Name: Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8-10 pound bone-in cooked ham; 1/2 cup water; 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 1 cup brown sugar; 1/2 cup honey; 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 4 cloves garlic, smashed

Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 7 reviews

If you’re looking for a show-stopping centerpiece that’s sweet, tangy, and downright irresistible, this Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham Recipe is exactly what you need. I promise, once you get that sticky golden crust infused with the warmth of cloves, cinnamon, and honey, you’ll want to make it every holiday or weekend feast. It’s one of those dishes that always brings everyone to the table—so read on, and I’ll walk you through all the tips that make this ham truly shine.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect balance of sweet and tangy: The brown sugar and honey caramelize beautifully, while the mustard adds just the right zing.
Simple ingredients, spectacular flavor: You don’t need a long list—just pantry staples come together for a knockout glaze.
Easy scoring technique: The diamond pattern not only looks fancy but helps that glaze soak in evenly.
Slow baking with a final high-temp glaze: Ensures juicy meat inside and an irresistible crust outside.

Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham, glazed ham recipe, holiday ham ideas, sweet and tangy ham, easy ham glaze - The image shows a close-up of a cooked ham with a shiny, caramelized surface. The ham is scored in a diamond pattern, with the cuts revealing juicy layers beneath the crispy outer skin. The glaze on the ham gives it a glossy, reddish-brown color that shines under the light, highlighting the texture and slight charring at the edges. The background is a soft, blurred gray, which makes the ham stand out clearly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you start, let’s talk about the magic-making stars of this Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham Recipe. Each ingredient plays a role in creating that deliciously sticky, aromatic glaze that clings perfectly to the ham while complementing its natural smokiness.

Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham, glazed ham recipe, holiday ham ideas, sweet and tangy ham, easy ham glaze - Flat lay of a large bone-in cooked ham with a rich pink glaze visible on the surface, a small white bowl of thick golden honey, a small white bowl filled with dark brown soft brown sugar, a small white bowl of smooth pale yellow Dijon mustard, a small white bowl of melted golden butter, four whole fresh garlic bulbs with some cloves separated but intact, two small white bowls containing fine ground cinnamon and ground cloves, and a small white bowl of clear water droplets, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Bone-in cooked ham: The bone helps retain moisture and flavor, which means juicier slices—and it’s already cooked, so you’re glazing and heating, not starting from scratch.
Brown sugar: Adds a deep, molasses-rich sweetness that caramelizes beautifully into a crust.
Honey: Brings a natural sweetness and glossy finish; plus, it helps the glaze stick.
Dijon mustard: Adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness without overpowering.
Unsalted butter: Richness and helps bring the glaze ingredients together smoothly.
Water: Keeps the ham moist during baking and helps control the glaze thickness.
Cinnamon and ground cloves: Warm spices that deepen the flavor—classic holiday ham aromatics.
Garlic cloves: Adds a mild savory note that rounds out the sweetness.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the reasons I adore this Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham Recipe is how easy it is to adjust the flavor just the way you like it. Whether you want it a bit spicier, more sweet, or even smoky, you can play around with the glaze components to find your perfect harmony.

Add heat: I’ve sometimes thrown in a pinch of cayenne or some crushed red pepper flakes to give it that gentle kick, especially when serving to folks who like a bit of zest.
Swap mustard types: You can swap dijon for whole grain mustard for texture and a more tangy pop, which my family loves.
Try maple syrup: For a twist, replace honey with pure maple syrup for a slightly different sweetness and flavor depth.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham Recipe

Step 1: Bring Your Ham to Room Temperature

The very first thing I do—and this is super important—is take the ham out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 1 to 2 hours. This helps the meat heat evenly while baking and prevents it from drying out. Don’t skip this step; I’ve learned the hard way! Also, remove any plastic packaging or netting before you start prepping.

Step 2: Get Scoring That Ham

Next, carefully trim away the rind or skin but leave the fat intact—that fat is flavor gold! Using a sharp knife, I score a diamond pattern across the surface. Make sure to cut about 1-inch apart and only go 1/4 inch deep—this helps the glaze soak in without slicing too deep into the meat. It also creates those beautiful pockets where the glaze caramelizes.

Step 3: Slow Bake and Prepare Your Glaze

Place the ham on a foil-lined baking tray (trust me on the foil—it makes cleanup so much easier!). Pour about a third of a cup of water into the pan to keep things moist. Cover the ham tightly with foil and bake at 300°F (150°C) for 30 minutes.

While that’s baking, melt butter over medium heat, then stir in brown sugar, honey, dijon mustard, cinnamon, and cloves. Cook this mix for 2 minutes until the sugar fully dissolves. Toss in smashed garlic cloves and keep it just at a gentle simmer for another couple of minutes to infuse the flavors. Let the glaze cool to a warm honey-like consistency before applying it.

