Christmas Ham
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This Christmas Ham is sweet, glossy, and unapologetically classic, with a brown sugar pineapple glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. It stays juicy, slices cleanly, and tastes exactly like people hope Christmas ham will taste. No surprises. Just success.
A Christmas Ham That Never Lets Me Down
There are moments in the kitchen where creativity is welcome, encouraged even. Christmas ham is not one of them. This is not the time for winging it, experimenting, or “seeing how it goes.” When you’re feeding a room full of people who have been thinking about this meal all day, the ham needs to show up and do its job.
This one does. Reliably. Every time.
The glaze is classic, because classic works. Brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, Dijon, and just enough clove to whisper “holiday” without shouting it. It turns glossy, sticky, and deeply flavorful in the oven, keeps the ham juicy, and somehow manages to make everyone hover around the kitchen asking when dinner will be ready. I make this when I want the table to feel festive, the food to feel familiar, and myself to remain calm and in possession of my sanity.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Ham
- It’s dependable. This ham does exactly what it’s supposed to do. It stays juicy, glazes beautifully, and does not require emergency troubleshooting.
- The glaze knows its role. Sweet, tangy, glossy, and very well behaved. It enhances the ham without turning it into dessert.
- It works with a crowded oven. You can bake it gently, glaze it later, and still pull off a beautiful centerpiece without rearranging your entire cooking schedule.
- It looks festive without effort. Pineapple and cherries do the decorating for you. No extra creativity required.
- Leftovers are excellent. Which matters, because if you’re making a ham this size, you will be eating it again. Happily.
- It lets you relax. When the main dish is handled, everything else feels more manageable. This one handles itself.
Ingredients and Tips
- Bone-in ham: More forgiving, more flavorful, and far less likely to dry out. This is not the moment to go boneless.
- Brown sugar: Gives the glaze body and that classic caramelized finish. It melts smoothly and behaves well in the oven.
- Pineapple juice: Adds sweetness and acidity so the glaze does not taste flat. Use juice, not syrup.
- Honey: Helps the glaze get glossy and sticky in the best possible way.
- Dijon mustard: Quietly balances the sweetness. You won’t taste mustard, but you would miss it if it weren’t there.
- Cloves: Just enough to say “holiday” without crossing into candle territory.
- Pineapple rings and cherries: Optional, traditional, and unapologetically retro. They also save you from having to decorate.
- Use a thermometer: Not because it’s fancy, but because guessing at Christmas dinner is unnecessary stress.
Making a classic holiday ham is easy peasy! With simple steps and standard kitchen equipment, you’ll be able to present a stunning and flavorful centerpiece!
Stir together the brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, Dijon, and cloves, then heat gently until smooth and glossy. It should look syrupy and smell unmistakably festive.
Place the ham in a roasting pan and pour half of the glaze over the top, making sure it gets into all the crevices.
Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake gently so the ham heats through and stays juicy. Then bake it at 325°F (165°C) for an hour and a half or until it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).
Remove the ham from the oven and turn the heat up to 425°F (220°C). Arrange the pineapple rings over the ham and secure them with toothpicks, then tuck a maraschino cherry into the center of each one. Drizzle the remaining glaze over everything, making sure it finds its way into all the right places.
Return the ham to the oven uncovered and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes, just until the glaze is bubbling and caramelized and the ham looks glossy and unmistakably ready for the table.
When done, remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing and serving. It needs this time so that the juices can redistribute and keep the meat juicy. Then serve your Christmas ham with all your favorite side dishes like potatoes romanoff and green bean almondine.
Serve This With
Roasted Baby Potatoes
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Green Bean Almondine
Potatoes Au Gratin
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to use a bone-in ham?
You don’t have to, but it helps. Bone-in ham is more forgiving and stays juicier, which is exactly what you want for a big holiday meal.
Is this ham already cooked or raw?
Most hams sold for Christmas are fully cooked. This recipe is about reheating it gently and glazing it properly, not cooking it from raw.
How do I keep the ham from drying out?
Cover it tightly with foil for most of the baking time and don’t rush the process. Low and slow first, glaze and caramelize at the end.
Can I make the glaze ahead of time?
Yes. The glaze can be made a day or two ahead and kept in the fridge. Warm it slightly before using so it pours easily.
What internal temperature should I aim for?
You’re looking for about 140°F (60°C) since the ham is already cooked. A thermometer removes all guesswork and unnecessary stress.
Do I have to use pineapple and cherries?
No, but they are classic for a reason. They add sweetness, color, and do most of the decorating for you.
Can I prep this ahead of time?
You can make the glaze ahead and even bake the ham earlier in the day. Reheat gently, then glaze and finish in the oven before serving.
What do I do with leftovers?
Leftover ham is one of the best parts. Use it for sandwiches, soups, omelettes, casseroles, or eat it cold straight from the fridge. No judgment.
Leftover Ham Ideas
The leftovers are just as good, and sometimes better, the next day. Here are a few easy ways to put them to work.
Leftover Ham and Bean Soup
Leftover Ham and Cheese Breakfast Muffins
Leftover Ham and Cheese Penne
Ham And Cheese Sliders
Try These Delicious Ham Recipes Next
- Instant Pot Ham
- Bourbon Glazed Baked Ham
- Crockpot Honey Mustard Glazed Ham
- Crockpot Brown Sugar Cola Glazed Ham
- Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Stromboli
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Christmas Ham
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ tablespoon ground cloves
- 6-8 pounds bone-in ham
- 20 ounces pineapple rings (1 can)
- 10 ounces maraschino cherries (1 jar)
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, Dijon mustard, and ground cloves. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook until the sugar is fully dissolved, about 5 minutes.
- Place the ham in a roasting pan. Pour half of the glaze over the ham, making sure to get into all of the slices.
- Cover the ham with foil and bake for about 1.5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).
- Remove the ham from the oven and increase the temperature to 425°F (220°C). Arrange the pineapple rings over the ham, securing them with toothpicks. Place a maraschino cherry in the center of each pineapple ring, also securing with a toothpick. Drizzle the remaining glaze over the pineapple and cherries.
- Return the ham to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the glaze is bubbly and caramelized.
- Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making for a more flavorful ham.
Notes
- Ham Size: If your ham is larger or smaller than the 6-8 pounds specified, adjust the cooking time accordingly. Generally, it’s about 15 minutes per pound.
- Glaze Tips: For an extra flavor kick, consider adding a splash of orange juice or a pinch of cinnamon to the glaze.
- Basting: Baste the ham with the glaze a few times during the initial cooking phase to keep it moist and flavorful.
- Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the ham reaches the safe internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).
- Let it Rest: Allowing the ham to rest for 10-15 minutes after baking helps redistribute the juices, making the ham more tender and flavorful.
- Serving Suggestion: The typical serving size for ham, especially for a festive or special occasion meal like Christmas, is generally about 6 to 8 ounces per person.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
