How long should I let the ham sit at room temperature before cooking?

Allow a 10-15 pound ham to sit covered at room temperature for 2 hours before roasting. For a smaller 6-7 pound ham, 1 hour is sufficient. This helps the ham cook more evenly.

What temperature should the ham reach when fully heated?

The ham should reach an internal temperature of 130-135°F in the oven. After resting, the temperature will rise another 5-10 degrees to reach the recommended 140°F for serving.

Can I make the glaze ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the apricot-honey glaze up to 3 days ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and gently reheat before applying to the ham.

Why do you apply the glaze in three separate stages?

The triple-glazing technique allows for maximum flavor development and caramelization. The first glaze infuses flavor while the ham heats through, while the second and third applications at higher temperature create that beautiful caramelized exterior.

How do I serve the ham with pan juices?

After the ham has rested, strain the pan juices through a sieve and skim off any fat that rises to the top. Spoon these flavorful juices over individual ham slices when serving for extra moisture and flavor.

How many people will this ham serve?

An 11.5-pound bone-in ham will serve approximately 20 people. Plan for about 1/2 to 3/4 pound of bone-in ham per person when estimating serving sizes.

Apricot Honey Glazed Ham

Category: Celebrate with Flavor

This show-stopping spiral-cut ham features a delicious apricot-honey-brown sugar glaze that creates a beautiful caramelized exterior. The cooking process is straightforward - allow the ham to come to room temperature, prepare a simple glaze with apricot preserves, honey, brown sugar, dijon and butter, then bake with multiple glazing steps for maximum flavor.

Since the ham is already cooked, you're simply heating it through while adding layers of sweet and tangy flavor. The triple-glazing technique ensures a perfect caramelized crust, while maintaining the ham's natural juiciness. After resting, serve with strained pan juices for an impressive centerpiece that feeds approximately 20 people.

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By Lena

Updated on Wed, 30 Apr 2025 15:44:14 GMT

A ham with a crown of red grapes on top. | recipesbylena.com

Recipe FAQs

→ How long should I let the ham sit at room temperature before cooking?: Allow a 10-15 pound ham to sit covered at room temperature for 2 hours before roasting. For a smaller 6-7 pound ham, 1 hour is sufficient. This helps the ham cook more evenly.
→ What temperature should the ham reach when fully heated?: The ham should reach an internal temperature of 130-135°F in the oven. After resting, the temperature will rise another 5-10 degrees to reach the recommended 140°F for serving.
→ Can I make the glaze ahead of time?: Yes, you can prepare the apricot-honey glaze up to 3 days ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and gently reheat before applying to the ham.
→ Why do you apply the glaze in three separate stages?: The triple-glazing technique allows for maximum flavor development and caramelization. The first glaze infuses flavor while the ham heats through, while the second and third applications at higher temperature create that beautiful caramelized exterior.
→ How do I serve the ham with pan juices?: After the ham has rested, strain the pan juices through a sieve and skim off any fat that rises to the top. Spoon these flavorful juices over individual ham slices when serving for extra moisture and flavor.
→ How many people will this ham serve?: An 11.5-pound bone-in ham will serve approximately 20 people. Plan for about 1/2 to 3/4 pound of bone-in ham per person when estimating serving sizes.

Glazed Baked Ham

Tender spiral-cut ham with a sweet-tangy apricot honey glaze, perfect for holiday gatherings and special family celebrations.

Prep Time

30 min

Cooking Time

140 min

Total Time

170 min

By: Lena

Category: Holiday Recipes

Skill Level: Medium

Cuisine Type: American

Yield: 20 Serves (1 glazed ham (10-15 lb))

Dietary Preferences: Low in Carbs, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Ham

01 11.5 lb fully cooked bone-in ham, spiral cut (10-15 lb ham)

→ Glaze

02 1/2 cup apricot preserves

03 1/4 cup honey

04 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed

05 1/4 cup dijon mustard

06 3 Tbsp unsalted butter

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Let ham sit covered at room temperature for 2 hours (or 1 hour for a 6-7 lb ham) before roasting, then remove packaging and pre-heat oven to 325˚F with the oven rack in the lower third of the oven.

Step 02

While the ham is coming to room temperature, combine apricot preserves, honey, brown sugar, dijon, and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook 1 minute, whisking constantly then remove from heat. The sauce should be the consistency of loose honey.

Step 03

Line your roasting pan with foil for easier cleanup. Place ham in a roasting pan cut-side down. Brush on 1/3 of the glaze and cover tightly with foil. Bake at 325°F for 10-11 minutes per pound (about 2 hours for an 11.5 lb ham). The ham should reach approximately 110°F internal temperature.

Step 04

Increase oven to 425°F. Remove ham from the oven and brush with 1/3 of glaze. Return to oven and bake uncovered for 10 minutes.

Step 05

Remove from oven and brush with remaining 1/3 glaze and roast uncovered another 10 minutes until a brown crust has formed and the internal temperature reaches 130-135°F. The temperature will continue to rise by 5-10 degrees after removing from oven.

Step 06

Transfer ham to a serving dish and rest for 15-20 minutes before serving. Strain pan juices through a sieve, skim off the fat that floats to the top. Spoon pan juices over ham slices when serving.

Additional Notes

Keep in mind ham is already fully cooked; you're just heating it through and creating a flavorful glaze.
Use an oven-safe internal temperature probe to test for doneness.
The final internal temperature should reach 140°F after resting.