Copycat Honey Baked Ham
If you’ve ever had a Honey Baked Ham, you know that golden, caramelized crust is pure magic—sweet, sticky, and full of holiday flavor. This Copycat Honey Baked Ham gives you the same crave-worthy glaze at home for a fraction of the cost. (and dare I say- this one is even better than the original!?) It’s juicy, tender, and makes your kitchen smell amazing. Perfect for Easter, Christmas, or any family gathering where you want to wow the crowd!
I’ll be honest—I’ve never been a huge ham fan. Growing up, it always felt dry, plain, and just… kind of boring. I’d happily skip it for anything else on the table. But if this was the kind of ham served at family gatherings back then, I would have been first in line for seconds!
This copycat Honey Baked Ham changes everything. It’s juicy, tender, and coated in a sticky, savory-sweet glaze that’s completely irresistible. Even my super picky kids couldn’t stop going back for more! Forget dry, tasteless ham—this version is bursting with flavor, with just a hint of orange and that crave-worthy caramelized crust on top.
Serve this at your next holiday feast and just wait—your guests will rave, the platter will be empty, and everyone will be asking for the recipe. (And don’t worry, no one has to know how simple it actually was to make. 😉)
I doubt you’ll have leftovers- but if you are like me and make a larger amount in order to have leftovers, try this delicious Leftover Ham Cheesy Pasta Casserole!
Why You’ll Love This Ham
- ✅ Tastes just like the store-bought version (maybe even better!)
- 🍯 Easy homemade glaze—no fancy ingredients required
- 🔥 That iconic caramelized crust using your oven or broiler
- 🍽 Perfect centerpiece for holidays and Sunday dinners
- 🥪 Delicious leftovers for sandwiches, omelets, or soups
What You’ll Need
Find the full, printable recipe with exact measurements at the bottom of this post. Read on for more details and tips!
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- Roasting pan– I have this one
- Foil– to cover the ham
- Basting brush– for the glaze
- Small saucepan– to make the sticky glaze
For the Ham:
- Fully cooked spiral-sliced ham (8–10 pounds)
- 1/2 cup orange juice (to keep it moist while baking)- the orange juice gives the ham the perfect hint of citrus flavor that pairs beautifully with the maple brown sugar glaze.
For the Glaze:
- Granulated sugar
- Light brown sugar
- Honey
- Dijon mustard
- Spices-cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves
- Apple cider vinegar
How To Make It
Warm the Ham
Preheat your oven to 325°F. Place the spiral ham cut-side down in a roasting pan or baking dish. Add 1/2 cup orange juice to the bottom to keep it juicy. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 10 minutes per pound, or until warmed through (about 1 hour 20 minutes for an 8-pound ham).
Make the Glaze
While the ham bakes, combine the sugar, brown sugar, honey, mustard, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and vinegar in a small saucepan. Stir over medium heat until smooth and bubbly. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened and glossy.
Glaze the Ham
Remove the ham from the oven and increase the temperature to 425°F. Brush half of the glaze generously over the ham, getting in between the slices. Return to the oven uncovered for 10–15 minutes to caramelize.
Create That Famous Crust
For that signature Honey Baked crunch, brush with the remaining glaze and broil for another 2–3 minutes, watching carefully so it doesn’t burn. You can even sprinkle on a little extra brown sugar before broiling for extra caramelization!
Rest and Serve
Let the ham rest for 10–15 minutes before serving. Slice, serve, and watch everyone come back for seconds!
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Tips
- Use a spiral-sliced ham for easy serving and maximum glaze coverage.
- Don’t skip the Dijon—it balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Broil carefully! The glaze can burn quickly, so keep a close eye. I leave the oven door ajar and watch the top of the ham. Once it starts browning you can remove it.
- Leftovers? Store in the fridge up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Try Leftover Cheesy Ham Casserole!
FAQ’s
Q: What type of ham should I buy?
A: A fully cooked spiral-sliced ham is ideal—it’s tender, pre-sliced, and absorbs the glaze beautifully.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes! Bake and glaze the ham up to a day in advance, then reheat at 300°F for about 20 minutes covered in foil before serving.
Q: How do I get the crispy glaze like the Honey Baked Ham store?
A: Use your broiler or a kitchen torch to lightly caramelize the sugar on top—just like the pros do!
Q: Can I make this glaze without honey?
A: You can substitute maple syrup or agave, though honey gives the most authentic flavor.
Q: How many people will this serve? A: An 8-10 bone-in spiral ham will serve 8-10 people. Plan 3/4 to 1 pound of ham per person, as a good rule of thumb.
Leftover Ideas:
- Make ham and Swiss sliders on Hawaiian rolls
- Stir into mac and cheese or breakfast casseroles
- Add to split pea soup or potato soup
- Serve cold with cheddar biscuits and a drizzle of honey mustard
Pairing Ideas:
- Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
- Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Bacon Corn Casserole
- Roasted Lemon Asparagus
- Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
- Crock Pot Glazed Carrots
- Roasted Red Potatoes
- Green Bean Casserole
- Roasted Fall Vegetable Salad
Perfect for the Holidays
This Copycat Honey Baked Ham brings the holiday classic right to your kitchen—complete with that sweet, crunchy glaze everyone loves. It’s simple to make, gorgeous on the table, and guaranteed to impress. Once you try this version, you may never go back to store-bought!
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Copycat Honey Baked Ham
Equipment
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 325°F. Place the spiral ham cut-side down in a roasting pan or baking dish. Add 1/2 cup water or orange juice to the bottom to keep it juicy. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 10 minutes per pound, or until warmed through (about 1 hour 20 minutes for an 8-pound ham).
- While the ham bakes, combine the sugar, brown sugar, honey, mustard, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and vinegar in a small saucepan. Stir over medium heat until smooth and bubbly. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened and glossy.
- Remove the ham from the oven and increase the temperature to 425°F. Brush half of the glaze generously over the ham, getting in between the slices. Return to the oven uncovered for 10–15 minutes to caramelize.
- For that signature Honey Baked crunch, brush with the remaining glaze and broil for another 2–3 minutes, watching carefully so it doesn’t burn. Sprinkle on a little extra brown sugar before broiling for extra caramelization!
- Let the ham rest for 10–15 minutes before serving. Slice, serve, and watch everyone come back for seconds!
Absolutely delicious!!!!
Do you place the ham on a baking rack or directly on the pan?
Thanks
on the roasting rack
In the video you said one cup of orange juice but the receipt says 1/2 cup of orange juice which one is it?
oops! Typo! Sorry about that, it’s 1 cup of orange juice.
Can’t wait to try! Come on Thanksgiving! ❤️
Any suggestions on the brand of spiral hams you all used?
Boneless or bone in? Dies it matter? Cant wait to try it.
I used a boneless ham, but bone-in works perfectly