Signature Bourbon Glazed Ham

Bourbon glazed ham is a magnificent center-of-the-table dish, perfect for holiday feasts and cherished family dinners. This recipe promises an exceptionally juicy, tender, and irresistibly flavorful baked ham. While baking a ham might seem daunting, it’s surprisingly simple, especially when the star is an unforgettable glaze. Our bourbon glaze elevates the experience with its perfect balance of sweetness and tang, infused with that distinct, warming bourbon essence that makes it truly special.

For many families, ham is a time-honored tradition, symbolizing warmth and celebration. If your loved ones adore baked ham as much as ours do, you might also enjoy exploring other delightful variations like baked ham with cherry glaze or a vibrant baked ham with orange honey glaze! However, this bourbon-infused masterpiece truly stands out, promising to transform any meal into a memorable occasion.

There’s immense satisfaction in presenting a dish that you know will bring smiles to everyone around the table. Especially during the festive season, such culinary delights create lasting memories. This bourbon glazed ham recipe is designed to do just that – make your holiday meal or family gathering truly unforgettable without the stress of complicated cooking.

A beautifully baked ham is not just an impressive centerpiece; it’s also wonderfully easy to prepare. The secret lies in starting with a fully cooked ham, which is readily available in most grocery stores. This means your primary task is crafting the incredible bourbon glaze and then simply baking the ham to perfection, allowing the flavors to meld and the glaze to caramelize into a delectable crust.

When selecting your ham, look for “city ham,” which refers to fully cooked ham and is the most common type found in supermarkets. These come in various forms: bone-in for richer flavor, boneless for easier carving, or even pre-sliced spiral-cut hams that save you time at the end. Spiral-cut hams are particularly convenient as the glaze can seep deep between the slices, maximizing flavor in every bite. Whichever you choose, ensure it’s labeled “fully cooked” to simplify your preparation process and ensure a delicious outcome.

Bourbon Glazed Ham: The Ultimate Holiday Recipe

This recipe combines a tender, savory ham with a homemade bourbon glaze that’s both sweet and tangy. It’s designed for ease and maximum flavor, ensuring a show-stopping dish every time.

Ingredient Notes + Smart Substitutions

Understanding each ingredient’s role will help you achieve the perfect glaze and a beautifully baked ham. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the suggested substitutions to tailor the recipe to your pantry or preference.

• Ham: The foundation of our feast! You’ll need a 6-10 pound ham, always labeled “fully cooked.” Whether you choose bone-in or boneless, spiral cut or a whole uncured ham, the baking method remains largely the same. Bone-in hams often yield a richer flavor and moist texture, while boneless options are incredibly easy to carve. Spiral-cut hams are fantastic for allowing the glaze to penetrate deep into the meat, ensuring every slice is coated in deliciousness. Aim for a good quality ham, as it will truly make a difference in the final taste.
• Bourbon: This is the star of our glaze, imparting a distinct, warm, and slightly smoky sweetness. Any mid-range whiskey bourbon will work beautifully. You don’t need an expensive, top-shelf bottle. While the alcohol content largely evaporates during the simmering and baking process, the unique flavor notes of the bourbon will definitely shine through, adding incredible depth to the glaze. For those who prefer to avoid alcohol, a non-alcoholic bourbon substitute or even a good quality apple cider can be used, though the flavor profile will differ slightly.
• Brown Sugar: Provides essential sweetness and contributes to the beautiful caramelization of the glaze. You can use either dark or light brown sugar. Dark brown sugar will give a deeper, more robust molasses-like flavor, while light brown sugar offers a milder sweetness. Both work well, so choose based on your desired intensity.
• Molasses: A crucial ingredient for adding a rich, deep, and slightly smoky sweetness that complements the bourbon beautifully. It also helps achieve that desirable sticky texture in the glaze. If possible, avoid using blackstrap molasses, as its strong, slightly bitter flavor can easily overpower the delicate balance of the glaze. Opt for regular or light molasses for the best results.
• Apple Juice: Adds a touch of fruity sweetness and a gentle acidity, balancing out the richness of the other ingredients. Sweetened or unsweetened apple juice is fine. A fantastic substitute is apple cider, which will lend an even richer, more complex apple flavor to the glaze.
• Worcestershire Sauce: This secret weapon adds a profound depth of savory, umami flavor that rounds out the sweetness and tang. It’s a complex condiment that truly enhances the overall profile of the glaze, preventing it from being one-dimensional. Don’t skip it!
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Provides a vital tangy counterpoint to the sweetness of the sugars and molasses, brightening the entire glaze. The acidity helps to cut through the richness of the ham. If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar or sherry vinegar can be good substitutes, offering similar acidic notes.
• Garlic Cloves: Freshly minced or pressed garlic adds a pungent, aromatic kick that pairs wonderfully with savory ham. Avoid garlic powder if possible; fresh garlic delivers a much more vibrant flavor.
• Ground Cloves: A classic spice for ham glazes, ground cloves bring a warm, sweet, and intensely aromatic note that is synonymous with holiday cooking. A little goes a long way, so measure carefully.
• Ground Black Pepper: Adds a subtle hint of spice and warmth. Freshly ground pepper is always recommended for the best flavor.
• Salt: Essential for seasoning the glaze and enhancing all the other flavors. Always adjust to taste, keeping in mind that ham itself can be quite salty.

