If you’re looking for a show-stopping centerpiece that’s both cozy and packed with flavor, this Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham Recipe is going to be your new best friend. Trust me, once you get that sticky, sweet, tangy glaze caramelized on a perfectly scored ham, everyone at the table will be begging for seconds—and you’ll love how easy it is to pull off.

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Why This Recipe Works

Balanced Sweet & Tangy Flavors: The brown sugar and honey offer just the right sweetness, perfectly offset by the dijon mustard’s mild tang.
Beautiful Caramelized Crust: Scoring the ham and layering on the glaze creates a gorgeous, crackly finish that’s irresistibly tasty.
Simple Yet Elegant: With straightforward ingredients and easy steps, this recipe feels fancy but won’t stress you out.
Moist and Flavorful Every Time: The pan juices mixed with the glaze keep the ham juicy and add layers of depth to every bite.

Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham, ham glaze recipe, easy holiday ham, caramelized ham, flavorful glazed ham - 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

Each ingredient in this Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham Recipe plays a starring role — the butter helps the glaze brown beautifully, the spices add warmth without overpowering, and the garlic gives it a subtle kick. When shopping, look for a good quality bone-in cooked ham; it really does make all the difference in flavor and texture.

Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham, ham glaze recipe, easy holiday ham, caramelized ham, flavorful glazed ham - 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 adds flavor and helps the ham stay juicy as it cooks.
Water: Keeps the ham moist during baking, preventing dryness.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps brown the glaze for that mouthwatering crust.
Brown sugar: The heart of the sweetness that caramelizes nicely on the ham.
Honey: Adds depth and a natural floral sweetness.
Dijon mustard: Balances the glaze with a tangy sharpness that cuts through the sweetness.
Ground cinnamon: Brings warmth and a hint of spice without overwhelming.
Ground cloves: Adds slightly earthy sweetness for complexity.
Garlic cloves: Smash in for subtle aromatic layers that perk up every bite.

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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

I love making this Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham Recipe my own by playing around with the spices or sweeteners, and you should too! Whether you like it a little spicier, sweeter, or with even more depth, there are easy switches you can make that personalize this recipe perfectly for your family or party guests.

Swap Spices: I sometimes add a pinch of smoked paprika or ground ginger for an extra hint of warmth—it’s delightful!
Honey Alternatives: If you don’t have honey on hand, maple syrup works beautifully and adds a subtle unique flavor twist.
Mustard Variations: Grainy mustard gives it a lovely texture and tang—I recommend trying it if you want more bite.
For a Tangier Glaze: Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or orange juice to brighten the flavors.

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

Step 1: Prep and Score the Ham

First things first: preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and set a rack on the lower third. Remove any plastic packaging or netting from your ham, then carefully trim away the rind but leave the fat intact—that’s key for flavor and moisture. Rest the ham at room temp for 1-2 hours so it cooks evenly. Then, use a sharp knife to score 1-inch diamonds into the fat layer, cutting no deeper than ¼ inch. This helps the glaze seep in and creates that gorgeous caramelized crust we’re aiming for.

Step 2: Make the Glaze

While the ham starts to rest and cook, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until it turns golden brown and smells nutty. Stir in brown sugar, honey, dijon mustard, cinnamon, and cloves until the sugar dissolves completely—about 2 minutes. Lower the heat, add the smashed garlic, and let it simmer gently for a couple of minutes to infuse the flavors. Remove from heat and let the glaze cool until it’s lukewarm, about the consistency of honey at room temperature. This prevents the sugar from burning when you baste the ham.

Step 3: Bake and Basque the Ham

Place the scored ham fat-side up on a foil-lined baking tray and pour 1/3 cup of water into the pan to keep things moist. Cover the ham loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes at 300°F. Then, increase the oven temp to 425°F (220°C), discard the foil, and paint about one-third of your glaze all over the ham—make sure you push the glaze into those scored diamond cuts! Return the ham to the oven uncovered for 15 minutes. Take it out and baste again with another third of the glaze plus some pan juices, then bake for another 15 minutes. Repeat this for a total of about 30 minutes of glazing and baking to get the perfect golden-brown finish.

