Honey Glazed Ham with Sweet Honey Mustard Glaze

If you’re looking for a show-stopping main dish that is surprisingly simple to make, this Honey Glazed Ham is the perfect recipe. With a sweet and savory glaze made from honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and butter, this baked ham turns out tender, juicy, and packed with flavor every time.

Whether you’re planning an Easter dinner, Christmas feast, Thanksgiving gathering, or a special Sunday meal, a beautifully glazed ham makes an impressive centerpiece that feeds a crowd with minimal effort. Since the ham is already cooked, most of the work involves gently reheating it and creating a delicious caramelized glaze that coats every slice.

This easy Honey Glazed Ham recipe requires just a handful of ingredients and less than 15 minutes of preparation, making it ideal for busy holiday hosts who want maximum flavor without spending hours in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Honey Glazed Ham

There are plenty of reasons this recipe becomes a family favorite year after year:

Simple ingredients you likely already have on hand
Sweet and savory flavor combination
Perfect for holidays and family gatherings
Feeds a large crowd easily
Beautiful presentation with minimal effort
Great for meal prep and leftovers
Easy enough for beginner cooks

The honey and brown sugar create a glossy, caramelized coating while the Dijon mustard adds just enough tanginess to balance the sweetness. The result is a ham that looks impressive and tastes even better.

Ingredients

For the Ham

1 cooked ham joint (4–5 lbs)

For the Honey Glaze

½ cup honey
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon garlic powder
3 tablespoons unsalted butter

Ingredient Notes

Cooked Ham Joint

This recipe uses a fully cooked ham, which means you’re primarily reheating it rather than cooking it from raw. Bone-in ham tends to provide the best flavor and moisture, but boneless ham works wonderfully as well.

Honey

Honey provides natural sweetness and helps create that beautiful sticky glaze. Choose a mild honey variety so it complements rather than overwhelms the ham.

Brown Sugar

Brown sugar adds depth, richness, and caramel notes that enhance the glaze as it bakes.

Dijon Mustard

The mustard helps balance the sweetness and adds subtle complexity to the glaze. Don’t worry if you’re not a mustard fan—the flavor mellows significantly during baking.

Garlic Powder

A small amount of garlic powder adds savory depth without overpowering the other flavors.

Butter

Butter creates a silky glaze and helps the ingredients blend together beautifully.

How to Make Honey Glazed Ham

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 325°F.

This moderate temperature gently reheats the ham while helping it stay moist and tender.

Step 2: Prepare the Ham

Place the ham in a large roasting tray.

Wrap it tightly with aluminum foil to help retain moisture while it warms.

Step 3: Warm the Ham

Bake the wrapped ham for 20–30 minutes, or until heated through.

Because the ham is already cooked, this initial baking stage simply brings it up to serving temperature without drying it out.

Step 4: Make the Honey Glaze

While the ham is warming, prepare the glaze.

Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and garlic powder.

Stir continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and fully combined.

The glaze should be glossy and slightly thickened.

Step 5: Glaze the Ham

Remove the ham from the oven and carefully unwrap the foil.

Using a pastry brush, generously coat the entire surface of the ham with the honey glaze.

Make sure to cover all sides for maximum flavor and beautiful caramelization.

Step 6: Finish Baking

Return the ham to the oven uncovered.

Bake for an additional 25–30 minutes.

If desired, brush the ham with another layer of glaze halfway through the baking time for an even richer finish.

Step 7: Rest Before Serving

Remove the ham from the oven and allow it to rest for approximately 10 minutes.

Resting helps the juices redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in more flavorful and tender slices.

Step 8: Slice and Serve

Slice the ham and arrange it on a serving platter.

Spoon any remaining glaze from the roasting tray over the top before serving.

Tips for the Best Honey Glazed Ham

Don’t Skip the Foil

Wrapping the ham during the first baking stage helps prevent moisture loss.

This step ensures the ham remains juicy and tender before the glaze is added.

Use a Meat Thermometer

Although the ham is pre-cooked, it should reach an internal temperature of approximately 140°F when reheated.

