How to Create a Tangy Apricot Glazed Ham
If you’re hosting a dinner party or preparing a festive meal, a glazed ham can be the star of your table. This sweet and tangy apricot glaze adds deep flavor, balancing the saltiness of the ham with its juicy tenderness. Creating this delicious dish is easier than you might think! With just a few ingredients and some simple steps, you’ll have a show-stopping centerpiece that will impress your family and friends.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to making a tangy apricot glazed ham.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Ham: A fully cooked, bone-in ham (about 8-10 pounds is ideal for a gathering).
- Apricot Preserves: 1 cup of apricot preserves or jam (this will form the base of your glaze).
- Brown Sugar: ½ cup for sweetness and caramelization.
- Dijon Mustard: 2 tablespoons to add depth and tanginess.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: 1 tablespoon for a slight zing.
- Ground Cinnamon: ½ teaspoon for a warm, subtle spice.
- Cloves: Optional, for aromatic flavor. Whole cloves can also be used to stud the ham for presentation.
- Water or Orange Juice: 2-3 tablespoons to loosen the glaze if needed.
Equipment:
- Large roasting pan
- Aluminum foil
- Mixing bowl and spoon
- Basting brush or spoon
- Sharp knife
Step 1: Choose Your Ham
Start by purchasing a fully cooked ham. Most grocery stores sell pre-cooked hams around the holidays, so you just need to reheat it and add your glaze. You can choose a bone-in ham for better flavor, or a spiral-cut ham for easier slicing. Look for a ham that’s not pre-glazed so you can add your own homemade touch.
Step 2: Prepare the Ham
Remove the ham from its packaging and gently pat it dry with paper towels if it’s moist. Before glazing, you can score the surface of the ham with a sharp knife to create a diamond pattern. This helps the glaze to soak into the meat and adds a decorative touch. If you like extra flavor, you can press whole cloves into the ham at the center of each diamond shape.
Place the ham, cut-side down, in a large roasting pan. Cover it loosely with aluminum foil to stop it from drying out during cooking.
Step 3: Make the Glaze
Now it’s time to make the apricot glaze. In a small mixing bowl, combine the apricot preserves, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, ground cinnamon, and a bit of water or orange juice to thin out the mixture. Stir well until smooth. If you prefer the glaze extra tangy, you can adjust the mustard or vinegar to taste.
Step 4: Heat the Ham
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). For a fully cooked bone-in ham, you’ll need about 10-15 minutes of cooking per pound. For an 8-pound ham, this equals roughly two hours of heating.
Place the ham in the oven, still covered with foil, to heat through. You don’t need to add the glaze immediately—it’s best to wait until the last 30-40 minutes of cooking so it doesn’t burn.
Step 5: Glaze the Ham
After your ham has been reheating for most of the cooking time, remove the foil and generously brush or spoon the apricot glaze over the surface of the ham. Make sure to coat it evenly, getting into the scored sections for maximum flavor. You can apply additional layers of glaze every 10-15 minutes during the final stretch of baking.
Step 6: Let the Ham Caramelize
For a glossy, caramelized finish, you can turn up the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) for the last 10 minutes. Watch closely to make sure the glaze doesn’t burn. The sugars in the apricot preserves and brown sugar will bubble and create a sticky, irresistible coating.
Step 7: Rest and Serve
Once the ham is done, take it out of the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making each slice tender and flavorful.
Carefully transfer the ham to a serving platter. If you used cloves, remove them before slicing. For presentation, you can garnish the dish with fresh herbs, apricots, or orange slices.
Use a sharp knife to slice the ham, and serve with your favorite sides. Mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad pair wonderfully with the tangy apricot glaze.
Tips:
- If you end up with leftover ham, you can use it to make sandwiches, casseroles, or breakfast dishes like ham and eggs.
- Save any leftover glaze to drizzle over the ham slices when serving.
Final Thoughts
Creating a tangy apricot glazed ham is easier than it looks, and it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The sweet and tangy glaze complements the savory flavors of the ham, turning a simple dish into something special. Follow these steps, and you’ll have a beautifully glazed ham that tastes as amazing as it looks. Whether for a holiday feast or a cozy dinner, this recipe is worth the effort.
Give it a try, and enjoy every flavorful bite!
