Description
There is nothing more festive than a juicy ham for any holiday gathering. Follow the recipe below and you are guaranteed to have your guests lining up for seconds.
Ingredients
Ham:
1 whole fully cooked, bone-in ham (size based on number of guests)
40–50 whole cloves
1/3 cup tamari soy sauce (optional)
Glaze:
3 cups (660g) dark brown sugar
3/4 cup (180g) spicy brown mustard
1 can (355ml) cola
3 tbsp (45ml) apple cider vinegar or 3/4 cup (180ml) bourbon
Instructions
Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease a roasting pan and set it aside.
Prep the Ham:
Use a sharp knife to score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern, about 1 inch apart and 1/4 inch deep.
Insert cloves in the center of each diamond for flavor and presentation.
(Optional) Brush with tamari soy sauce for an extra layer of savory flavor.
Bake the Ham:
Place the ham cut-side down in the prepared roasting pan. Cover loosely with foil and bake at 325°F for 22-26 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).
Make the Glaze:
In a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, mustard, cola, and vinegar (or bourbon).
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until thickened and darker in color.
Glaze the Ham:
Remove the ham from the oven and brush with 3/4 of the glaze.
Return the ham to the oven, uncovered, for an additional 20-25 minutes until the glaze is bubbly.
Serve:
Take the ham out of the oven, brush with the remaining glaze, and let rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
Notes
Don’t Rush the Baking: A slow, low bake keeps the ham tender and juicy. Increase the baking time if you use a larger ham.
Cloves and Presentation: Using whole cloves adds flavor, but you can remove them before serving if guests prefer.
Bourbon Option: For a more robust flavor, use bourbon instead of apple cider vinegar in the glaze.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 2.5-4 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Roasting
- Cuisine: Holiday, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 940mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 80mg