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 truly magical about the way sweet honey and rich maple syrup coat a perfectly cooked ham—bringing out both warmth and a touch of elegance. This Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe is one of my all-time favorites for gatherings because it’s simple, yet the flavors feel so special and comforting.

A stack of around eight pancakes is shown closely, each pancake having a golden-brown surface with some darker spots, indicating a light crispiness. Between and on top of the pancake layers are generous amount of light yellow syrup that is thick and glossy, slowly dripping down the sides. The edges of the pancakes are soft and slightly uneven, with the syrup pooling a little at the base. The whole stack sits on a white plate, which is placed on a white marbled surface. The 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

Every time I make this Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe, it feels like a gift to my family. The balance of sweet and tangy glazing creates such a luscious crust on a juicy ham that always impresses, even when I’m pressed for time.

Simple Ingredients: No complicated mixes here—just honey, maple syrup, mustard, and brown sugar for a crowd-pleasing glaze.
Hands-Off Baking: Once glazed and in the oven, the ham basically cooks itself, freeing you up to prepare sides or relax.
Perfectly Caramelized Finish: Broiling at the end gives you that gorgeous golden crust that’s both sticky and full of flavor.
Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a holiday feast or a Sunday family dinner, this recipe shines every time.

A sliced pile of roast ham with a shiny, caramel brown color sits on a dark tray, showing many layers of juicy, tender meat arranged in a semi-fanned pattern. A woman's hand holds a small clear jar of bright yellow sauce while another woman's hand uses a spoon to pour the thick sauce slowly over the top of the ham, letting it drip down the sides. The background is a white marbled texture with simple white tile details visible behind. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe works beautifully because each ingredient plays a specific role—honey and maple syrup bring natural sweetness, mustard adds a bit of tangy depth, and brown sugar helps with caramelization. Choosing quality ingredients really makes a difference here.

Flat lay of a fresh bone-in spiral-cut half ham with natural pink and brown tones, a small white ceramic bowl filled with thick golden honey, a small white ceramic bowl holding rich amber maple syrup, a small white ceramic bowl containing smooth pale yellow Dijon mustard, and a small white ceramic bowl with moist light brown granulated brown sugar, all ingredients placed in perfect symmetry with realistic proportions 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 half ham: This cut is ideal because it’s pre-sliced for easy serving and already juicy from smoking or curing.
Honey: Its floral sweetness blends effortlessly into the glaze and helps create that sticky crust.
Pure maple syrup: Adds rich, complex sweetness that pairs perfectly with ham’s saltiness.
Dijon mustard: Brings a sharp, slightly spicy balance to all the sweetness.
Brown sugar: Sprinkled on top to enhance caramelization and add texture to the glaze.

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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 always like to tweak this Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe just slightly depending on the occasion or what I have on hand. It’s a wonderful base for your own spin, so don’t hesitate to get creative.

Variation: I sometimes add a splash of apple cider vinegar to the glaze for an extra tang — it cuts the sweetness beautifully and adds complexity.
Dietary tweak: For a lower sugar option, swapping pure maple syrup for a sugar-free syrup works well, just keep an eye on your glaze thickness.
Seasonal switch: Adding crushed cloves or a pinch of cinnamon during the baking step brings a cozy fall vibe.

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

Step 1: Prep the Glaze

Start by whisking together honey, maple syrup, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl until smooth and combined. Cover it and pop it into the fridge so those flavors meld while you prep your ham. This step is quick but so worth it for a glaze that’s bursting with flavor.

Step 2: Prepare Your Ham for Baking

Line a deep roasting pan with parchment paper to keep things easy when cleaning up. Then unwrap your ham and place it flat-side down right in the pan — this keeps it stable while baking. Next, rub brown sugar all over the ham; this not only adds sweetness but helps develop that irresistible caramelized crust we all love.

Step 3: Slow Bake for Juicy Perfection

Cover your ham tightly with aluminum foil — this locks in moisture during baking. Pop it into a 275°F oven and bake it low and slow, around 15 minutes per pound. For my 8-pound ham, that’s about 2 hours. This slow cooking ensures it stays juicy and tender without drying out.

Step 4: Glaze and Broil

Once baked, carefully remove the foil and pour the chilled glaze evenly over the ham. Switch your oven to broil and place the ham back inside uncovered — watching carefully! It only needs 5-8 minutes to caramelize and get beautifully golden. Keep an eye so it doesn’t burn, but don’t be shy about that glorious crust forming.

Step 5: Slice and Serve

After removing the ham from the oven, let it rest a few minutes before slicing. The spiral cut makes serving a breeze. You’ll love how that sticky, sweet glaze clings to each slice — it’s simply irresistible.

Top Tip

From years of making this Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe, I’ve learned a few tricks to nail the perfect balance of sweetness and juiciness without overcooking.

Use a meat thermometer: Check for an internal temperature of 140°F to ensure your ham is fully heated but not dried out.
Don’t skip the foil cover: This holds in moisture during slow baking and keeps the ham tender.
Apply glaze at the last minute: Adding it too early can cause it to burn, so broil just long enough to caramelize.
Watch the broiler closely: It can go from perfect to burnt in moments—stay near that oven!

How to Serve Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe

Honey Maple Glazed Ham - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a few fresh rosemary sprigs or orange zest over the ham right before serving. The herbs add a lovely aroma, and the citrus zest brightens the plate, making it look as beautiful as it tastes.

Side Dishes

This ham pairs wonderfully with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, or a tangy cranberry sauce. For holidays, I also serve it alongside honey-glazed carrots to echo the sweetness in the ham.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I place the ham on a large wooden board surrounded by fresh fruit slices—think pineapple rings or apple wedges. It makes the whole thing feel festive and adds a pop of color that guests love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover ham is a gift that keeps on giving! I wrap any slices tightly in foil, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays delicious for up to 4 days, perfect for quick lunches or dinners.

Freezing

If you want to freeze, slice the ham before packing into freezer-safe bags. Make sure to remove as much air as possible. Frozen ham keeps well for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheating

I reheat leftover ham gently in a covered dish in the oven at 275°F to keep it moist. Adding a little extra glaze or some broth helps revive its shine and flavor without drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a precooked ham for this Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe?

Absolutely! Most spiral-cut hams are precooked, which makes this recipe perfect for heating through and glazing rather than cooking raw meat. Just adjust the baking time to heat thoroughly without drying out.

How do I prevent the glaze from burning under the broiler?

Keep a close eye on the ham when it’s under the broiler, and broil in short bursts—about 5 to 8 minutes max. If the edges start to darken too quickly, you can tent the edges with foil while the center caramelizes. Patience here really pays off!

Can I make this recipe without Dijon mustard?

You can! Dijon mustard adds a nice tang, but if you don’t have it, yellow mustard or even a bit of spicy brown mustard can work. The flavor will shift slightly, but it’ll still be delicious.

What sides pair best with Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe?

Traditional sides like creamy mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, roasted green beans, and cranberry sauce complement the sweet and savory notes of this ham beautifully. You can also try scalloped potatoes or a fresh green salad to balance richness.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug at the table. Whether you’re making it for a big holiday or a casual Sunday supper, it’s always a crowd-pleaser that’s surprisingly easy to pull off. I can’t wait for you to try it and hear how it becomes part of your family’s favorites too!