This Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze is the best ham recipe you’ll ever taste! Basted with a sweet and tangy glaze, it turns out moist and flavorful with a beautiful exterior that will make your guests rave. Perfect for the holidays, it’s easy to prepare and makes plenty to feed a crowd.  

The BEST Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze

In my house, ham is a staple for any holiday dinner (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter), and this baked ham with pineapple and brown sugar tastes just like what my mom used to make, except a bit better, haha (don’t tell her I said that, lol). I promise you’ll never need another ham recipe again. 

Unlike other recipes that can turn out tough, boring, and bland, this spiral ham recipe is always juicy and full of flavor! That’s because it bakes low and slow and is consistently coated with the sweet, sticky glaze, which is the best ham glaze recipe you’ll come across. By the time it’s done, it’s beautifully browned and glistening with flavor. 

There’s just something about the combination of salty meat, sweet sugar, and tangy mustard with a touch of vinegar that always hits the spot! It’s the perfect addition to your holiday meal alongside candied yams, mashed potato, collard greens, dirty rice, and baked mac and cheese, of course. I guarantee this baked ham recipe will be an instant favorite for your entire family!    

Ingredients Needed

Ham: You’ll need a large bone-in, precooked spiral ham that’s 8-10 pounds. The bone-in ham leads to great flavor, which is what we want!

Dark Brown Sugar: This forms the base of the glaze for this brown sugar glazed ham recipe, creating the sweet molasses flavor we want. 

Pineapple Juice: Adds extra sweetness and the acidity helps tenderize the meat. 

Dijon Mustard: Adds a tangy taste that cuts the sweetness of the glaze slightly, creating a well-balanced flavor. I use whole-grain mustard for extra texture and because I think it looks pretty, lol.

Garlic: Infuses the glaze with robust flavor. For the best results, use whole garlic cloves and smash them to release all that garlicky flavor into the glaze.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Helps create a thinner consistency and balances the flavors of the glaze by adding a delicious and necessary tang.

Thyme: Fresh thyme adds a bright, herbaceous flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients and adds depth to the glaze. 

Spices: You’ll need ground cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper for added warmth and a rich flavor that truly takes this recipe to the next level. 

How to this Brown Sugar Glazed Ham Recipe

Step 1. Bring the ham to room temperature on the counter an hour prior to cooking. While the ham warms, preheat the oven to 325 degrees and position the rack in the middle. Then, prepare a roasting pan by spraying it with oil or covering it with aluminum foil. 

Step 2. Add all the ham glaze recipe ingredients to a medium saucepan, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat, and let the glaze simmer for 8-15 minutes or until it thickens and starts to become syrupy. Remember, it will continue to thicken as it cools! 

Step 3. Next, remove your ham from the packaging, and discard any netting, plastic discs, etc. Then, fully cover the ham with aluminum foil, and place it in the prepared roasting pan. Bake for 12-18 minutes per pound of ham, making sure the internal temperature reaches 140F before removing it from the oven. 

Step 4. Roughly 60 minutes after cooking, when the thickest part of the ham (not touching the bone) reaches an internal temperature of 100F, baste the ham with the brown sugar glaze. Loosely cover the foil over the ham, and continue to baste every 15 minutes or until it cooks through. 

Step 5. Once done, remove the ham from the oven, and liberally brush the glaze all over. Be sure to get some in between the slices of ham to ensure every bit of meat is thoroughly covered! Reserve some glaze or make double the amount (which I highly recommend) to brush over individual slices when serving. 

Step 6. Let the baked ham rest for about 20-30 minutes before slicing and enjoying. Plate the ham on a platter, and add the drippings and glaze accordingly to ensure the ham isn’t dry and that every bite is magically delicious! 

Tips on the Cooking the Best Baked Ham Recipe

• Double the Ham Glaze Recipe: I like to double the ham glaze recipe as I like to serve it alongside the baked ham…and trust me… you will regret not doubling the glaze.
• Ham Should be Room Temperature: Let the ham come to room temperature before cooking, as that will expedite the time it is in the oven,
• Don’t Overcook the Ham: Overheating is a common mistake that can cause the ham to dry out. Since it’s already fully cooked, you only need to warm it up to 140°F (60°C) to ensure it’s safe to eat. Overcooking can make the ham tough and less enjoyable.
• Use a Thermometer: A thermometer is essential for this recipe and will save you from stressing out.
• Let It Rest: After you remove the ham from the oven, let it rest for about 10-15 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
• Don’t be Afraid to Crank Up the Heat: To get your desired color and crispiness, feel free to crank up the heat to 400F in the last 10 minutes. 
• Broil the Ham: If you want a beautiful color, broil your ham for 1-3 minutes at the very end of cooking if it’s not brown enough.

