There are certain dishes that simply look like Christmas when they arrive at the table, and a beautifully glazed ham is one of them.
Golden at the edges, glossy with a sweet-and-savory glaze, and surrounded by rosemary, citrus, cranberries, or roasted fruit, Christmas ham has all the drama of a holiday centerpiece without requiring an impossibly complicated recipe.
The gorgeous baked ham pictured here is exactly the kind of presentation to aim for: deeply browned on the outside, tender enough to slice generously, and festive enough to bring straight to the table on your prettiest serving platter.
And while a classic honey glaze is always welcome, there is no reason to make exactly the same ham every Christmas.
From orange and cloves to maple-bourbon, pineapple and ginger, these five Christmas ham recipes offer something for almost every holiday menu.
🎄 Before You Start: Choosing Your Christmas Ham
These recipes are designed for a fully cooked ham, which means you are primarily reheating the meat while adding a flavorful homemade glaze.
A bone-in ham makes a particularly impressive centerpiece, while a boneless ham is wonderfully easy to carve. Spiral-sliced ham is convenient for serving and allows glaze to work its way between the slices.
Always check the package label before cooking. Heating directions and recommended times can vary depending on the size and type of ham.
For most of these recipes, a ham in the 6- to 8-pound range works beautifully for a family Christmas dinner, although you can scale the glaze up or down for a larger or smaller ham.
🍯 1. Classic Honey-Orange Glazed Christmas Ham
If you want the Christmas ham everyone pictures when they imagine a traditional holiday dinner, start here.
Honey and brown sugar create a gorgeous caramelized finish, Dijon mustard adds just enough tang to balance the sweetness, and fresh orange and cloves bring in those unmistakable Christmas flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 fully cooked ham, about 6–8 pounds
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- Whole cloves, optional
- Orange slices and fresh rosemary, for serving
How to Make It
Preheat the oven to 325°F.
Place the ham cut-side down in a roasting pan. If you are using an unsliced ham with a layer of fat, lightly score the surface in a diamond pattern. Avoid scoring deeply into the meat.
Cover loosely with foil and begin heating according to the directions on the ham’s package.
Meanwhile, combine the honey, brown sugar, orange juice, orange zest, Dijon mustard, melted butter, cloves, and cinnamon in a small saucepan.
Warm over medium-low heat, whisking until the sugar has dissolved and the glaze is smooth.
During approximately the final 30 minutes of heating, remove the foil and brush the ham generously with glaze.
Return it to the oven uncovered.
Brush on another layer about 15 minutes later, then allow the exterior to become glossy and beautifully caramelized.
Let the ham rest for 10–15 minutes before carving.
Make It Look Beautiful
Arrange the sliced ham on a platter with fresh rosemary, orange slices, and a scattering of cranberries.
The citrus and greenery create the kind of traditional Christmas-table presentation that looks impressive with almost no additional effort.
For an entire article devoted to this version, see The Perfect Holiday Honey-Glazed Ham Recipe.
🌿 2. Brown Sugar, Dijon & Herb Christmas Ham
Not everyone wants an intensely sweet ham.
This version still has enough brown sugar to create that irresistible burnished exterior, but Dijon mustard, rosemary, thyme, garlic, and black pepper pull the flavor firmly toward the savory side.
It is an especially good choice if your Christmas table already includes plenty of sweet sides such as sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, glazed carrots, or fruit salad.
Ingredients
- 1 fully cooked ham, about 6–8 pounds
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1 small garlic clove, finely grated or minced
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Fresh rosemary and thyme, for garnish
How to Make It
Preheat the oven to 325°F.
Place the ham in a roasting pan and cover loosely with foil.
Heat according to the package instructions while you prepare the glaze.
In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, rosemary, thyme, garlic, and black pepper.
The mixture should form a thick, spreadable glaze.
During the final 30–40 minutes of heating, remove the foil.
Brush the glaze over the ham, concentrating on the top and sides. If the ham is spiral sliced, gently work a small amount between some of the slices.
Return the ham to the oven uncovered.
Add another thin layer of glaze about halfway through the remaining cooking time.
Once the exterior is dark golden and fragrant, remove the ham from the oven and let it rest before slicing.
