Ultimate Honey Baked Ham

Unlock the Secret to the Best Homemade Honey Baked Ham: A Copycat Recipe That Will Dazzle Your Dinner Table

Are you ready to elevate your holiday feast or Sunday dinner to an unforgettable culinary experience? Look no further than this incredible Copycat Honey Baked Ham recipe! Forget paying exorbitant prices for a store-bought ham; with just a few simple ingredients and a dash of kitchen magic, you can create a show-stopping main dish that rivals the famous original. This recipe isn’t just about glazing and roasting; it’s about crafting an exquisite ham with a uniquely crispy, caramelized sugar crust that’s utterly addictive. Prepare to be obsessed!

The holiday season often brings forth cherished traditions and, of course, incredible food. As we gather with loved ones, the centerpiece of many celebrations is a succulent baked ham. While the allure of a professionally prepared Honey Baked Ham is undeniable, the satisfaction of creating an even more spectacular version in your own kitchen is a reward in itself. This recipe takes the beloved concept of a honey-glazed ham and elevates it with a secret technique that delivers a truly extraordinary texture and flavor profile.

This isn’t just another ham recipe; it’s an experience. The key to its unparalleled deliciousness lies in a technique borrowed from the world of fine desserts: the use of dry sugar and a kitchen torch. Much like creating a perfect crème brûlée, this method transforms the surface of the ham into a glorious, crackly candy shell. Imagine the tantalizing contrast of salty, tender ham with a sweet, spiced, caramelized crust that shatters delicately with every bite. It’s a culinary revelation that will have everyone asking for the recipe!

Why This Honey Baked Ham Recipe Is a Must-Try

The famous Honey Baked Ham commands a hefty price tag for a reason: its unique flavor and texture. But what if I told you that you could recreate that magic, and even surpass it, in your own kitchen? This copycat recipe delivers all the savory-sweet goodness, with an added layer of crispy, caramelized perfection that store-bought versions often lack. The secret, as mentioned, isn’t just in the luscious honey glaze, but in a final step that involves a spiced dry sugar rub and a kitchen torch. This innovative technique creates a “candy shell” on the ham’s exterior, offering an irresistible crunch and depth of flavor that will leave your guests speechless.

Imagine slicing into a perfectly cooked ham, revealing tender, juicy meat beneath a glistening, crackled surface. The aroma alone is enough to make mouths water. This recipe transforms a simple baked ham into a gourmet masterpiece, proving that you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy truly exceptional holiday fare. The contrast between the rich, salty ham and the sweet, spiced, crunchy glaze is a symphony of flavors and textures that you’ll crave long after the last bite.

The creation of this crackly crust is truly the game-changer. The dry sugar, infused with warm spices like nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon, melts under the flame of a kitchen torch, transforming into a molten, bubbly caramel. As it cools, it hardens into a delicate, shattery shell that provides an incredible textural contrast to the tender ham. These pictures truly don’t do it justice; you have to experience it yourself!

While the crispy sugared edges are best enjoyed fresh, this ham remains incredibly delicious even after refrigeration. But trust us, you’ll want to savor those warm, crackly pieces right out of the oven. We certainly did, making sure no crispy morsel went uneaten. No regrets – let’s get cooking!

Essential Ingredients for Your Honey Glazed Ham

Gathering your ingredients is the first step toward this culinary triumph. This recipe calls for a beautiful blend of sweet and savory elements, with a hint of spice that makes the ham truly irresistible. Below is a quick list for your shopping convenience. For precise measurements and detailed instructions, refer to the full recipe card at the bottom of this page.

Crafting the Perfect Honey Ham Glaze

Every outstanding ham needs an equally outstanding glaze. Our simple yet effective honey glaze provides the perfect foundation for the caramelized sugar crust. It combines the richness of melted butter with the distinct tang of Dijon mustard and the natural sweetness of honey. This syrupy mixture infuses the ham with incredible flavor before it even hits the oven.

