Honey Bourbon Glazed Ham Recipe – Your Go-To Ham for Any Celebration!
Today, we’re diving into a true show-stopper—Honey Bourbon Glazed Ham. Imagine a golden, caramelized crust dripping with honey and bourbon, perfectly balanced with the tangy sweetness of pineapple which is optional. This isn’t just any ham—it’s the kind that’s going to make your whole house smell like a celebration, and one slice is all it takes to hook everyone at the table. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a family gathering, this ham is the centerpiece you’ve been looking for. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through the ins and outs of making the ultimate glazed ham with expert tips, serving suggestions, storage, and a few pro-level twists!
Servings: 810 servings
Ingredients
- 6 - 8 lb. bone-in, fully cooked half ham
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp butter
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup bourbon
- Whole cloves for studding (optional)
- 1 can pineapple slices in juice (reserve juice for glaze, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F. Add 1 cup of water or pineapple juice to the base of a roasting pan. Place a rack on top of the pan. Unwrap the ham and place it cut-side down on the rack. Using a sharp knife, score the ham’s fat in a diamond pattern about ¾ inch deep. For added aroma, you can stud cloves into the intersections of the cuts.
- Arrange the pineapple slices on top of the ham, securing each one with a toothpick. Save the remaining pineapple juice to use in the glaze.
- Loosely cover the ham with foil, allowing some steam to escape. Bake the ham for 20 minutes to start warming it through.
- While the ham begins baking, combine the honey, brown sugar, bourbon, butter, and ¼ cup of pineapple juice in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until it comes to a boil, then let it bubble for about 2 minutes before removing from heat.
- After the initial 20 minutes, uncover the ham and brush on a layer of glaze. Re-cover the ham with foil and continue baking, basting with glaze every 20-30 minutes.
- When the ham reaches an internal temperature of 130°F, remove the foil, apply a final layer of glaze, and set the oven to high broil. Let the ham caramelize for 3-5 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Once the ham’s internal temperature hits 135-140°F, remove it from the oven and tent with foil. Let it rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 420kcal