Honey Baked Ham Recipe (Copycat)

This copycat Honey Baked Ham recipe is insanely delicious and a great addition to your holiday dinner menu. A caramelized coating and that distinct spiced buttery honey glaze makes this juicy and tender baked spiral ham recipe a must have for Easter or Christmas!

You can make this recipe in the slow cooker/crockpot or in the Instant Pot/Pressure cooker. Directions are provided in the recipe below.

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Copycat Honey Baked Ham

Growing up in Peru, ham wasn’t the most popular dinner option. Especially sticky sweet, brown sugar coated, lightly smoked honey glazed ham.

The first baked ham dinner I’ve ever had was at a Honey Baked Ham store. It was love at first bite for sure! Crispy edges, sugary-honey-glaze bake perfection and now you can make it at home!



Why You Should Make This at Home

  • Budget Friendly: The delicious spiral ham sold at the Honey Baked Ham store has a steep price tag! You can make your own for a lot less money. I mean really a fraction of the price!
  • Stress Free: Online ordering has become the norm these days, unless it’s a holiday! On holidays ordering and pick up is kind of a nightmare. I want to say that I’m super organized and place orders a month in advanced but, I am more of a “crying over the phone – hoping they feel sorry for me and sell me something – the day before the event” type of person!
  • Flavor: You control the ingredients and can add or subtract whatever you want! Make it your own! (as always I recommend you make the recipe as written the first time and experiment after that!).



Copycat Honey Baked Ham Ingredients

For exact quantities please check the recipe card below.

  • Ham: You need a fully-cooked half spiral cut ham, bone in or boneless (about 7 to 8 pounds). make sure the label says “pre-cooked” or “fully-cooked”
  • Butter: Salted or unsalted.
  • Honey: I prefer organic local honey but any type of honey works.
  • Sugar: I use granulated sugar but brown sugar works too.
  • Spices: Nutmeg, ground cloves, ground cinnamon, onion powder, paprika, ground ginger, all spice.



How To Make Homemade Honey Baked Ham

These are just the highlights on how to make this easy recipe. For detailed instructions, check the recipe card below.

  1. Prep: Preheat the oven and place a roasting rack on a baking pan.
  2. Massage honey butter into ham: Place the ham flat-side down on a roasting rack. Combine the melted butter and honey and brush or massage the mixture into the ham. Try to get in between the slices for maximum flavor!
  3. Bake Covered: Add some water to the bottom of the pan and bake covered (yes! the ham is pre-cooked but we are flavoring it and warming it up!).
  4. Mix Sugar and Spices for Glaze: Remove the ham from the oven. If it’s getting dry, baste it with the pan juices. Combine the sugar and spices.
  5. Coat Ham with Sugar and Spices then Broil: Pat half of the spice mixture over the ham. Broil the ham (or use a small kitchen torch).
  6. Make Glaze with Spice Mixture: Place the remaining spice mixture and pan juices (or water) in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook for 2 minutes and now you have the best sugary spiced glaze.
  7. Pour Glaze over Ham then Broil: Pour glaze over the ham and broil once again (or torch it!) Keep an eye on it as it can burn quickly! Rest and serve.
What Kind Of Ham Should I Buy?

To make this recipe, you will need a fully-cooked spiral cut ham, bone in or boneless (about 7 to 8 pounds). I prefer bone-in as it keeps the meat juicy and the bone makes the best soups! Make sure the label says “pre-cooked” or “fully-cooked”.

What’s Best Bone-In or Boneless Ham?

I prefer bone-in ham as the meat tends to stay moist and have more flavor. A boneless spiral ham is the same ham with the bone removed and the slices put back together and reshaped to look perfect. I find that when the slices are compacted the texture of the meat changes slightly and becomes a bit spongy.



How Much Ham Do You Need Per Person?

  • When making a bone-in spiral ham you need to account for that big bone that is adding weight to the total weight amount stated on the printed label. Plan for 3/4 pound of ham per person (to 1 pound to be on the super safe + leftovers side). So to serve 6 people you will need a 4.5 to 6 pounds bone-in spiral ham.
  • When cooking a boneless ham, you will need about 1/3 pound to 1/2 pound per person (that’s a 6 ounces and an 8 ounces serving per person)



Should I Bake the Ham Covered or Uncovered?