Choosing the Perfect Ham for a Honey Bake Feast

The journey to an extraordinary Honey Baked Ham begins with selecting the right foundation: your ham. For optimal flavor and texture, I always recommend a high-quality, bone-in ham. The bone not only adds immense flavor during the cooking process but also helps keep the meat incredibly moist. You’ll want a fully cooked ham, typically labeled as “smoked.” In most American markets, fresh (uncured, unsmoked) hams are rare, so rest assured that the hams you encounter are likely pre-cooked, requiring only reheating and glazing.

When browsing, be wary of overly cheap hams. These often contain added water, which means you’re paying for water weight, and the ham can turn out mushier and less flavorful. Hams labeled “with natural juices” are a step up in quality. However, the most important advice is to buy the best quality ham you can comfortably afford. Ultimately, the show-stopping, crackly, caramelized crust you’ll create will be so distracting and delicious that any minor textural imperfections will go unnoticed.

I personally prefer to use spiral-sliced hams. Their pre-cut nature makes serving incredibly easy and eliminates the need for scoring. More importantly, the spiral cuts allow the delicious honey glaze to seep deeply into the ham, infusing every slice with flavor and maximizing the surface area for our incredible sugar rub. This means more of those coveted crispy, candied edges!

When planning for your guests, a general rule of thumb is to allow for about 1/2 to 1 pound of ham per person. If you’re hoping for delicious leftovers (and you will be!), aim for 1 pound per person. A typical half ham, weighing around 7 to 8 pounds, will generously serve 8 to 12 people, making it perfect for family gatherings and holiday feasts.

Mastering the Art of Cooking a Honey Ham

While a traditional baked ham is typically glazed and roasted, our copycat Honey Baked Ham recipe introduces an extra, crucial step that truly sets it apart. This innovative method ensures your ham will be juicy, flavorful, and boast that signature crackly crust. Here’s an overview of the process:

• Prepare a luscious homemade honey glaze and thoroughly coat your ham.
• Bake the ham, covered with foil, at a low temperature until it is perfectly warmed through. (Most ham recipes conclude here.)
• The exciting extra step: after baking, we’ll rub the entire ham with a spiced dry sugar mixture, then use a kitchen torch to caramelize it into a magnificent, crackly shell!

Get ready for an experience that’s as fun to make as it is to eat! Let’s delve into the details, but remember, the complete, step-by-step recipe is available in the recipe card at the end of this article.

Begin by carefully unwrapping your ham, removing all netting and shrink wrap. Discard any small glaze packets often found inside – we have a far superior homemade glaze in mind! If there’s a plastic cap over the bone, remove that as well.

Position your ham, flat-side down, on a roasting rack within a sturdy roasting pan. If you don’t have a designated roasting pan, a metal cooling rack set over a rimmed baking sheet works perfectly. This elevated position is essential to prevent the ham from becoming soggy by sitting directly in its juices during baking.

Step One: Crafting the Irresistible Honey Ham Glaze

When to Apply the Glaze to Your Ham?

For this particular recipe, the initial glaze is applied before the ham enters the oven. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat during baking, creating a deep, rich foundation.

Simple Steps to Make Your Honey Ham Glaze

In a small bowl, melt a couple of tablespoons of butter. Stir in a tablespoon of tangy Dijon mustard, followed by a generous third of a cup of sweet honey. Whisk these ingredients together until you achieve a beautifully smooth, syrupy consistency. That’s all there is to your incredible homemade glaze!

Now for the fun part: using your hands, generously massage this delightful honey mixture all over the ham. Ensure every surface – top, bottom, and sides – is thoroughly coated. For spiral-cut hams, take extra care to work the glaze in between the individual slices. Don’t worry if some drips to the bottom of the pan; simply scoop it up and reapply it to the ham. This hands-on approach ensures maximum flavor absorption and a deeply succulent result.

Step Two: Baking Your Honey Glazed Ham to Perfection

Proper baking is crucial to ensure your ham is tender and moist before we apply that magical candied shell.

