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Best Brown Sugar Glazed Ham Recipe for a Crowd

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This brown sugar glazed ham is a forgiving, affordable, and crowd-pleasing dish that delivers a perfect balance of sweet and savory with a sticky, caramelized crust. It’s the recipe that turned a kitchen disaster into a family tradition.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (8-10 lb) bone-in fully cooked ham
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • Optional: 1/2 cup pineapple juice or orange juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). While it’s heating, take the ham out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
  2. Prepare the glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey or maple syrup, ground cloves, and ground ginger. If using pineapple or orange juice, add it now. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth, about 3-4 minutes. Set aside.
  3. Score the ham: Using a sharp knife, cut shallow diagonal lines across the surface of the ham, about 1/4 inch deep, creating a diamond pattern.
  4. Place the ham in the roasting pan on the rack, flat side down.
  5. Brush the glaze generously: Use a basting brush to coat the entire surface of the ham with about half of the glaze. Reserve the rest for later.
  6. Bake the ham: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes per pound. For an 8-pound ham, about 2 hours; for a 10-pound ham, about 2.5 hours. Every 30 minutes, baste the ham with the pan juices or additional glaze.
  7. Check the temperature: About 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the ham, avoiding the bone. Aim for an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).
  8. Apply the final glaze: When the ham hits 130°F (54°C), brush on the remaining glaze. Turn the oven up to 400°F (204°C) for the last 15-20 minutes to caramelize the sugar.
  9. Rest and carve: Remove the ham from the oven and tent it loosely with aluminum foil. Let it rest for 15-20 minutes. Carve against the grain into thin slices.

Notes

Don’t overcook the ham; it’s fully cooked and only needs to be heated to 140°F. Baste every 30 minutes for a sticky crust. Score the ham deeply enough (1/4 inch) to let the glaze penetrate. Let the ham rest before carving for juicier slices. Make extra glaze to drizzle over sliced ham before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown sugar glazed ham, holiday ham, baked ham, ham recipe, crowd-pleasing ham, Easter ham, Christmas ham

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/best-brown-sugar-glazed-ham-recipe-for-a-crowd/