Maple Glazed Ham Recipe

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Here’s a delicious recipe for Maple Glazed Ham—a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and slightly smoky flavors. The maple glaze gives the ham a beautiful caramelized finish, making it a standout centerpiece for any occasion.

Maple Glazed Ham

Ingredients (Serves 8-10)

  • 1 (6-8 lb) bone-in ham (fully cooked, spiral cut or not)
  • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening the glaze)
  • 1/4 cup water (if using cornstarch)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven:
    • Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
  2. Prepare the ham:
    • Place the ham on a rack in a roasting pan. If the ham is not spiral cut, score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern about 1/4-inch deep. This helps the glaze penetrate the meat.
  3. Make the maple glaze:
    • In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the maple syrup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and black pepper. Stir the mixture and bring it to a simmer.
    • Let it simmer for 3-5 minutes, until the glaze thickens slightly. If you want a thicker glaze, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1/4 cup water to create a slurry, then stir it into the simmering glaze. Let it cook for another 1-2 minutes until thickened.
  4. Glaze the ham:
    • Brush a generous amount of the maple glaze over the ham, making sure to coat all sides. Reserve some glaze for basting later.
  5. Roast the ham:
    • Place the ham in the oven and bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, basting every 30 minutes with more glaze. If the ham is spiral cut, be gentle when basting to avoid tearing the slices.
    • If the glaze starts to darken too much, cover the ham loosely with foil and continue roasting until it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).
  6. Serve:
    • Once done, remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
    • Serve the ham with the reserved maple glaze on the side.

Optional Variations:

  • Spicy twist: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to the glaze for a spicy kick.
  • Fruit infusion: Stir in a small amount of orange juice or apple juice for a fruity touch in the glaze.
  • Nutty addition: For a crunchy contrast, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the top of the ham in the last 10 minutes of roasting.

This Maple Glazed Ham is sweet, savory, and rich, making it perfect for holiday dinners or special occasions.

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