Should I Bake Ham Covered or Uncovered?

For the baking phase of your glazed ham, it is absolutely essential to keep it covered with foil! Baking a ham uncovered, even one smothered in glaze, will inevitably lead to a dry, unappealing result. To further ensure a moist environment, add about a cup of water to the bottom of your roasting pan. This creates steam that helps keep the ham succulent throughout the cooking process.

Determining the Baking Time for Your Ham

A good rule of thumb for baking ham is approximately 20 minutes per pound. So, a 7-8 pound ham will typically need around 2 hours and 20 minutes in the oven. Remember, most hams are pre-cooked, so we’re primarily focused on reheating it gently and thoroughly. (For those who prefer a slower approach, refer to the recipe notes for slow cooker instructions!)

What’s the Ideal Temperature for Baking Ham: 325°F or 350°F?

While both temperatures can work, I strongly advocate for baking ham at a lower temperature of 325°F. This “low and slow” method is key to achieving a consistently juicy and tender ham, preventing it from drying out, which can easily happen at a higher temperature.

How to Accurately Check the Temperature of Your Baked Ham

A reliable meat thermometer is your best friend here. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the ham, being careful to avoid contact with the bone, as this can give an inaccurate reading. Since your ham is already fully cooked, the goal is to reach an internal temperature of 140°F. This ensures your ham is thoroughly warmed and delightfully juicy.

Once baked to perfection, allow your ham to cool for about 15-20 minutes before proceeding to the next step (the exciting torching process!).

To Re-glaze or Not to Re-glaze During Baking?

For *this specific copycat Honey Baked Ham recipe* that features a unique crackly sugar shell, there’s no need to brush the ham with more glaze halfway through baking. Our method involves a dry sugar rub and torching *after* the initial bake. This creates that distinctive crust, and we’ll prepare a separate, fresh glaze to serve as a delectable sauce later. So, resist the urge to re-glaze during cooking if you’re following this recipe!

However, if you were preparing a more traditional glazed ham (without the torching step), then yes, you would typically remove the ham from the oven about 20-30 minutes before it’s done, brush it with additional glaze, and return it to the oven to finish cooking. But for our purposes, keep reading for the real magic!

Your ham is now beautifully baked and ready for its grand finale.

Step Three: Creating the Signature Candied Ham Shell

This is where the true transformation happens, turning a great ham into an absolutely legendary one. Get ready to unleash your inner culinary artist!

1. Prepare the Dry Rub: In a medium bowl, combine the granulated sugar with all the warm spices: cinnamon, ground cloves, ground ginger, paprika, and allspice. Mix them thoroughly until well integrated. Divide this mixture in half; you’ll need the second half later for your serving glaze.
2. Apply the Sugar Coating: While you can use your hands to pat the sugar mixture onto the ham, I find it significantly easier to spread half of the spiced sugar onto a large, rimmed baking sheet. Carefully transfer your ham onto this baking sheet (using oven mitts or hot pads, as it may still be warm). Gently roll the ham in the sugar, ensuring all sides (excluding the flat bottom) are thoroughly coated. Use your hands to press and pat on more sugar as needed, making sure it adheres well to the moist surface of the ham. The goal is to create a substantial, crunchy exterior.
3. Time to Torch! This is the most exciting step, bringing out a sense of playful pyrotechnics. Arm yourself with your kitchen torch!

Hold the torch flame about an inch away from the ham’s surface. Crucially, keep the torch moving continuously in small, circular motions. The flame should never linger in one spot, as this will lead to burning. Observe closely as the tiny sugar grains transform into a glistening, bubbling, molten caramel. Once an area becomes bubbly and shiny, move to the next section. Within a minute or two, the liquid caramel will cool and harden into a spectacular, crackly shell. Continue this process until the entire surface of the ham is covered with this beautiful, hardened sugar coating.

Can You Use the Broiler Instead of a Kitchen Torch?

