Perfect Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham Recipe

There’s something truly magical about a perfectly glazed ham taking center stage at your dinner table. The sweet and tangy aroma filling your home, that glistening exterior, and the tender meat that practically melts in your mouth—it’s the stuff of family legends. Today, I’m sharing my absolute favorite brown sugar mustard glazed ham recipe that has graced my holiday table for years and never fails to impress.

Why This Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham Recipe Works

Before diving into the specifics, let me tell you why this particular recipe deserves a spot in your cooking repertoire:

• The perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors
• A foolproof method that works for both novice and experienced cooks
• Make-ahead glaze option for stress-free entertaining
• Simple ingredients that create extraordinary flavor
• Guaranteed tender, juicy meat every time

I’ve tested countless ham glazes over the years, and this brown sugar mustard combination hits all the right notes. The robust mustard cuts through the richness of the ham while the brown sugar caramelizes beautifully, creating that signature sticky-sweet exterior we all crave.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this show-stopping glazed ham, you’ll need surprisingly few ingredients:

For the Ham:

• 1 (8-10 pound) spiral-cut ham, fully cooked
• 1/2 cup water or chicken broth
• Whole cloves (optional, for decorative studding)

For the Brown Sugar Mustard Glaze:

• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1/3 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup whole grain mustard
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (not pancake syrup)
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a hint of heat)

Essential Equipment

Having the right tools makes this recipe even easier:

• Large roasting pan with rack
• Aluminum foil
• Pastry brush or basting brush
• Meat thermometer
• Sharp carving knife
• Serving platter

Preparing the Ham

I’ve learned through many trials that proper ham preparation is crucial for achieving that perfect result. Here’s my step-by-step process:

1. Remove the ham from refrigeration about 1-2 hours before cooking to allow it to come closer to room temperature. This promotes more even cooking.
2. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Position the rack in the lower third of the oven to accommodate the ham.
3. Carefully remove any packaging, including the plastic disk covering the bone if your ham has one. Some hams come with a glaze packet—set this aside or discard it as we’ll be making our own superior glaze from scratch.
4. If your ham has a thick layer of fat, I recommend scoring it in a diamond pattern:
   • Use a sharp knife to make diagonal cuts about 1/4-inch deep across the fat cap
   • Make parallel cuts about 1-inch apart
   • Rotate and cut in the opposite direction to create diamond shapes
   • If desired, place a whole clove at each intersection for both flavor and visual appeal
5. Place the ham cut-side down (flat-side up) on the rack in your roasting pan. Add 1/2 cup water or chicken broth to the bottom of the pan—this creates steam that helps keep the ham moist.
6. Cover the ham tightly with aluminum foil. This step is crucial for preventing the ham from drying out during the initial heating phase.

Making the Brown Sugar Mustard Glaze

While the ham starts warming in the oven, it’s time to prepare our glorious glaze:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine all glaze ingredients: dark brown sugar, Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, ground cloves, allspice, and cayenne pepper (if using).
2. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until the brown sugar completely dissolves and the mixture becomes smooth and slightly thickened—about 5-7 minutes. Don’t boil the glaze as it can become too thick.
3. Remove from heat and set aside. The glaze will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.

Pro Tip: This glaze can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Simply warm it gently before using to restore its spreadable consistency.

Cooking and Glazing the Ham

Now for the main event—cooking and glazing the ham to perfection:

1. Place the foil-covered ham in the preheated oven. Calculate your initial cooking time based on the size of your ham—approximately 15 minutes per pound, but we’ll only cover about two-thirds of that time before applying the glaze.
2. For an 8-10 pound ham, roast covered for about 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes.
3. Remove the ham from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
4. Carefully remove the foil (save it for later) and brush about one-third of the glaze all over the exposed surfaces of the ham.
5. Return the ham to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 15 minutes.
6. Remove again and apply another third of the glaze. Return to the oven for another 15 minutes.
7. For the final glazing, remove the ham once more and apply the remaining glaze. Return to the oven for a final 15-30 minutes until the glaze is caramelized and slightly darkened, but not burned.
8. The ham is ready when the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C) on an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part without touching the bone.
9. If at any point the ham appears to be darkening too quickly, tent it loosely with the reserved foil to prevent burning.
10. Once done, remove from the oven and let the ham rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring maximum flavor and tenderness.

