Easy Honey Ham

Recipe Ingredients

You don’t even need your thumb to count on one hand how many ingredients it takes to make this showstopping ham recipe!

Ham: For the best honey-glazed ham, we call for a fully cooked, smoked, bone-in ham as they tend to have more flavor and retain more moisture than a boneless ham. You can estimate needing somewhere between 1/3- to 1/2-pound per person.

Honey: Honey provides a natural sweetness and helps the glaze stick to the baked ham.

Brown Sugar: Adds a rich molasses flavor and contributes to the caramelization of the glaze.

Dijon Mustard: Mustard brings a tangy acidity to the glaze and balances out the sweetness of the honey and brown sugar.

Cookware You’ll Need

You’ll only need a few key pieces of kitchen equipment to make our showstopping baked ham.

Roasting Pan with Rack: A 16-inch roasting pan works well for this baked ham recipe. They typically come with either flat
racks or v-shaped racks.

Sharp Knife: Cooking is much quicker and easier with a good-quality, sharp knife. Use for scoring the ham.

Carving Knife: Ideal for cutting the ham away from the bone and for slicing.

Other Cookware You’ll Need: Small bowl, whisk, and pastry brush.

How to Make Baked Ham

Here’s how to make a honey-glazed ham you’ll be proud to serve.

1. Pre-bake Ham in Roasting Pan

The ham is partially cooked before adding the honey glaze, so the glaze doesn’t burn in the longer cooking process.

2. Score Ham

Use a sharp knife to cut through the fat layer on top of the ham to create a diamond-shaped pattern.

3. Mix and Apply Glaze

In a small bowl, combine the honey, brown sugar, and mustard. Brush the glaze onto the ham before putting it back in the oven to finish baking.

4. Carve Ham and Serve

Place baked ham, pre-cut side down, on a cutting board, and cut the boneless sections of the ham away from the large bone. Then, cut those sections into thin slices.

Possible Variations

Although one reviewer said, “Absolutely wonderful. The whole family loves it, even the ones that don't like mustard of any kind or honey!”, this ham recipe has room for variations. One that we especially enjoy is adding 1/2 cup of well-drained, crushed pineapple to the glaze.

You can also mix up the type of honey you use. The darker the color, the more pronounced the flavor. You can also try swapping the light brown sugar in the recipe for dark brown sugar—again, for a deeper flavor.

If you’d like to try another recipe, here is our brown sugar-based ham glaze.

Serving Baked Ham

Our ham recipe goes with just about any side dish, but we do have a few favorites.

Ham and sweet potatoes are a natural pairing, and if marshmallows are involved, too, all the better! That’s why we love our marshmallow topped sweet potatoes on the table. Of course, our rich and indulgent mashed potatoes are another great choice.

If you’re serving your baked ham for Christmas or Easter and need some inspiration, check out our Christmas Appetizers or Easter recipes. Just pick your favorites, or try something new!

Storing and Reheating

Here’s the best way to store and reheat your baked ham leftovers.

Fridge

Place the sliced ham in a tightly-sealed food-storage container or resealable food-storage bag. Refrigerate for up to 3 or 4 days.

Freezer

Place sliced ham in freezer food-storage bags, and store in the freezer for up to 1 or 2 months. Place the ham bone in a freezer food-storage bag, and store in the freezer for up to 1 or 2 months. Move the frozen slices to the refrigerator to thaw overnight.

Reheating

While you don’t need to reheat your leftover ham, if preferred, you can either reheat in the oven on a baking sheet, covered with foil, or in the microwave on a microwave-safe plate, covered with a damp paper towel until hot.

Why Pillsbury Users Love This Recipe

Our users have weighed in on our best ham recipe, and here is what we’ve heard.

They love how few ingredients it takes to make such a moist and flavorful ham. The glaze itself has only 3 ingredients, and they’re all pantry staples.

Our users also tell us how much they love serving this showstopping centerpiece for almost any holiday. Whether this is an Easter, New Year’s, or Christmas ham, it has become a family favorite that reminds many reviewers of the ham their mother made when they were kids, adding a touch of nostalgia to their own family feasts.