If you’re hunting for a show-stopping centerpiece that combines cozy autumn flavors with a touch of spice, this Apple Ginger Glazed Ham Recipe is exactly what your holiday table has been missing. The sweet-tart punch from fresh apples and apple jelly blends beautifully with the warm zing of ground ginger and cloves, creating a luscious, caramelized glaze that clings to every tender slice. It’s more than just a ham dish; it’s a heartwarming experience that brings vibrant fall flavors straight to your plate, making any occasion feel extra special and memorable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of simple ingredients, this Apple Ginger Glazed Ham Recipe transforms ordinary components into extraordinary flavors. Each element plays a crucial role: the apple jelly and butter add natural sweetness and depth, while brown sugar and spices build a rich, inviting glaze. Fresh apple slices and apple juice bring brightness and moisture, rounding out the dish with layers of texture and aroma.
- Apple jelly (3/4 cup): Provides a smooth, fruity sweetness that forms the glaze’s base.
- Apple butter (3 tablespoons): Adds concentrated apple flavor along with creamy texture for richness.
- Dark brown sugar (1 1/4 cup, divided): Brings deep molasses notes and helps caramelize the ham beautifully.
- Ground ginger (1 tablespoon): Infuses a warm, slightly spicy kick that complements the sweetness.
- Ground cloves (pinch): Offers subtle aromatic depth to balance the flavors.
- Ham (2.5 pounds): Your star protein—choose a quality pre-cooked ham for juiciness and tenderness.
- Apple juice or apple cider (2 cups): Keeps the ham moist and adds bright, fresh apple hints during baking.
- Apple slices (1 cup): Surround the ham with these to add natural fruitiness and a lovely presentation.
How to Make Apple Ginger Glazed Ham Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by warming up your oven to 325°F. This moderate heat ensures your ham cooks evenly, allowing the glaze to develop a rich, sticky coating without drying out the meat.
Step 2: Prepare the Glaze
In a small saucepan, combine apple jelly, apple butter, 1 cup of brown sugar, ground ginger, and a pinch of cloves. Gently heat this mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes until it thickens into a syrupy glaze measuring roughly 1 1/2 cups. This step is where the magic starts—the sugars meld with the spices, creating complex layers of flavor that will later coat the ham beautifully.
Step 3: Ready the Ham for Baking
Spray your baking dish with a bit of non-stick spray to prevent sticking. Score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern—this isn’t just for looks! It also allows the glaze to penetrate deeper, infusing each bite. Place the ham in the dish, pour the apple juice or cider around it to keep things juicy, and scatter your fresh apple slices around the ham. Cover and bake for 15 minutes to start warming everything through.
Step 4: Glaze and Continue Baking
Pull the ham out and lavish half of your prepared glaze over the top, ensuring full coverage. Cover it back up and bake for another 15 minutes. This lets the glaze begin to soak in, marrying the sweet and spicy notes with the ham’s savory richness. Then, baste the ham with pan juices for extra moisture and bake uncovered for 10 more minutes, helping the glaze set and deepen in flavor.
Step 5: Final Glaze and Sugar Crust
Now it’s time for the grand finale—pour a quarter of the glaze on the ham and press the remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar evenly over its surface. This ensures a caramelized, textured crust that brings irresistible sweetness and crunch.
Step 6: Caramelize the Sugar and Check Temperature
Bake until the sugar browns nicely and the internal temperature of the ham reaches 145°F. If you want that perfect caramelized finish, pop the ham briefly under the broiler for 2-3 minutes. Keep a close eye on it because the sugar can burn quickly, and we want that golden glaze, not a charred one.
Step 7: Slice and Serve
Once the ham has cooled slightly, slice it thick or thin—however you like! Serve it warm, drizzled with the remaining glaze. This finishing touch adds a burst of flavor with every bite, making this Apple Ginger Glazed Ham Recipe truly unforgettable.
How to Serve Apple Ginger Glazed Ham Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh apple slices or a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley make wonderful garnishes. They add vibrant color and a crisp, fresh contrast to the rich and sticky glazed ham, enhancing the dish’s overall appeal.
Side Dishes
This apple and ginger glazed ham pairs splendidly with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables, or a crisp green salad. The balance between sweet, spicy, savory, and fresh sides creates an inviting harmony on your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a stunning presentation, arrange apple slices in a fan shape around the ham or top the platter with seasonal herbs like rosemary or thyme. Serving with small ramekins of extra glaze invites guests to add an extra drizzle, making the meal interactive and fun.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Apple Ginger Glazed Ham keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Keeping the glaze on while storing helps maintain moisture and flavor for those delicious next-day sandwiches or salads.
