This post contains affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
This apple cider glazed ham is juicy, tender, and coated in an irresistible glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. It’s incredibly easy to prepare and makes the perfect centerpiece for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter!
I love serving this with creamy mashed potatoes and green beans almondine.
Listen, I love a good holiday dinner, but I’ll take a juicy, sweet, sticky ham over dry turkey ANY day. Sorry, turkey lovers! And when that brown sugar and apple cider glaze starts caramelizing in the oven? Forget about it. This is the kind of ham that has everyone sneaking another slice before dinner is even served.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s ridiculously easy! There’s no complicated preparation involved. Just mix the glaze, brush it onto the ham, and let the oven do its thing.
- Perfect for entertaining. An 8–10 pound ham is ideal for feeding a crowd, and the presentation is absolutely gorgeous.
- The leftovers are amazing! Use leftover ham for sandwiches, breakfast casseroles, soups, or a delicious ham and cheese omelet the following morning.
INGREDIENT NOTES
See the recipe card below for ingredient quantities and complete instructions.
- Ham – You’ll need an 8-10 lb bone-in spiral cut ham. Make sure to discard the honey packet that comes with the ham.
- Apple Cider – You can find this in the juice aisle at your local supermarket.
- Dijon Mustard – Don’t omit otherwise, the glaze will be too sweet.
TOP TIPS
- After the ham has been cooking for 1.5 hours, make sure to baste the ham every 15 minutes with pan juices and glaze to keep it moist and flavorful.
- If your ham is frozen, make sure to thaw it in the refrigerator before cooking. Allow approximately 24 hours of thawing time for every 5 pounds of ham.
- I highly recommend using a bone-in ham instead of a boneless one. Bone-in hams are much more flavorful!
- Once the ham reaches 140 degrees, broil it for a few minutes or until it gets that nice caramelization.
Recipe Note: Make sure to use a fully cooked spiral-cut ham for this recipe. Since it’s already cooked, we’re simply reheating it and caramelizing that delicious glaze! Follow the reheating instructions on your ham’s packaging, as the recommended internal temperature may vary. If you want extra caramelization, broil the ham for a few minutes, keeping a VERY close eye on it. The sugary glaze can burn quickly, so don’t walk away!
FAQ’s
Can I prepare this ham ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the glaze up to two days in advance and refrigerate it in an airtight container. When you’re ready to serve, simply prepare and bake the ham as directed.
Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?
Yes! Although I prefer apple cider because it has a richer apple flavor, unsweetened apple juice works as a substitute. Make sure it’s UNSWEETENED!
How much ham should I buy per person?
For a bone-in ham, plan on approximately ¾ to 1 pound per person. An 8–10 pound ham should comfortably serve around 10–12 people, depending on how many side dishes you’re serving and whether you want leftovers.
Do I have to use a spiral-cut ham?
Not necessarily! You can use another type of fully cooked ham, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time according to its weight. I personally love spiral-cut ham because it’s convenient and makes serving a breeze.
How do I keep my ham from drying out?
The trick is to keep it covered during the initial baking time, add liquid to the roasting pan, and avoid overheating it. Use a meat thermometer rather than relying exclusively on cooking time.
STORAGE & LEFTOVERS
Have leftovers? Place them in an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. You can make ham and cheese sandwiches the following day! This ham makes the best leftovers!
Tried this apple cider glazed ham? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. And consider following me on Facebook or Pinterest!
Apple Cider Glazed Ham
Ingredients
- 8-10 lb fully cooked spiral cut ham
- 3 apples, sliced in half
- 1 ½ cups light brown sugar
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- 1 cup apple cider, separated
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, stir together the brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Pour half of the apple cider into the mixture and stir until smooth. Place the spiral-cut ham in a roasting pan on top of the apples and pour the remaining 1/2 cup of the apple cider all over the ham.
- Brush the ham with half of the prepared glaze, making sure to cover the entire surface. Cover the ham with aluminum foil and bake in the oven for 1.5 hours.
- After 1 ½ hours, remove the foil from the ham. Brush the ham with more glaze and return it to the oven for another 15 minutes. Repeat this process two more times, brushing the ham with glaze every 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the ham reaches 140°F (60°C).
- Remove the ham from the oven and brush it with the remaining glaze for a final coating. Serve immediately, or for extra caramelization, you can broil the ham for a few minutes in the oven. Enjoy your delicious Apple Cider Glazed Ham!
Notes
- After the ham has been cooking for 1.5 hours, make sure to baste the ham every 15 minutes with pan juices and glaze to keep it moist and flavorful.
- If your ham is frozen, make sure to thaw it in the refrigerator before cooking. Allow approximately 24 hours of thawing time for every 5 pounds of ham.
- I highly recommend using a bone-in ham instead of a boneless one. Bone-in hams are much more flavorful!
- Once the ham reaches 140 degrees, broil it for a few minutes or until it gets that nice caramelization.
- Have leftovers? Make ham and cheese sandwiches the following day! This ham makes the best leftovers!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
