Sweet and Savory Ham Glaze You Can Make in Minutes

A beautifully glazed ham can instantly become the highlight of any meal because it looks impressive, smells inviting, and brings together sweet and savory flavors in a way that feels warm and familiar. The best part is that creating a great glaze is incredibly simple and takes only a few minutes with common kitchen ingredients. This recipe melts together brown sugar, honey, warm spices, mustard, and butter to create a glossy, flavorful coating that clings perfectly to each slice once baked. It works for holiday feasts, casual weekend dinners, and even quick meal prep. The balance of sweetness, spice, tang, and richness makes the glaze special and reliably delicious. Ahead you will find everything you need including a full list of ingredients, clear instructions, helpful tips, nutrition details, serving ideas, and a complete FAQ section.

Ingredients Needed

This glaze is quick to prepare and uses common pantry items. Exact measurements are included so you can make it confidently every time.

For the Sweet and Savory Ham Glaze

• 1 cup light brown sugar packed
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon salt or more to taste

These ingredients melt together into a shiny glaze that brushes easily on top of the ham and creates a flavorful caramelized layer as it bakes.

Step by Step Cooking Instructions

Prepare the Glaze

Warm a small saucepan over medium heat and melt the brown sugar, honey, and butter together. Stir in the mustard, vinegar, and soy sauce until glossy, then add the spices and salt. Let it heat for one more minute, remove from the stove, and allow it to thicken slightly. The glaze is ready in about five minutes.

Glaze the Ham

Set the ham on a roasting pan and brush it well with glaze, making sure it reaches the scored lines. Bake as directed, adding more glaze every twenty minutes. When the ham is hot and the top is golden and glossy, remove it and let it rest for ten minutes before slicing.

Tips for Customizing the Recipe

This glaze is very easy to customize. For more sweetness, add a little extra honey or use dark brown sugar. For more tang, add a splash of orange juice, lemon juice, or a bit more apple cider vinegar. If you want heat, mix in a pinch of cayenne or crushed red pepper. For a smoky taste, add a small amount of smoked paprika. You can also swap the honey for maple syrup for a different sweetness. For a fruity twist, stir in a spoonful of apricot jam or pineapple preserves.

Nutritional Information

Each tablespoon of this glaze contains approximately 75 calories with about 3 grams of fat. It provides around 12 grams of carbohydrates, most of which come from the 11 grams of sugar. It has no protein and contains roughly 55 milligrams of sodium.

Serving Suggestions

This sweet and savory glazed ham fits any occasion. It works beautifully as a holiday centerpiece or a simple weeknight dinner and pairs well with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, dinner rolls, glazed carrots, or sweet potatoes. It is also great for brunch with eggs, fruit, and biscuits. Leftovers add rich flavor to sandwiches, omelets, pasta, fried rice, and casseroles, and the glaze reheats well for meal prep. Its sweetness balances salty and earthy sides, making it easy to enjoy with many different dishes.

Frequently Asked Questions