Name: Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 pound bone-in spiral-cut half ham smoked or uncured; 2 tablespoons honey; 1 cup pure maple syrup; ½ cup Dijon mustard; 2 tablespoons brown sugar

There’s something undeniably comforting about a beautifully glazed ham that fills your kitchen with warm, sweet aromas as it cooks. This Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe offers that perfect balance of sticky sweetness and tangy mustard that makes every bite a crowd-pleaser. It’s a classic centerpiece that’s surprisingly easy to pull off — trust me, you’ll want to make this for your next holiday or special get-together.

A stack of pancakes with about eight layers of thin, golden-brown pancakes sits on a white plate, each layer covered with a smooth, creamy light brown sauce that drips down the sides. The top pancake is fully coated with the sauce, making it look shiny and rich. The pancakes have a soft texture with some browning marks visible. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe more times than I can count, and every time I get the same glowing compliments. Its blend of honey, maple, and mustard is where the magic happens – it’s sweet, tangy, and perfectly caramelized on top, making the ham juicy and flavorful all the way through.

Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of pantry staples, yet the flavor is anything but basic.
Hands-Off Cooking: Once it’s in the oven, you can relax and let the slow baking work its magic.
Showstopping Appearance: The caramelized glaze creates that beautiful shiny finish that everyone admires.
Customizable Sweetness & Tang: You can easily tweak the honey, maple syrup, or mustard levels to suit your taste buds.

A close-up view of a large cooked ham with many thick slices stacked and showing a shiny, brown glaze on the surface, sitting in a black pan on a white marbled surface. A woman's hand is holding a small clear glass jar filled with a smooth yellow sauce, while another woman's hand is using a spoon to pour the sauce over the top of the ham, with the sauce flowing down the sides and shining in the light. The background shows white tiled walls. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays a special role in building that glaze’s signature flavor and texture. When shopping, grab the best quality honey and pure maple syrup you can find—they really do make a noticeable difference in the final taste.

Flat lay of a whole bone-in spiral-cut half ham with natural marbling and a pinkish hue, a small white bowl filled with golden honey, a small white bowl containing dark amber pure maple syrup, a small white bowl of smooth pale yellow Dijon mustard, and a small white bowl of light brown soft brown sugar, all ingredients fresh and natural, arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Bone-in spiral-cut ham: This cut is ideal for even cooking and easy serving since it’s already sliced, plus it stays wonderfully juicy.
Honey: Adds a floral sweetness that caramelizes beautifully without overpowering.
Pure maple syrup: Offers rich, deep sweetness and a hint of earthy flavor that pairs brilliantly with the ham.
Dijon mustard: Brings a subtle tang and sharpness that balances the sweetness perfectly.
Brown sugar: Sprinkled on top, it helps create that irresistible crust and deep golden color.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how flexible this Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe can be depending on what you’re craving. Sometimes, I’ll add a pinch of cloves or cinnamon to the glaze for an extra festive touch, especially around the holidays. Don’t be afraid to experiment a little!

Spicy Twist: Adding a splash of hot sauce or sprinkling red pepper flakes to the glaze gives a lovely gentle heat that wakes up the sweetness.
Smoky Flavor Boost: Using a smoked ham deepens the flavor, which I particularly enjoy when serving to guests who appreciate richer tastes.
Maple-Free Version: If pure maple syrup isn’t on hand, just increase the honey slightly, and the glaze is still fantastic.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Glaze

First things first: set your oven to 275°F. While it’s warming up, whisk together the honey, pure maple syrup, and Dijon mustard until you have a smooth, glossy glaze. I usually cover it and pop it in the fridge while I get the ham ready. This allows all the flavors to mingle.

Step 2: Ready Your Ham and Pan

Line a deep roasting pan with parchment paper—it keeps cleanup simple. Unwrap your spiral-cut ham and lay it flat-side down in the pan. Then, sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the top and sides. That sugar is the secret to that caramelized crust everyone loves.

Step 3: Bake Low and Slow

Cover the ham tightly with foil and pop it into the oven. I like to bake it about 15 minutes per pound—so for an 8-pound ham, that’s roughly 2 hours. This gentle heat warms the ham all the way through without drying it out.

Step 4: Glaze and Broil for That Perfect Finish

Once it’s done baking, take the ham out, remove the foil, and crank your oven to broil. Pour the glaze evenly over the top, then return the ham uncovered under the broiler for 5 to 8 minutes. Watch it carefully — you want the glaze bubbly and caramelized but not burnt. The smell at this stage is pure heaven.

Step 5: Slice and Serve

Let the ham rest a few minutes after broiling, then slice it right along those spiral cuts. Serve warm and soak up all those delicious juices that have gathered in the pan.

Top Tip

From my many ham-cooking attempts, here are the key things I’ve learned to make the Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe a guaranteed success every time:

Even Glaze Coverage: Use a basting brush or pour gently to make sure the glaze coats the ham well, getting in between the spirals too.
Watch the Broil Closely: The broiler works FAST — don’t step away or the glaze can turn from caramelized to burnt in seconds.
Slow and Low Heat: Baking at a low temperature ensures tender, moist ham without drying it out.
Rest Before Slicing: Letting the ham rest helps the juices redistribute so every slice is juicy.

How to Serve Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe

Honey Maple Glazed Ham - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love garnishing with fresh rosemary sprigs and a few thin orange slices tucked around the platter. The herbs add a lovely green contrast, and the citrus not only looks pretty but also complements the sweetness of the glaze.

Side Dishes

This ham pairs beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts with a little balsamic drizzle, and buttery dinner rolls. Sometimes I add a bright apple cranberry sauce on the side — it balances the richness perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For festive occasions, I’ve laid the ham on a large wooden cutting board surrounded by seasonal fruit like figs, pomegranate seeds, and pecans. It makes the spread look extra special and evokes that warm, inviting holiday vibe that guests love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually let leftover ham cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 4 days, perfect for sandwiches or breakfast hashes.

Freezing

Freezing cooked ham is a great option if you want to save some for later. Slice or chunk the ham first, wrap pieces individually in foil or freezer bags, and freeze for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I cover the ham slices with foil and warm them gently in a 275°F oven to avoid drying out. Adding a splash of water or broth to the pan helps keep things moist. You can brush on a bit more glaze during reheating if you want to refresh that caramelized shine.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a pre-cooked ham for this Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe?

Absolutely! Most spiral-cut hams from the store are pre-cooked, which makes this recipe super convenient. The baking step just warms the ham through and caramelizes the glaze so you get maximum flavor without overcooking.

What’s the best way to avoid burning the glaze under the broiler?

Keep a close eye on the ham while it’s under the broiler, as it can brown quickly. Set your oven rack a bit further from the heat source if possible, and broil in short bursts of 2–3 minutes, checking and rotating as needed to get an even caramelization without burning.

Can I make the glaze ahead of time?

Yes! Making the glaze ahead is a great time-saver. Just whisk the ingredients together and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Give it a quick stir before using.

What sides go best with honey maple glazed ham?

Traditional sides like mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and dinner rolls are fantastic. I also recommend a fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette or a fruity chutney to complement the ham’s sweetness and keep the meal balanced.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe has earned a permanent spot in my holiday gatherings because it’s just that reliably delicious and surprisingly easy. I hope you’ll give it a try — there’s something so satisfying about pulling a perfectly glazed, juicy ham out of the oven. Your family and friends will thank you, and you might just find yourself making it year-round!