We massage the honey butter into the ham and then, bake it covered to prevent it from drying out. We add a small amount of liquid to the bottom of the roasting pan to create a bit of steam. This keeps the ham juicy



How Long Do You Bake Ham?

Bake the ham 20 minutes per each pound of ham. So for a 6 pound ham you need 2 hours of baking time.



At What Temperature To Bake Ham?

Although I have this philosophy that when in doubt bake it a 350! For this honey baked ham recipe I prefer setting the oven temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.



Can I Make Honey Baked Ham in the Slow Cooker?

Yes, you can cook your spiral glazed ham in a slow cooker or crockpot. Here is how:


Copycat Honey Baked Ham Slow Cooker Instructions:

  • Trim the ham so it fits inside the crockpot. Combine the melted butter and honey and brush or massage the mixture into the ham. Trying to get in between the slices if possible.
  • Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours.
  • Combine the spiced sugar mixture.
  • After the cooking time is over, preheat the broiler (unless you are using a kitchen torch). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top. Coat the rack with cooking spray. Remove the ham from the crockpot and place it on the rack.
  • Pat half of the spice mixture over the ham. Broil the ham (or use the small kitchen torch).
  • Place the remaining spice mixture and pan juices from the crockpot (or water) in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook for 2 minutes or until it reaches a glaze consistency.
  • Pour glaze over the ham and broil once again (or torch it!) Keep an eye on it as it can burn quickly! Rest and serve.


Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham Instructions

  • Trim the spiral ham so it fits inside the pressure cooker.
  • Pour 1 cup of apple juice inside the pot. Spray the trivet rack insert with cooking spray and place inside the instant pot.
  • Place the ham on a rimmed pan. Combine the melted butter and honey and brush or massage the mixture into the ham. Trying to get in between the slices if possible.
  • Place the ham on the instant pot rack (trivet). Pour over any leftover butter honey mixture that may have run off the ham and into the rimmed pan.
  • Close the lid, seal the pot and cook on high temperature for 16 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes then, release the remaining pressure.
  • Follow the instructions as directed for oven baked ham.



Making Ahead, Storage and Freezing

Make Ahead:

  • Mix the spiced sugar mixture 3-4 days in advanced
  • Cooking and glazing the ham should be done closer to serving time to prevent the meat from drying up by reheating the entire ham.
  • If you need to reheat the whole cooked and glazed ham, add liquid to the bottom of the roasting pan and cover it tightly. Reheat in a preheated 300 F oven until warm through. The edges may get a bit dry.

Leftovers:

  • Leftover ham can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4- 5 days.
  • Leftover cooked ham can be reheated covered in the microwave until warm through or in a preheated oven.

Freezing Ham:

  • Cooked glazed honey baked ham freezes well if properly stored in an airtight container or tightly wrapped and sealed inside a freezer bag.

Ham Bone:

The ham bone can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and can also be frozen tightly wrapped and well sealed in a container or extra-large freezer bag for up to a month.

Ham bones can be used to flavor beans and soups. Just add the bone when cooking dried beans or make Split Pea Soup or the best creamy Potato and Ham Soup or Braised Collard Greens.


Glazed Ham Recipe Tips For Success

  • Pat dry the ham with paper towel before adding the honey butter. Store bought hams come in bags with a bit of liquid. You want to dry it up as much as possible so the honey butter doesn’t slide right off!
  • Make sure you purchase a ham with the label “pre-cooked or fully-cooked” spiral cut ham.
  • Although the ham is already precooked, it should be baked until it reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit to make sure is warm through.
  • Your glazed ham can be served warm or at room temperature.
  • You can make this recipe in a crockpot or slow cooker.



What To Serve With Glazed Ham

When it comes to special holiday meals like Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas or Valentine’s Day, I have some main dishes on a most requested list. Here are some of our favorite recipes:

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Copycat Honey Baked Ham

This copycat Honey Baked Ham recipe has that distinct spiced buttery honey glaze taste of the one at the popular store. Make it at home at a fraction of the price! Oven roasted, slow cooker/crockpot and Instant Pot/Pressure cooker directions provided.