Step-by-Step Recipe Instructions for a Flawless Ham

Creating this bourbon glazed ham is a straightforward process, broken down into two main parts: preparing the exquisite glaze and then baking the ham to perfection. Follow these instructions for a juicy, flavorful main course that will surely impress.

First things first – crafting the Bourbon Glaze:

1. Combine the Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine all the ingredients for the bourbon glaze: bourbon, brown sugar, molasses, apple juice, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, pressed garlic cloves, ground cloves, ground black pepper, and salt. Whisk them together thoroughly until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the sugar has dissolved.
2. Simmer to Perfection: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Allow it to simmer for approximately 15 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even reduction. The goal is to reduce the mixture by about half. This reduction process concentrates the flavors and begins to thicken the glaze. Once reduced, remove the pot from the heat. A crucial note: Be careful not to over-reduce the glaze! If it appears somewhat thin at this stage, don’t worry—it’s supposed to be.

Chef’s Note: The glaze will significantly thicken as it cools. Its thin consistency when hot is perfectly normal, and it will achieve its desired sticky, luscious texture once it comes to room temperature.

See? That was easy! Now that your glorious bourbon glaze is ready, let’s move on to baking the ham in the oven:

1. Prepare the Roasting Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line the bottom of a sturdy roasting pan with aluminum foil. This step is essential for easy cleanup, as the foil will catch any delicious drippings and prevent them from baking onto the pan. Pour a couple of cups of water into the bottom of the foil-lined pan. The water creates a steamy environment, helping to keep the ham moist and preventing it from drying out during the initial baking phase. Finally, place a roasting rack into the prepared pan, ensuring the ham won’t be sitting directly in the water.
2. Score the Ham (if necessary): This step is only for uncut hams. You can skip this if you have a spiral-cut ham. If your ham is uncut, you’ll need to score the outer skin. Using a sharp knife, make shallow cuts, approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep, across the surface of the ham, forming a diamond pattern. Scoring allows the glaze to penetrate the ham more effectively, creates beautiful presentation, and helps render any fat, resulting in a slightly crispy, caramelized exterior.
3. Brush with Bourbon Glaze (First Application): Place the ham on a couple of sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil, ensuring you have enough foil to wrap it securely later. Generously brush about half of your prepared bourbon glaze over the entire surface of the ham. If you’re using a spiral-cut ham, take extra care to brush some of the glaze between the slices. This technique is key to infusing every layer of the ham with the incredible bourbon flavor, truly optimizing the taste.



4. Bake Ham (Initial Covered Phase): Once glazed, wrap the ham tightly in the aluminum foil you placed it on. The goal is to create a sealed packet that traps moisture. Carefully place the wrapped ham on the roasting rack inside your prepared roasting pan (if using a half ham, place it flat side down). Bake in the preheated 325°F (160°C) oven for approximately an hour and a half. This initial covered baking ensures the ham heats through evenly and remains incredibly juicy.



