From the sticky-sweet glaze to the fall-apart tender ham underneath, every bite is a frugal showstopper you didn't know you needed. Whether you're hosting a holiday meal or just wanting a comforting classic, this Honey Baked Spiral Ham Recipe truly delivers on flavor and simplicity.
Recipe: $10.35 | Per Serving: $0.52 | Servings: 20
We’re obsessed with how the honey, brown sugar, and mustard glaze caramelizes into a sticky, golden crust that’s practically irresistible. It’s the kind of flavor that has everyone going back for seconds.
This recipe is also incredibly versatile, beginner-friendly, and only requires one roasting pan and a small saucepan. Cleanup is a breeze, making it perfect for holidays or busy weeknights when you don’t want to spend all evening in the kitchen.
And let’s not forget the best part- frugal dinners! Thanks to major holiday sales, you can often grab ham for under a dollar per pound. That means big savings for your grocery budget and endless ways to stretch the leftovers. Think Air Fryer Grilled Ham and Cheese or a cozy Easy Hashbrown Casserole, leftover ham is truly the gift that keeps on giving.
Want to try a fun twist next time? Check out our Honey Orange Glazed Ham for a zesty citrus variation.
Jump to:
🍯 Why This Recipe Works
- Easy cleanup. Especially during a busy holiday dinner, cleanup is the last thing you want to stress about. With this recipe, cleanup is a breeze, definitely a 10/10 on our scale.
- Frugal holiday meal. You can usually find ham for $0.70–$0.80 per pound around the holidays, meaning a 9-pound ham only costs a few dollars. Perfect for the budget-conscious!
- Basic ingredient glaze. Using simple pantry staples, this glaze creates a sticky-sweet topping that tastes incredible, no need to buy specialty ingredients.
🥘 Ingredients
Spiral-sliced bone-in ham: The spiral cut allows the glaze to sink into every slice, and the bone adds tons of flavor (plus it's perfect for soup stock).
Dijon or yellow mustard: Brings a zippy contrast that balances the sweet glaze.
Coffee (optional): A surprising budget-friendly twist for richness in the glaze. Plus, it's a great excuse to brew another cup. (Use the remaining coffee for some Maple Syrup Iced Coffee.
For specific ingredients and measurements, please see the recipe card below.
🧾 Substitutions
Mustard: Yellow mustard works fine if you’re out of Dijon, it still gives that tangy contrast we're looking for.
Honey: Maple syrup is a great sub and can be cheaper depending on your pantry. We always have honey on hand because we buy it in bulk.
Apple cider vinegar: Lemon juice brings a similar brightness while white vinegar can also be used in a pinch.
🔪 Instructions for Honey Baked Spiral Ham
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325°F. Line a roasting pan with two large pieces of foil and stagger them in the pan so there’s a slight overlap. You want them long enough that they can reach up and over the ham to seal it in while keeping the ham from directly touching the pan.
Step 2: Place the ham into the center of the pan, place it cut-side down. Add in water or apple juice. (Image 1).
Step 3: Bring the foil up and over the ham and pinch to seal it in the foil "bag" you've just created. (Image 2).
Step 4: Bake for 10–12 minutes per pound or until fully heated through (usually 1.5–2 hours for a 9-lb ham).
Step 5: Make the glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, spices, and coffee (if using). (Image 3). Bring to a simmer and stir constantly until thickened slightly (5–7 minutes). It should be syrupy. (Image 4).
Step 6: About 30 minutes before the ham has finished cooking, remove the foil from the top and roll it down to the sides of the pan like a ring. This will help to create a dam for liquid to not slosh out of the pan.
Step 7: During the last 30 minutes of cooking, brush your ham with a generous amount of glaze every ten minutes until the ham is done. Return to the oven after each time. (Image 5).
Step 8: Optional* Broil the ham for 1-2 minutes after cooking to make the glaze extra caramelized. Make sure to watch it closely so it doesn't burn.
Step 9: Remove from oven and let rest 10–15 minutes before serving. (Image 6).
🍴 Recipe Tips
- Don’t skip resting: It helps juices redistribute and keeps slices juicy.
- Keep it moist: Baking with water or juice in the pan is key to keeping the ham from drying out.
- Watch the broil: A few seconds too long and your glaze could burn, stay close!
🍳 Reheating
To reheat leftover ham, place slices in a covered pan with a splash of water or juice to keep the moisture in. Bake at 325°F until warmed through (about 10-15 minutes). For faster reheating, microwave individual slices with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
🥗 Side Dishes
Pair this ham with a variety of sides like our Oven Roasted Asparagus, Instant Pot Brussel Sprouts and Bacon, Creamy Garlic Red Skin Mashed Potatoes, and Rustic Sourdough Discard Bread for a feast fit for any family holiday meal.
👩🏻🍳 Storage
Store leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For long-term storage, slice the ham and freeze it in freezer bags for up to 3 months.
💭 Recipe FAQs
Yes, boneless hams can be used with the same glaze. Just make sure to adjust cooking times as boneless hams cook faster.
Use a meat thermometer to make sure that the ham reaches 140°F in the center before serving.
A 10 lb spiral ham feeds about 13 to 20 people, depending on portion size and side dishes. Aim for ½ to ¾ lb per person.
You can buy a spiral ham up to 3–4 months in advance if you store it frozen. Just keep it in its original packaging and place it in the freezer right away.
If storing in the fridge, unopened spiral hams typically last up to 7 days before cooking, depending on the “use by” date.
❤️ More Delicious Main Dish Recipes
If you tried this Honey Baked Spiral Ham, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your feedback in the 📝 comments section below. I would truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Honey Baked Spiral Ham
Ingredients
For the Ham:
- 6-10 pounds pre-cooked spiral-sliced ham ($7.90)
- ½ cup water or apple juice ($0.00)
Homemade Glaze:
- ½ cup honey ($1.50)
- ⅓ cup brown sugar ($0.25)
- 2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard or yellow mustard ($0.20)
- 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar ($0.10)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ($0.10)
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves ($0.10)
- ½ teaspoon paprika ($0.10)
- Pinch black pepper ($0.05)
- 1-2 teaspoon instant coffee or brewed coffee ($0.05)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F. Line a roasting pan with two large pieces of foil and stagger them in the pan so there’s a slight overlap. You want them long enough that they can reach up and over the ham to seal it in while keeping the ham from directly touching the pan.
- Place the ham into the center of the pan, place it cut-side down. Add in water or apple juice.
- Bring the foil up and over the ham and pinch to seal it in the foil "bag" you've just created.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes per pound or until fully heated through (usually 1.5–2 hours for a 9-lb ham).
- Make the glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, spices, and coffee (if using). Bring to a simmer and stir constantly until thickened slightly (5–7 minutes). It should be syrupy.
- About 30 minutes before the ham has finished cooking, remove the foil from the top and roll it down to the sides of the pan like a ring. This will help to create a dam for liquid to not slosh out of the pan.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, brush your ham with a generous amount of glaze every ten minutes until the ham is done. Return to the oven after each time.
- Optional* Broil the ham for 1-2 minutes after cooking to make the glaze extra caramelized. Make sure to watch it closely so it doesn't burn.
- Remove from oven and let rest 10–15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Recipe Tips: Rest the ham to keep slices juicy. Baking with water or juice prevents it from drying out. Be sure to watch the broiling closely to avoid burning the glaze.
- Reheating: Reheat leftover ham in the oven at 325°F for 10-15 minutes with water or juice, or microwave with a damp paper towel for quicker reheating.
- Storage: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nicole Durham says
We can't get enough of this sweet ham recipe.