A thermometer removes the guesswork and helps avoid overcooking.

Apply Multiple Layers of Glaze

Brushing the ham more than once during the final bake creates a thicker, stickier coating and deeper flavor.

Let It Rest

Even a short resting period makes a noticeable difference in tenderness and juiciness.

Save Extra Glaze

If you have extra glaze, warm it slightly and serve it alongside the ham for guests to drizzle over their slices.

Variations

Maple Honey Ham

Replace half of the honey with pure maple syrup for a rich, warm flavor.

Orange Honey Glazed Ham

Add 2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice and 1 teaspoon of orange zest to the glaze.

Brown Sugar Bourbon Ham

Stir a tablespoon of bourbon into the glaze for added depth and complexity.

Spiced Holiday Ham

Add a pinch of cinnamon, cloves, or nutmeg for festive holiday flavor.

Pineapple Honey Ham

Brush the ham with pineapple juice before glazing and bake with pineapple rings for a classic presentation.

Serving Suggestions

This Honey Glazed Ham pairs beautifully with a variety of side dishes.

Traditional Holiday Sides

Scalloped potatoes
Mashed potatoes
Green bean casserole
Sweet potato casserole
Dinner rolls
Roasted carrots

Fresh Vegetable Sides

Roasted Brussels sprouts
Honey glazed carrots
Garlic green beans
Roasted asparagus
Mixed garden salad

Easter Dinner Menu Ideas

Create a complete Easter meal by serving the ham with:

Deviled eggs
Scalloped potatoes
Roasted vegetables
Fresh fruit salad
Dinner rolls
Carrot cake for dessert

Christmas Dinner Pairings

For a festive Christmas ham dinner menu, pair the ham with:

Creamy mashed potatoes
Green beans
Cranberry sauce
Stuffing
Homemade rolls
Holiday cookies

Using Leftover Ham

One of the best things about making ham is enjoying the leftovers.

Ham Sandwiches

Layer sliced ham on crusty bread with cheese, lettuce, and mustard for an easy lunch.

Breakfast Scramble

Add diced ham to scrambled eggs with cheese and vegetables.

Ham and Cheese Sliders

Create crowd-pleasing sliders using leftover ham and melted cheese.

Ham Soup

Use leftover ham in potato soup, bean soup, or vegetable soup.

Ham Fried Rice

Dice leftover ham and add it to homemade fried rice for a quick weeknight dinner.

Wraps and Salads

Ham adds protein and flavor to wraps, pasta salads, and green salads.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerator

Store leftover sliced ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

For best results, keep the slices covered with any remaining glaze to help retain moisture.

Freezer

Freeze sliced ham in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 2 months.

Label with the date before freezing.

Reheating

To reheat, place slices in a baking dish with a splash of water or broth, cover with foil, and warm in a 325°F oven until heated through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why wrap the ham first?

Wrapping gently warms the ham without drying it out before glazing.

This helps preserve moisture and ensures tender slices.

Can I shorten the first bake even more?

Yes. As long as the ham is heated through, the timing is flexible.

The exact reheating time depends on the size and starting temperature of the ham.

Can I make the glaze ahead of time?

Absolutely.

Prepare the glaze up to two days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Warm it gently before using.

Can I use a spiral-cut ham?

Yes. Spiral-cut hams work especially well because the glaze can seep between the slices for extra flavor.

What if my glaze thickens too much?

Simply add a small splash of water and warm gently while stirring until it reaches the desired consistency.

Can I double the glaze?

Definitely.

Many people enjoy extra glaze for serving, and doubling the recipe ensures plenty for brushing and drizzling.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Glazed Ham is the ultimate holiday centerpiece. The combination of sweet honey, rich brown sugar, tangy Dijon mustard, and buttery goodness creates an irresistible glaze that transforms a simple cooked ham into something truly special.

Whether you’re serving it for Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, or a family gathering, this easy recipe delivers beautiful presentation, incredible flavor, and plenty of leftovers to enjoy throughout the week. With minimal prep time and simple ingredients, it’s a stress-free dish that’s guaranteed to impress your guests and become a treasured tradition for years to come.