Step 4: Glazing and High-Heat Baking

After the initial baking, crank your oven up to 425°F (220°C). Remove the foil from your ham and discard it. Brush that luxurious glaze all over the ham, making sure to work it into those diamond cuts. Pour some pan juices on top too—it helps keep the glaze perfectly runny.

Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, then pull it out again to brush with more glaze and pan juices. Repeat this another 15 minutes for a total of about 30 minutes at high temp. The result? A stunning deep golden-brown crust that’s sticky, sweet, and full of aromatic spices.

If you want to take the glaze to the next level, feel free to hit the broiler for 2-5 minutes at the end—just watch it closely so the sugar doesn’t burn!

Step 5: Let It Rest, Then Enjoy

Once out of the oven, don’t rush to slice it. Let the ham rest for 10 to 20 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute so you’ll get moist, tender slices rather than a dry plate. Trust me, this little pause makes a big difference!

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Pro Tips for Making Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham Recipe

Don’t rush the glaze cooling: Brushing on hot glaze can slide off—you want it warmed, but thick enough to stick nicely.
Add pan juices back to glaze: If it thickens between bastings, gently warm the glaze with some pan juices to keep it brush-friendly.
Keep an eye during broiling: That sugar caramelizes fast and can burn in seconds, so stay close to the oven if you broil it.
Rest before slicing: This prevents dry ham and ensures juicy, tender slices every time.

How to Serve Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham Recipe

Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham, glazed ham recipe, holiday ham ideas, sweet and tangy ham, easy ham glaze - A thick slice of cooked ham with a shiny light pink inside and a brown outside crust sits on a white plate. You can see the glossy glaze coating the top and sides, with some darker caramelized spots around the edges. The ham is juicy and soft, with smooth texture and slight marbling of fat near the edges. The slice is placed in front of a large chunk of the remaining ham, showing a similar layered texture and a slightly wrinkled outer skin. The plate rests on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to serve this ham with a simple sprinkle of fresh parsley or chopped rosemary for a pop of color and fresh herbal note. Sometimes, adding thin slices of orange zest or placing a few orange wedges around the platter brightens things up visually and cuts through some of the richness.

Side Dishes

This Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham pairs beautifully with buttery mashed potatoes, roasted green beans with almonds, or a classic sweet potato casserole. For a lighter contrast, a crisp apple and arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette adds a refreshing crunch that balances out the rich ham and glaze.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve laid the sliced ham over a bed of fresh kale and cranberries sprinkled with chopped pecans—it looks festive and guests love how the tart fruit pairs with the sweet glaze. Another fun presentation is serving individual portions with a dollop of glaze on the side as a dip for an interactive dinner.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I tightly wrap any leftover ham slices in foil or airtight containers and refrigerate them. It keeps the meat moist for up to 4 days. When wrapping, I also make sure to save some of the pan juices to drizzle on the leftovers—that little trick keeps reheated ham juicy and flavorful.

Freezing

If you want to freeze the ham, slice it first and place portions in freezer bags with a bit of pan juice to help prevent freezer burn. It can keep well for up to 3 months. When thawing, do so slowly in the fridge overnight for best results.

Reheating

To reheat, I usually wrap slices loosely in foil and bake at 275°F (135°C) for 15-20 minutes, basting with saved pan juices once or twice. This gentle reheating preserves moisture and keeps the glaze deliciously sticky without burning or drying out.

FAQs

Can I use a pre-glazed store-bought ham for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just be mindful of the saltiness since some pre-glazed hams can be quite salty. You might want to rinse the surface gently before scoring and glazing to avoid too much saltiness. The brown sugar mustard glaze will add a fresh, homemade touch to it.
What’s the best way to score the ham without cutting too deep?

Use a very sharp knife and make shallow cuts about 1/4 inch deep. Take your time and don’t press hard—just enough to break through the fat layer but not down to the meat. This helps the glaze absorb without drying the ham.
Can I make the glaze ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the glaze a day in advance and keep it chilled in the fridge. When ready to use, gently rewarm it to the right consistency before brushing. Just keep an eye to avoid overheating and thickening.
How do I avoid burning the glaze during broiling?

Stay close to the oven and watch the ham carefully when using the broiler. The sugars caramelize quickly and can burn in moments. Broil in short intervals (2-3 minutes) and rotate the pan if needed for even browning.

Final Thoughts

This Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen repertoire—it’s the one dish that reliably turns holiday dinners into unforgettable celebrations. I love how it’s approachable enough for busy cooks but impressive enough to wow guests. So, when you want something cozy, satisfying, and seriously delicious, give this recipe a try. I have a feeling it’ll become your new go-to for gatherings, just like it did for me.