Brown Sugar Ham Glaze

5 from 6 votes

My brown sugar ham glaze has just the perfect amount of sweet and tart to satisfy everyone's taste at the holiday table this year.

Prep Time2

Cook Time5

Total Time7

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: brown sugar ham glaze

Servings:

Calories: 400kcal

Preheat oven to 325°F.
Unwrap the ham and place it in a large baking dish. I also decided to pour all the juices from the bag in the dish, to help keep it juicy.
If you have a spiral-cut ham, there’s nothing else to do. Otherwise, make ¼″ deep cuts in a diamond pattern all over the ham surface (this will allow the juices from the brown sugar ham glaze to drip down inside later).
Place in the oven and bake.
A pre-cooked 10-pound ham will take about 10 to 15 minutes per pound to cook through (or about 2 hours). After 1 hour, check the temperature by inserting a meat thermometer in the thickest part (being careful not to touch the bone). The ham is ready when the internal temperature has reached 130°F.
At about the 1-hour mark, start making the brown sugar ham glaze.
Melt butter in a small pan over medium heat.
Once the butter has melted, add all the other ingredients and whisk together.
Bring to a simmer, whisking occasionally, and cook for about 5 minutes.
Immediately remove from heat and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
Check the internal temperature of your ham (the ham is finished cooking when it has reached 130°F).
When it’s getting close to that point, but has about a half hour left, baste half of the brown sugar ham glaze onto the ham.
Fifteen minutes later, brush on the remaining ham glaze and let the ham finish cooking until it has reached 130°F.
Serve and enjoy!

Expert tips
- You don't want to cook the ham glaze for too long, or it may get too thick and caramelly
- Using dark brown sugar in this recipe will result in a sweeter glaze than light brown sugar
- Save the ham bone and trimmings afterward for delicious soup
- Add a little cornstarch to the pan drippings to make a delicious thick gravy

Ideas for side dishes
- Potatoes - Always a good choice. Whether they're baked, mashed, scalloped, or in potato salad
- Asparagus - We opted for fresh spring asparagus this year and were not disappointed
- Roasted carrots - Continue that delicious roasted flavor with some sweet carrots
- Green bean casserole - This veggie dish is yummy anytime, not just on Thanksgiving
- Cornbread - A nice pat of butter on warm cornbread...yes please