Copycat Honey Baked Ham Recipe

This copycat Honey Baked Ham recipe is insanely delicious and will definitely help you save money on your holiday meal. Juicy and tender spiral ham gets extra flavor with a caramelized and sticky layer of butter and sweet honey glaze.

This honeybaked ham can be made in the oven, the slow cooker and the Instant Pot. Directions provided.

✔️ Honey Baked Ham Recipe

The first time I had Honey Baked Ham it was love at first bite! I used to buy their delicious honey ham for special occasions like Christmas dinner, Easter dinner and for Thanksgiving to go along with our favorite Juicy Roasted Turkey or Slow Cooker Turkey Breast.

Learn how to cook baked ham at home with this amazing copycat recipe. This spiral cut ham is covered in the most delicious sweet honey glaze and has irresistible sugary crispy edges. This easy recipe is made with simple ingredients and is a great addition to any holiday meal.

✔️ Copycat Honey Baked Ham Ingredients

Check the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.

• Ham: This recipe uses a half spiral cut ham. You can use bone-in or boneless ham. Since I love using the ham bone to make this creamy Ham and Potato Soup, I usually buy bone-in ham Make sure you purchase a fully cooked ham.
• Butter: Salted or unsalted.
• Honey: I prefer organic local honey but you can use your favorite type.
• Sugar: Most recipes use a brown sugar glaze that’s brushed over the entire ham. Using granulated sugar adds sweetness while allowing the spices in the mix and the honey to shine. If preferred use brown sugar.
• Spices: The ham glaze recipe includes ground nutmeg, ground cloves, ground cinnamon, onion powder, paprika, ground ginger, all spice.

🔎 What Kind of Ham Should I Buy for a Honey Baked Ham?

• To make this recipe, you’ll need a fully cooked spiral-cut ham, bone in or boneless. Preferably one that weighs between 7 and 8 pounds.
• I prefer a bone-in spiral-cut ham (read why below!).
• It’s best to buy a high quality ham, especially one without any water added. The hams with added water, have an unpleasant spongy texture in my opinion. Even if those hams are more affordable, I suggest you stay away from them.. Hams with “natural juices” are definitely a step up.

🔎 What’s Best Bone-In or Boneless Ham?

I prefer a bone-in ham for a few reasons:

• Bone in ham comes pre-sliced in a continuous spiral around the bone. This makes serving the ham a breeze
• The bone tends to keep the ham juicy.
• I like to use the ham-bone for a second meal such as this Ham and Potato Soup or to add flavor to beans.

A boneless spiral ham is the same ham with the bone removed and the slices put back together and reshaped to look perfect. When the slices are compacted the texture of the meat changes slightly becoming a bit spongy.

🔎 How Much Ham Do You Need Per Person?

• When making a bone-in spiral ham you need to account for that big bone that is adding weight to the total weight amount stated on the printed label. Plan for 3/4 pound of ham per person (to 1 pound to be on the super safe + leftovers side). So to serve 6 people you will need a 4.5 to 6 pounds bone-in spiral ham.
• When cooking a boneless ham, you will need about 1/3 pound to 1/2 pound per person (that’s a 6 ounces and an 8 ounces serving per person)

🔎 How To Make Homemade Honey Baked Ham

These are just the highlights on how to make this easy spiral ham recipe. For detailed instructions, check the recipe card below.

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 325º Fahrenheit and place the oven rack in the lower 1/3 part of the oven. Cover a roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet with foil and coat the metal wire rack insert with cooking spray. Remove the ham from package. Place the ham flat-side down on the roasting rack.
2. Honey Butter Mixture: In a small bowl combine the melted butter and the honey. Using a pastry brush (or with your hands), slather or massage the mixture all over the outside of the ham and in between the slices.
3. Bake: Add about a cup of water to the bottom of the roasting pan. This will create a moist environment in the oven so you end up with a juicy ham. Bake covered for about 2.5 hours (about 20 minutes per pound of ham) or until an instant-read thermometer registers 140 degrees F when inserted into the thickest part of the ham. Remove from the oven and keep warm.
4. Mix Spice Sugar Coating: Combine the spice sugar mixture in a small bowl. Uncover the ham. If the edges are dry, baste the ham with the pan juices then pat half of the spice sugar mixture over the ham.
5. Broil: Return the ham to the oven and broil until caramelized and bubbly. You can also use a blow torch if preferred.
6. Make Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the remaining sugar mixture with about 1/3 cup of ham drippings (pan juices) or water (or a combination of both). Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat and cook until it reaches a glaze consistency, about 2 minutes.
7. Broil: Return the ham to the oven and broil again until caramelized and bubbly then, remove from the oven. This can be done with a kitchen blow torch also. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes then serve.

