5-Star Reader Comment
I’ll never buy a Honey-Baked Ham again. This was so easy and delicious!! Thanks for the recipe.
Edna
No Lines. No Fuss. Just Real Good Ham.
Over the years, I’ve had so many readers write and ask if I could come up with a recipe for a “honey baked ham” like the one everyone picks up for the holidays. I’ll be honest — I wasn’t sure I could pull it off. But after a little testing in my kitchen (and a few taste tests from family and friends), this version turned out absolutely delicious.
It’s sweet, caramelized, and has that crispy, golden glaze everyone loves. Best of all, it’s easy to make right at home — no need to spend extra time or money ordering one. I make this ham every year for Easter, Christmas, and even Sunday suppers when I’m cooking for a crowd. Every time, it brings the same thing — smiles around the table and a little “wow” when the first slice hits the plate.
XO,
Donya’s Tips and What You Need To Know
- Start with a bone-in spiral ham. It stays juicy, has incredible flavor, and the slices practically fall apart when you serve it.
- Good honey makes a difference. Use pure honey (not the squeeze bottle blend) for that gorgeous caramelized flavor.
- The broiler is your friend. That final step is what gives the ham its shiny, crisp coating — so don’t skip it!
- Add a little spice. A tiny pinch of cloves or allspice in the glaze gives it that cozy, holiday warmth.
- Use what you have. If you’re out of Dijon, a touch of yellow mustard works just fine — this recipe is forgiving.
- Save the bone. Toss it in a pot with beans or greens later in the week — it’s flavor gold.
- Leftovers are the bonus. Soup, breakfast casseroles, or even chopped in a salad — there’s no wrong way to use them.
Ingredients To Make A Honey Baked Ham At Home
- Ham – Choose a fully cooked, bone-in spiral ham. It stays juicy, slices easily, and has the best flavor. The bone also adds richness you can use later for soups or beans.
- Glaze – Made with melted butter, honey, Dijon mustard, and a splash of water or ham drippings. This simple mixture gives the ham its signature sweetness and glossy finish.
- Spices – A cozy blend of sugar, salt, onion powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and paprika adds warmth, balance, and just a touch of smoky flavor to the glaze.
Flavor Variations
It’s easy to give this ham your own twist — just change up the glaze or add a hint of spice to make it uniquely yours:
- Bourbon Glaze – Stir a splash of bourbon into the glaze for a rich, smoky depth that tastes extra special for the holidays.
- Spicy Maple Glaze – Swap honey for pure maple syrup and add a pinch of cayenne or hot sauce for a little sweet heat.
- Pineapple Brown Sugar Glaze – Blend crushed pineapple into the sugar coating before broiling for a bright, caramelized flavor that pairs beautifully with the ham.
How Do You Make A Honey Baked Ham?
Here’s a quick overview of how it all comes together:
- Prep the ham. Place it in a roasting pan, add a little water, and cover tightly with foil.
- Make the glaze. Whisk together honey, melted butter, and Dijon mustard.
- Bake. Warm the ham low and slow until heated through and tender.
- Add the sugar coating. Sprinkle the spice blend over the top for that classic flavor.
- Broil to caramelize. A few minutes under the broiler creates that golden, crispy glaze everyone loves.
- Rest and serve. Let the ham sit a bit before slicing — then get ready for compliments!
Ham Help Desk: Answers for Home Cooks
Yes! Bake it earlier in the day, then glaze and broil right before serving. It’ll taste freshly made and look beautiful on the table.
A fully cooked, bone-in spiral ham is my favorite. It’s juicy, easy to slice, and the bone adds so much flavor — perfect for soup later.
That’s where the magic happens! A quick broil gives you that signature caramelized crust. If you’d rather skip it, a small kitchen torch works just as well.
Definitely. Cool the slices completely, then store in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Cover slices in a baking dish with a splash of broth or water and warm at 275°F until just heated through — or enjoy it cold for sandwiches and salads.
Must-Make Holiday Classics
Ingredients
- 1 8-10 pound bone-in, spiral cut full cooked ham
- 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 cup water
- 1 ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 325 degrees and move the oven rack to the lower third of the oven.
