This Easter Ham is a juicy and flavorful centerpiece for your holiday table. With its sweet glaze and tender meat, it’s sure to impress your family and friends!
Don’t be surprised if they start asking for seconds—it’s that good! I love serving it with some roasted veggies and mashed potatoes. The leftovers also make the best sandwiches!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Ham: A bone-in ham is perfect for this recipe because it provides great flavor and moisture. If you’re looking for a smaller option, a half ham will work too. Just adjust the cooking time.
Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds a lovely sweetness and depth to the glaze. If you’re out, you can substitute it with white sugar mixed with a bit of molasses for a similar effect.
Honey: Honey gives a beautiful sticky glaze. If you want to avoid it, maple syrup can be a nice alternative for a different but tasty flavor.
Dijon Mustard: Dijon lends a sharpness to balance the sweetness. If you don’t have it, you can use yellow mustard, but it will be milder. Whole grain mustard can add an interesting texture.
Apple Cider Vinegar: This adds a tangy kick to the glaze. If you’re out, white vinegar or lemon juice can be used, just keep the quantities similar.
How Do I Score the Ham to Enhance Flavor?
Scoring the ham helps the glaze penetrate into the meat, making it more flavorful. To do this correctly, follow these steps:
- Use a sharp knife to make shallow cuts in a diamond pattern across the surface of the ham, about 1 inch apart. Avoid cutting too deep to prevent moisture loss.
- This step not only helps with flavor but also creates an attractive presentation when served!
What’s the Right Way to Rest the Ham After Cooking?
Letting the ham rest is crucial. Here’s why and how to do it:\nWhen you remove the ham from the oven, let it sit for 15-20 minutes. This allows juices to redistribute throughout the meat, keeping it moist when sliced.
- Cover with foil lightly to keep it warm but not fully wrapped, so it doesn’t steam and lose that crispy glaze.
- After resting, slice against the grain for tender pieces!
For Garnishing:
- 1-2 bay leaves
- Fresh parsley or other herbs (optional)
- Slices of lemon and orange (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious Easter Ham will take about 2.5 hours to prepare and bake. You’ll need around 15 minutes to get everything ready, and then 1 hour and 30 minutes to bake it initially. After that, an extra 30 minutes will allow the glaze to caramelize nicely. Plus, don’t forget to let it rest for about 15-20 minutes once it’s out of the oven!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (165°C). This is the perfect temperature for cooking the ham evenly.
2. Prepare the Ham:
Take your fully cooked ham and place it on a roasting rack inside a large roasting pan. If the ham has any ties, gently remove them. Now, score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern, making shallow cuts about 1 inch apart. This allows the glaze to soak into the ham beautifully.
3. Mix the Glaze:
In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, ground cloves, ground cinnamon, orange zest, and lemon zest. Stir this mixture until it becomes smooth; this is your tasty glaze!
4. Glaze the Ham:
Brush about half of your glaze generously over the surface of the ham, making sure to get it into the scored cuts. This will add great flavor as the ham cooks.
5. Add Bay Leaves:
If you like, you can insert 1-2 bay leaves into the cuts of the ham. This will infuse a lovely flavor while it bakes.
6. Bake the Ham:
Cover the ham loosely with aluminum foil and bake it in the preheated oven for about 1.5 hours. That’s roughly 15 minutes per pound! You want the internal temperature to reach 140°F (60°C).
7. Caramelize the Glaze:
After 1.5 hours, remove the foil and brush the remaining glaze over the ham. Now it’s time for the final bake! Place the uncovered ham back in the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes. Remember to baste it with the juices every 10 minutes to help caramelize the glaze.
8. Let it Rest:
Once the ham is done, take it out of the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat moist and flavorful!
9. Slice and Garnish:
Slice your perfectly baked ham and arrange it on a serving platter. You can garnish with fresh herbs and citrus slices to make it look festive!
10. Serve and Enjoy:
Now it’s time to enjoy your delicious Easter Ham! Serve it warm and watch your guests delight in this lovely dish during your celebration.
Can I Use a Different Type of Ham?
Absolutely! While this recipe is designed for a fully cooked bone-in ham, you can use a boneless ham or even a spiral-cut ham. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time based on the size and type of ham you choose—spiral-cut ham typically cooks faster!
What If I Don’t Have Some of the Ingredients?
No problem! If you’re missing any ingredients, you can substitute honey with maple syrup, apple cider vinegar with white vinegar, or Dijon mustard with yellow mustard. The flavors will vary slightly, but it will still be delicious!
How to Store Leftover Ham?
After your meal, let the leftover ham cool down to room temperature, then wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or store it in an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw frozen ham in the fridge before reheating.
Can I Make the Glaze Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can prepare the glaze a day in advance! Store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Just give it a good stir before brushing it on the ham, as it may thicken slightly in the fridge.
