The Ultimate Guide to Baked Ham with Glaze: Recipes, Tips, and Tricks

Baked ham is a classic dish, perfect for holidays, special occasions, or even a hearty Sunday supper. The combination of savory ham and a sweet, tangy glaze is simply irresistible. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to create a show-stopping baked ham, from selecting the right ham to crafting the perfect glaze and baking it to juicy perfection.

## Choosing the Right Ham

The first step to a successful baked ham is selecting the right ham. There are several factors to consider:

* **Type of Ham:**
* **City Ham:** This is the most common type of ham you’ll find. It’s fully cooked and ready to eat, but baking it with a glaze enhances its flavor and adds a beautiful presentation. City hams are typically wet-cured, meaning they are injected with a brine solution. They can be bone-in or boneless.
* **Country Ham:** Country hams are dry-cured, smoked, and aged. They have a much saltier and more intense flavor than city hams. Country hams require more preparation, often including soaking to remove excess salt. For this guide, we’ll focus on city hams, as they are more widely available and easier to prepare.
* **Spiral-Cut Ham:** These hams are pre-sliced in a spiral pattern, making them very easy to serve. However, they can dry out more easily during baking, so it’s important to keep them moist. Spiral-cut hams are typically city hams.

* **Bone-In vs. Boneless:**
* **Bone-In Ham:** Bone-in hams tend to be more flavorful and moist because the bone helps to retain moisture during cooking. They also make a beautiful presentation. However, they are more difficult to carve.
* **Boneless Ham:** Boneless hams are easier to slice and serve. They are a good option if you’re looking for convenience. However, they may not be as flavorful as bone-in hams.

* **Size of Ham:**
* Estimate about 1/2 pound of bone-in ham per person or 1/3 pound of boneless ham per person. Consider whether you want leftovers when choosing the size of your ham.

## Preparing the Ham

Once you’ve chosen your ham, it’s time to prepare it for baking.

1. **Remove the Ham from Packaging:** Take the ham out of its packaging and discard any netting or plastic wrap. Pat the ham dry with paper towels.

2. **Score the Ham (Optional):** Scoring the ham allows the glaze to penetrate deeper and creates a visually appealing diamond pattern. To score the ham, use a sharp knife to make shallow cuts (about 1/4 inch deep) in a diamond pattern across the surface of the ham. Be careful not to cut too deep, especially with a spiral-cut ham.

3. **Apply the Glaze (First Application):** Apply a thin layer of glaze to the ham before baking. This will help the glaze adhere better and prevent the ham from drying out. Use a brush or spoon to evenly coat the ham with the glaze.

## Glaze Recipes

The glaze is what transforms a plain baked ham into a truly special dish. There are countless variations, but here are a few popular and delicious options:

### Brown Sugar and Mustard Glaze

This classic glaze is sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy.

* **Ingredients:**
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
* 1/4 cup honey
* 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
* 1 teaspoon ground cloves

* **Instructions:**
1. In a saucepan, combine all ingredients.
2. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the brown sugar is dissolved and the glaze is smooth.
3. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.

### Maple and Bourbon Glaze

This glaze is rich, smoky, and slightly boozy.

* **Ingredients:**
* 1 cup maple syrup
* 1/2 cup bourbon
* 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
* 2 tablespoons brown sugar
* 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
* 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

* **Instructions:**
1. In a saucepan, combine all ingredients.
2. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the brown sugar is dissolved and the glaze is smooth.
3. Simmer for 5-7 minutes to reduce and thicken slightly, be careful not to burn.

### Pineapple and Ginger Glaze

This glaze is tropical, sweet, and slightly spicy.

* **Ingredients:**
* 1 cup pineapple juice
* 1/2 cup brown sugar
* 1/4 cup honey
* 2 tablespoons soy sauce
* 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

* **Instructions:**
1. In a saucepan, combine all ingredients.
2. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the brown sugar is dissolved and the glaze is smooth.
3. Simmer for 8-10 minutes to reduce and thicken slightly. Watch carefully, it burns easily.

### Honey and Garlic Glaze

This glaze is savory, sweet, and aromatic.

* **Ingredients:**
* 1 cup honey
* 1/4 cup soy sauce
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
* 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
* 1 teaspoon sesame oil
* 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

* **Instructions:**
1. In a saucepan, combine all ingredients.
2. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the glaze is smooth.
3. Simmer for 5-7 minutes to reduce and thicken slightly.

### Cherry and Balsamic Glaze

This glaze offers a balance of sweet and tangy, with a depth of flavor from the balsamic vinegar. This glaze will complement bone-in hams especially well.