- Line a deep roasting dish with foil. Unwrap the ham and discard the glaze packet. Place ham and water in the baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, honey, and dijon mustard. Spoon the mixture over the ham and in between the slices. Turn the ham to cut side down in the baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake the ham for 13 minutes per pound or until an instant-read thermometer reads 140 degrees.
- Make the sugar coating by mixing the sugar, salt, onion powder, cinnamon, ginger and paprika in a small bowl. Remove the foil from the ham and turn it on its side. Sprinkle half of the sugar mixture over the ham. Set the oven to broil and place in ham in oven until the sugar has caramelized.
- Add the remaining sugar mixture and 3 to 4 tablespoons of the ham juices from the pan to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until thick. Brush or pour the glaze over the ham. Place back under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes until the edges are crispy and the glaze is a dark golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
More Ways to Cook (and Love) Ham
If you’re like me and think one good ham recipe just isn’t enough, I’ve got you covered. From slow cooker favorites to sweet-and-savory baked versions, there are so many ways to make this Southern classic shine.
Whether you’re planning your holiday menu, hosting a Sunday supper, or just looking for inspiration on how to use leftovers, check out my collection of 5 Southern Ham Recipes — each one tested, loved, and made to bring people to the table.
What To Serve With Baked Ham
One of my go-to menus is this beautiful ham with Stuffed Baked Potatoes, Cinnamon Apples and Roasted Asparagus for family birthdays and Sunday supper. And if you are lucky enough to have leftovers, you’ve got to make my Southern Ham Salad!
If you tried this Copycat Honey Baked Ham Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
My New eBook!
The Effortless Host
Hosting doesn’t have to mean stress, long to-do lists, or staying stuck in the kitchen. The Effortless Host is your shortcut to pulling off beautiful gatherings with confidence and ease.
5 Days of
Southern Christmas Showstoppers
GET THIS FREE GUIDE: Southern favorites from appetizers, to cookies, to my Christmas dinner menu.
Wow, Donya — you’ve done it again! I always know that when one of your recipes shows up in my inbox, it’s going to be a winner. The directions were a bit tricky at first — I accidentally missed adding the honey butter mustard glaze but caught it an hour in, and it turned out perfectly! I saved the broth before adding the sugar and plan to use it to make some beans with the ham bone. I’m so glad I did because the ham made even more flavorful broth when I broiled it. My husband couldn’t get enough! I served it with green bean casserole and your cinnamon apples — total home run!
Oh wow — thank you so much for this amazing note! I’m thrilled the recipe turned out so well for you (even with the glaze hiccup — sounds like it still came out perfectly in the end!). I love that you saved the broth to use with beans and the ham bone — talk about smart and flavorful planning. You made my day with this one — thank you for cooking along with me and sharing your kitchen magic!
~Donya
Did you mean to sprinkle the sugar mixture on just one side of the ham and did you mean to broil only one side of the ham ? I want to verify before I try please
I sprinkle the sugar over the sides of the ham that are “exposed” and not underneath. However, you can do it however you wish, 1 side or over the whole ham. This recipe is very forgiving.
Enjoy!
~Donya
I’m anxious to try this but I’m not understanding the instructions ie why place ham on side to apply the sugar mixture? Is it supposed to go into the slices? I assume you apply to both sides so I’m wondering why not drizzle it over the top, broil, apply the thickened sugar sauce, and broil again?
Sorry if I’m making this too difficult 🙄
Is it possible to do this in a slow cooker??
I’ve not tested it in the crock pot. Let me know how it turns out.
~Donya
I’ll never buy a Honey-Baked Ham again. This was so easy and delicious!! Thanks for the recipe.
Hey there Edna!
I am thrilled to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, I totally agree with you it’s better than any of the store bought version! If you enjoyed this Ham recipe, you should check out my Brown Sugar Mustard Baked Ham, it’s just as simple to make and the flavors are outstanding! Thank you so much for your kind words of support, if you ever have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out and ask!
~Donya
And you’re so right, i would never think of buying something i could put together myself. Plus dear Lady, with your wonderful recipe , what else could i ask for.
And Happy Thanksgiving, and Blessings to you and family!
Hey there Mary!
Wow! I am so happy to hear that you’re giving tis recipe a try, I totally agree with you that it’s always better to make it yourself instead of buying it! I really hope you enjoy the recipe, please let me know if you have any questions, I’m always happy to help. Thank you so much for your kind words and support, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
~Donya