Copycat Honey Baked Ham Recipe

I recently tried How To Bake Honey Glazed Ham and was amazed by the results. I prepared an 8-10 lb spiral ham brushed with melted unsalted butter, honey, light brown sugar, and Dijon mustard, accented with apple cider vinegar and ground cloves. This economical holiday treat offers an irresistible burst of flavor.

I’m super excited to share my copycat Honey Baked Ham recipe with you! This dish is perfect for anyone looking to save money on their holiday meal without sacrificing flavor.

I start with a juicy, spiral ham about 8-10 lbs fully cooked and then layer on an insanely tasty glaze. I mix 1/2 cup of melted unsalted butter with 1/2 cup of honey, then add 1/2 cup of packed light brown sugar, 1/4 cup Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and a dash of 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves to create a flavor-packed topping.

If you’ve ever wondered how to cook a honey baked ham in the oven or even tried a copycat crockpot version, this recipe is bound to impress. I’ve got tips for how to bake a honey glazed ham and honestly its a diy honey baked ham recipe that will wow your family.

Enjoy and happy cooking!

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe for so many reasons. First, I really enjoy how the ham turns out all juicy and tender, and the glaze gives it that perfect mix of sweet and tangy flavors. Second, I appreciate that you can cook it in the oven, slow cooker, or even an Instant Pot. It makes the whole process a lot easier if you’re in a hurry or just want to try something new. Third, it’s great that this recipe saves me money but still makes the ham taste like it came from a fancy store. Every time I make it, I get complimented on how awesome it is, and that makes me feel pretty proud of my cooking skills.

Ingredients

• Spiral ham provides high quality protein and rich flavor making the meal hearty and satisfying.
• Unsalted butter adds creamy richness for flavor and texture; it’s fatty so use it in moderation.
• Honey infuses natural sweetness and subtle flavor while also adding a bit of viscosity.
• Light brown sugar boosts the glaze with deep sweetness and a molasses taste, mostly carbs.
• Dijon mustard offers tangy spice that cuts through the sweet elements and enhances flavor.
• Apple cider vinegar delivers a subtle sour note that brightens flavors beautifully and is low calorie.
• Ground cloves enhances depth with warm, aromatic spice that nicely complements the sweet glaze.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 spiral ham (about 8-10 lbs, fully cooked)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to about 325°F if you’re planning to bake the ham.

2. Remove the ham from its packaging and place it cut side down in a shallow roasting pan.

3. In a bowl, mix the melted butter, honey, light brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and ground cloves until they blend together well.

4. Brush about half of the glaze all over the ham, making sure it gets into all the spiral grooves.

5. If you’re using the oven, cover the ham loosely with foil and bake for
1.5 to 2 hours, basting the ham every 30 minutes with the leftover glaze.

6. For the last 20 minutes of baking, take off the foil so the glaze can become sticky and caramelized.

7. If you prefer the slow cooker method, place the ham in your slow cooker, pour the glaze over it, and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours until it’s heated through and flavorful.

8. For those using an Instant Pot, add the ham and glaze, set it to manual high pressure for about 20 minutes and let the pressure release naturally.

9. Once the ham is done in whichever method you chose, take it out and let it rest for a few minutes so the juices settle.

10. Slice along the spiral cuts, serve up a portion, and enjoy that super sweet, tangy, and sticky finish.

Equipment Needed

1. Oven (or slow cooker/Instant Pot, depending on which method you’re using)
2. A shallow roasting pan
3. A large bowl for mixing the glaze
4. A basting brush
5. Aluminum foil (for the oven method)
6. Measuring cups and spoons
7. A sharp knife for slicing the ham
8. A cutting board or carving board
9. Oven mitts for handling hot equipment

FAQ

Copycat Honey Baked Ham Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you dont have unsalted butter, you can use salted butter but cut back on extra salt, or even try using melted coconut oil for a slightly tropical vibe
• If you need an alternative to honey, try maple syrup or agave nectar – they both add their own unique sweetness
• For the brown sugar, you can mix regular granulated sugar with a little molasses to mimic that rich, caramel-like flavor
• Not a fan of Dijon mustard? You can swap it with yellow mustard or whole grain mustard if you prefer a bit more texture
• If apple cider vinegar isn’t available, you could use white vinegar with a tiny pinch of sugar, or even a splash of lemon juice for a similar tang

Pro Tips

1. It really helps if you let the ham sit for a few minutes after you take it out of the oven or cooker so all the juices can settle in, this also makes the ham even more tender and juicy.
2. When you brush on the glaze, make sure you really get it into all those spiral grooves because that’s where the flavor is hiding and its key to a sweet, sticky finish.
3. Keep an eye on the ham as it bakes and don’t be afraid to check the temperature with an oven thermometer, sometimes what your oven says isn’t always what its actually doing.
4. If you decide to use something like a slow cooker or Instant Pot the key is to not rush the process, letting the ham slowly heat up really lets the glaze soak in deeper for a richer taste.