What to Serve With It
This savory ham is wonderful beside:
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Green beans
- Scalloped potatoes
- Dinner rolls
- Roasted carrots
- Winter salad
Finish the platter with fresh rosemary and thyme for a simple Christmas-green garnish.
🥃 3. Maple-Bourbon Glazed Christmas Ham
Maple syrup and bourbon turn an ordinary holiday ham into something a little richer and more grown-up.
The maple brings deep sweetness, bourbon adds warmth, and mustard and apple cider vinegar keep the glaze from becoming overly sugary.
As the glaze cooks onto the ham, it develops a dark, glossy finish that looks spectacular on a Christmas table.
Ingredients
- 1 fully cooked ham, about 6–8 pounds
- ¾ cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup bourbon
- ⅓ cup packed dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon or whole-grain mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of black pepper
Make the Maple-Bourbon Glaze
Add the maple syrup, bourbon, brown sugar, mustard, apple cider vinegar, ginger, cinnamon, and black pepper to a small saucepan.
Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
Cook for several minutes, stirring frequently, until the sugar has dissolved and the glaze begins to thicken slightly.
Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter.
Glaze the Ham
Heat the ham at 325°F, covered loosely with foil, following the package directions.
During the final 30–40 minutes, uncover the ham and brush it with the maple-bourbon glaze.
Return it to the oven and brush on another layer every 10–15 minutes.
Watch closely toward the end. Maple syrup and brown sugar can darken quickly, and you want deeply caramelized rather than burned edges.
Allow the ham to rest for about 10–15 minutes before serving.
A Cozy Christmas Combination
Maple-bourbon ham pairs beautifully with rich winter sides.
Try it with mashed sweet potatoes, roasted squash, Brussels sprouts, macaroni and cheese, or buttery dinner rolls.
A few orange slices and rosemary sprigs around the platter keep the presentation festive without hiding that gorgeous mahogany-colored glaze.
🍍 4. Pineapple-Ginger Brown Sugar Ham
There is something wonderfully nostalgic about pineapple and ham at Christmas.
This version gives the combination a fresher twist with pineapple juice, fresh ginger, brown sugar, and mustard.
The finished glaze is sweet, tangy, lightly spicy, and particularly delicious along the caramelized edges of the ham.
Ingredients
- 1 fully cooked ham, about 6–8 pounds
- ¾ cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Pineapple rings or fresh pineapple wedges, optional
Make the Pineapple Glaze
Combine pineapple juice, brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and ginger in a saucepan.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until slightly reduced.
Remove from the heat and stir in the butter.
The glaze should be glossy and thick enough to cling to the ham.
Bake and Glaze
Place the ham in a roasting pan, cover loosely with foil, and heat at 325°F according to the package directions.
Uncover during the final 30 minutes.
Brush generously with the pineapple glaze and return the ham to the oven.
Brush with more glaze once or twice as it finishes heating.
If desired, add pineapple rings or thick wedges to the roasting pan during the final portion of cooking so they become warm and lightly caramelized.
Serve It Christmas Style
Arrange the roasted pineapple around the finished ham and tuck in a few sprigs of rosemary.
You can also add fresh cranberries to the platter for an extra burst of Christmas color.
The combination of red, green, gold, and caramelized pineapple makes this one of the prettiest hams of the group.
🍊 5. Cranberry-Orange Christmas Ham
If there is one fruit that practically announces the arrival of Christmas, it is the cranberry.
This festive glaze combines tart cranberry with orange, brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and warm spices.
The result is a beautiful ruby-colored glaze with just enough tang to balance the richness of the ham.
Ingredients
- 1 fully cooked ham, about 6–8 pounds
- 1 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce
- ⅓ cup fresh orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of ground cloves
- Fresh cranberries, orange slices, and rosemary, for serving
Make the Cranberry Glaze
Combine cranberry sauce, orange juice, orange zest, brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves in a saucepan.
Cook over medium-low heat for several minutes, stirring frequently.
For a smoother glaze, mash the cranberries as they cook or carefully blend the mixture before using.
Finish the Ham
Begin heating the ham, covered, in a 325°F oven according to its package instructions.
During the final 30–40 minutes, remove the foil and brush the cranberry-orange glaze over the surface.
Continue glazing every 10–15 minutes until the exterior is glossy and richly colored.
Let the ham rest before slicing.
