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!
Other holiday dinner recipes we love include this beef tenderloin, oven roasted turkey breast or try this crockpot spiral ham.
Table of Contents
Why We Love Baked Ham
- Easy. This recipe is similar to my honey baked ham but easier to make. It only takes 5 minutes of prep and just 5 simple ingredients.
- Perfect holiday meal. While I do love a roasted turkey, we love serving this baked ham as well for Christmas dinner or Thanksgiving dinner.
- Makes great leftovers. Use it to make my favorite ham and potato soup.
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, which adds a super delicious flavor.
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
The best part about this recipe is the delicious glaze on top. It makes the meat extra juicy and flavorful. The outside gets nice and caramelized, while the inside stays moist and tender.
- Pour. 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.
- Glaze. While it cooks, whisk together the glaze ingredients in a small bowl.
- Bake. 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.
- Slice. Remove from oven and let rest in pan for about 10 minutes. Then slice and enjoy!
Cooking Tips
With these quick tips, your ham will be ready in no time and your family will be thanking you!
- 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 Leftovers with the Best Ham
One of my favorite things about making a big baked ham for the holidays is having leftovers. Fill up another plate with your favorite leftover sides, make a big ham sandwich, fried rice with ham, or use it to make any of the recipes below.
- Chicken cordon bleu
- Ham and bean soup
- Ham and cheese sliders
- Ham and cheese quiche
- Homemade stromboli
- Cheesy ham and broccoli frittata
- Egg white muffins
- Ham and cheese crepes
- Chicken cordon bleu pasta
Recipe FAQs
Seasonal and holiday hams are usually already precooked. This is helpful since you are essentially warming up the ham. It is best to use an internal thermometer. A fully cooked hams internal temperature needs to be at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is estimated that 1/2 a pound per person when buying a ham. If you are hoping to have leftovers, you can add in 1 pound per person. That still seems like a lot of ham but when you start cutting into a ham, some of the meat is not edible near the bone.
Depending on how many people you are having over will determine how much ham you are wanting to purchase. If you are hoping to have leftover ham, make sure to purchase a ham that is more than you intend to feed your family and friends.
Yes! Covering your ham is a good idea when you are first baking it. This will hold in the juices and the glaze. The ham will be tender and juicy! Once the ham is about done baking, with about 10 minutes left, it is okay to remove the cover for the outside to caramelize. This combination gives the ham the best taste and flavor!
Storing and Freezing Leftovers
Before buying your ham, make sure to know how many family and friends you are having for dinner. This will help determine if you are wanting to have extra leftovers or not. Ham is easy to store and will tastes even better the next day!
To refrigerate: Once cooled, place the slices in an airtight container or in a ziplock bag for storing in the refrigerator. This will last in the fridge for 5 to 7 days.
To freeze: Lay slices flat in a ziplock bag and let all the air out. Label the bag and place flat in the freezer. Take out of the freezer and let thaw in the fridge before warming up again.
To reheat: When ready to warm up, place in the microwave or in the oven to heat until it is warm. You will want to make sure you do not over heat the meat or it will be hard and crispy to eat. Use some of our leftover links to add your ham too!
Love a traditional turkey dinner for the holidays?! Try this easy turkey brine with oven roasted turkey or smoked turkey.
Favorite Sides for Serving
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Oven Baked Ham Recipe
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.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 5 Ingredients Or Less, 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Christmas, Dairy-Free, Dinner, Easter, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pork, Thanksgiving
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
I’m looking forward to making this today! Just curious, if I’m using a Dutch oven why not use the lid instead of the foil?
Hi Kim! Using foil helps provide a more even circulation of heat around the ham. Helps it stay moist along with browning and crisping the exterior :) Hope you enjoy the ham!
This turned out so juicy! So flavorful. This recipe is a keeper.
The oven-baked ham recipe is awesome. I love the use of pineapple juice honey and brown sugar, it makes it so good! And as mentioned basting is key to keep it from drying out.
Made this for our Friendsgiving and WOW! For being so easy, it was a favorite!
So glad you enjoyed the baked ham!
Once the glaze is placed over the ham, is the ham still covered with the foil between bastings? Or once the glaze and basting start, is the ham left uncovered? The recipe sounds great! Can’t wait to try!
I lightly place the foil over the top and typically remove the last 30 minutes :)
Looking forward to making this at Christmas! I was hoping to prepare the day before and reheat while the Turkey is resting and begging carved. Any thing I need to know to make sure it’s nice and carmelized?
You can place it back in the oven and broil it a minute or two to make it more caramelized.
It was so easy to make this delicious ham! I love that I can make one recipe and have leftovers that are so easy to add to many different dishes. We did sandwiches, soup and even froze a little to use in the future.
I am glad you found success with this recipe, Dana. It is like a gift that keeps on giving :)
I love how easy this recipe is! Also tasted super delicious!
Thanks for sharing, Cam. I am glad you found this one easy and delicious. This recipe is great for Sunday dinners, special occasions, or just a regular weeknight.
Holiday perfect! Our favorite way to prep a ham. Delicious!
Glad you liked it, Glenda. This is great for Sundays, special occasions, or just a regular weeknight!
My sister always loved to make the baked ham. This year, I tried it. Thanks for this yummy recipe. It worked out great.
I am glad you tried it, Scarlet. Now you can call it a family recipe ;)
Quick and easy to make! Thank you so much for this fantastic baked ham recipe, it tasted so delicious and very flavorful! Highly recommended!
Thanks, Allyssa. This is great for Easter, Sunday dinners, special occasions, or just a regular Tuesday night :)
Used this recipe a few months ago and it made the ham taste so good!
Yay! I’m so happy to hear that :)
This ham is super easy and delicious! It makes wonderful ham sandwiches too!