Freezing
If you want to freeze leftovers, wrap the ham slices tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil or place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen ham will maintain its flavor for up to 2 months, ready to be thawed for a quick meal rescue.
Reheating
Warm ham slices gently in the oven at 275°F covered with foil to prevent drying out. You can also reheat in a skillet with a splash of apple juice to keep things moist. Reapply some of the leftover glaze if you want that fresh-out-of-the-oven shine and flavor boost.
FAQs
Can I use canned ham for this Apple Ginger Glazed Ham Recipe?
Yes, you can use a pre-cooked canned or spiral ham, which works well as the base for this recipe. Just follow the glazing and baking steps to infuse it with that lovely apple and ginger flavor.
Can I substitute apple juice with something else?
If you don’t have apple juice, apple cider is a wonderful alternative to keep the authentic flavor. For a twist, you might experiment with pear juice, but stay close to the apple profile for the best results.
Is ground ginger necessary in the glaze?
Absolutely! Ground ginger adds a warm, spicy note that balances the sweetness from the apple ingredients and brown sugar. Without it, the glaze might feel a little flat or overly sweet.
Can I make the glaze ahead of time?
Yes, the glaze can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the fridge. Just warm it gently before applying it to the ham for baking to get that perfect texture and flow.
How do I know when the ham is fully cooked?
Using a meat thermometer, ensure the ham reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. This confirms the ham is safe to eat while remaining juicy and tender.
Final Thoughts
Trying this Apple Ginger Glazed Ham Recipe is like wrapping yourself in a warm, flavorful hug. Its simple ingredients and straightforward steps yield a dish bursting with sweet, spicy, and savory goodness that’s perfect for gatherings or any special meal. Don’t hesitate to give it a go; it might just become your new favorite way to enjoy ham!
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Apple Ginger Glazed Ham Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Apple Ginger Glazed Ham is a flavorful and succulent dish perfect for holiday dinners or special occasions. The ham is coated with a sweet and tangy glaze made from apple jelly, apple butter, brown sugar, and warming spices such as ginger and cloves. Baked slowly with apple juice and fresh apple slices, the glaze caramelizes to create a delicious crust that complements the savory ham beautifully.
Ingredients
Glaze Ingredients
- 3/4 cup apple jelly
- 3 tablespoons apple butter
- 1 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar (divided)
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- Pinch ground cloves
Ham and Accompaniments
- 2.5 lb ham
- 2 cups apple juice or apple cider
- 1 cup apple slices
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) to prepare for baking the ham evenly.
- Prepare Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine apple jelly, apple butter, 1 cup of dark brown sugar, ground ginger, and a pinch of ground cloves. Heat over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the mixture reduces to approximately 1 1/2 cups and thickens into a syrupy glaze. Set this aside.
- Prep Ham and Baking Dish: Lightly spray your baking dish with non-stick spray. Score the surface of the ham with a sharp knife to allow the glaze to penetrate well. Place the ham in the baking dish and pour the apple juice or cider over it. Arrange the apple slices around the ham for added flavor and aroma. Cover the dish.
- Initial Baking: Bake the covered ham for 15 minutes to start warming and infusing flavors.
- Glaze and Continue Baking: Remove the ham from the oven and pour half of the prepared glaze evenly over the ham. Re-cover and bake for another 15 minutes. During this time, baste the ham with the pan juices to keep it moist and flavorful.
- Final Glazing and Baking: Remove the ham again, pour another quarter of the glaze over the top, and press the remaining 1/4 cup of brown sugar onto the ham’s surface. Return the ham to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the sugars to start caramelizing.
- Caramelize Sugar and Finish Cooking: Bake until the brown sugar caramelizes and the internal temperature of the ham reaches 145°F (63°C). If caramelization is slow, place the ham under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Remove the ham from the oven, slice it, and serve with the remaining glaze for a delicious finishing touch.
Notes
- Be careful when broiling to caramelize the sugar; it can burn quickly if left unattended.
- Using apple juice or apple cider adds a nice fruity aroma and helps keep the ham moist during baking.
- Scoring the ham allows the glaze to penetrate deeper, enhancing flavor.
- Cooking times may vary depending on the oven and ham thickness; using a meat thermometer ensures perfect doneness.
- Leftover glazed ham can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for longer storage.
