Easter Ham Recipe

When the springs holidays roll around, my family always requests a formal meal with a big Easter ham and plenty of side dishes such as sweet and savory pineapple casserole, slow cooker cranberry sauce and oven roasted potatoes. Don’t forget the mini egg cookies for dessert! You can never go wrong with an impressive ham to celebrate the holidays! This classic Easter ham is smothered in a simple ham glaze that takes just minutes to make, but tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant. This Easter dinner always gets rave reviews from family and friends.

Easter Ham Ingredients

The ingredients for this recipe are minimal and are items you may already have in the house!

Ham: This recipe calls for an 8 pound spiral cut ham. If you don’t have a spiral cut ham, you can simple score the top of your ham in a diamond pattern to allow the glaze to seep in. Butter: I add a little butter to the glaze for a richer flavor. Brown Sugar: This recipe works best with light brown sugar. If you prefer a stronger molasses flavor, you can use dark brown sugar. Honey: Any honey with a lighter flavor will work such as clover or wildflower. Orange Juice: Freshly squeezed juice will have the best flavor. Mustard: I prefer to use a Dijon or deli style brown mustard in this recipe. Spices: A bit of cinnamon and nutmeg add a lot of flavor!

How do you make an Easter ham?

Start by placing the glaze ingredients in a pan on the stove. Bring the ingredients to a simmer and cook for a few minutes until the glaze has just started to thicken. Place the ham in a roasting pan and pour half the glaze over the top. Cover the ham and bake until it is almost completely warmed through. Uncover the ham, then pour the remaining sauce over the top. Bake at a higher temperature until the glaze is caramelized. Carve the ham, then serve and enjoy!

Tips for the perfect dish

The glaze will start to harden as it cools. This is normal, and you can reheat it in the microwave for 30 seconds if needed to loosen it back up to pour over the ham. Leftovers will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or you can freeze it for 2 months. I like to chop my leftover ham into bite sized pieces to use it in dishes like ham salad, ham and beans, ham and corn chowder, and ham casserole. For the perfect holiday meal, pair your ham with roasted red potatoes, glazed carrots, a fresh asparagus salad and serve peanut butter eggs for a sweet finish. First time making a ham? Be sure to check out my comprehensive guide on how to cook a ham.

Flavor Variations

This ham is great as-is, but you can add other ingredients to customize the flavors to your taste.

Juice: Swap out the orange juice for pineapple juice or apple cider for a different flavor. Spices: Feel free to switch up the spices by adding small amounts of ground ginger, allspice, cardamom or cloves. Honey: No honey on hand? It’s fine to use maple syrup instead.

Glazed Easter ham is the ultimate main course offering for almost any occasion!