My Copycat Honey Baked Ham feels like a holiday every time I take a bite. It’s that perfect balance of savory and sweet, and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. It makes any gathering feel a little more special. So, if you’re like me and understand the sheer joy of a truly exceptional ham, especially one with that signature honey-kissed crust, then you’re in the right place.
If you need ideas on what on how to use the leftover ham, try my tetrazzini recipe with ham and ham and cheesy potato casserole.
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Why this Copycat Honey Baked Ham Recipe is a Keeper
A honey baked ham copycat recipe is magic. If you close your eyes, you can see and smell this ham in your mind. You will be able to remember all the special times that you had with your family and friends around the dinner table and you will want to make this delicious Holiday Ham Recipe every chance you get.
- Recreates a Classic: It delivers the signature sweet and savory flavor of Honey Baked Ham that we all love from the honey baked ham store..
- Impressive Centerpiece: It’s a show-stopping dish perfect for holidays and special occasions.
- Customizable: You can adjust the glaze to your taste preferences. Add a little dijon mustard or use a boneless ham.
- Economical: Making it at home is often more affordable than purchasing a Honey Baked Ham.
- Flavorful Leftovers: Leftover ham is versatile and can be used in numerous dishes. If you don’t use the entire ham, this recipe is the best ham for casseroles.
- It is delicious: This is a very delicious way to prepare a bone-in spiral sliced ham.
- Family favorite: This method of cooking a ham, is enjoyed by the entire family. It is baked to perfection and is a great copy of the honeybaked ham recipe.
Can I make this recipe in the slow cooker?
Yes, you can definitely make a copycat Honey Baked Ham in the slow cooker! While you might not achieve the exact same crispy, caramelized sugar crust directly in the slow cooker, you can get incredibly tender and flavorful ham that’s reminiscent of the original.
Pro Tip for this Glaze Ham
Resting Period:Allow the ham to rest, cover your ham for 10-15 minutes before slicing to redistribute juices.
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Ingredient Notes and Variation Suggestions for the Honey Glazed Ham Recipe
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Bone-in Ham: An 8 pound bone-in spiral ham. Save the ham bone to make soup!
- Honey: This sticky sweet glaze is made with the delicious honey. The honey mixture locks in all the juices.
- Brown Sugar: Another component that makes this honey baked ham recipe.
- Spices: Paprika, onion powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cloves, garlic powder and seasoned salt.
- VARIATION:Spice Variations: Add ginger, star anise, or mustard powder to the glaze.
- Liquid Variations: Add a splash of bourbon, rum, or apple cider vinegar to the glaze.
- Garnish Variations: After you bake the ham, use fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme.
How to Make Honey Baked Ham in the Oven
My Best Honey Baked Spiral Ham recipe brings the iconic sweet, smoky, and spiced flavor right to your kitchen. It’s just like your favorite, but homemade – and absolutely delicious! Plus, it’s incredibly versatile for any holiday spread.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Prep to Make a Honey Baked Ham and Place the Ham in the Oven:First, preheat oven. Then score your ham in a diamond pattern. Next, make sure that your cuts are 1/8th of an inch thick and then melt butter in a microwave safe bowl and add honey. Next, brush the glaze over the ham, making sure that it penetrates into the cuts. Cover loosely with aluminum foil and then bake in a roasting pan for 12 to 15 minutes per pound of ham or following package directions.
2. Glaze: Meanwhile, add the sugar to a bowl. Add all the spices and combine. When ham reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees (stick a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the ham). Remove foil and place any juices into a sauce pan. Coat the ham with half the sugar mixture. Then broil for 4 to 5 minutes or until the glaze starts to caramelize.
3. Finish and Brush the Ham: Meanwhile, in a small sauce pan, add remaining sugar mixture to the pan juices. Bring glaze to a boil. Then remove the glaze mixture and pour the glaze over the ham. Finally, broil for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Watching that the glaze doesn’t burn. Then remove the ham from the oven and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes to let ham juices return to meat for a tender juicy ham.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Homemade Honey Baked Ham
- Ham Selection: Purchase your ham (bone-in, spiral-cut recommended) a few days in advance at the butcher or ham store.
- Glaze Ingredients: Measure and combine the glaze ingredients (honey, brown sugar, spices) in advance. Store in an airtight container.
- Scoring: Score the ham (if needed) a day ahead and store it covered in the refrigerator.
- Spice Rub (Optional): If using a spice rub, mix and store it in an airtight container.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftover Ham Recipe with Ham Glaze
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- Storing: The most important step is to prevent the ham from drying out. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, followed by aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight container. For a whole ham, you can also use a damp ham bag (a cloth bag soaked in a water and vinegar solution).