Pro Tip: For an extra glossy finish, brush the ham with a bit of warm honey diluted with a splash of water right after taking it out of the oven for the final time.

Detailed Ham Cooking Temperature and Time Chart

Note: Spiral-cut hams cook a bit faster than uncut hams due to heat penetrating between the slices.

Carving and Presentation

A beautiful presentation elevates this dish from merely delicious to truly memorable:

1. Transfer the glazed ham to a large serving platter—choose one with a slight rim to catch any juices.
2. For a spiral-cut ham, carving is simplified:
   • Use a sharp knife to cut horizontally along the bone to release the spiral slices
   • The meat should fall away in perfect serving portions
3. For a non-spiral cut ham:
   • Hold the ham steady with a carving fork
   • Make vertical slices down to the bone, as thin or thick as you prefer
   • Make a horizontal cut along the bone to release the slices
4. Garnish the platter with fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or sage sprigs for a beautiful presentation and subtle aromatic enhancement.
5. Consider adding some fresh seasonal fruits around the ham—sliced oranges, apples, or pears complement the flavor profile beautifully.

Serving Suggestions

This brown sugar mustard glazed ham pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides:

• Creamy scalloped potatoes or buttery mashed potatoes
• Roasted root vegetables with herbs
• Fresh asparagus or green beans with toasted almonds
• Warm dinner rolls or buttermilk biscuits
• A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette
• Homemade applesauce or cranberry sauce
• Mac and cheese for a crowd-pleasing comfort food option

Non-Alcoholic Pairing Suggestions:

• Sparkling apple cider
• Pomegranate juice spritzer
• Iced tea with orange and cinnamon
• Cranberry-ginger punch

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

One of the many reasons I love this recipe is its versatility for entertaining:

Make Ahead:

• The glaze can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and refrigerated in an airtight container
• Ham can be scored and prepared for the oven a day ahead, kept tightly wrapped in the refrigerator

Leftovers:

• Refrigerate leftover ham within 2 hours of cooking
• Store in airtight containers or tightly wrapped in aluminum foil or plastic wrap
• Properly stored, leftover ham will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator

Freezing:

• Ham freezes beautifully for future use
• Slice or cube ham before freezing for easier portioning
• Wrap tightly in freezer paper, then aluminum foil, or place in freezer bags with air removed
• Label with the date and use within 3-4 months for best quality

Creative Ways to Use Leftover Ham

Don’t let those delicious leftovers go to waste! Here are some of my favorite ways to transform them into new meals:

1. Breakfast Options:
   • Ham and cheese breakfast casserole
   • Denver omelets with diced ham, peppers, and onions
   • Ham and egg breakfast sandwiches
   • Quiche Lorraine
2. Lunch Ideas:
   • Cuban sandwiches with ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard
   • Ham salad for sandwiches or stuffed in tomatoes
   • Split pea soup with ham
   • Chef’s salad with ham strips
3. Dinner Possibilities:
   • Pasta carbonara with diced ham instead of bacon
   • Scalloped potatoes and ham casserole
   • Fried rice with ham and vegetables
   • Ham and bean soup
4. Quick Snacks:
   • Ham and cheese pinwheels
   • Deviled eggs topped with minced ham
   • Ham and pickle roll-ups
   • Loaded potato skins with ham and cheese

Troubleshooting Common Ham Issues

Even experienced cooks can encounter challenges. Here are solutions to common ham-cooking problems:

Dry Ham:

• Cause: Overcooked or not properly covered during initial heating
• Solution: Cover ham tightly with foil for the first two-thirds of cooking time, use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking, and add liquid to the roasting pan

Overly Salty Ham:

• Cause: Some hams have a higher salt content than others
• Solution: If you’re concerned about saltiness, you can soak the ham in cold water for 4-12 hours before cooking, changing the water every few hours

Burning Glaze:

• Cause: Sugar in the glaze naturally caramelizes and can burn if exposed to high heat for too long
• Solution: Only apply glaze for the final 45-60 minutes of cooking, monitor closely, and tent with foil if darkening too quickly