Step 4: Final Touches and Rest

If after all that time your ham still isn’t dark and shiny enough, switch your oven to broil for 2-5 minutes—watch closely so it doesn’t burn! Once done, let your ham rest for 10-20 minutes before slicing to let the juices settle, which keeps every bite juicy and tender.

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Pro Tips for Making Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham Recipe

Score Deep Enough: Scoring about ¼ inch deep helps the glaze penetrate without cutting through the meat.
Keep the Glaze Runny: If your glaze thickens between bastings, stir in warm pan juices and gently reheat—it makes for easier brushing and a shinier finish.
Use a Meat Thermometer: Check that your ham reaches an internal temp of 140°F (60°C) to ensure perfect warmth and juiciness.
Rest Before Slicing: Let the ham rest to allow juices to redistribute, making for more tender, moist slices.

How to Serve Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham Recipe

Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham, ham glaze recipe, easy holiday ham, caramelized ham, flavorful glazed ham - 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 usually garnish slices with fresh parsley or rosemary sprigs—they add a pop of green and a hint of herbal aroma that complements the ham’s richness. Sometimes, I toss in a few thin orange or lemon slices around the serving platter for a bright, citrusy contrast. It’s such a simple touch that really lifts the presentation.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides include classic scalloped potatoes, honey-glazed carrots, and a simple green bean almondine. If you’re aiming for holiday vibes, creamy mashed potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon are crowd-pleasers every time. The balance of savory, sweet, and crisp sides pairs beautifully with this Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham Recipe.

Creative Ways to Present

When I’ve made this for special occasions, I like to serve the ham on a large wooden cutting board surrounded by seasonal fruits like sliced apples, pears, or pomegranate seeds. It adds color and a rustic charm. For an elegant touch, you could drizzle some extra glaze in a small dish for dipping right at the table—it invites everyone to customize their bites.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I tightly wrap leftover ham slices in foil or place them in airtight containers and store them in the fridge. The glaze keeps the meat moist, so it keeps beautifully for up to 4 days—great for quick lunches or adding to salads.

Freezing

If you plan ahead, you can freeze sliced ham for up to 2 months. Just wrap portions tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing to prevent freezer burn. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture.

Reheating

To reheat, I like to cover the ham slices with foil and warm them gently in a low oven (around 275°F or 135°C) to keep them moist without drying out. Adding a splash of leftover glaze or pan juices before reheating keeps the flavor fresh and luscious.

FAQs

Can I use a pre-cooked ham for this Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham Recipe?

Absolutely! In fact, this recipe is designed for a bone-in cooked ham. Since it’s already cooked, the glaze and baking steps focus on warming and caramelizing the exterior without drying it out.
What if I don’t have cloves or cinnamon—can I skip them?

You can skip them if you must, but they add subtle warmth and depth that elevate the glaze beyond just sweet and tangy. If you want, substitute with a pinch of allspice or nutmeg for a similar cozy note.
How long should I let the ham rest before slicing?

Letting it rest for about 10-20 minutes ensures the juices redistribute so the slices stay moist and juicy instead of drying out on your plate.
Can I make the glaze ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the glaze a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Warm it gently before glazing to keep it runny and easy to brush on during baking.
Is this recipe suitable for large gatherings?

Definitely! With an 8-10 pound ham serving 25-30 people, it’s perfect for family celebrations or holiday dinners where you want a delicious, easy main that feeds a crowd.

Final Thoughts

This Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham Recipe has been my go-to whenever I want something impressive but stress-free—plus, the aroma filling the kitchen while it bakes? Unbeatable. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and that it brings a little extra magic to your table, whether it’s a special celebration or just a Sunday dinner. Give it a try—you’ll be happy you did!