Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year and this Maple Glazed Ham Recipe will certainly take the center stage at our Christmas feast table. It’s the main event, folks! A beloved Christmas classic and a long-become Christmas staple. Indeed, nothing is as inviting as this glossy and juicy Maple Glazed Ham!
However, the sweetness of the maple glaze and the ham itself seem incompatible with a healthy meal. Thus, it could easily turn off the health buffs. No worries though, we got healthy tweaks for you without sacrificing the beloved delicious taste!
First and foremost, find the healthiest, naturally-cured, spiral-sliced, bone-in ham. Do check the nutritional facts label and its sources. Ham without the nasties of conventional cured meats is a rich source of protein and iron.
The next step is to create the really golden, cherished maple glaze that brings the homey yet holiday cheery flavor. This glaze will not contain any refined sugar, but the maple syrup itself and wholesome coconut sugar shall sweeten it up. Indeed, you can have your holiday ham guilt-free!
There’s no need for a long ingredient list to whip up this magic. Do pick out the freshest, all-time favorite herbs like rosemary and thyme, and other ground spices to infuse some herbaceous, earthy, and spicy natural flavors. Not to mention the antioxidants, minerals, and other nutrients they provide. So without further ado, here’s the recipe that everyone will surely love.
Maple Glazed Ham
Equipment
- Roasting Pan w/ Rack
- Probe Thermometer
- Basting Brush
Ingredients
- 1 naturally-cured spiral-sliced, bone-in ham, about 10 pounds
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- ⅓ cup coconut sugar
- 1 tablespoon grainy dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon thyme
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne optional
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Rest the ham at room temperature for about an hour before you begin.
- Preheat the oven to 325ºF.
- Put an oven-safe rack inside a roasting pan and fill the pan with ¼ inch of water. Lay the ham on the rack with the fat side up. Then, score the ham diagonally using a sharp knife and cover it tightly with aluminum foil. If you have a probe thermometer, now is the time to stick it to the thickest part of the meat while ensuring it doesn’t touch any bone.
- Then, put it in the oven and bake for 2-½ hours, or until the ham reached an internal temperature of about 120ºF.
- Meanwhile make the glaze by combining maple syrup, coconut sugar, dijon mustard, herbs, and spices in a pot. Bring to a boil then set aside.
- Once the ham is done, remove it from the oven and remove its foil. Brush the top of the ham generously with the glaze and return it to the oven for about 30 minutes, or until the ham has reached an internal temperature of 140ºF.
- Remove from the oven and glaze the ham one more time. Let it rest for 20 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- If you want to adjust the serving size of this recipe, or perhaps, you bought a different size of ham, you may simply adjust the cooking time. Generally speaking, you want to cook your ham for around 18 to 20 minutes per pound.
Nutrition
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