Honey Baked Ham is a Christmas and Easter tradition everyone looks forward to! Sweet, smoky with succulent spices, this copycat recipe tastes just like your favorite holiday ham, but made right at home.
Honey Baked Ham was a centerpiece at many Christmas Eve dinners growing up. Our parents often purchased it at one of our favorite places, the Honey Baked Ham store. What we didn’t realize at the time was how expensive that ham could be. Now that we’re in charge of our own Christmas Eve dinners, we’ve found a way to make that sweet, sugary Honey Baked Ham at home. The price is right, and baking it in our own kitchen makes our house smell absolutely divine!
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How Much Does a Honey Baked Ham Cost?
Buying a ham from the Honey Baked Ham store can cost well over $100! Sure, they’re tasty but you can make the same delicious baked ham at home for a fraction of the cost. A similar sized ham from the grocery store will cost you less than $30, and the ingredients for the rich, sweet honey glaze are pantry staples you probably already have! Save that money AND make your house smell yummy all at the same time.
How to Glaze Honey Baked Ham
I actually love the process of glazing this Honey Baked Ham. The rich sauce is easy to make and I love how it seeps into the crevices of the ham and creates a slightly crispy golden crust. Here’s what you do:
- Combine butter, brown sugar, honey and all the delicious spices into a saucepan.
- Bring the whole thing to a boil, just until the sugar dissolves.
- Using a basting brush, spread most of the decadent sauce all over the ham, making sure to brush inside each slice.
- Then, baste the ham once more about halfway through the baking time.
- Finally, broil the top of the ham in the oven at the end so the sauce caramelizes and bubbles. It’s SO delicious!
How to Cook Honey Baked Ham in the Oven
Baking a ham is the best way to get that perfect caramelized crust while keeping the ham plump and juicy. Check out the recipe card below for all the details. But the trick here is low and slow. Since ham comes precooked, all you really need to do is warm it through and allow the honey and brown sugar mixture to coat the meat thoroughly. It’s a lengthy process, but one heavenly slice of ham is worth all that patience.
Tips for Cooking Honey Baked Ham
Don’t be intimidated by cooking a ham. It’s really very simple. But here are a few tips to making the best Christmas ham ever!
- Line your roasting pan with foil. That glorious honey and brown sugar mixture is delicious but it makes a sticky mess! Save yourself some clean-up time and line the pan. Then all you have to do is toss it afterward!
- Use a heavy duty roasting pan if you can. We love the Magnalite Roasting Pan.
- Baste your ham with the honey mixture halfway through the baking process.
- When basting, use a silicone basting brush. The honey mixture is sticky and you don’t want little hair fibers getting into your baste.
- To give your ham that golden, caramel crust, put the ham under the broiler for a few minutes at the end.
- Make sure to let the ham rest about five minutes or so before slicing and serving.
How to Cook Honey Baked Ham in the Crock Pot
If you want to go for the ease of cooking your ham in the crock pot you can! Just make sure to line your crock pot because it’ll get messy with all that delicious sauce. Cook on low for 5-6 hours and then pop it in the oven under the broiler to crisp up the top. Try our Slow Cooker Ham with Maple and Brown Sugar too. It’s so delicious!
How Long Does Honey Baked Ham Last in the Fridge?
An uncooked ham can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to seven days. After it’s been baked, you can store leftovers safely for three to four days.
Can Cooked Ham Be Frozen?
Absolutely! Freeze any leftover ham in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to four months. It will still be safe to eat after that time, but may not taste as good.To reheat, let it thaw in the refrigerator completely, then microwave or put in the oven, covered, for about 30 minutes.
Leftover Honey Baked Ham Recipes
Honey Baked Ham leftovers make some of our favorite meals! Try it in a few of these delicious dishes:
- Slow Cooker Au Gratin Potatoes and Ham
- Apple Ham and Cheddar Melt Sandwiches
- Homemade Macaroni and Cheese with Ham and Peas
- Restaurant Ham Fried Rice
What Sides Go Well With Honey Baked Ham?
This ham is so delicious and versatile, the possibilities of what to serve alongside a thick slice are endless! But here are a few tried and true combinations we love:
- Funeral Potatoes
- Twice Baked Potatoes
- Parmesan Baked Potato Halves
- Parmesan Garlic Grilled Potatoes
- Corn
- Scalloped Potatoes
- Creamy Potatoes and Peas
- Christmas Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing
How to Make Honey Baked Ham (Copycat Recipe)
Honey Baked Ham Recipe (Copycat)
- 1 8-10 pound pre-cooked ham bone-in, spiral sliced
- 1 cup honey
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon paprika
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Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
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Place ham in a roasting pan lined with foil or roasting pan liner (see tips above). Set aside.
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In a small saucepan, combine honey, brown sugar, butter, brown mustard, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and paprika.
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Heat over medium-low heat until sugar is just dissolved (you do not need to bring it to a boil).
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Baste ham with about 1/3 of the honey mixture. Be sure to get in between all the slices.
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Cover and bake at 200-degrees for 5 hours, basting a second time halfway through (using half of the remaining honey mixture).
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Remove ham from oven and set oven to "broil". While oven is getting to temperature, baste ham one last time using remaining mixture. Be sure to get a nice even coating over the top.
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Place ham, uncovered, back in the oven. Watch it closely! When the glaze starts to caramelize and bubble up, remove ham from oven.
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Allow ham to rest for 5 minutes and serve!
Bryn says
Did you like the oven or slow cooker version better? Did one have a better texture or moisture level? Thanks!
dave says
Hi the instructions do not state whether to put ham face down or on side , you have two photos here one showing the butt in the air (face down) and the other on its side with slices showing. So how should i do it? thanks.
Favorite Family Recipes says
Either way is fine!
Lani says
Hi, my experience with the slow cooker is it is much more convenient but tended to not be as moist as oven roasLanited.
Favorite Family Recipes says
Yes, this is true. You have to really watch it in the slow cooker so it doesn’t overcook and continue to spoon the liquid over the ham.
Heather says
Just made this for my Christmas morning brunch. It came out great. I did mine in the crockpot which dried it out a little. Next time I will do it in the oven from start to finish. Tasty glaze. Thank you!
Favorite Family Recipes says
I’m so glad you liked it! Thank you for the 5-stars! 🙂
Kim says
I have a boneless cooked ham. Should I cut it in slices to put on the glaze on each piece before I bake it?
Favorite Family Recipes says
I think slicing then glazing the ham before baking is a good idea. The glaze will be able to get between the slices and flavor the ham evenly. Thank you for asking!
Margaret says
I made Christmas treats..popcorn, pretzels, M&,Ms, and peanuts covered with white candy melts..with my 2 granddaughters Christmas Eve. We had a lot of fun and the treats were eaten before Christmas day!!