Kitchen notes · a little help before you start
Brown Sugar Glaze for Ham
A golden glaze gives ham a sweet, tangy edge that's especially appealing on the outside slices. Honey and brown sugar make this one generous, with mustard beneath the sweetness and a little warm spice. A piece with some glossy coating is the part to look forward to.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 12 min
- Total
- 17 min
- Original yield
- Serves 12
- Ingredients
- 6 listed
Make it part of your week
Recipe categories & planning details
- Meal type
- Main course
- Cuisine
- American
- Preparation & total time
- Prep: 15 minutes or less · Total: 30 minutes or less
A few quick notes
1. Simmer gently
Keep the glaze over low heat as the ingredients combine and the mixture starts to thicken.
2. Allow for cooling
Let the glaze cool off the heat before brushing; it thickens further during that pause.
3. Glaze near the end
Brush the glaze over cooked ham during the final cooking stage, watching for a golden finish.
Get to know the ingredients
Juice
Orange or pineapple juice are both suggested choices for the liquid in this sweet ham glaze.
Mustard
Dijon or grainy mustard can give the glaze its tang; combine it with the sweet ingredients.
Spice
Cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice are alternatives, with ground ginger also included in the glaze.
Let’s make it
Choose your servings, then check things off as you go.
Original recipe: Serves 12. Original quantities shown.
Check ingredients as you prepare them. These checks stay on this page.
How to make it
0 of 3 steps completeMake room for Brown Sugar Glaze for Ham
Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.
The last little job
Brush for a golden finish
Coat the cooked ham in its final stage and let the glaze turn golden before serving.
A little more help as you go
Combine before heating
Put all the glaze ingredients together in the small saucepan before beginning its low simmer.
Slow cooker variation
For slow cooker ham, mix the glaze and brush it on near the beginning with the added liquid.
A few questions you might have
Should I pre-cook the glaze for slow cooker ham?
The slow cooker variation mixes it without pre-cooking, then brushes it onto the ham.
What liquid goes into the slow cooker?
Add a little broth or juice with the glazed ham for the slow cooker's moist environment.
Will the glaze thicken after leaving the heat?
Yes, it thickens as it cools during the pause before being brushed over the ham.
Is this glaze brushed onto raw ham?
The main directions brush it over cooked ham during the last part of its oven cooking.
Can I use grainy mustard?
Yes, grainy mustard is an alternative to Dijon and will give the glaze its mustard tang.
Any more cooking tips?
Crock Pot Directions When making slow cooker ham, the glaze can be added near the beginning with a little bit of liquid (broth or juice) added to the slow cooker. Because of the moist environment in the slow cooker the glaze won't burn. If making the ham in the slow cooker, I don't generally pre-cook the glaze. Simply mix it together and brush it on the ham.
Storage & reheating safety
For cooked, perishable leftovers, refrigerate within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), using shallow containers for prompt cooling. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below, use refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days, and reheat hot leftovers to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer. Follow any shorter package limit.
These are general safety limits, not a tested storage or freezing recommendation for this particular dish. USDA leftovers guidance · Safe cooking temperatures
Recipe source: spendwithpennies.com. Ingredient names and quantities may be adapted for the pantry.
Preparation notes follow the recipe shown here.