Honey Glazed Ham | The Best Honey Glazed Ham For Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter
If you’ve ever scrolled through holiday recipes and felt overwhelmed by massive hams that could feed an entire football team, this one’s for you. This honey glazed ham recipe is made with a modest 3-pound smoked ham, just right for small to medium families. It’s got all the flavor and festive flair of a big showstopper but in a size that actually makes sense. You’ll get enough for 6–8 people, with a little left over for sandwiches the next day (arguably the best part).
What I love most about this honey baked ham is how easy it is. You don’t need fancy ingredients or a complicated process, just a bit of time, a pot, and a few pantry staples. The honey, mustard, and brown sugar create that sticky-sweet glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven, while the juniper, cloves, and nutmeg give it that unmistakable holiday warmth. Whether it’s your Thanksgiving ham, your Christmas ham, or your Easter ham, this is one of those family recipes that’ll become a yearly tradition in no time.
Why This Honey Glazed Ham Recipe Works
- It’s the perfect size for real families. Most honey glazed ham recipes are written for hams the size of a small car, enough to feed twenty or more people. This one uses a 3lb joint, big enough to serve 6–8 with leftovers for sandwiches, but not so big it takes over your kitchen. It’s an ideal small ham for Thanksgiving or any of your Christmas family meals.
- The slow simmer makes all the difference. Instead of going straight into the oven, the ham simmers first with onion, carrot, and stock. That extra step makes it unbelievably juicy, removes excess salt from the smoked meat, and infuses a deep, savory base that balances the sweetness of the glaze. It’s the kind of technique that separates the good from the best honey glazed ham.
- The glaze is pure holiday magic. A mix of honey, brown sugar, and mustard creates that perfect sticky-sweet coating: glossy, rich, and full of flavor. It caramelizes beautifully under the heat and gives you that signature golden shine of a true brown sugar honey glazed ham.
- Spices that make it smell (and taste) like the holidays. The combination of cloves, juniper berries, and nutmeg gives this ham its classic holiday warmth. They cut through the sweetness, add a cozy depth, and fill your kitchen with that unmistakable festive aroma. Whether you’re making this as your Thanksgiving ham, Christmas ham, or Easter ham, it feels special the moment it hits the oven.
- It’s as simple as it is impressive. This recipe doesn’t ask for anything fancy — just good, simple ingredients and an easy two-step cooking process that leaves you with something that looks like it came from a restaurant. It’s an approachable, foolproof option for anyone wanting to make the best Christmas ham or the best ham for Thanksgiving without overcomplicating the day.
Why This Is the Best Ham for Thanksgiving
When it comes to Thanksgiving family meals, this honey glazed ham is the unsung hero. Sure, turkey gets all the attention, but let’s be honest—ham steals the show once it hits the table. This best ham for Thanksgiving fits perfectly into the lineup of cozy side dishes, from mashed potatoes and stuffing to roasted vegetables and mac and cheese. Plus, because it’s a smaller joint, it doesn’t dominate your oven space or take all day to cook.
If you’re looking for a small ham for Thanksgiving, this one’s ideal. It gives you all that festive flavor without the giant leftovers or stress of carving an oversized joint. The sweetness of the honey and brown sugar pairs beautifully with cranberry sauce and cornbread, making it a brilliant alternative or companion to turkey. Once you’ve made this brown sugar honey glazed ham for Thanksgiving, you might not go back to poultry again.
How to Make Honey Glazed Ham:
Step 1: Simmer the Ham
Place your 3lb smoked ham in a large cast iron pot (or any sturdy pot) along with the diced onion, carrots, and stock. I like to use half chicken and half vegetable stock for the best flavor balance. Bring it to a gentle boil, cover, and let it simmer for about 40 minutes. This slow boil keeps the meat juicy and removes excess salt from the smoked ham. Top the ham up with water if it starts to reduce too much.
Step 2: Prep for Glazing
Carefully lift your ham from the pot and set it on a cutting board or plate to cool just enough so you can handle it. Don’t throw out the cooking stock—it’s liquid gold for gravy later. Once the ham’s cool enough, gently peel off the skin using a small knife, leaving as much of that lovely fat behind as possible.
Step 3: Score and Stud
Using a sharp knife, cut shallow crisscrosses all over the fat layer to create little diamonds. Press a clove into the center of each cross, this not only looks beautiful but infuses the ham with that warm, spiced holiday aroma that makes the whole house smell incredible.
Step 4: Make the Glaze for Honey Ham
In a small bowl, mix together the honey, mustard, light brown sugar, and nutmeg. This sticky mixture is your glaze for honey ham, simple, shiny, and irresistibly sweet.
