Don't let the simplicity fool you—this easy 3-Ingredient Ham Glaze is anything but boring! It comes together in just 5 minutes, adding the perfect balance of sweetness and flavor. It clings beautifully, caramelizes like a dream, and is a must-have for Easter, Christmas, or Thanksgiving!
This easy glaze for ham is just one of our Easter Recipes! From crowd-pleasing mains to must-have sides, consider your menu covered!
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This ham glaze uses only 3 ingredients, and just like our super popular pineapple glaze for ham, is the secret to creating a holiday ham that is unforgettable! It creates a flavorful sweet & tangy coating that caramelizes each slice to perfection.
If you are looking to free up space in your oven during the big holiday meal, try cooking it in this Electric Roaster for Ham recipe. It is great for an Easter ham, Christmas ham, or even a Sunday Supper.
Why this recipe is great
- Super quick: Ready in just 5 minutes with hardly any dishes to clean up. Total win!
- Just-right sweetness: If you're looking for a subtle, well-balanced touch of sweetness, this simple glaze has you covered.
- Perfectly sticky: That irresistible caramelized coating that makes your ham the star of any holiday feast!
3-Ingredient ham glaze ingredients
With just three simple ingredients, quality matters! Be sure to use items you love for the best flavor in every bite.
- Brown sugar: Light brown sugar provides a subtle molasses flavor to the glaze. If you want a more pronounced flavor use dark brown sugar.
- Apple jelly: While most recipes use a liquid like pineapple juice or orange juice, we like the viscosity that the jelly provides. Plus it has a more concentrated apple flavor.
- Stone ground mustard: Adds a much needed tang to balance all the sweetness.
How to make easy 3 ingredient ham glaze
Measure each of the ingredients into a small saucepan. Turn it on low and give a good stir until smooth.
Gently melt everything together over low or medium-low heat until the brown sugar dissolves. Just make sure it doesn’t get too hot, or it won’t cling to the ham as well.
If it does get too hot, just set it aside and let it cool down until it thickens up again.
Since each type of ham - boneless, bone-in, spiral - are so different we recommend following the cooking directions on the ham package and use this glaze instead of the one that comes with it.
For the easiest application, brush it on with a pastry brush or a silicone brush.
Once the ham is fully warmed through, throw it under the broiler for a few minutes to get that crispy, candy-coated edge—total caramelized perfection! Just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
Hint: If using on a sliced ham, brush the glaze in between the slices. This is the easiest way to distribute the flavor throughout the whole ham.
How to glaze a ham
There are plenty of ways to glaze a ham, but our go-to method is using a precooked spiral ham. A bone-in spiral cut ham gives you the best moisture and flavor, but you can use the same method for a boneless one too!
Start by placing the ham in a baking pan, then carefully drizzle the glaze between each slice before coating the top. Cover the pan with foil and warm it according to the package directions. When it’s about ⅔ of the way through cooking, remove the foil and brush on another layer of glaze. If the edges aren’t caramelized enough for your liking, set the broiler to low and watch closely. You may need to shift the ham around a bit to get that perfect golden finish!
Variations and substitutions
- Use dark brown sugar or honey in place of the light brown sugar.
- Swap out the apple jelly for pear, apricot, or peach for a fun twist! If you're using grape, stick with white grape—otherwise, the purple can give your ham a bit of an odd color.
- You can swap out the stone-ground mustard for any mustard you like! We recommend dijon mustard or spicy mustard. Just keep in mind that each one has its own unique flavor, so pick one you enjoy.
When to serve glazed ham
- Easter Brunch or Dinner
- Christmas Dinner
- Sunday Dinner
- Big family brunch
- Thanksgiving meal or even Friendsgiving
FAQs
Place any remaining glaze in a jar or airtight container, and store in the refrigerator for up to a week. When it is time to use, warm gently and stir thoroughly before using.
Glazing a ham takes it to the next level! It adds flavor, keeps it juicy, and gives you those beautifully caramelized edges. A great glaze brings the perfect mix of sweet, salty, and tangy, making your ham totally special-occasion worthy. As it bakes, that sweetness works its magic, creating a glossy, sticky coating you won’t be able to resist. A little extra effort for a glaze? Totally worth it!
Yes, this recipe can be made ahead! Just store it in an airtight container for up to one week. Before using, warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, then give it a quick stir before using.
Tips & Tricks
- With just three ingredients, quality matters! Choose ones you love because their flavor will be what stands out.
- Do not warm too much. It will loosen to the point of not clinging to the ham.
More holiday recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Recipe
3 Ingredient Ham Glaze
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup apple jelly
- ½ cup brown sugar dark
- 2-3 tablespoon stone ground mustard
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in saucepan. Heat very gently until it loosens and combines. Use while warm. If making ahead store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.⅔ cup apple jelly, ½ cup brown sugar, 2-3 tablespoon stone ground mustard
Notes
- With just three ingredients, quality matters! Choose ones you love because their flavor will be what stands out.
- Do not warm too much. It will loosen to the point of not clinging to the ham
- We recommend following the cooking directions on the ham package and use this glaze instead of the one that comes with it.
- Feel free to pop it under the broiler once it is warmed through if you want really crispy edges. Just watch carefully so that it doesn't burn.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.
Karrie says
I am surprised by how simple and delicious this is!