Honey Glazed Baked Ham

The irresistible scent of warm spices and sweet honey fills the kitchen as this Honey Glazed Baked Ham slow cooks to perfection. It’s a true show-stopper dish with juicy, tender spiraled slices soaked in buttery honey and topped with a bold, caramelized crust.

This recipe is ideal for holiday celebrations like Easter or Thanksgiving, but it’s also easy enough to whip up for a special Sunday dinner. With just 10 minutes of prep and a slow cooker doing the hard work, this impressive ham brings all the flavor without the fuss.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 8 lb bone-in spiral ham

• 3 tbsp melted unsalted butter

• 1/2 cup honey

• 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp onion powder

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

• 1/4 tsp ground ginger

• 1/4 tsp ground cloves

• 3 tbsp water

Directions:

1. Place the spiral ham in the bowl of a slow cooker.

2. In a small bowl, whisk melted butter and honey, then pour over the ham, ensuring to get between the slices.

3. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.

4. In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.

5. Preheat the broiler during the final 30 minutes of slow cooking.

6. Transfer the ham to a foil-lined roasting pan.

7. Sprinkle half of the spice mix over the ham, gently pressing to adhere.

8. Broil the ham for 5 minutes until golden and bubbling.

9. Mix the remaining spice blend with water and microwave for 1 minute to form a glaze.

10. Drizzle glaze over the ham. Slice and serve.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 4 hours 5 minutes | Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Kcal: 1049 kcal | Servings: 10 servings

The Irresistible Charm of Honey Glazed Baked Ham

Few dishes hold the power to gather family around the table like a perfectly glazed, golden-brown baked ham. Whether it’s the centerpiece of a Thanksgiving feast, a Christmas dinner tradition, or an Easter Sunday staple, Honey Glazed Baked Ham brings warmth, nostalgia, and irresistible flavor to any occasion. This recipe, slow-cooked and finished under a broiler with a spiced brown sugar glaze, is one of those rare dishes that’s both easy to prepare and remarkably impressive on the table.

Let’s explore what makes this recipe so special, why it works so well, and how you can customize and serve it for any event worth celebrating.

Why Spiral Ham?

The star of this dish is a bone-in spiral ham. Spiral-sliced hams are pre-cut into even, thin slices while still on the bone, which makes them incredibly easy to serve. But the beauty of a spiral ham doesn’t stop at convenience. The natural shape of the slices allows for the glaze and seasoning to seep between each layer, infusing every bite with flavor.

Additionally, the bone helps retain moisture during cooking. It acts as a natural insulator, protecting the meat from drying out   something that’s particularly important during slow cooking. This is why bone-in hams tend to be juicier and more flavorful than their boneless counterparts.

The Flavor Profile: Sweet Meets Savory

What truly sets this Honey Glazed Baked Ham apart is its delicate balance between salty, sweet, and warmly spiced. The ham itself is naturally salty and rich. When paired with the sweetness of honey and brown sugar, the result is a beautiful harmony that’s enhanced even more by a blend of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a hint of garlic and onion powder.

These spices aren’t overpowering  rather, they elevate the dish with subtle layers of warmth and depth. The broiling step at the end caramelizes the sugars into a sticky, golden glaze that adds both flavor and visual appeal.

This sweet-savory contrast is part of what makes glazed ham so universally loved  it’s satisfying without being overwhelming, and it pairs beautifully with a wide variety of side dishes.

Cooking Technique: Why the Slow Cooker Works

Cooking the ham in a slow cooker allows the meat to gently warm through over several hours, making it incredibly tender without drying it out. This method is especially helpful during holiday cooking marathons when your oven is already loaded with sides and desserts.

It also means the ham is virtually hands off for most of its cook time. After the quick prep just whisking together honey and butter and pouring it over the meat  you can walk away, tackle other dishes, or simply enjoy time with family.

The final broiling step crisps up the glaze to perfection, giving it that signature caramelized finish. The contrast between the juicy interior and slightly crisp, sweet exterior is what makes each bite unforgettable.

Variations to Try

While honey is the traditional sweetener for this glaze, it’s far from the only option. One of the most popular variations is using maple syrup in place of honey. Maple syrup brings a deeper, earthier sweetness with subtle notes of vanilla and toffee, making it an ideal alternative.

You could also experiment with pineapple juice or orange zest for a fruit-forward spin. If you prefer a little heat, a touch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes in the glaze can offer a spicy kick.

For a smoky twist, try incorporating a bit of smoked paprika into the spice mix. This variation pairs wonderfully with roasted root vegetables or mashed sweet potatoes.

Vegetarian guests in attendance? You can take the same spice mix and honey glaze, and roast it over thick slabs of roasted cauliflower or tofu steaks for a flavor-packed alternative.

What to Serve With Honey Baked Ham

This dish is incredibly versatile and complements a wide range of side dishes, both sweet and savory. For a classic holiday spread, you can’t go wrong with:

• Mashed potatoes – Creamy and buttery to balance the sweetness of the ham.

• Roasted Brussels sprouts or green beans – Their slight bitterness works well with the rich glaze.

• Cranberry sauce – A tangy counterpoint that pops against the sweet-savory main.

• Cornbread or dinner rolls – Perfect for soaking up any glaze that lands on the plate.

• Macaroni and cheese – A family favorite that provides comfort and richness.

For Easter or springtime meals, you might lean into lighter sides like deviled eggs, asparagus with lemon, or a fresh herb salad with vinaigrette. In cooler months, heartier options like scalloped potatoes, stuffing, or creamed spinach shine alongside the ham.

Making the Most of Leftovers

One of the biggest perks of cooking a large spiral ham is the leftovers. This dish keeps beautifully in the fridge and can be used in countless ways throughout the week.

Try it in:

• Ham and cheese sliders on Hawaiian rolls with melted Swiss.

• Ham fried rice or egg scrambles.

• Ham and potato soup for a comforting, hearty dinner.

• Ham and cheddar biscuits for breakfast or brunch.

• Quiches or savory tarts with veggies and cheese.

Leftover ham can also be frozen, though the texture may change slightly. Be sure to slice or dice before freezing and store in airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the fridge and add to cooked dishes like casseroles, soups, or baked pastas.

A Dish Rooted in Tradition

Glazed ham has long been associated with festive gatherings. From its symbolism of abundance to its practicality as a large cut of meat that can serve a crowd, it’s no surprise that this dish appears on so many holiday tables.

In many American households, it’s an Easter tradition that symbolizes renewal and springtime, often replacing turkey from Thanksgiving and Christmas. Others prefer to serve it on Christmas Eve for a simpler, no-fuss dinner before the big holiday meal.

Regardless of when it’s served, the nostalgia and joy this dish brings can’t be overstated. It’s often the center of family stories, memories, and moments passed down through generations with each home adding its own touch.

Conclusion:

What makes this Honey Glazed Baked Ham recipe shine isn’t just the flavor though it’s undeniably delicious. It’s the simplicity. The ease of preparation, the reliability of slow cooking, the versatility of serving, and the comforting familiarity of the dish all contribute to its appeal.

Whether you’re cooking for a dozen loved ones or just want to elevate your weeknight dinner with something special, this ham fits the bill. It’s the kind of recipe that makes people think you’ve spent hours in the kitchen when in reality, the slow cooker did most of the work.

Add to that its rich flavor, show-stopping presentation, and week-long versatility for leftovers, and you’ve got a timeless recipe worth revisiting again and again.