Orange Honey Glazed Ham – A Simple, Sweet, and Savory Holiday Showstopper

There’s something magical about the aroma of a freshly baked ham filling the kitchen during the holidays. My Orange Honey Glazed Ham is the ultimate centerpiece — golden, caramelized, and coated with a glossy glaze made from just three simple ingredients. This recipe is wonderfully easy, yet it delivers the kind of impressive flavor that makes everyone think you spent hours in the kitchen.

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The combination of sweet honey, rich brown sugar, and bright orange marmalade creates a perfect balance of flavors — sweet, tangy, and beautifully sticky. As the glaze bakes, it turns into a deep amber coating that gently crackles on the outside of the ham, while the inside remains juicy and tender. It’s a dish that looks and tastes like pure celebration.

Whether you’re hosting Easter brunch, a Christmas feast, or simply want a show-stopping dinner, this orange glazed ham never fails to impress.

🧡 Why You’ll Love This Orange Glazed Ham

I used to find the idea of roasting a whole ham intimidating — but this recipe changed that. With minimal effort and just a few ingredients, you get a dish that’s absolutely packed with flavor.

Here’s why this recipe has become one of my go-to holiday favorites:

• 3-Ingredient Glaze – You don’t need fancy sauces or long ingredient lists. The trio of honey, brown sugar, and orange marmalade does all the magic.
• Perfectly Balanced Flavor – Sweet, citrusy, and slightly tangy, this glaze enhances the natural saltiness of the ham.
• Holiday-Ready – It’s a beautiful, golden-brown centerpiece that fits perfectly on any festive table.
• Foolproof – Even if you’ve never baked a ham before, this recipe is easy to follow and almost impossible to mess up.

🍊 What You’ll Need for the Orange Honey Glaze

This glaze is what makes the dish so irresistible. It’s sticky, glossy, and packed with flavor — and you only need three ingredients.

• Brown Sugar – Adds deep, molasses-like sweetness and helps create that gorgeous caramelized crust. You can use light or dark brown sugar depending on how intense you want the flavor.
• Honey – Gives the glaze a smooth, thick texture and adds another layer of sweetness.
• Orange Marmalade – The star of the show. It brings brightness and citrus depth to balance out the sugar and honey.

Optional Add-ins: For extra flavor, try stirring in a teaspoon of Dijon mustard, a touch of ground cinnamon, or a splash of orange juice concentrate for a more vibrant citrus kick.

🐖 Choosing the Right Ham

For this recipe, a fully cooked bone-in spiral ham works best. The pre-sliced spiral cut allows the glaze to seep into every layer, ensuring every bite is flavorful.

If you prefer, you can also use:

• Boneless ham – easier to carve, slightly less dramatic in presentation.
• Smoked ham – adds a subtle smoky depth that complements the sweet glaze beautifully.

Just keep in mind that cooking times may vary slightly depending on the size and type of ham.

🍯 How to Make Orange Honey Glazed Ham

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare the ham. Place your fully cooked spiral ham in a roasting pan, cut side down, and loosely cover with foil.
3. Make the glaze. In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, honey, and orange marmalade. Stir over medium heat until the mixture comes to a gentle boil. Let it simmer for about 2–3 minutes until smooth and slightly thickened.
4. Glaze the ham. Spoon half of the warm glaze over the ham, making sure to coat as much as possible.
5. Bake. Place in the oven and bake uncovered for about 1 hour.
6. Add more glaze. Spoon the remaining glaze over the ham and continue baking for another 15–30 minutes, or until the ham is heated through and the glaze is caramelized and bubbling.
7. Serve. Let the ham rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing.

💡 Pro Tip: The internal temperature of the ham should reach 140°F (60°C) before serving.

🧊 How to Store Glaze and Leftovers

• Leftover Glaze: If you have extra glaze, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. It’s perfect for brushing over leftover ham slices or even grilled pork chops.
• Leftover Ham: Store slices in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days. For longer storage, wrap slices in foil and freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheating Tip: Warm individual slices in the oven at 275°F, wrapped in foil to keep them moist.

🍽️ Serving Ideas

This Orange Honey Glazed Ham is the perfect showpiece for your holiday table, but it pairs beautifully with so many sides.

Here are a few of my favorites:

• Creamy mashed or scalloped potatoes
• Buttery green beans almondine
• Freshly baked dinner rolls or Hawaiian rolls
• Roasted carrots or a crisp green salad

And don’t forget — the ham bone makes an amazing base for soups or beans. Don’t throw it away!

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