🔎 Should I Bake the Ham Covered or Uncovered?

The ham should be baked covered to prevent it from drying out. We add a small amount of liquid to the bottom of the roasting pan to create a bit of steam. This keeps the ham juicy

🔎 How Long Does it Take to Cook a Honey Baked Ham?

Bake your ham 20 minutes per each pound of ham meat or until a meat thermometer registers 140 degrees F when inserted into the thickest part of the ham. So for a 6 pound ham you’ll need 2 hours of baking time total. Keep in mind that although the ham is already fully cooked, enough time is needed to warm up the center.

🔎 At What Temperature To Bake Ham?

Although I have this philosophy that when in doubt bake it a 350! For this honey baked ham recipe I prefer setting the oven temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

🔎 Can I Make Honey Baked Ham in the Slow Cooker?

Yes, you can cook your spiral glazed ham in a slow cooker or crockpot. Here is how:

✔️ Copycat Honey Baked Ham Slow Cooker Instructions:

• Trim the ham so it fits inside the crockpot. Combine the melted butter and honey and brush or massage the mixture into the ham. Trying to get in between the slices if possible.
• Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours.
• Combine the spiced sugar mixture.
• After the cooking time is over, preheat the broiler (unless you are using a kitchen torch). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top. Coat the rack with cooking spray. Remove the ham from the crockpot and place it on the rack.
• Pat half of the spice mixture over the ham. Broil the ham (or use the small kitchen torch).
• Place the remaining spice mixture and pan juices from the crockpot (or water) in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook for 2 minutes or until it reaches a glaze consistency.
• Pour glaze over the ham and broil once again (or torch it!) Keep an eye on it as it can burn quickly! Rest and serve.

✔️ Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham Instructions

• Trim the spiral ham so it fits inside the pressure cooker.
• Pour 1 cup of apple juice inside the pot. Spray the trivet rack insert with cooking spray and place inside the instant pot.
• Place the ham on a rimmed pan. Combine the melted butter and honey and brush or massage the mixture into the ham. Trying to get in between the slices if possible.
• Place the ham on the instant pot rack (trivet). Pour over any leftover butter honey mixture that may have run off the ham and into the rimmed pan.
• Close the lid, seal the pot and cook on high temperature for 16 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes then, release the remaining pressure.
• Follow the instructions as directed for oven baked ham.

✔️ Making Ahead, Storage, Freezing and Reheating Baked Ham

• Making Ahead: When it comes to this ham recipe, I suggest you bake and glaze the ham closer to serving time to prevent it from drying. You can however mix the spiced sugar mixture 3-4 days in advanced
• Storing Leftovers: Leftover baked ham can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4- 5 days.
• Reheating: If you need to reheat a whole glazed ham (already baked), place it on a rack in a roasting pan. Add water or broth to the bottom of the baking pan and cover it tightly. Reheat in a preheated 300º F oven until warm through. The edges may get a bit dry.
  Leftover honey baked ham slices can be reheated, covered in the microwave until warm through.
• Freezing Ham: Cooked glazed honey baked ham freezes well if properly stored in an airtight container or tightly wrapped and sealed inside a freezer bag.
• Storing the Ham Bone: The ham bone can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and can also be frozen tightly wrapped and well sealed in a container or extra-large freezer bag for up to a month.

🔎 What To Serve With Glazed Ham?

• Cauliflower Gratin
• Roasted Brussel Sprouts
• Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
• Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
• Blanched Green Beans

Here are some of our most popular holiday main dishes. Perfect for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and even Valentine’s Day!

• Beef Tenderloin Roast
• Rack of Lamb
• Roasted Turkey with Gravy
• Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
• Pan Seared Scallops

Copycat Honey Baked Ham

5 from 11 reviews

Kathy McDaniel

Copycat Honey Baked Ham made with a spiral-cut ham with a caramelized and sticky layer of butter and spiced sweet honey glaze. This juicy and tender ham can be made in the oven, the slow cooker and the Instant Pot. Directions provided.