This is a common question, and the short answer is: you can try, but it’s not ideal. While you might be able to achieve some caramelization by rubbing the ham with the sugar mixture and then broiling it, the results are rarely as uniform or impressive as with a torch. Due to the ham’s irregular shape, parts of it will inevitably be closer to the broiler element than others, leading to uneven cooking and almost guaranteed burnt patches (a lesson I learned from experience!).

Furthermore, attempting to rotate a large ham under a broiler to get an even crust is cumbersome and risky. A kitchen torch truly is the indispensable tool for recreating that authentic Honey Baked Ham effect. It offers precise control over the caramelization process, allowing you to create that flawless, crackly crust. Plus, once you own one, you’ll find endless excuses to use it, from creating stunning desserts like Crème Brûlée Cheesecake or Crème Brûlée Pumpkin Pie, to adding a professional finish to countless other dishes. Torch all the things!

Once you’ve finished torching your ham (and perhaps enjoyed a few cheeky bites of those crispy edges!), it’s time to prepare a final, luscious glaze to serve alongside. Take the remaining half of your spiced sugar mixture and combine it in a small saucepan with some of the ham drippings from your roasting pan. If you have a fat separator, use it to skim off any excess fat from the drippings first. Alternatively, if you don’t have enough drippings or prefer not to use them, you can substitute with about 1/3 cup of water.

Bring this mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for a minute or two, stirring occasionally, until it thickens into a beautifully syrupy glaze. This sweet, sticky, and spiced sauce is the perfect complement to the savory ham, and you can pass it around the table for everyone to enjoy. If it starts to harden as it cools, a quick reheat in the microwave or over low heat on the stove will bring it back to its luscious consistency.

Smart Storage for Your Leftover Honey Baked Ham

One of the greatest joys of cooking a magnificent ham is the promise of delicious leftovers! Properly storing your Honey Baked Ham ensures you can enjoy its fantastic flavor for days to come. A baked ham will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for 7-10 days when stored in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and foil.

Can You Freeze Honey Baked Ham?

Absolutely! Freezing leftover ham is an excellent way to extend its shelf life and have quick meal starters on hand. To freeze, slice or dice the ham as desired, then seal it well in a freezer-safe ziplock bag or an airtight container. Proper sealing is key to preventing freezer burn and maintaining moisture. Your frozen ham will retain its quality for up to 6 months. It’s truly a lifesaver for busy weeknights, providing a flavorful base for a variety of “no-brainer” dinners. Imagine having pre-chopped ham ready to toss into a comforting Split Pea Soup with Smoked Gouda, a creamy Ham Mac and Cheese Soup, a hearty Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole, or a savory Cheesy Ham Broccoli Frittata. Having a stash of ham in the freezer is like a secret weapon for quick and satisfying meals!

And there you have it – everything you need to know to create this truly phenomenal ham. We couldn’t stop eating it, and I’m confident you’ll feel the same. While I’ve yet to try the original $125 store-bought Honey Baked Ham, I honestly can’t imagine how it could be any better than this homemade version. Happy cooking, and happy holidays to all!

Creative Ways to Utilize Honey Glazed Ham Leftovers

Don’t let a single delicious morsel of your Honey Baked Ham go to waste! Leftover ham is incredibly versatile and can be transformed into a variety of comforting and flavorful dishes. Here are some fantastic ideas to inspire your next meal:

