When the holidays roll around, this Brown Sugar Glazed Ham is always the star of my dinner table. It’s incredibly easy to make, full of sweet and savory flavor, and turns out perfectly juicy every time. The simple glaze combines brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and a few pantry staples to create a sticky, caramelized coating that tastes just as amazing as it looks. Whether you’re hosting Easter, Christmas, or Thanksgiving, this baked ham makes a beautiful and impressive holiday centerpiece.
5-Star Review
“This recipe is a keeper! I was gifted a pit ham and wasn’t sure what to do with it. I scored it and followed this recipe to cook and glaze it. It came out so delicious. The glaze had such amazing flavor! Everyone raved how good it was. Thank you for the great recipe!” -Margaret
Easy Brown Sugar Ham
I’ve made this ham for countless family gatherings, and it’s always a hit. It feels special enough for a holiday table but simple enough for a Sunday dinner. The easy brown sugar ham glaze bakes into a sweet, caramelized crust that adds so much flavor. If you’re planning an Easter feast, you might also like browsing my favorite Easter ham recipes for more ideas. Or, when you’re in the mood for something with a touch of fruitiness, my pineapple glazed ham is another delicious option. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Tips for Beginners
- Choose the right ham. A bone-in ham stays the juiciest and most flavorful. Skip the pre-sliced spiral hams if you can. Whole or half bone-in cuts cook more evenly and retain moisture.
- Plan your portions. You’ll need about ¾ pound per person for bone-in ham (a 15-pound ham serves roughly 20 people).
- Score before you glaze. Use a sharp knife to cut shallow, crisscross lines over the surface. This helps the glaze soak in for that signature caramelized crust.
- Bake covered first, then uncovered. Start with foil on to keep the ham moist, then uncover once you begin glazing so the sugar can caramelize beautifully.
- Baste in layers. Brush on about one-third of the glaze after the first hour of baking, repeat an hour later, and again near the end—saving a little for the final glossy coat.
- Know your cook time. Bake at 325°F for 10–14 minutes per pound until the ham reaches 140°F internally (it’ll rise to 145°F as it rests).
Brown Sugar Glazed Ham Recipe
Ingredients
- 14-16 lb. bone-in ham
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup honey
- ⅓ cup Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (½ stick)
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 325°F.
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Place the ham on a cutting board. Score the ham by using a sharp knife to cut parallel lines about ½-inch deep and 1 inch apart across the entire ham. Turn the ham, and then repeat this process, cutting lines across the previous lines to create small diamond shapes.14-16 lb. bone-in ham
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Place the ham, flat side down, in a roasting pan. Pour 3 cups of water into the pan. Cover with foil. The ham should cook for about 12 minutes per pound.3 cups water
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After 1 hour, prepare the glaze. Add the brown sugar, honey, dijon mustard, butter, apple cider vinegar, garlic, cinnamon, and ginger to a saucepan over medium heat. Once it starts bubbling, turn down the heat to low and continue cooking for a couple more minutes. The glaze may seem runny at first, but that’s okay. It will thicken up as it sits.1 cup brown sugar, ½ cup honey, ⅓ cup Dijon mustard, ¼ cup unsalted butter, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, 3 cloves garlic, ¼ tsp ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp ground ginger
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Remove the ham from the oven and spread ⅓ of the glaze over the ham and return to the oven without the foil. Continue cooking for another hour.
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Remove the ham from the oven again, and spread another ⅓ of the glaze over the ham. Cook for the remaining time based the weight of your ham.
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Remove the ham from the oven and spread the remaining glaze over the ham.
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Let the ham rest for at least 15 minutes before carving.
Video
Notes
- A whole ham (10–16 pounds) is ideal for large gatherings; half hams work great for smaller families.
- Boneless or pre-cooked hams may need slightly different cook times—check your label or a ham cooking guide for accuracy.
- The glaze will look thin while simmering, but don’t worry—it thickens as it cools and coats the ham perfectly.
- Add a splash of orange juice or apple cider to the glaze for a hint of brightness.
- If the glaze darkens too quickly near the end, loosely tent the ham with foil to prevent burning.
Nutrition
How to Make Brown Sugar Glazed Ham Step by Step
Prep the ham: Preheat your oven to 325°F. Place a 14-16 pound bone-in ham on a cutting board. Score the ham using a sharp knife to cut parallel lines about ½-inch deep and 1 inch apart across the entire ham. Turn the ham, and then repeat this process, cutting lines across the previous lines to create small diamond shapes.
Cook the ham: Place the ham, flat side down, in a roasting pan. Pour 3 cups of water into the pan, then cover with foil. The ham should cook for about 12 minutes per pound total, but you’ll want to start the next step at the 1-hour mark.
Prepare the glaze: After the ham has cooked for 1 hour, start making the glaze. Add 1 cup of brown sugar, ½ cup of honey, ⅓ cup of Dijon mustard, ¼ cup of unsalted butter, ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar, 3 cloves of minced garlic, ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger to a saucepan set over medium heat. Once it starts bubbling, turn down the heat to low and continue to cook for a few more minutes. The glaze may seem runny at first, but it will thicken up as it sits.
Glaze the ham: Remove the ham from the oven, spread ⅓ of the glaze over the ham, and return to the oven without the foil. Continue cooking for another hour.
Glaze again: After 1 hour, remove the ham from the oven again, and spread another ⅓ of the glaze over the ham. Cook for the remaining time based on the weight of your ham (again, 12 minutes per pound).
Rest and carve: Remove the ham from the oven and spread the remaining glaze over the ham. Let the ham rest for at least 15 minutes before carving.
How to Store and Reheat
I store leftover brown sugar glazed ham in an airtight container, resealable bag, or wrapped in foil, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I wrap the whole/partial ham in layers of aluminum foil or cut it into slices before storing. Our family enjoys cold, or I reheat it in the oven at 325°F until warmed through.
When we have extra ham glaze, I store it in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days. I can gently reheat it on the stovetop and use it with your leftover ham.
How to Freeze
I freeze slices of baked ham in a freezer-safe resealable bag for up to 3 months. I let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating and serving.
If I’m freezing it to use later, I just make the brown sugar glaze for ham, properly store it in an airtight container, and then freeze it until ready. I let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator or microwave on low for 30-60 seconds at a time, stirring between, until thawed.
Serving Suggestions
With this easy brown sugar glazed ham at the center of my holiday table, whether it’s Easter, Christmas, or Thanksgiving, I always plan a lineup of favorite sides. I love pairing it with roasted Brussels sprouts or green beans with bacon, Crockpot glazed carrots, and either roasted or mashed potatoes for something hearty. Fresh dinner rolls or homemade Hawaiian rolls are a must!
More Holiday Mains to Try
Our Brown Sugar Glazed Ham recipe was originally published 10/30/23. It was retested, reworked, and republished to be better than ever 10/22/25.
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