More Savory Recipes 

• Easy Hamburger Soup
• Fried Chicken Wings
• Cauliflower Au Gratin with Gruyere and Bacon
• The Best Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

I hope you love this Baked Ham Recipe with Brown Sugar Glaze! It is absolutely delicious and perfect for a crowd. If you do give this recipe a try, I want to know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @butterloveandsalt on INSTAGRAM. Your reviews help support Butter, Love & Salt and make it possible for me to continue to create delicious recipes. 

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Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze

5 from 3 votes

Prep Time :15 minutes mins

Cook Time :2 hours hrs

Serves: 16

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Ingredients

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Ham

• ▢ 8-10 pound bone-in ham precooked spiral cut ham

Brown Sugar Glaze

• ▢ 1 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• ▢ 1 cup pineapple juice 100%
• ▢ 3 tablespoon Dijon Mustard wholegrain
• ▢ 4 garlic cloves smashed
• ▢ 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• ▢ 6 sprigs thyme
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• ▢ 1/8 teaspoon cloves
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

• Take the ham out of the refrigerator an hour prior to cooking to let it come to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and position the rack in the middle of the oven. Then, prepare a roasting pan by spraying with oil or covering with aluminum foil.
• Make the Glaze: Add the ham glaze recipe ingredients to a medium sauce pan and then bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let the glaze simmer for 8-15 minutes or until it thickens and starts to become syrupy. Note, the glaze will continue to thicken as it cools.
• Next, remove your ham from the packaging and discard any packaging that came with it like netting, plastic disc, etc. Then, fully cover the ham with aluminum foil and place the ham in the roasting pan. Put the ham in the preheated oven and bake for 12-18 minutes per pound (about 1.5 – 2 hours). Be sure the internal temperature of your ham is 140F before removing it from the oven and serving.
• When thickest part of the ham (not touching bone) reaches the internal temperature of 100F (about 60 minutes after cooking), baste the ham with glaze and loosely cover the foil over the ham. Baste the ham every 15 minutes until the ham reaches 140F with the foil loosely covered on the ham when back in the oven. If your ham is getting too dark, adjust your foil to ensure the ham is fully covered. If your ham is not obtaining the color you desire, you cook the ham uncovered and increase the temperature to 400F in the last 10 minutes of cooking (around 125-130F) or broil the ham for 1-3 minutes to get a nice color.
• Once done, remove the ham from the oven and liberally brush the glaze over the ham. Be sure to get some in between the slices of ham to ensure that the ham is thoroughly covered. Reserve some glaze to brush individual slices on the serving platter.
• Let the ham rest for about 20-30 minutes before slicing and enjoying. Plate the ham in a platter and add the ham drippings and glaze accordingly to ensure the ham isn’t dry and is magically delicious!

Notes

1. 1. Double the Ham Glaze Recipe for lots of glaze: I like to double the ham glaze recipe as I like to serve it alongside the baked ham…and trust me… you will regret not doubling the glaze. Note, the original amount does make a good amount, but I like more, lol.
   2. Ham Should be Room Temperature: Let the ham come to room temperature before cooking, as that will expedite the time it is in the oven.
   3. Don’t Overcook the Ham: Overheating is a common mistake that can cause the ham to dry out. Since it’s already fully cooked, you only need to warm it up to 140°F (60°C) to ensure it’s safe to eat. Overcooking can make the ham tough and less enjoyable.
   4. Use a Thermometer: A thermometer is essential for this recipe and will save you from stressing out.
   5. Let It Rest: After you remove the ham from the oven, let it rest for about 10-15 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
   6. Don’t be Afraid to Crank Up the Heat: To get your desired color and crispiness, feel free to crank up the heat to 400F in the last 10 minutes. 
   7. Broil the Ham: If you want a beautiful color, broil your ham for 1-3 minutes at the very end of cooking if it’s not brown enough.

Nutritional Information

Serving: 6 ozCalories: 642kcal (32%)Carbohydrates: 23g (8%)Protein: 49g (98%)Fat: 38g (58%)Saturated Fat: 14g (88%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0.001gCholesterol: 141mg (47%)Sodium: 2729mg (119%)Potassium: 708mg (20%)Fiber: 0.3g (1%)Sugar: 22g (24%)Vitamin A: 21IUVitamin C: 2mg (2%)Calcium: 41mg (4%)Iron: 2mg (11%)

Recipe by: Chavez Adams / Butter, Love & Salt | Photography by: Meg McKeehan