• Cheesy Ham and Broccoli Frittata: A quick and easy weeknight dinner or a delightful brunch option. This low-carb meal is perfect for a post-holiday reset. Simply combine diced ham, steamed broccoli, eggs, and cheese, then bake until puffed and golden.
• Cheesy Ham and Egg Breakfast Casserole: A guaranteed crowd-pleaser for overnight guests. Layer ham, eggs, cheese, and biscuits for a comforting and hearty breakfast that bakes up beautifully. Prepare it the night before for an easy morning.
• Cheesy Overnight Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole: One of the most popular recipes for a reason! This casserole features crispy hash browns, savory ham, and plenty of cheese, baked into a satisfying breakfast or brunch.
• Ham Mac and Cheese Soup: Creamy, cheesy, and incredibly comforting, this soup comes together in just minutes. Diced ham adds a wonderful salty contrast to the rich macaroni and cheese base.
• Split Pea Soup with Smoked Gouda: This is arguably the best way to utilize your ham bone. Simmer the bone with split peas and vegetables, then add diced ham and a touch of smoked Gouda for a deeply flavorful and hearty soup.
• Easy Ham Salad: A classic use for leftover ham. Finely chop or process ham, mix with mayonnaise, celery, and seasonings for a delicious sandwich filling or cracker topping.
• Instant Pot Ham Bean Soup: For a quicker soup solution, the Instant Pot makes light work of tenderizing beans and melding flavors with your leftover ham.
• Ham Tetrazzini: A creamy, baked pasta dish featuring spaghetti, ham, mushrooms, and a rich sauce, topped with cheese and breadcrumbs for a delightful casserole.

More Delicious Ham Recipes for Any Occasion

If you’ve fallen in love with cooking ham, or simply want to explore more incredible main dish options, here are some other fantastic ham recipes to add to your repertoire. Each offers a unique flavor profile to suit various tastes and occasions:

• Oven Roasted Cranberry Dijon Glazed Ham: A festive choice that combines the tartness of cranberries with the tang of Dijon, creating a perfectly balanced glaze ideal for holiday celebrations.
• Raspberry Chipotle Glazed Ham: This recipe offers an exciting twist with a hint of sweet and spicy. The subtle kick from the chipotle pairs wonderfully with the sweet raspberry glaze.
• Easy Sriracha Ham (Slow Cooker): For a hands-off approach, this slow cooker ham delivers a delicious spicy flavor with minimal effort. Simply “set it and forget it” for a tender and flavorful result.
• Riesling Peach Glazed Ham: A sophisticated and fruity glaze that infuses the ham with the delicate notes of Riesling wine and sweet peaches.
• Jamaican Dr. Pepper Glazed Ham: An adventurous and incredibly flavorful glaze combining the iconic soda with Jamaican spices for a unique and memorable ham.
• 5-Spice Cherry Rum Glazed Ham: This recipe marries the aromatic warmth of five-spice powder with the sweet and boozy flavors of cherry and rum for an exotic touch.

Don’t forget to explore all my other fantastic copycat recipes for more homemade versions of your favorite dishes!

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Honey Bake Ham

★★★★★

4.95 from 134 votes

Prep:

15
mins

Cook:

2
hrs
20
mins

Total:

2
hrs
35
mins

Servings:
15

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This Copycat Honey Baked Ham Recipe is simply delightful! It’s an easy recipe with absolutely incredible results. No wonder people pay so much for store-bought versions. Instead of just glazing and roasting, we’re rubbing it with dry sugar and torching it to create crispy, candy-like edges.

Ingredients

• 1
  half spiral cut ham, (7-8 pounds)
• 2
  tablespoons
  butter, melted
• 1
  tablespoon
  dijon mustard
• 1/3
  cup
  honey

For dry rub

• 1 & 1/2
  cups
  granulated sugar
• 1/2
  teaspoon
  nutmeg
• 1/2
  teaspoon
  cloves
• 1/2
  teaspoon
  cinnamon
• 1/4
  teaspoon
  paprika
• 1/4
  teaspoon
  ginger
• 1/4
  teaspoon
  allspice

