Maple Glazed Ham
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Full of flavor, Maple Glazed Ham is the traditional Easter Ham for many people. Try this perfect baked ham with a sticky maple glaze.
Ham is a popular choice for many holiday meals. Have you had a chance to try my best ever orange honey glazed ham yet? That’s another option you might want to try.
Or, you may want to try my Slow Cooker Orange Honey Ham for an easy ham that almost cooks itself.
This Easter Ham recipe is loaded with sweet maple flavor with just a touch of spices. It makes the perfect main course for any holiday dinner.
Why should you use a maple glaze?
When making a ham, you want a sweet glaze that will offset the saltiness in the ham. Popular choices are maple syrup, brown sugar, or honey.
Since spring is when maple syrup is most readily available, it only makes sense to use that to make my maple syrup ham glaze.
What is the best ham to buy for Easter?
There are several different options you can choose depending on how many people you’re serving.
A fully cooked bone-in ham like the shank end has the largest amount of meat. If you’re serving a crowd or want lots of leftovers after your Easter dinner, this is the type you need to get.
Your other choice is a half leg, otherwise known as the butt end. This cut of meat will contain the hip bone which means it’s a bit harder for you to carve.
Because there is a bone, you’ll have slightly less meat although it’s a bit more tender. The choice is yours.
Can you use a pre-sliced ham?
If you would rather use a pre-sliced ham instead of the traditional bone-in ham I used, you certainly can. But, you will need to ajdust the cooking time so that the meat doesn’t dry out.
Should I baste my Maple Glazed Ham?
You will apply the glaze over the ham throughout the cook process.
But, right before you serve the ham, be sure that you drizzle the pan drippings over the ham to give it a rich flavor and golden glaze on the top.
Tips for the most flavorful ham
When making this maple glazed ham, you will want to take the meat out of the refrigerator about an hour before you cook it. It’s best to start baking it at room temperature.
If your glaze thickens too much, you can add more orange juice to thin it a bit more.
Always let your ham rest for 10 to 20 minutes before you slice it. This lets the juices be reabsorbed into the meat. If you skip this step, you will lose more of the flavor when you cut it.
How should I store leftovers?
Yes, you can store Maple Glazed Ham in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you want to store it for longer than that, you should freeze it. You can also use them for this Ham and Cheese Quiche that is delicious!
All you need to do is place it in plastic freezer bags and put it in the freezer. To make mealtime easier when you want to use it, cut it in slices or chunks based on what type of recipe you want to make with it. Then, just allow it to defrost in the refrigerator overnight and use it as you want to.
What can I do with leftover Maple Glazed Ham?
Grilled Hawaiian Ham Kabobs are the perfect portable breakfast or brinner. A simple recipe loaded with your favorite flavors: ham, pineapple, and veggies skewered and brushed with a gloriously sweet and tangy sauce.
Hawaiian Tortellini Pasta Salad is like a party in your mouth! It’s a blend of your favorite island flavors in a fabulously bright, sweet, and tangy summer pasta salad.
Muffaletta Tortellini Salad is all your favorite things about a pasta salad and the classic Italian flavors of the Muffaletta sandwich rolled into one amazing summer salad.
One-Pot Hawaiian Pasta is a quick and easy 30-minute dinner that packs all the punch that comes with Hawaiian flavors, in an easy-to-make, hearty dinner.
Enjoy!
With love from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Maple Glazed Ham
Ingredients
- 7 pound Traditional Bone-In Ham
- 1 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Set the ham out at room temperature 1 hour before cook time to take the chill off.
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Place the ham on a casserole dish, cut side down. Add 1/4" of water to the baking dish.
- Place the ham on a rack over a baking sheet and pour another third of the mixture evenly over the ham.
- Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake according to package directions, until internal temperature reaches 140˚F, about 15 minutes per pound (about 1 hour 45 minutes total cook time).
- Meanwhile: In a medium pot over medium-high heat, combine all of the ingredients, except the ham, stir to combine. Cook on medium heat until it simmers (small bubbles) and the sugar is melted. Stir to combine. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Half way through the ham cook time (about 45-60 minutes into cook time), remove the aluminum foil and pour half of the glaze over the ham. Use a basting brush to spread the glaze over the ham. Repeat every 15-20 minutes until the ham is cooked through. The more you glaze the prettier the ham will be.
- Remove ham from oven, let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Serve hot or cold.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published March 2021
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The sweetness with the ham is amazing, and such a nice mix of savory and sweet.