This oven baked ham recipe is easy to make and results in moist, tender savory meat that has the best flavor from a sweet brown sugar glaze. With 5 simple ingredients, it’s the perfect dish for the holidays! 

Sliced baked ham with brown sugar glaze on a plate.

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Why I Love This Simple Baked Ham Recipe

This baked ham recipe is similar to my honey baked ham but even easier to make. It only takes 5 minutes of prep and just 5 simple ingredients, which is exactly what I need when I want something reliable without a lot of work.

While I do love a roasted turkey at Thanksgiving, cooking a ham in the oven is a favorite for Christmas or Easter dinner. And the leftovers are honestly one of the best parts. I use them to make my favorite ham and potato soup. For a hands-off method, try my crockpot spiral ham.

XO - Jamielyn

Baked Ham Brown Sugar Glaze Recipe

This glaze is deliciously sweet and tangy, which compliments the ham perfectly. It caramelizes as it bakes in the oven and makes the meat extra juicy and flavorful.

Brown sugar glaze for oven baked ham.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Honey: The honey adds to the sweetness of the glaze. You can substitute honey for maple syrup if you prefer maple flavor.
  • Brown sugar: Light or dark brown sugar will both work. For a more subtle flavor, use light brown sugar. For a richer flavor, use dark brown sugar.
  • Dijon mustard: The mustard helps balance out the sweetness with its tangy flavor. I like using dijon instead of yellow because it has a little less vinegar and adds some spice.

How to Bake a Ham

Place the ham in a roasting pan or dutch oven cut side down. Then pour the pineapple juice (or orange juice) on top and cover tightly with foil. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.

Pouring pineapple juice over ham in a Dutch oven to keep it moist while baking.
Foil-covered baked ham in a red Dutch oven, ready to bake in the oven.

While it cooks, whisk together the glaze ingredients in a small bowl.

After 30 minutes has passed, remove from the oven and brush the glaze on top. Place back in oven for 30 minutes, then baste the ham with the juices. Baste every 15 to 20 minutes, for about 90 to 100 minutes total. It will be done when the internal temperature reaches 140°F.

Brushing glaze over baked ham in a Dutch oven for a glossy finish.

Remove from oven and let rest in pan for about 10 minutes. Then slice and enjoy!

Showing tender layers of baked ham with a brown sugar glaze.

Ham Cooking Time and Serving Size

Most seasonal and holiday hams are already fully cooked, so you’re really just warming it through and adding flavor from the glaze. Plan on baking until the center reaches 145°F on an instant-read thermometer, then let it rest a few minutes before slicing.

For how much to buy, a good rule is about 1/2 pound per person. If you want leftovers, aim closer to 3/4 pound up to 1 pound per person since spiral and bone-in hams lose a bit to the bone and you will have some trimming.

Recipe Tips

  • Finding a ham. I’ve had the best luck with purchasing a whole ham at Costco. These are always a family favorite. We usually get precooked with the bone in and a spiral ham.
  • Cover the ham. You will want to make sure the ham is fully covered with foil when baking. This will lock in all the juices and flavor and won’t get dried out.
  • Glaze. Baste the ham several times while baking to ensure the meat doesn’t dry out. I will use the juices from the bottom of the ham and continually brush or baste it on and through the groves of the spiral ham.
  • Crispy outside. Bump up the heat during the last 10 minutes of cooking if you’d like to crisp the outer edges. This gives it a caramelized texture and a rich flavor.
  • Resting. This is a major key! Let the ham rest for about 10 minutes before slicing to keep it moist and juicy.

Using Leftover Ham

One of my favorite things about baking a big ham for the holidays is the leftovers. We usually start with an easy ham sandwich or a plate of Easter dinner leftovers, then freeze the rest for easy meals later.

Favorites include this ham and bean soup with canned beans, ham and cheese sliders for an easy dinner or game day snack or this easy ham and cheese quiche for brunch.

Sliced oven baked ham with glaze on a plate.

More holiday mains include beef tenderloin roast, perfectly cooked prime rib or spatchcock turkey.

More Ham Recipes

Sliced oven baked ham on a plate.

Oven Baked Ham Recipe

5 from 34 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 24
This oven baked ham recipe is so easy to make and is great for beginners. You only need 5 simple ingredients and about 5 minutes to prep. It's the perfect dish for the holidays! 
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Ingredients 

  • 7-10 pound bone-in spiral ham
  • ½ cup pineapple juice (or orange juice)

Glaze

  • ½ cup honey (or pure maple syrup)
  • ½ cup light brown sugar , packed
  • 1-2 Tablespoons dijon mustard

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove the ham from the wrapper and discard glaze packet. Then spray a non stick spray into shallow roasting pan or dutch oven and place the ham in cut side down.
  • Pour the juice over top of the ham and then cover tightly with foil. Bake for 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, combine the glaze ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until combined. After 30 minutes cooking, brush over the top of the ham.
  • Bake again for 30 minutes and then baste the ham with the juices. Repeat every 15-20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 140°F. Plan for about 90-100 minutes cook time. The last 10 minutes the ham is cooking you can turn the heat to 425°F if you'd like to caramelize it a little more.
  • Remove from the oven and let set 10 minutes. Slice off the bone and serve warm.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

To make in the slow cooker, check out my crockpot spiral ham recipe.
Storage: Cool completely, then store ham slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
Freeze: Lay slices flat in a freezer zip-top bag, press out the air, label, and freeze flat. Thaw overnight in the fridge before dicing for soup or reheating.
Reheat: Warm gently in the microwave or oven just until heated through. Avoid overheating so the ham stays tender.

Nutrition

Calories: 386kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 28g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 82mg, Sodium: 1588mg, Potassium: 432mg, Sugar: 14g, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 27mg, Iron: 1.3mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.