This Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham is a show-stopping centerpiece perfect for holidays, special occasions, or even a hearty Sunday supper. A pre-cooked ham is transformed with a luscious glaze of brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and warm spices, creating a sweet, tangy, and utterly irresistible crust. The scoring of the ham allows the glaze to penetrate deeply, infusing every slice with flavor. This recipe balances convenience with homemade goodness, making it accessible for cooks of all skill levels.
Why you will love this recipe:
- Effortless Elegance: It takes a pre-cooked ham and elevates it to a gourmet dish with minimal effort.
- Flavor Explosion: The combination of sweet brown sugar, rich honey, tangy mustard, and aromatic spices creates a complex and unforgettable flavor profile.
- Moist and Tender: The glaze seals in the ham’s natural juices, ensuring a moist and tender result.
- Versatile: It can be served as a main course for a festive gathering, sliced for sandwiches, or incorporated into other delicious recipes.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This ham is guaranteed to be a hit with family and friends.
Introduction:
The holiday season, or any special occasion, calls for a centerpiece dish that is both visually stunning and absolutely delicious. This Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham delivers on both fronts. While a whole roasted turkey can be intimidating, a pre-cooked ham offers a convenient starting point. The magic lies in the glaze. This recipe transforms a humble ham into a culinary masterpiece by creating a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate. The combination of brown sugar, honey, and Dijon mustard, elevated by warming spices like cinnamon and cloves, creates a glaze that is both sweet and savory, with a hint of spice. The scoring of the ham ensures that the glaze penetrates deep into the meat, infusing every slice with its incredible flavor. Whether you’re hosting a large gathering or simply want to impress your family, this Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham is sure to be a resounding success. The rich aroma that fills your kitchen as it bakes is enough to make anyone’s mouth water in anticipation. Plus, the leftovers are just as amazing, making it a gift that keeps on giving. Get ready to receive rave reviews and make this Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham a new family tradition!
Ingredients:
- 8-10 pound bone-in cooked ham
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup unsalted butter (reduced fat or full fat)
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
Preparation:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C) and arrange a rack in the lower third. This lower temperature will gently warm the ham through without drying it out. Preparing the oven correctly is a foundational step for even cooking and optimal flavor development.
Step 2: Remove any plastic packaging or netting from the ham. These materials are not oven-safe and need to be discarded before proceeding. Trimming away the rind is also important. While some people enjoy the rind, removing it allows the glaze to adhere directly to the fat layer underneath, resulting in a more flavorful crust. Set the ham aside to rest at room temperature for 1-2 hours. This allows the ham to warm slightly, which helps it cook more evenly.
Step 3: Line a baking tray or dish with several sheets of aluminum foil or parchment paper (if you prefer; it will make cleanup a lot easier). Lining your pan is an essential tip as the sugars in the glaze will caramelize and stick during baking, making cleanup significantly easier. The multiple layers ensure that even if one layer tears, you have a backup.
Step 4: Remove the rind or skin of the ham (refer to steps in post), ensuring you leave the fat on. Using a sharp knife, score a 1-inch-wide diamond pattern (don’t cut more than ¼ inch deep) over the entire ham. Scoring the ham is a crucial step for two reasons. First, it creates more surface area for the glaze to adhere to. Second, it allows the glaze to penetrate deeper into the meat, infusing it with flavor. Be careful not to cut too deeply, as this can cause the ham to dry out. Place the ham in the baking tray; pour ⅓ cup of water into the base of the pan and cover the ham with two pieces of foil or parchment paper and bake for 30 minutes. The water in the pan creates steam, which helps to keep the ham moist. Covering the ham with foil or parchment paper prevents it from drying out during the initial baking phase.
Step 5: Meanwhile, heat the butter in a small pot or saucepan over medium heat until golden browned. Add in the brown sugar, honey, mustard, cinnamon, and cloves, stirring to mix together well until the brown sugar has completely dissolved (about 2 minutes). The browning of the butter adds a nutty depth to the glaze. Ensure that the brown sugar is fully dissolved, as any undissolved sugar can crystallize and create a grainy texture.
Step 6: Reduce heat to low and add in the garlic. Allow it to become fragrant, cooking for a further minute or two until the glaze just begins to simmer, then set it aside and let cool to lukewarm (the glaze should be the consistency of room-temperature honey). Simmering the garlic in the glaze infuses it with a subtle, savory flavor. Allowing the glaze to cool slightly thickens it, making it easier to brush onto the ham.
Step 7: After 30 minutes of baking time, carefully remove the ham from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C). Discard the foil or parchment paper and pour ⅓ of the glaze all over the ham, brushing in between the cuts to evenly cover. Increasing the oven temperature allows the glaze to caramelize and create a beautiful, glossy crust. Be sure to brush the glaze into all the crevices created by the scoring.
Step 8: Return to the oven and bake uncovered for 15 minutes. The uncovered baking allows the glaze to caramelize and create a beautiful, glossy crust.
Step 9: Remove from the oven, brush with another third of the glaze and some of the pan juices, and repeat again after 15 minutes more minutes of baking until a dark golden-brown crust has formed (about 30 minutes total). Basting the ham with the glaze and pan juices every 15 minutes ensures that it is evenly coated and develops a rich, flavorful crust. The pan juices add depth of flavor to the glaze.
Step 10: For added depth of flavor, mix some of the ham pan juices together with the glaze in the pot, which will help keep it runny enough for brushing. If your crust is still pink after there suggested baking time, turn on your broiler (or oven grill), and allow it to broil for 2-5 minutes, while keeping an eye on it so it doesn’t burn from the sugar. If the crust hasn’t browned sufficiently after the specified baking time, broiling it for a few minutes can help achieve the desired color and texture. However, watch it carefully, as the sugar in the glaze can burn easily.
Step 11: Let the ham rest 10-20 minutes before slicing. Allowing the ham to rest before slicing allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more moist and tender result.
COOKING Rating: Intermediate.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve sliced as the centerpiece of a holiday meal with sides like mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and dinner rolls.
- Use the leftover ham to make sandwiches, salads, or quiches.
- Dice the ham and add it to omelets, frittatas, or pasta dishes.
- Serve the ham with a fruit chutney or a cranberry sauce for a contrasting flavor.
Tips:
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the ham is heated through to an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).
- If the glaze becomes too thick during baking, add a tablespoon or two of water to thin it out.
- Don’t overbake the ham, as it will dry out.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Nutritional Information:
Calories: 304kcal
Protein: 27g
Sodium: 1.693mg
Conclusion:
This Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham is more than just a recipe; it’s an experience. From the tantalizing aroma that fills your kitchen to the exquisite flavor that graces your palate, every aspect of this dish is designed to delight. It’s a perfect centerpiece for any occasion, guaranteed to impress your guests and leave them wanting more. With its effortless elegance, incredible flavor, and moist, tender texture, this ham is sure to become a new family favorite. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and prepare to embark on a culinary adventure that will elevate your next gathering to a truly special event.
Questions and Answers:
Q1: Can I use a different type of mustard in this recipe?
A: While Dijon mustard is recommended for its distinct flavor and smooth texture, you can certainly experiment with other types of mustard. Stone-ground mustard will add a bit of texture and a slightly coarser flavor, while yellow mustard will provide a more mild and tangy taste. Keep in mind that the flavor profile of the glaze will be slightly altered depending
