This Christmas Ham Recipe is the kind of centerpiece that makes a holiday dinner feel extra special without requiring complicated cooking. A juicy, tender ham is baked until warm and beautifully glazed with a sweet, buttery brown sugar mixture that caramelizes around the edges.
It is easy enough for a relaxed family Christmas dinner but impressive enough for a holiday gathering. Serve it alongside mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, dinner rolls, and cranberry sauce for a classic Christmas feast.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Ham
- Easy to prepare: Most of the work is simply warming and glazing the ham.
- Sweet and savory: Brown sugar, maple syrup, mustard, and butter create a delicious balance.
- Beautiful holiday centerpiece: The glossy caramelized glaze makes the ham look festive on the table.
- Great for a crowd: A large ham provides plenty of servings.
- Perfect for leftovers: Use leftover ham in sandwiches, breakfast casseroles, soups, and pasta.
Ingredients
For the Ham
- 1 fully cooked bone-in spiral-sliced ham, about 8–10 pounds
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Optional Garnish
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
- Fresh orange slices
- Whole cranberries
- A few extra maple-glazed orange slices
Ingredient Notes
Spiral-sliced ham: A fully cooked spiral ham makes this recipe especially easy because the slices are already cut and the glaze can seep between them.
Brown sugar: Light or dark brown sugar works. Dark brown sugar gives the glaze a deeper molasses flavor.
Maple syrup: Use pure maple syrup when possible for the best flavor.
Dijon mustard: Dijon adds a little tang that balances the sweetness of the glaze.
Apple cider vinegar: Just a small amount helps keep the glaze from tasting overly sweet.
Cinnamon and cloves: These warm spices give the ham a classic Christmas flavor without overpowering the meat.
How to Make Christmas Ham
1. Prepare the Ham
Preheat your oven to 325°F.
Remove the ham from its packaging and discard any included glaze packet if your ham comes with one.
Place the ham cut-side down in a large roasting pan. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil.
2. Warm the Ham
Bake the covered ham for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours, depending on its size.
Because the ham is already fully cooked, the goal is to heat it gently rather than cook it from raw.
3. Make the Christmas Glaze
While the ham is warming, combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, melted butter, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper in a bowl.
Whisk until smooth.
The mixture should be thick enough to coat the ham but still easy to brush over the slices.
4. Glaze the Ham
Remove the foil during the final 30–40 minutes of baking.
Carefully brush the ham generously with the glaze, working some of it between the spiral slices.
Return the ham to the oven uncovered.
Brush with additional glaze every 10–15 minutes as it finishes cooking.
5. Caramelize the Outside
During the final few minutes, keep a close eye on the ham as the glaze becomes glossy and caramelized.
If your oven has a broiler, you can briefly broil the ham to deepen the caramelization. Watch it carefully because the brown sugar can burn quickly.
6. Rest Before Serving
Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for about 15 minutes before serving.
Garnish with fresh rosemary, orange slices, and cranberries if desired.
Serve warm with your favorite Christmas side dishes.
Tips for the Best Christmas Ham
Keep the ham covered at first. This helps prevent the meat from drying out while it warms.
Glaze near the end. Adding the glaze too early can cause the sugars to darken before the ham is heated through.
Glaze between the slices. For spiral-cut ham, gently brush glaze between some of the slices so every bite gets flavor.
Don’t overcook it. Since the ham is already cooked, excessive oven time can make it dry.
Watch the final minutes. Sugar-based glazes can go from beautifully caramelized to burnt very quickly.
Let it rest. A short resting period makes the ham easier to serve and keeps the juices from immediately running onto the cutting board.
Variations
Brown Sugar Orange Ham
Add 1–2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice and a little orange zest to the glaze for a bright citrus flavor.
Honey Glazed Christmas Ham
Replace part of the maple syrup with honey for a slightly different sweet flavor.
Pineapple Christmas Ham
Add pineapple rings around the ham during the final portion of baking and brush them with some of the glaze.
Spiced Holiday Ham
Add a small pinch of nutmeg and allspice to the glaze for a warmer Christmas spice profile.
Bourbon-Style Glaze
For an adult holiday variation, replace a small portion of the maple syrup with bourbon. Allow the glaze to simmer briefly before brushing it onto the ham.
How to Store Leftover Ham
Allow leftover ham to cool and refrigerate it in an airtight container within 2 hours.
Store refrigerated leftovers for 3–4 days.
For longer storage, portion the ham into freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 2 months for best quality.
Thaw frozen ham in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Reheat Christmas Ham
Place sliced ham in a baking dish with a small splash of water or broth.
Cover tightly with foil and warm in a 325°F oven until heated through.
Avoid prolonged high heat because it can dry out the ham.
What to Serve With Christmas Ham
This Christmas ham pairs beautifully with:
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Garlic Parmesan roasted carrots
- Green bean casserole
- Creamy corn casserole
- Homemade cranberry orange sauce
- Thanksgiving-style dinner rolls
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Sweet potato casserole
- Mac and cheese
- Fresh green salad
Christmas Ham Leftover Ideas
Don’t let the leftovers go to waste. Use them for:
- Ham and cheese sandwiches
- Ham breakfast casserole
- Ham and cheese omelets
- Creamy ham pasta
- Split pea and ham soup
- Ham and potato soup
- Ham fried rice
- Ham sliders
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Christmas ham ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare the ham earlier in the day and gently reheat it before serving. Keep it covered while reheating to help retain moisture.
Do I need to glaze a fully cooked ham?
You don’t have to, but the glaze adds sweetness, color, and flavor and creates the beautiful caramelized exterior that makes holiday ham special.
Should I cover ham while baking?
Yes. Keep it covered for most of the heating time and uncover it toward the end when applying the glaze.
What temperature should I bake Christmas ham at?
325°F is a good oven temperature for gently reheating a fully cooked ham.
How long does Christmas ham last in the refrigerator?
Properly refrigerated leftover ham is generally best used within 3–4 days.
Can I freeze leftover Christmas ham?
Yes. Portion the leftovers into freezer-safe packaging and freeze for up to about 2 months for best quality.
Recipe Card
Christmas Ham Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes–2 hours
Resting Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: About 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 12–16
Ingredients
- 1 fully cooked bone-in spiral-sliced ham, 8–10 pounds
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Place the fully cooked spiral ham cut-side down in a roasting pan.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for about 1 1/2–2 hours, depending on size.
- Whisk together brown sugar, maple syrup, melted butter, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper.
- Remove the foil during the final 30–40 minutes.
- Brush the ham generously with glaze, working some between the slices.
- Continue baking uncovered, brushing with additional glaze every 10–15 minutes.
- Briefly broil at the end if desired for extra caramelization, watching carefully.
- Rest for 15 minutes.
- Garnish with rosemary, orange slices, and cranberries and serve.
Tip: Use a meat thermometer according to the heating instructions for your specific ham and its packaging. The exact heating time varies by ham size and type.