Create an unforgettable holiday feast with this succulent honey-glazed ham, enhanced with warm spices and surrounded by buttery sweet potatoes. This show-stopping centerpiece combines the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors that will have your guests asking for seconds!
Ingredients for Honey-Glazed Holiday Ham with Sweet Potatoes
- 64oz Bone-in Ham
- 7oz Dark Brown Sugar
- 8 tbsp Honey
- 3 tbsp Dijon Mustard
- 1 tbsp Ground Cinnamon
- 0.5 tbsp Ground Cloves
- 32oz Sweet Potatoes
- 4 tbsp Butter
- 1 tbsp Salt
- 0.5 tbsp Black Pepper
Instructions for Honey-Glazed Holiday Ham with Sweet Potatoes
- Preheat oven to 165°C/325°F
- Place ham in a roasting pan
- Mix 5.3oz dark brown sugar, 6 tbsp honey, and 3 tbsp Dijon mustard in a bowl
- Add 1 tbsp cinnamon and 0.5 tbsp ground cloves to the mixture
- Brush half of the glaze mixture over the ham
- Peel and cut 32oz sweet potatoes into 2.5cm/1-inch chunks
- Arrange sweet potatoes around the ham
- Add 4 tbsp butter in small pieces over the potatoes
- Season potatoes with 1 tbsp salt and 0.5 tbsp pepper
- Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour
- Remove foil, brush with remaining glaze mixture (made with 1.7oz brown sugar and 2 tbsp honey)
- Bake uncovered for additional 30 minutes, basting every 10 minutes with pan juices
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving
The Perfect Honey-Glazed Holiday Ham: A Festive Feast for Your Table
Nothing says holiday celebration quite like a beautifully glazed ham taking center stage at your dinner table. This Honey-Glazed Holiday Ham with Sweet Potatoes is my absolute pride and joy when it comes to festive cooking. The combination of dark brown sugar, honey, and warm spices creates a glossy, caramelized exterior that will have your guests swooning before they even take their first bite.
What makes this recipe truly special is its thoughtful balance of flavors. The natural saltiness of the ham (64 oz/1800g) perfectly complements the sweet and sticky glaze, while the addition of Dijon mustard adds just enough tang to keep things interesting. The sweet potatoes aren't just a side dish – they're an integral part of the recipe, roasting in the ham's flavorful drippings and becoming tender, buttery, and absolutely irresistible.
With just 20 minutes of prep time and 2 hours of cooking, this recipe proves that creating a show-stopping holiday centerpiece doesn't have to be complicated. It's the kind of dish that fills your home with the most wonderful aroma, making everyone eagerly anticipate dinner time.
Expert Tips for the Best Honey-Glazed Ham
After years of perfecting this holiday ham recipe, I've gathered some game-changing tips that will help you achieve ham perfection:
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Temperature Matters: Always let your ham come to room temperature for about an hour before cooking. This ensures even cooking and helps the glaze adhere better.
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Scoring Success: If your ham came unscored, create a diamond pattern by cutting 1/4-inch deep lines across the fat cap. This allows the glaze to penetrate deeper and creates those gorgeous caramelized edges.
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Glaze Gradually: Don't be tempted to use all the glaze at once! Layering it throughout the cooking process (as specified in the recipe) allows for better caramelization and prevents burning.
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Sweet Potato Strategy: Try to cut your sweet potatoes into uniformly sized chunks (1-inch/2.5cm pieces) so they cook evenly. Position them in a single layer around the ham for best results.
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Basting is Believing: Those last 30 minutes of basting every 10 minutes might seem fussy, but it's crucial for developing that picture-perfect glaze. Set a timer – trust me, it's worth it!
Serving Your Holiday Ham in Style
This Honey-Glazed Holiday Ham with Sweet Potatoes serves 4 generously, making it perfect for a small holiday gathering or a family Sunday dinner with leftovers (and trust me, you'll want those leftovers!). When it comes to presentation, I love to transfer everything to a large, rustic platter, with the ham as the centerpiece surrounded by the golden-brown sweet potatoes.
Before serving, let the ham rest for those crucial 10 minutes – this helps keep all those flavorful juices locked in. For an extra touch of flair, I like to garnish with fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary, and sometimes even some orange slices for a pop of color.
Consider serving with some crusty rolls to soak up the amazing sauce, and perhaps a crisp green salad to balance out the meal. Don't forget to keep some extra glaze warm on the side – there's always someone who wants more of that delicious sweetness!