Print Pin

Prep 15 minutes mins

Cook 3 hours hrs

Total 3 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 (8-pounds) half spiral cut ham, bone in or boneless
• ▢ 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• ▢ 1/3 cup honey

Spice Mix:

• ▢ 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon cloves
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon ginger
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon allspice

Instructions 

1. Preheat the oven to 325º Fahrenheit and place the oven rack in the lower 1/3 part of the oven. Cover a roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet with foil and coat the metal wire rack insert with cooking spray. Remove the ham from it’s package. If using bone in ham, remove the plastic cap that’s over the bone. Place the ham flat-side down on the roasting rack
   
2. In a small bowl combine the melted butter and the honey. Pat the ham dry with paper towels. Using a pastry brush (or with your hands), slather or massage the mixture all over the outside of the ham and in between the slices. If any of the honey glaze lands at the bottom of the roasting pan, you can scoop it up and slather it on the ham.
3. Add about a cup of water to the bottom of the roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet. This will create a moist environment in the oven so you end up with a juicy ham. Bake covered for about 2.5 hours (about 20 minutes per pound of ham) or until an instant-read thermometer registers 140º Fahrenheit when inserted into the thickest part of the ham. Remove ham from the oven and tented with aluminum foil to keep it warm
   
4. Combine the spice sugar mixture in a small bowl. Uncover the ham. If the edges are dry, baste the ham with the pan juices then, pat half of the spice sugar mixture (about 3/4 cup) all over the surface of the ham. Alternatively, you can place the sugar mixture on a sheet pan and then roll the ham through the sugar mixture until nicely coated.
   
5. Return the ham to the oven and broil until caramelized and bubbly. You can also use a blow torch if preferred.
6. In a small saucepan, combine the remaining sugar mixture with about 1/3 cup of ham drippings (pan juices) or water (or a combination of both). Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat and cook until it reaches a glaze consistency, about 2 minutes.
   
7. Pour or brush the glaze over the ham. Broil for 1-2 minutes or until bubbly. Keep an eye on it as it can burn quickly.
   
8. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Serve warm or cold.

Notes

• Pat dry the ham with paper towel before adding the honey butter. Store bought hams come in bags with a bit of liquid. You want to dry it up as much as possible so the honey butter doesn’t slide right off!
• Make sure you purchase a ham with the label “pre-cooked or fully-cooked” spiral cut ham.
• Although the ham is already precooked, it should be baked until it reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit to make sure is warm through.
• Nutrition facts calculates an 8 pound bone-in ham and the entire amount of glaze. Keep in mind that you won’t be eating the bone and that some of the glaze and the butter/honey mixture will drip off the ham. All nutrition information is just an estimate. Please do your own calculations if needed.
  Slow Cooker/Crockpot Ham:
• Trim the ham so it fits inside the crockpot. Combine the melted butter and honey and brush or massage the mixture into the ham. Trying to get in between the slices if possible.
• Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours.
• Combine the spiced sugar mixture.
• After the cooking time is over, preheat the broiler (unless you are using a kitchen torch). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top. Coat the rack with cooking spray. Remove the ham from the crockpot and place it on the rack.
• Pat half of the spice mixture over the ham. Broil the ham (or use the small kitchen torch).
• Place the remaining spice mixture and pan juices from the crockpot (or water) in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook for 2 minutes or until it reaches a glaze consistency.
• Pour glaze over the ham and broil once again (or torch it!) Keep an eye on it as it can burn quickly! Rest and serve.

        Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham:

• Trim the spiral ham so it fits inside the pressure cooker.
• Pour 1 cup of apple juice inside the pot. Spray the trivet rack insert with cooking spray and place inside the instant pot.
• Place the ham on a rimmed pan. Combine the melted butter and honey and brush or massage the mixture into the ham. Trying to get in between the slices if possible.
• Place the ham on the instant pot rack (trivet). Pour over any leftover butter honey mixture that may have run off the ham and into the rimmed pan.
• Close the lid, seal the pot and cook on high temperature for 16 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes then, release the remaining pressure.
• Follow the instructions as directed for oven baked ham.

Nutrition

Calories: 765 kcal, Carbohydrates: 49 g, Protein: 49 g, Fat: 41 g, Saturated Fat: 15 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 19 g, Trans Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 148 mg, Sodium: 2716 mg, Potassium: 663 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 49 g, Vitamin A: 119 IU, Vitamin C: 1 mg, Calcium: 21 mg, Iron: 2 mg

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