Step 5: Bake It Up
Pour away the stock from the pot (save it for later, it will make a great gravy!) and place the ham back inside. Pour your glaze all over the top, coating it thoroughly. Bake in a 350°F oven for 30–40 minutes until the glaze turns rich and caramelized. Every so often, spoon some of the melted glaze from the bottom of the pot back over the ham for that glossy finish.
Step 6: Rest and Serve
Let your honey baked ham rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing. Serve it up with roasted potatoes, green beans, or even a buttery mac and cheese.
Why This Is the Best Christmas Ham
Nothing says holiday spirit like a glistening Christmas ham in the center of the table. This recipe makes the best Christmas ham because it’s rich, flavorful, and looks absolutely stunning when served. The warm spices: cloves, nutmeg, and juniper berries—fill your kitchen with that unmistakable festive scent, and the caramelized honey crust gives it that classic ham for xmas dinner look.
For Christmas family meals, this honey glazed ham is the perfect main course. It pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables, buttery mashed potatoes, and sweet glazed carrots. It’s easy to make, feeds everyone without excess waste, and tastes like something straight out of a restaurant. Whether you serve it hot on Christmas day or cold in sandwiches the next morning, it’s truly the best honey glazed ham for celebrating with family.
FAQ
1. Can I use boneless ham for this recipe?
Yes, a boneless ham works great, thats what I used.
2. How do I stop my honey glaze from burning?
If your glaze darkens too quickly, loosely cover the ham with foil for the last 10–15 minutes.
3. Can I make this honey glazed ham ahead of time?
Absolutely! Make it a day ahead, refrigerate, and reheat gently in the oven before serving. The flavors deepen overnight.
4. What can I use instead of juniper berries?
A small splash of gin (seriously!) or a few crushed allspice berries can mimic that flavor.
5. How do I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It’s amazing in sandwiches or diced into omelets.
6. Can I freeze leftover ham?
Yes, wrap slices in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
7. What’s the best side dish for honey glazed ham?
Roast potatoes, buttery greens, mac and cheese, or cranberry sauce, this works for thanksgiving family meals and christmas family meals alike.
Why This Is the Perfect Easter Ham
This Easter ham is the ultimate centerpiece for your spring celebration. The honey and brown sugar create that signature shine and sweetness everyone loves, while the cloves and juniper keep it feeling traditional and timeless. It’s the kind of honey baked ham that makes Easter lunch feel special without turning your kitchen into chaos.
Because it’s a smaller joint, it’s perfect for family recipes and gatherings where you don’t need an enormous cut of meat. It’s easy to make, easy to slice, and guaranteed to be the best honey glazed ham to serve with fresh rolls, roasted vegetables, and maybe a side of scalloped potatoes. If you’re hunting for a glaze for honey ham that works year-round, this one shines brightest at Easter, but honestly, it’s just as good in November and December.
Variations Of Honey Glazed Ham
- Maple Glazed Ham: Swap honey for maple syrup for a smoky sweetness.
- Spiced Orange Ham: Add orange zest and juice to the glaze for a citrusy twist.
- Apple Cider Ham: Replace half the stock with apple cider for a sweet, tangy flavor.
- Whiskey Glazed Ham: Stir a splash of whiskey into the glaze for a rich, boozy depth.
- Chili Honey Ham: Add a pinch of chili flakes to the glaze for a subtle heat kick.
Latest Recipes:
- Ground Beef Tacos | Soft Shell Tacos
- Grilled Chicken Sandwich With Bacon
- White Chocolate And Raspberry Cookies
- The Best Pizza Dough – Overnight Pizza Recipe
- Chicken Bacon Pasta Salad
Become a subscriber for free!
Subscribe to Drenched In Flavor’s email subscriber list to make sure you never miss a super tasty recipe. Fill out your email below to receive free recipes to your inbox every week!
Honey Glazed Ham
Ingredients
- 3 lb uncooked skin-on smoked ham
- 1 small onion roughly diced
- 2 carrots roughly diced
- 60 –70 oz stock half chicken, half vegetable
- ½ cup honey
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 2 tbsp light brown sugar
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 5-10 dried juniper berries
- handful of cloves
Instructions
- Simmer the smoked ham with onion, carrot, and stock for 40 minutes until tender.
- Remove the ham and pour out the stock(save it for gravy) peel off the skin using a knife, and score the fat in a diamond pattern.
- Stud each crosshatch with cloves for that classic holiday ham look and flavor.
- Mix honey, brown sugar, mustard, and nutmeg to make your glaze for honey ham.
- Place the ham back in the pot or a roasting dish, pour over the glaze, and bake at 350°F for 30–40 minutes until golden and sticky.
- Rest before slicing. Serve your brown sugar honey glazed ham warm for the perfect Thanksgiving ham or Christmas ham dinner.
This looks delicious! I’ll be trying this recipe for Christmas. Great post!