Maple Glazed Ham
This Maple Glazed Ham recipe is a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors that creates a comforting and impressive main dish. Featuring a tender, juicy pre-cooked bone-in ham topped with a rich maple syrup glaze caramelized to perfection, it’s ideal for holidays, family dinners, or special occasions. Easy to prepare with straightforward ingredients, this recipe delivers a beautiful glossy finish and a deeply flavorful result.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 10-12 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 1 pre-cooked bone-in ham (about 8–10 lbs)
- 1 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice or orange juice
- Whole cloves (optional, for studding the ham)
- Prepare the Ham: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Score the surface of the pre-cooked ham in a diamond pattern about 1/8 inch deep. If desired, stud the intersections with whole cloves for added flavor and decorative appeal.
- Make the Maple Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and pineapple or orange juice until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Apply the Glaze: Place the ham in a roasting pan, skin side down. Generously brush the maple glaze all over the ham, ensuring the glaze seeps into the scored cuts for deeper flavor infusion.
- Bake and Baste: Bake the ham uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours, basting every 20 to 30 minutes with additional glaze. This repeated glazing helps create a sticky, caramelized crust while keeping the meat moist.
- Finish and Rest: When the glaze has darkened beautifully and the ham’s internal temperature reaches about 140°F (60°C), remove it from the oven. Allow the ham to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving, which locks in the juices and ensures tenderness.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to accurately check the internal temperature and avoid overcooking the ham.
- Scoring the ham surface allows the glaze to penetrate more deeply and improves presentation.
- Bake at a low temperature to ensure the ham stays juicy and tender.
- Reserve any leftover glaze to warm and use as a drizzle on leftovers or sandwiches.
- Choose pure, Grade A maple syrup for the best flavor and caramelization results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 140g)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: Maple glazed ham, holiday ham, baked ham, maple syrup glaze, easy ham recipe, gluten free ham recipe