crock Pot Ham – Set it and forget it!
- Apple Glazed Baked Ham
- Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup – easy comfort food.
- Ham and Corn Chowder – the perfect soup for leftovers.
- Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze – Classic perfection!
Honey Baked Ham
Ingredients
- 1 spiral ham 8-10 lbs
Glaze
- 1 cup honey
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup butter melted
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves or to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard optional
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Instructions
Preheat oven to 250°F.
Remove the packaging and the plastic disk from the bottom of the ham. Place ham in a shallow roasting pan, cut side down.
Bake for 13-16 minutes per pound until ham reaches 135°F.
Combine glaze ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.
Once the ham reaches 135°F, remove ham from the oven. Turn the oven up to 425°F. Brush the ham generously with the honey glaze. (I do 2-3 coats of glaze).
Return to the oven for 15-20 minutes or until ham reaches 140°F and glaze is browned.
Remove the ham from the oven and rest at least 15 minutes before cutting. Spoon juices over the ham before serving if desired.
Recipe Notes
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