* **Ingredients:**
* 1 cup cherry preserves (or cherry jam)
* 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
* 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
* 1 tablespoon honey
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* Pinch of ground cloves

* **Instructions:**
1. In a saucepan, combine all ingredients.
2. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until the cherry preserves have melted and the glaze is smooth.
3. Simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the glaze has thickened slightly and coats the back of a spoon. Be careful not to burn the glaze.

## Baking the Ham

Now that you’ve chosen your ham and prepared your glaze, it’s time to bake it.

1. **Preheat the Oven:** Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).

2. **Prepare the Baking Pan:** Place the ham in a large roasting pan. If you have a roasting rack, place it in the pan first. This will help the ham cook more evenly.

3. **Add Liquid (Optional):** Adding liquid to the bottom of the pan helps to keep the ham moist. You can use water, apple juice, pineapple juice, or even beer. Add about 1 cup of liquid to the pan.

4. **Cover the Ham (Optional):** Covering the ham with foil during the first part of baking will help to prevent it from drying out. If you choose to cover the ham, tent the foil loosely over the ham, making sure it doesn’t touch the glaze.

5. **Bake the Ham:** Bake the ham according to the following guidelines:
* **Fully Cooked Ham:** Bake for 10-15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C). Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the ham, avoiding the bone.
* **Uncooked Ham:** Bake for 18-20 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the ham, avoiding the bone. After reaching 145°F let the ham rest for 3 minutes before carving.

6. **Glaze the Ham (Second and Third Applications):** During the last 30-45 minutes of baking, remove the foil (if using) and glaze the ham every 10-15 minutes. This will create a beautiful, glossy finish. Use a brush or spoon to evenly coat the ham with the glaze.

7. **Rest the Ham:** Once the ham is cooked through, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful ham.

## Carving the Ham

Carving a ham can seem intimidating, but it’s actually quite simple with the right technique.

* **Bone-In Ham:**
1. Place the ham on a cutting board with the shank (the thinner end of the ham) facing you.
2. Use a sharp carving knife to slice around the bone, separating the meat from the bone.
3. Slice the ham into thin, even slices, working your way around the bone.
4. Once you’ve sliced as much meat as possible from the bone, you can remove the bone and slice any remaining meat.

* **Boneless Ham:**
1. Place the ham on a cutting board.
2. Use a sharp carving knife to slice the ham into thin, even slices.

* **Spiral-Cut Ham:**
1. Place the ham on a cutting board.
2. Run a knife along the bone (if bone-in) to loosen the slices.
3. The slices should easily pull away from the ham.

## Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Baked Ham

* **Don’t Overbake:** Overbaking the ham will result in a dry, tough ham. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the ham is cooked to the correct internal temperature.
* **Keep it Moist:** Adding liquid to the bottom of the pan and covering the ham with foil during the first part of baking will help to keep it moist.
* **Use a Good Glaze:** The glaze is what gives the baked ham its signature flavor. Choose a glaze that complements the flavor of the ham.
* **Score the Ham:** Scoring the ham allows the glaze to penetrate deeper and creates a visually appealing presentation.
* **Baste Frequently:** Basting the ham with the glaze during the last part of baking will create a beautiful, glossy finish.
* **Let it Rest:** Letting the ham rest before carving allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful ham.
* **For a smokier flavor,** add a pinch of smoked paprika to your glaze.
* **To add a bit of heat,** add a pinch of red pepper flakes to your glaze.
* **Use leftover ham** in sandwiches, soups, salads, or casseroles.
* **Freeze leftover ham** for up to 2 months.

## Serving Suggestions

Baked ham is a versatile dish that pairs well with a variety of sides.

* **Classic Sides:** Mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, macaroni and cheese, corn on the cob, dinner rolls.
* **Fresh Sides:** Salad, asparagus, roasted vegetables, fruit salad.
* **Sauces:** Mustard, horseradish sauce, cranberry sauce, pineapple chutney.

## Variations

* **Smoked Ham with Pineapple Glaze:** Use a smoked ham for a richer, smokier flavor. Use the pineapple and ginger glaze recipe or create your own variation.
* **Spicy Brown Sugar Glazed Ham:** Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the brown sugar and mustard glaze for a spicy kick.
* **Honey-Glazed Ham with Orange Zest:** Add orange zest to the honey and garlic glaze for a bright, citrusy flavor.
* **Slow Cooker Ham:** Free up your oven space by cooking the ham in a slow cooker. Follow the same glaze recipe and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the ham is heated through. Glaze during the last hour.

## Conclusion

Baked ham with glaze is a delicious and impressive dish that’s perfect for any occasion. With the right ham, glaze, and baking technique, you can create a show-stopping centerpiece that your family and friends will love. Experiment with different glazes and serving suggestions to find your perfect combination. Enjoy!