Servings 8 servings

Ingredients

Spice Mix:

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and place the oven rack in the lower 1/3 part of the oven. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top. Coat the rack with cooking spray.

  • Place the ham flat-side down on the roasting rack. Make the honey glaze by combining the melted butter and honey in a small mixing bowl. With your hands, massage the ham with the honey getting the glaze between the ham slices. If any of the honey glaze lands at the bottom of the roasting pan, you can scoop it up and slather it on the ham.

  • Add about a cup of water to the bottom of the roasting pan. Bake covered for about 2.5 hours (about 20 minutes per pound of ham).

  • Remove the ham from the oven (if you uncover it, tent it with a piece of foil to keep it warm. Combine the spice sugar mixture in a small bowl. Uncover the ham. If the edges are dry, baste the ham with the pan juices.

  • Pat half of the spice sugar mixture (about 3/4 cup) over the ham. Alternatively, you can place the sugar mixture on a sheet pan and then roll the ham through the sugar mixture until nicely coated. Place the remaining spice sugar mixture in a small saucepan and set aside.

  • Broil or torch the ham until bubbly and caramelized. Remove from the oven.

  • Meanwhile, make the glaze by combining the remaining sugar mixture in a saucepan with about 1/3 cup of ham drippings (pan juices) or water (or a combination of both). Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook until it reaches a glaze consistency, about 2 minutes.

  • Pour or brush the glaze over the ham. Broil for 1-2 minutes or until bubbly. Keep an eye on it as it can burn quickly.

  • Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve warm or cold.

Chef’s Tips

  • Pat dry the ham with paper towel before adding the honey butter. Store bought hams come in bags with a bit of liquid. You want to dry it up as much as possible so the honey butter doesn’t slide right off!
  • Make sure you purchase a ham with the label “pre-cooked or fully-cooked” spiral cut ham.
  • Although the ham is already precooked, it should be baked until it reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit to make sure is warm through.
  • Nutrition facts calculates an 8 pound bone-in ham and the entire amount of glaze. Keep in mind that you won’t be eating the bone and that some of the glaze and the butter/honey mixture will drip off the ham. All nutrition information is just an estimate. Please do your own calculations if needed.
    Slow Cooker/Crockpot Ham:
  • Trim the ham so it fits inside the crockpot. Combine the melted butter and honey and brush or massage the mixture into the ham. Trying to get in between the slices if possible.
  • Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours.
  • Combine the spiced sugar mixture.
  • After the cooking time is over, preheat the broiler (unless you are using a kitchen torch). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top. Coat the rack with cooking spray. Remove the ham from the crockpot and place it on the rack.
  • Pat half of the spice mixture over the ham. Broil the ham (or use the small kitchen torch).
  • Place the remaining spice mixture and pan juices from the crockpot (or water) in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook for 2 minutes or until it reaches a glaze consistency.
  • Pour glaze over the ham and broil once again (or torch it!) Keep an eye on it as it can burn quickly! Rest and serve.

        Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham:

  • Trim the spiral ham so it fits inside the pressure cooker.
  • Pour 1 cup of apple juice inside the pot. Spray the trivet rack insert with cooking spray and place inside the instant pot.
  • Place the ham on a rimmed pan. Combine the melted butter and honey and brush or massage the mixture into the ham. Trying to get in between the slices if possible.
  • Place the ham on the instant pot rack (trivet). Pour over any leftover butter honey mixture that may have run off the ham and into the rimmed pan.
  • Close the lid, seal the pot and cook on high temperature for 16 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes then, release the remaining pressure.
  • Follow the instructions as directed for oven baked ham.

Nutrition

Calories: 765kcal (38%)Carbohydrates: 49g (16%)Protein: 49g (98%)Fat: 41g (63%)Saturated Fat: 15g (94%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 148mg (49%)Sodium: 2716mg (118%)Potassium: 663mg (19%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 49g (54%)Vitamin A: 119IU (2%)Vitamin C: 1mg (1%)Calcium: 21mg (2%)Iron: 2mg (11%)

* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.

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