What You’ll Love About This Recipe
This homemade ham glaze recipe is a game-changer for your holiday meals, bringing a perfect balance of sweetness and flavor to your dish. It’s easy to make with simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
- Simple and Quick: Just mix, brush, and bake—no fuss, no stress.
- Customizable Flavors: Adjust the sweetness or tanginess to match your taste.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Your guests will keep coming back for seconds!
Recipe
Elevate your holiday ham with this simple yet flavorful homemade glaze. Combining sweet and savory elements, this recipe will add a glossy finish and depth of flavor to your ham, making it the star of any festive table.
Ingredients:
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
- In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, ground cloves, and ground cinnamon.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar has completely dissolved and the glaze is smooth.
- Once the glaze is ready, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly before using.
- Brush the glaze generously over your ham during the last 30 minutes of baking, reapplying every 10 minutes for a glossy, caramelized finish.
Notes:
Adjust the sweetness or tanginess by increasing or reducing the honey and vinegar amounts to suit your taste.
Equipment:
Small saucepan, whisk, basting brush
Time:
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Cuisine:
American
Serving:
Enough glaze for one 8-10 pound ham
Nutrition
This homemade ham glaze is a flavorful addition to your holiday meal. Below is the nutritional information for the glaze.
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 120 kcal |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 150 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 30 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugars | 29 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
What To Serve With It
I love pairing my glazed ham with classic side dishes like mashed potatoes or roasted veggies, but a fresh salad adds a nice crunch too. You can’t go wrong with something creamy or buttery to balance the sweet glaze, and a tangy salad keeps things light. Let me share my favorite combos that always make the meal feel special.
Classic Side Dishes
When you’ve got a homemade ham glaze that’s packed with flavor, you’ll want side dishes that complement it perfectly without stealing the show. Mashed potatoes are a must—they’re creamy, comforting, and soak up that glaze like a dream. Roasted carrots or green beans with a touch of garlic and butter add a nice balance, bringing freshness to the plate. I also love serving fluffy dinner rolls or a cornbread casserole—they’re perfect for mopping up any extra glaze. Don’t forget a cheesy scalloped potato bake—it’s rich, hearty, and pairs beautifully with the sweet-salty flavors of the ham.
Fresh Salad Options
A fresh salad can be just the thing to brighten up a hearty ham dinner, balancing the richness with crisp, vibrant flavors. I love tossing together a simple garden salad with lettuce, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes, topped with a tangy vinaigrette. For something heartier, I’ll add roasted veggies or cubes of cheese. A Caesar salad with crunchy croutons and creamy dressing is another favorite, especially with a squeeze of lemon for brightness. Sometimes, I’ll go for a spinach salad with strawberries and almonds for a sweet, nutty twist. Whatever I choose, it always feels like the perfect complement to the savory ham.
