Copycat Honey Baked Ham

4.20 from 40 reviews

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.

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword Honey Baked Ham

Prep Time 15

Total Time 3 15

Servings servings

Calories 765kcal

Author Chef Kathy McDaniel

Ingredients

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

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
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.
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
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.
Return the ham to the oven and broil until caramelized and bubbly. You can also use a blow torch if preferred.
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.
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.
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Serve warm or cold.

Video

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