Determining the Perfect Cooking Time for Your Ham

The most reliable way to calculate the cooking time for a fully cooked ham is to allow for approximately 15 minutes per pound at 325°F (160°C).

For instance, if your ham weighs 6 pounds, you should plan to cook it, covered, for around 90 minutes. Remember, the ham is fully cooked when its internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C). Always use a reliable meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham, avoiding the bone, to ensure accuracy.

5. Second Glazing and Temperature Increase: After the initial baking period, remove the ham from the oven and carefully unwrap the foil. While the ham is out, quickly increase your oven temperature to 400°F (200°C). Generously brush the ham with more of the delicious bourbon glaze, ensuring good coverage. (Remember to save a little bit of glaze for the very end!)



6. Final Bake (Uncovered for Browning): Place the ham, now uncovered, back into the oven, which should have reached 400°F (200°C). Bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until the glaze is beautifully caramelized and slightly sticky, and the internal temperature of the ham reaches 140°F (60°C) for a “fully cooked” ham. This higher temperature helps achieve that desirable browned, crusty exterior that makes glazed ham so irresistible.

Important Temperature Guide: For ham labeled “fully cooked,” the safe internal temperature is 140°F (60°C). If your ham is labeled “cook before eating,” it must reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for safety. Always use a meat thermometer.

7. Rest and Serve: Once the ham is done, remove it from the oven and tent it loosely with aluminum foil. Allow it to rest for at least 15-20 minutes before carving. This resting period is crucial as it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in an even more succulent and tender ham. Just before serving, brush the ham one last time with any remaining glaze to give it a final burst of flavor and a beautiful shine. Serve hot and enjoy the incredible flavors of your homemade bourbon glazed ham!

Pro Tips for the Best Bourbon Glazed Ham

• Don’t Rush the Glaze Reduction: Allowing the glaze to simmer and reduce properly is key to its depth of flavor and ideal consistency. Patience here pays off!
• Use a Meat Thermometer: This is your best friend for perfectly cooked ham. Overcooked ham can be dry, so aim for that ideal internal temperature of 140°F (or 160°F for “cook before eating” hams).
• Resting is Essential: Just like with any large roast, letting the ham rest after baking is vital. It ensures the juices redistribute, keeping every slice moist and tender.
• Spiral vs. Uncut: Spiral-cut hams absorb the glaze beautifully between slices, but an uncut ham allows you to control the scoring for a more customized look and can sometimes yield a juicier interior if not overcooked. Both are excellent choices!
• Make Extra Glaze: Consider doubling the glaze recipe if you love extra sauce for serving on the side. It’s fantastic drizzled over slices of ham or even mashed potatoes.

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

What should I do with ham leftovers?

One of the best things about baking a ham is the incredible versatility of the leftovers! If your loved ones haven’t devoured every last bite, there are countless delicious ways to repurpose it. For a quick and satisfying lunch, a few slices of ham make fantastic sandwiches the very next day. But don’t stop there!

Consider these amazing leftover ham recipes: an elevated ham and brie grilled cheese sandwich, a comforting instant pot ham and bean soup, or savory ham and cheese mashed potato cakes. Ham is also excellent diced into omelets, added to quiches, or stirred into pasta dishes. No matter how you choose to serve it, leftover ham is always a welcome treat, extending the joy of your initial meal.

What should I serve with bourbon glazed ham?

The beauty of bourbon glazed ham is its ability to complement a wide array of side dishes, making it perfect for any holiday spread or family dinner. Every family has their cherished traditional accompaniments, and this ham will pair perfectly with all of them!

Some truly delicious options include creamy mashed potatoes, a luscious sweet potato casserole with its streusel topping, along with vibrant green vegetables such as crispy sautéed Brussels sprouts with bacon or tender roasted green beans and mushrooms. For a complete meal, consider adding a fresh garden salad, warm dinner rolls, or perhaps a festive cranberry sauce. If you’re seeking even more inspiration, explore our collection of scrumptious side dishes that will beautifully complete your meal.

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