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Brown Sugar Ham Glaze

Brown Sugar Ham Glaze made with honey, pineapple/orange juice, Dijon, and warming spices. Cook it to a thick, glossy amber consistency, then brush it on a fully cooked ham every 10 minutes during the final bake.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 220
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Brown Sugar Ham Glaze
  • 1 cup brown sugar Pack firmly for the best caramel flavor and thick texture.
  • 0.25 cup honey
  • 0.25 cup pineapple or orange juice Choose pineapple for a sweeter note or orange for a brighter citrus profile.
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp butter Helps round out flavor and contributes to a silky finish.
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar Balances sweetness and keeps the glaze from tasting flat.
  • 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp ground cloves

Equipment

  • 1 saucepan

Method
 

Make the glaze
  1. Add brown sugar, honey, pineapple or orange juice, Dijon mustard, butter, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, and cloves to a saucepan.
  2. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes.
  3. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened and glossy, keeping it at a steady simmer while you stir.
Glaze the ham
  1. Brush the warm glaze over a fully cooked ham during the last 30 minutes of baking.
  2. Brush again every 10 minutes during those final 30 minutes, re-coating the scored diamond pattern for a glossy coat.
  3. Spoon any remaining warm glaze over sliced ham at the table.

Notes

Pro tip: Keep the glaze warm while basting so it stays pourable and clings to the scored surface. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 5 days; rewarm gently on the stove until fluid. Freezing is yes—freeze up to 2 months, then thaw and rewarm. For a lighter option, swap the butter for an equal amount of plant-based butter; the texture will be slightly less rich but still glossy.