Christmas Ham
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Discover the joy of holiday cooking with this tender and juicy Christmas Ham recipe! With succulent, tender ham wrapped in a sweet and tangy caramelized glaze, the meat nearly melts in your mouth.
Best Christmas Ham Recipe
My Christmas ham is all about big flavor with minimal effort. The secret lies in the flavorful caramelized glaze of brown sugar, pineapple, honey, and Dijon mustard that infuses the meat with tang and spice. Whether you serve this showstopper alongside roast turkey or as the main event your guests will be begging for seconds!
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Ham
- Juicy Flavorful Ham! Forget dry supermarket ham for Christmas dinner this year! The delicious glaze on this ham enhances its natural flavors without overpowering them, creating a flavorful and succulent dish.
- Eye-Catching Centerpiece! The pineapple rings and maraschino cherries add a festive, colorful touch, and the caramelized glaze gives the baked ham a beautiful sheen, making it look as good as it tastes.
- Perfect for Gatherings! This Christmas ham easily feeds a dozen hungry guests and requires very little effort, giving you plenty of time to focus on your family and the rest of your holiday meal.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a rich, molasses-like sweetness to the glaze, which is essential for the caramelized finish.
- Pineapple Juice: Brings a fruity tang that adds another layer of sweetness.
- Honey: Imparts a natural, smooth sweetness and helps in glazing the ham. If you need a substitute, maple syrup or agave nectar are excellent choices.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a sharp touch of depth to the glaze.
- Ground Cloves: Offers a warm, aromatic quality. You can use ground allspice, ginger, or cinnamon as substitutes, though they will slightly change the flavor profile.
- Bone-in Ham: The star of the show! Bone-in ham promises a juicy, flavorful result.
- Pineapple Rings: They add a festive, fruity touch and layer of texture.
- Maraschino Cherries: These provide a pop of color and a sweet contrast.
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!
To begin, combine the brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, Dijon mustard, and ground cloves in a small saucepan. Then bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes or until the sugar dissolves.
Now, place your ham in a roasting pan and pour half of the glaze over the ham. It’s important that the glaze covers the ham thoroughly.
First, cover the glazed ham with a sheet of aluminum foil. Then bake the ham at 325°F (165°C) for an hour and a half or until it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).
Next, remove the ham from the oven and turn the temperature up to 425°F (220°C). Then place the pineapple rings on the ham and secure them with toothpicks. Now, place a maraschino cherry in the middle of each pineapple ring and secure it with a toothpick. Finally, drizzle the remaining glaze over the pineapple rings and cherries.
Now, return the ham to the preheated oven and bake it uncovered for another 15 to 20 minutes or until the glaze is caramelized and bubbly.
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
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Green Bean Almondine
Potatoes Au Gratin
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my ham dry?
Overcooking is a common cause, as it can lead to moisture loss. Additionally, not covering the ham with foil during the initial baking can allow moisture to escape. The resting phase is also crucial; skipping it can cause the juices to run out.
How do you tell if a ham is fully cooked?
The most reliable way is to use a digital meat thermometer. For pre-cooked hams, which are most common in stores, you should reheat them to an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).
Why did my ham turn out mushy?
A mushy texture in ham can be due to excessive moisture during cooking, which might cause the ham to steam rather than bake. This issue is also common with lower-quality hams that have a high water content or undergo extensive processing.
Expert Tips
- Choose the right ham. I recommend using a bone-in ham because the bone enhances flavor and moisture during cooking.
- Cover with foil for the first bake. The foil traps steam and heat, allowing the ham to cook evenly and retain its natural juices. Ham can easily become dry if exposed to high heat for an extended period.
- Use a meat thermometer. Oven temperatures and ham sizes vary, so relying on cooking time alone can be misleading. The ham should reach an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C) for safe consumption and optimal texture.
- Let it rest. Resting lets the juices redistribute throughout the ham and prevents the juices from running out. This is why it’s crucial to let the ham rest for 10 to 15 minutes after cooking.
- Leftover ham ideas. You can use leftover Christmas ham in a variety of dishes, such as sandwiches, soups, casseroles, or even breakfast dishes like omelettes or quiches.
Leftover Ham Ideas
After enjoying this scrumptious Christmas Ham, the fun doesn’t stop there. The leftovers are perfect for creating new, equally delicious dishes. Here are some ideas you’ll love!
Leftover Ham and Bean Soup
Leftover Ham and Cheese Breakfast Muffins
Leftover Ham and Cheese Penne
Ham And Cheese Sliders
Storage
Once the Christmas ham has cooled, wrap it securely in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the ham in airtight containers or freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months and thaw it in the refrigerator.
To reheat, place the ham in a baking dish, cover it with foil to prevent drying out, and warm it in a preheated oven at 275°F (135°C) until it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C). This ensures that the ham remains moist and delicious.
Discover More Delicious Ham Recipes
- Instant Pot Ham
- Bourbon Glazed Baked Ham
- Crockpot Honey Mustard Glazed Ham
- Crockpot Brown Sugar Cola Glazed Ham
- Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Stromboli
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.
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.
