Looking for a holiday showstopper? This Bourbon Maple Glazed Ham is sweet, smoky, and bursting with flavor, perfect for making memories around the table!
Holiday dinners call for a showstopping centerpiece, and this Bourbon Maple Glazed Ham delivers big on both flavor and festive vibes! If you’ve tried classics like jamón al horno con piña (baked ham with pineapple) and jamón glaseado (glazed ham), you know how a perfectly glazed ham can bring everyone to the table. This recipe takes it up a notch with the smoky richness of bourbon and the sweet warmth of maple syrup that works so well with ham.
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Reasons to Love this Recipe
- Flavor: The flavor of this ham is out of this world! If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, they’ll make the best sandwiches ever!
- Sweet and Smoky: The combination of bourbon and maple syrup, creates a flavorful glaze that’s irresistible.
- Easy to Make: With just a few ingredients, you’ll have a festive dish that promises to deliver gourmet flavor without all the fuss!
- Pairings: This bourbon ham pairs deliciously with dishes like mashed potatoes, green beans, macarrones con queso (mac and cheese), ensalada de garbanzos (garbanzo bean salad), ensalada de granos (bean salad) just to mention a few.
Ingredients
Ham – Use a bone-in, spiral cut or boneless ham.
Brown Sugar – Both light and dark brown sugar work in this recipe.
Mustard – Mustard adds a tang and depth to the glaze.
Maple Syrup and Bourbon – Maple syrup and bourbon are the stars of this recipe, creating the perfect balance of sweet and smoky flavors that make this Bourbon Maple Ham irresistible!
See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
- Bourbon: If you do not have bourbon, try a little rum, apple cider, or orange juice.
- Maple Syrup: If you’re out of maple syrup, alternate with honey.
- Ham: I love making this recipe with bone in ham but you can certainly use spiral-cut or boneless ham. Note: The cooking time might vary slightly.
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Using a sharp knife, score a diamond shape pattern ¼ inch deep into the ham and set aside.
Step 2: In a small saucepan, add the brown sugar, mustard, cinnamon, ground cloves, orange zest, honey mustard, maple syrup, and bourbon over medium low heat. Stir and cook for 2-4 minutes until the sugar dissolves.
Step 3: Place the ham in a roasting pan and generously brush it with the maple glaze, ensuring it’s evenly coated. Pour a cup of water into the bottom of the pan to keep the ham moist during cooking, then cover the pan tightly with foil.
Step 4: Cook the ham for 2.5 hours, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F. Baste the ham every 30 minutes with the glaze and pan juices to keep it moist and flavorful.
Remove the ham from the oven and allow it to rest for 20 minutes before slicing.
Expert Tips
- Scoring the Ham – Don’t skip scoring the ham. Not only does it help the glaze soak into the ham but it’s what creates those beautiful caramelized edges.
- Baste Regularly – Make sure to brush the glaze over the ham every 30 minutes for the most flavorful ham ever!
- Meat Thermometer – For perfectly cooked ham, aim for an internal temperature of 140°F.
- Cover with Foil – To make sure the ham remains juicy, cover with foil while baking and remove the foil the last 30 minutes for a perfectly caramelized glaze.
- Let the Ham Rest – Allow the ham to rest for 15-20 minutes after baking so the juices redistribute.
Recipe FAQs
The glaze can be prepared a day or two in advance and stored in the refrigerator. When ready to use, warm up slightly before using.
Wrap the ham tightly with foil or place in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Absolutely! Store in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Other Holiday Dishes You Will Love
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📖 Recipe
Bourbon Maple Glazed Ham
Equipment
- roasting pan
Ingredients
- 10 pound bone-in ham
Bourbon Maple Glaze
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup mustard or dijon
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1-2 tablespoon honey mustard
- zest from an orange
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup bourbon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Using a sharp knife, score a diamond shape pattern ¼ inch deep into the ham and set aside.
- In a small saucepan, add the brown sugar, mustard, cinnamon, ground cloves, orange zest, honey mustard, maple syrup, and bourbon over medium low heat. Stir and cook for 2-4 minutes until the sugar dissolves.
- Place the ham in a roasting pan and generously brush it with the maple glaze, ensuring it's evenly coated. Pour a cup of water into the bottom of the pan to keep the ham moist during cooking, then cover the pan tightly with foil.
- Cook the ham for 2.5 hours, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F. Baste the ham every 30 minutes with the glaze and pan juices to keep it moist and flavorful.
- When the ham is done, remove it from the oven and allow it to rest for 20 minutes before slicing.
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