Difficult Carving:

• Cause: Not allowing sufficient rest time or using a dull knife
• Solution: Let the ham rest 15-20 minutes before carving and use a very sharp carving knife

Variations on the Classic Recipe

While I believe this brown sugar mustard glaze is perfect as is, here are some delicious variations you might enjoy:

Bourbon Brown Sugar Glaze:

• Add 1/4 cup bourbon to the glaze mixture for a sophisticated, complex flavor

Orange Spice Variation:

• Add the zest and juice of one orange plus 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom to the glaze

Maple Pecan Twist:

• Increase maple syrup to 1/2 cup and add 1/2 cup finely chopped toasted pecans to the glaze for the final application

Pineapple Honey Glaze:

• Replace the mustard with 1/2 cup crushed pineapple and use honey instead of brown sugar

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should I buy a bone-in or boneless ham? A: I strongly recommend bone-in ham. It has superior flavor and moisture, plus you get the bonus ham bone for making soup afterward! Spiral-cut bone-in hams offer the best of both worlds—the flavor of bone-in with the convenience of pre-slicing.

Q: How much ham should I buy per person? A: For a bone-in ham, calculate about 3/4 to 1 pound per person (which accounts for the weight of the bone). For a boneless ham, 1/2 pound per person is usually sufficient. I always err on the side of more rather than less—leftover ham is a blessing, not a burden!

Q: My ham says “fully cooked”—do I still need to cook it? A: Yes, but you’re actually reheating rather than cooking. Most hams sold in grocery stores are already fully cooked. We’re heating it to a food-safe temperature (140°F) while adding our delicious glaze.

Q: Can I use light brown sugar instead of dark? A: Absolutely. Dark brown sugar has a deeper molasses flavor, but light brown sugar works beautifully too. The glaze might be slightly less rich in color and flavor, but still delicious.

Q: How do I know when my ham is done? A: The most reliable method is to use an instant-read thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the ham without touching the bone. For a pre-cooked ham, you’re aiming for an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).

Q: Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker? A: Yes, with some modifications. Place the scored ham in a large slow cooker with 1/4 cup water at the bottom. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours (depending on size). Prepare the glaze on the stovetop as directed, then brush over the ham during the last 30-45 minutes of cooking. For caramelization, you may want to transfer the glazed ham to a baking dish and broil for 2-3 minutes at the end.

Q: What if my ham doesn’t fit in my roasting pan? A: If you’re working with an extra-large ham, you have a few options: (1) Trim a portion of the ham before cooking (save it for another use), (2) Cover with heavy-duty aluminum foil instead of using a roasting pan, creating a tight seal, or (3) Use a disposable aluminum roasting pan, which often comes in larger sizes.

Q: My glaze is too thick/thin. How can I fix it? A: For a too-thick glaze, add a tablespoon of water, apple juice, or apple cider vinegar and warm gently while stirring. For a too-thin glaze, simmer it a bit longer to reduce and thicken, or add a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of cold water.

The Perfect Occasion

This brown sugar mustard glazed ham is, of course, perfect for major holidays like Easter, Christmas, and Thanksgiving, but I’ve found it’s equally impressive for:

• Sunday family dinners
• Special anniversary celebrations
• Graduation parties
• Retirement gatherings
• New neighbor welcomes
• Potluck contributions that will have everyone asking for your recipe

There’s something deeply satisfying about watching people’s faces light up when this beautifully glazed ham arrives at the table. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience—a centerpiece that brings people together and creates lasting memories.

The combination of the sweet, tangy glaze and the tender, savory meat creates a perfect harmony of flavors that appeals to almost everyone. Plus, the make-ahead aspects and versatile leftover options make it practical as well as delicious.

I hope this recipe becomes a favorite in your household as it has in mine. Remember, cooking is about more than following instructions—it’s about creating moments and memories around the table. This brown sugar mustard glazed ham has certainly created many for me, and I’m confident it will do the same for you.

Happy cooking!

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Based on a 4-ounce serving of glazed ham

Note: Values are approximate and may vary depending on the specific ham used and portion size.