Instructions

1. First start off by choosing a really high quality ham. I love to use a bone-in spiral ham; the bone provides tons of flavor that a boneless ham just can’t compete with. You want a ham that is fully cooked and labeled as smoked.
2. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F and place the oven rack in the lower 1/3 of the oven.
3. Unwrap your beautiful ham and remove all the netting and shrink wrap. Discard any ham glaze packet sealed inside, as we’ll be making our own superior glaze. Sometimes there is a little plastic cap over the bone, take it off.
4. Place your ham flat-side down on the roasting rack in your roasting pan. (If you don’t have a roasting pan, set a metal cooling rack over a rimmed baking sheet.) This elevation prevents the ham from getting soggy from sitting in the pan juices.
5. Make the honey glaze. In a small bowl, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard. Stir in 1/3 cup honey. Mix until it’s deliciously syrupy.
6. Use your hands to massage the honey mixture into the ham all over, top to bottom, side to side. Work it in between the spiral cuts. It’s okay if some of the mixture drips into the bottom of your pan; scoop it up and reapply it to the ham as best you can.
7. Add about a cup of water to the bottom of your roasting pan. Cover your ham and the pan completely with foil.
8. Bake at 325°F for about 2 hours and 20 minutes, or approximately 20 minutes per pound of ham. (You can also slow cook it! See recipe notes for details.) The internal temperature should reach about 140°F. Remember, your ham is already cooked, so this measurement ensures it’s thoroughly heated.
9. Let your ham cool outside of the oven for about 15-20 minutes. Keep the foil on the ham to prevent it from drying out.
10. Make the dry rub.
    In a bowl, combine 1 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar with 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon cloves, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon allspice.
11. Pour half of the sugar mixture (about 3/4 cup) into a large, rimmed baking sheet.
12. Add the other half of the sugar mixture to a small saucepan and set aside. This will be for the serving glaze.
13. Uncover your ham. If the edges of the ham are not very moist, brush them with a little of the pan juices. Carefully transfer the ham to the baking sheet with the sugar. Roll the ham (avoiding the flat bottom side) in the sugar, using your hands to pat on more sugar as necessary. Continue rolling and coating the ham until the sugar has created a substantial exterior all over.
14. Torch.
    Now it’s time to light up the kitchen torch! Place the flame about an inch away from the ham. Keep the torch moving continually in small circles. The flame should not stay in the same spot for any period of time. Move until the sugar has transformed from little grains into bubbly, shiny, caramely lava. Once it’s bubbling, move on to the next area. Within a minute or two, the liquid will harden into a shiny, crackly shell. Continue until the entire ham has a beautiful, hardened sugar coating.
15. You can serve the ham right away or place it back in the oven on the “keep warm setting” (about 170°F) until you are ready to serve. Cover it with foil if it will be more than a few minutes to prevent drying out.
16. Meanwhile, make the serving glaze.
    Add the remaining 3/4 cup sugar mixture to the small saucepan. If there are enough drippings in the roasting pan, pour them into a fat separator. Once the fat has risen to the top, add about 1/3 cup of the ham drippings into the saucepan. (You can use 1/3 cup water if you don’t have enough drippings or prefer not to separate the fat.)
17. Stir together the sugar mixture and liquid, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Let the mixture boil for about 2-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened into a glaze consistency. Remove from heat. Serve this delicious glaze alongside the ham. This mixture will eventually start to harden and caramelize; simply stick it in the microwave or heat the pot on low until it has melted again for serving.

Video

For a visual guide on how to prepare this delicious ham, watch the video above!

Notes

Slow Cooker Instructions:
Place your ham flat side down in the slow cooker. Use your hands to massage the butter/honey glaze mixture into the ham. Cook on low for 4-5 hours until heated through (internal temperature of 140°F). Let cool slightly, then continue with the sugaring and torching process as described in the main recipe instructions. You can keep it warm in the oven until ready to serve (optional).

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving |
Calories: 631kcal |
Carbohydrates: 27g |
Protein: 46g |
Fat: 37g |
Saturated Fat: 14g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 17g |
Trans Fat: 1g |
Cholesterol: 135mg |
Potassium: 612mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 26g |
Vitamin A: 64IU |
Vitamin C: 1mg |
Calcium: 17mg |
Iron: 2mg

Course:
Main Course

Cuisine:
American

Calories:
631

Keyword:
baked, Ham, Honey

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