Honey Bourbon Glazed Ham is a stunning centerpiece for any holiday feast, boasting a rich, sweet glaze that makes it a true show-stopper. This delectable roast pairs beautifully with maple-glazed carrots, creamy French dauphinoise potatoes, and warm homemade dinner rolls, creating a memorable dining experience for family and friends.
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🍯 The Ingredients
Despite having only a handful of ingredients, the combination of honey, bourbon, and spices beautifully enhances the rich flavor of the smoked ham, creating a truly unforgettable dish.
🐖 What Is a Berkshire Ham?
- A Berkshire ham comes from a breed of pigs that originated in England. They are known for their marbling, which delivers deeply flavorful ham that is extremely tender and juicy.
- A Berkshire ham is not cheap, we’re not going to mislead you about that. But it is superior in taste and is ideal for special meals such as Easter.
- You can order them for expedited delivery from D’Artagnan or Gourmet Food Store.
See the recipe card (with video) below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Expert Tip
EXPERT TIP: You’ll want to score the side of the ham with the layer of fat. This is called the fat cap and is loaded with flavor. As the ham roasts, the slits will begin to spread open, allowing you to baste the meat with more of the glaze. Don’t cut the slits more than ½-inch deep, otherwise, the slits will spread too much during the roasting process.
How To Make Honey Bourbon Glazed Ham
- Step 1: Whisk together the glaze ingredients in a medium bowl.
- Step 2: Use a sharp knife to score the top of the ham.
- Step 3: Place ham on a roasting rack in a roasting pan and add water.
- Step 4: Glaze and roast the ham, basting again every 20 minutes.
- Step 5: Allow the ham to rest for at least 10 minutes.
- Step 6: Slice and serve!
🍽️ How To Serve
- After you slice the ham, you can serve it warm or at room temperature. To reheat ham (before serving), preheat your oven to 325°F, cover the ham slices in foil, place them in a roasting pan, and bake for about 20 minutes.
- Be sure to have plenty of extra glaze on hand, just remember to let your guests know that there is alcohol (bourbon) in it. 99% of the alcohol that was applied during the roasting time will have burned off.
- This ham pairs wonderfully with white or red wine (pork is versatile). We recommend a nice bodied Cabernet for red or a dry Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc for white.
🔥 How To Store and Reheat
- Place leftover ham in an air-tight container with a lid and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- Leftover slices can be wrapped in foil and reheated in a 325°F oven for 20 minutes, or gently heat in the microwave on high in 15-second intervals.
- This ham is amazing when made into ham and Swiss sliders.
🙋🏽♂️Frequently Asked Questions
We love purchasing a Berkshire ham from our friends at D’Artagnan. You could also go with an amazing ham from Mangalitsa Estates. These are “special occasion” hams and cost more than what you’ll find at the supermarket.
Apple cider works wonderfully as a substitute.
First, and foremost, save the ham bone so you can make New Orleans red beans and rice. We also love to make a classic ham loaf and leftover ham and potato casserole. Or, get ready for the best ham sandwiches you’ll ever experience!
😋 What to Serve with Glazed Ham
Ready to make the most amazing baked ham in the entire world? Go for it!
And when you do, be sure to take a picture of it, post it on Instagram, and tag @HowToFeedaLoon and hashtag #HowTofeedaLoon!
Honey Bourbon Glazed Ham
Video
Equipment
- Large roasting pan with rack
Ingredients
- 1 cup bourbon
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¾ cup honey
- ¼ cup molasses or maple syrup
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup spicy brown mustard
- 1 15 lb ham smoked, bone-in, preferably Berkshire or Heritage
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Whisk bourbon, cider vinegar, honey, molasses, brown sugar, and mustard in a medium bowl. Set aside.1 cup bourbon, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, ¾ cup honey, ¼ cup molasses, ¼ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup spicy brown mustard
- Score fat on top of ham in a crosshatch pattern, not cutting more than approxiamtely ½-inc deep.1 15 lb ham
- Set the ham on a rack in a large roasting pan and add enough water to fill to ¼" inch, about 2 cups.
- Brush ham with glaze and roast, basting every 20 minutes with extra glaze. (Tent with foil if browning too quickly, until insta-read thermometer registers 135 F, about 2 hours).
- Transfer ham to cutting board and let rest 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with additional brown mustard, if desire.
Notes
Nutrition
POST UPDATE: This recipe was originally published in March 2016, but was updated with improved tweaks to the recipe, new tips, photography, and a fabulous new video in March, 2025!
Dave says
Can cloves still be used?
Thanks
Kris Longwell says
Hey Dave, you can totally still use cloves – just remember to remove them before serving. 🙂
Ken says
Looking for some clarification. The recipe says Apple cider but the video says Apple cider vinegar. Not sure which is best to use for this.
Kris Longwell says
Hi Ken! Thank you so much for bringing that to our attention! It should be 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar! We’ve updated the recipe to relect this. Thanks again and let us know if you make the ham and what you think! We think it’s amazingly delicious! Best, Kris & Wesley
Elaine says
Chris, This looks like another winner, will definitely try. You were right in the pronunciation of shire in Berkshire but wrong with the pronunciation of Berk. In England we pronounce it BARKSHEER.
Kris Longwell says
Thanks, Elaine! Stay safe!!
Liz says
Can this particular recipe be done in the slow cooker?
Tammy aka the MN Loon says
Hi Kris & Wesley!
I came across your website while looking for a recipe for chicken salad. I know the basic ingredients in it, but growing up my family basically only used salt & pepper to dishes, and I was looking for additional herbs & spices that would enhance and add more flavor. Was I ever excited when I read your recipe – it is AhhMazIng! It really is The Best, especially with your homemade mayo!
While here, I looked to see if you had a baked ham recipe. After reading it, I have two questions:
1) I have a spiral ham on hand from sales after the Easter holiday. Can I use it in place of the ham you suggest?
2) I don’t drink alcohol. I know alcohol cooks out, but since I don’t drink, I don’t have any bourbon. What can I use as a substitute?
I am so happy I found your website. I love your recipes. I love your quirkiness and charm. You’re both adorable! This will be my go-to for ideas for meals. From one Loon to another, thank you for all you do. Much love to you both.
Tammy 😉
XOXOXOX
Diana says
Made this ham today for my guests. By far it was the best I’d ever done and I made many. The glaze was perfect inspite oh the fact that I was missing apple cider. Thank you this was a real winner. It’ll be gracing my table for many years to come.
krislongwell says
That is just so wonderful to hear, Diana! We know the challenge of preparing a special occasion meal for guests…everything needs to be just right! So, we’re thrilled that this ham recipe worked well for you and your guests enjoyed it. We love it, too. And talk about delicious leftovers!! Thanks so much for letting us know and please stay in touch. Very best, Kris & Wesley.
Kathryn Farmer says
I’ve never cooked a ham so my question about the bourbon glazed ham: is the ham already cooked? Thanks!
krislongwell says
Hi! Yes! The ham is already fully cooked, so all you need to do is completely heat it through and let the honey bourbon glaze caramelize and cook perfectly. This usually takes 1 to 2 hours, depending on the size of the ham. So good! Let us know if you have any other questions, or if you decided to go with a baked ham this year. You’ll love it if you do!! Best, Kris & Wesley