Make It the Centerpiece
Surround the finished ham with:
- Orange slices
- Fresh rosemary
- Fresh cranberries
- Roasted apples
- Small bunches of red grapes
The cranberry glaze gives this version an especially festive appearance, making it a beautiful centerpiece for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
🌡️ How to Know When Your Christmas Ham Is Ready
A meat thermometer is much more reliable than appearance or cooking time alone.
These five recipes are written for fully cooked ham, so check the package instructions for the correct reheating temperature for your particular product.
USDA guidance says fully cooked ham packaged in a USDA-inspected facility should be reheated to 140°F (60°C). Other previously cooked ham being reheated should reach 165°F (74°C).
If your ham is labeled fresh, raw, or cook before eating, these recipes’ reheating instructions do not apply. USDA guidance calls for those hams to reach at least 145°F (63°C) followed by a three-minute rest.
Insert the thermometer into a thick part of the meat without touching the bone.
💡 Tips for a Juicy Christmas Ham
Keep It Covered at First
A fully cooked ham does not need hours of uncovered roasting.
Keeping it loosely covered with foil during most of the heating time helps protect the surface from drying out.
Save the Glaze for the End
Most Christmas ham glazes contain honey, maple syrup, fruit, or sugar.
Those ingredients caramelize beautifully—but they can also burn.
Add the glaze during the final portion of heating rather than coating the ham heavily from the beginning.
Brush on Several Layers
Instead of pouring the entire glaze over the ham at once, apply two or three thinner coats.
Each layer cooks onto the surface and helps create that glossy, lacquered appearance.
Don’t Overheat It
Remember that a fully cooked ham is already cooked.
The goal is to warm it thoroughly and add flavor without drying out the meat.
Let It Rest
Give the ham 10–15 minutes before carving.
While it rests, you can finish the gravy, transfer vegetables to serving dishes, warm the rolls, and gather everyone around the table.
🍽️ What to Serve With Christmas Ham
Ham is wonderfully easy to build a Christmas menu around because it works with so many classic holiday sides.
Try pairing your ham with:
- Mashed potatoes
- Scalloped potatoes
- Sweet potato casserole
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Green bean casserole
- Honey-glazed carrots
- Macaroni and cheese
- Stuffing
- Cranberry sauce
- Winter salad
- Roasted root vegetables
- Dinner rolls
- Homemade gravy
For a large gathering, choose three or four substantial sides rather than trying to make everything. Add an appetizer before dinner and a favorite Christmas dessert afterward, and you have a feast.
🎄 Which Christmas Ham Should You Make?
Can’t decide?
Choose Honey-Orange if you want the most traditional Christmas ham.
Choose Brown Sugar & Herb if your family prefers savory flavors.
Choose Maple-Bourbon for something rich, warming, and a little different.
Choose Pineapple-Ginger if you love a nostalgic sweet-and-savory ham.
Choose Cranberry-Orange for the most colorful and distinctly Christmas-inspired glaze.
You could even bookmark a different recipe for each year and gradually discover which one becomes the family favorite.
🥪 Don’t Forget About Christmas Ham Leftovers
A generous Christmas ham is one of those holiday dishes that keeps giving long after dinner is over.
Slice the leftovers for sandwiches or chop them for:
- Ham and cheese sliders
- Omelets
- Scrambled eggs
- Breakfast casseroles
- Quiche
- Split pea soup
- Ham and potato soup
- Macaroni and cheese
- Scalloped potatoes
- Fried rice
Those sweet, caramelized outer pieces are particularly good chopped into breakfast dishes the next morning.
Christmas lunch on December 26 may practically make itself.
❤️ A Christmas Centerpiece Worth Gathering Around
A beautiful Christmas dinner doesn’t have to mean spending the entire day fussing over the main course.
Start with a good fully cooked ham, warm it gently, and give it a glaze worthy of the occasion.
Maybe yours will be glossy with honey and orange.
Perhaps you’ll go for dark maple and bourbon, nostalgic pineapple and ginger, savory herbs and mustard, or a brilliant cranberry glaze.
Whichever version reaches your Christmas table, bring it out on a large platter, add a few simple festive garnishes, and let the ham take center stage.
Sometimes the most memorable holiday dishes are the classics—with just enough of a twist to make them feel new again.
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