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Glazed with brown sugar and Dijon mustard, this easy baked ham recipe is always a family favorite!
When it comes to easy, family-friendly meals, baked ham is always a good idea. Fully cooked and smoked, when you purchase a ham all you need to do is add a glaze for added flavor. Delicious hot, room temperature or chilled, baked ham is the ultimate crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner, Sunday supper, or holiday meal.
Aside from the main event, the best part about a baked ham is having plenty of leftovers to transform into additional meals like Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup, Avocado Toast with Egg, Ham, and Arugula or my easy Egg, Ham, and Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches.
However, before we can start thinking about leftovers, let’s talk about the delicious brown sugar mustard glaze for the ham. To start, score the meat into diamonds using a sharp knife and stud it with whole cloves. Then, bake the ham in a roasting pan for 1 1/2 hours.
Meanwhile, while the ham is baking, mix together brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice in a small bowl. After baking, spread the glaze evenly over the ham using a brush. Afterwards, cook the ham for another 30 minutes in the oven.
Carving:
Once finished baking, be sure to let the ham sit for at least 15 minutes before carving. This allows for the juices to evenly distribute. Otherwise, you risk serving dry, overcooked meat.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need to cover the ham while it cooks?
For this recipe, the ham does not need to be covered while in the oven. When combined with the scoring technique used, the glaze works to keep the ham moist.
How long will it last?
When stored in the fridge, cooked ham will last for 3-4 days. Or, it can be placed in the freezer for 3-4 months.
What does it mean to score meat?
Scoring simply means to cut slits in the top of the meat. In this case, scoring refers to taking a knife to create a sort of diamond pattern over the surface of the ham. Here is a great video to help you!
Does it matter what type of ham I use?
Given that we are adding a glaze to the ham, I don’t recommend buying one that has been glazed, seasoned, or flavored ahead of time. Otherwise, feel free to use whatever is easiest for you.
Your fork is waiting.
Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Mustard Glaze
Ingredients
- 1 12-pound boneless, skinless smoked cured ham
- whole cloves (for studding ham)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Score the ham into diamonds using a sharp knife and stud the ham with whole cloves. Bake ham in a roasting pan for 1 1/2 hours.
- While the ham is baking, mix together brown sugar, dijon mustard, and lemon juice in a small bowl. When the ham is done baking, use a brush to spread glaze evenly all over the ham. Return ham to oven and bake additional 30 minutes. Let meat rest 15 minutes before carving to serve.