- Reheating with Butter and Honey: Reheat tender ham on the stove top with a little honey butter.
- Using Ham Leftovers: I love to use the leftovers for sandwiches, quiches, or casseroles.
Common Questions About This Best Honey Baked Ham Recipe
Don’t Overcook: Since most hams are pre-cooked, you are primarily reheating them. Overcooking is the main reason for dryness. Follow the package instructions for heating time based on the ham’s weight.
Use a Meat Thermometer: The best way to avoid overcooking is to use a meat thermometer. For a fully cooked ham that was packaged in a USDA-inspected plant, reheat it to an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C). For cooked hams that have been repackaged or leftover cooked ham, heat to 165°F (74°C).
Towards the End of Cooking: Apply the glaze during the last 30-60 minutes of the ham’s cooking time. When you apply it too early, the sugars in the glaze can burn and the glaze can become too thick or hard on the ham.
Yes, there are several good options, such as:
Molasses: Provides a rich, deep sweetness with a slightly smoky flavor.
Corn Syrup (Light or Dark): A readily available option with a neutral to slightly caramel-like sweetness.
Golden Syrup: Has a buttery, caramel-like flavor and a smooth consistency.
Fruit Preserves or Jams (like apricot, pineapple, or orange): These can provide sweetness and fruity flavor.
The Right Glaze Consistency: Thicker is Better: A glaze that has been slightly reduced on the stovetop will be more concentrated and stickier, leading to a better crust.
Expert Tips to Make a Honey Baked Ham
This ham is a winner because of the sweet honey glaze making it perfect holiday dinner option. The combination of the spices, melted butter and honey create a melt in your mouth experience that can’t miss.
- Score the Top of the Ham: Scoring helps the glaze penetrate and creates a visually appealing presentation. You can also use a spiral cut ham if you like.
- Basting is Key: Frequent basting builds a delicious, caramelized glaze on the honeybaked ham.
- Meat Thermometer: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the ham reaches the correct internal temperature.
- Glaze Consistency: Simmer the glaze on the stovetop to thicken it if needed for the best sugar coating.
- Use Quality Honey: The better the honey, the better the final flavor.
- Broil at the end: A quick broil at the end of the cooking process will really caramelize the glaze.
- Serve the ham recipe with: List what to serve with
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Copycat Honey Baked Ham
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Ingredients
- 8 pound Bone-in ham
- 2 tablespoons Butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons Honey
- 1 ½ cups Brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon Seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon Onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon Ground cloves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 275 degrees; Adjust oven rack to the lowest position.
- If ham is unsliced, score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern about 1/8-inch deep.
- Line a roasting pan with heavy duty foil and place ham cut side down.
- In a bowl, combine butter and honey.
- Brush ham with the butter honey mixture, making sure it gets into the scores and/or slices.
- Lift up the foil to loosely cover the sides of the ham; Add additional foil to loosely cover the top.
- Bake approximately 12-15 minutes per pound, or according to the package directions.
- Ham is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees F.
- Meanwhile, combine brown sugar, seasoned salt, onion powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, paprika, ground ginger and cloves in a bowl.
- Preheat broiler.
- Remove the foil from the top of the ham and transfer any accumulated juices from the pan to a bowl.
- Fold down the foil on the sides of the ham.
- Pat half of the brown sugar seasoning mixture on the outside surface of the ham.
- Broil ham until the sugar mixture starts to bubble and caramelize, about 4-5 minutes.
- Remove ham from oven.
- In a small sauce pan, add the remaining brown sugar spice mixture and 1/4 cup of the reserved juices and bring to a boil.
- Boil for 1 minute then remove from heat.
- Pour the glaze over the outside of the ham and broil for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully so it doesn’t burn.
- Remove ham from oven and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Christina’s Notes
- Make Extra Glaze: You can put it in a gravy bowl so people can add a drizzle to their serving of ham.
- Spice it up: If you like your ham a little spicier. Add a little mustard to the glaze.
- To make Cutting Easier: Try a spiral cut ham, so you don’t have to score the ham and its easier to cut.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.
The honey baked ham looks fabulous. An thank you for all the tips you gave to have this recipe as a keeper
I love the way like ham, spices and honey combine in this recipe! Thanks for having posted it, a really good idea.
This is one of the best hams!!! Thanks for the recipe!
I am soo trying this for Easter this year!
Absolutely perfect timing! I needed an amazing honey baked ham recipe for Easter! Can’t wait to try this one!