My Holiday Ham Journey: A Christmas Eve Tradition
I'll never forget the first time I attempted this Honey-Glazed Holiday Ham recipe. It was Christmas Eve 2015, and I had volunteered to host our family gathering for the first time. My mother had always been the holiday ham expert, and I was determined to create something that would make her proud.
I was nervous about getting everything right – the glaze consistency, the timing, the sweet potato cooking. As the ham began to caramelize and fill the house with its sweet, spicy aroma, my confidence grew. When my mother walked in and immediately commented on how wonderful it smelled, I knew I was on the right track.
The moment of truth came when we sliced into that gorgeous, glazed ham. The meat was perfectly tender, the sweet potatoes were buttery and soft, and the glaze had created this incredible sticky, spiced crust that everyone fought over. My mother actually asked for the recipe – a moment I'll treasure forever!
Since then, this ham has become my signature holiday dish. I've tweaked it over the years, perfecting the spice blend and the glaze-to-ham ratio, but the heart of the recipe remains the same. It's more than just a main course – it's a tradition that brings our family together, creating memories around the dinner table year after year.
Smart Substitutions for Your Holiday Ham
Let me share some tried-and-true substitutions for this honey-glazed holiday ham that I've discovered over my years in the kitchen. For the glaze, if you're out of dark brown sugar, light brown sugar works just fine - though you'll miss a bit of that deep molasses flavor. No honey? Maple syrup makes an excellent alternative and adds a wonderful woodsy note to the ham. For a more tropical twist, pineapple juice or even apple juice can step in, though you might want to reduce it slightly to concentrate the flavors.
If Dijon mustard isn't your thing, whole grain mustard offers a lovely texture, or regular yellow mustard can work in a pinch - just use about half the amount as it's typically stronger. The warm spices are flexible too; nutmeg can replace cloves, and allspice makes a great substitute for cinnamon, using the same measurements.
For the sweet potatoes, butternut squash or regular potatoes are solid alternatives. If using regular potatoes, I recommend Yukon Golds for their buttery flavor and creamy texture. You could even mix in some carrots or parsnips for variety.
When it comes to butter, olive oil can work as a dairy-free option, though you'll miss out on that rich, buttery flavor. For a different but delicious twist, try duck fat - it adds an incredible richness that complements the ham beautifully.
Essential Nutrition Facts about This Holiday Ham
Let's break down what you're getting in each serving of this festive feast. Each portion (serving 4) contains approximately 820 calories, making it a hearty main course that's perfect for special occasions. The protein content is impressive at 65 grams per serving, thanks to that beautiful ham, which helps keep you satisfied and provides essential nutrients for muscle maintenance.
The fat content comes in at 35 grams per serving, which includes both the natural fats from the ham and the added butter for the sweet potatoes. The carbohydrate content is 58 grams, with 42 grams coming from sugars - primarily from the honey-brown sugar glaze and the natural sugars in the sweet potatoes.
This dish is particularly rich in several important nutrients. The ham provides significant amounts of selenium, zinc, and various B vitamins, particularly thiamin, riboflavin, and B12. The sweet potatoes are nutritional powerhouses, offering high levels of beta-carotene (which your body converts to vitamin A), vitamin C, and potassium.
Important Allergy Information for Your Holiday Ham
When serving this honey-glazed holiday ham, it's important to be aware of several potential allergens. The most obvious one is dairy, present in the butter used for the sweet potatoes. For guests with dairy allergies, you can easily substitute with olive oil or a dairy-free butter alternative.
While ham itself isn't typically an allergen, some people may be sensitive to pork products. Additionally, some hams may contain traces of gluten due to processing methods - always check the label if serving to someone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
The honey in the glaze could be problematic for those with bee-related allergies, though this is relatively rare. Mustard, another key ingredient in our glaze, is recognized as a major allergen in some countries, particularly Canada and the European Union.
The spices (cinnamon and cloves) rarely cause allergic reactions, but some people might have sensitivities to them. Be sure to inform your guests about all ingredients used, especially if you're aware of any dietary restrictions.
Best Storage Methods for Your Honey-Glazed Ham
Let me share my expert tips for storing this delicious honey-glazed ham to maintain its flavor and safety. Once cooled, leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking. Place the ham and sweet potatoes in separate airtight containers - this prevents the potatoes from becoming too soggy from the ham's juices.
When properly stored in the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, the ham will keep for 3-5 days. The sweet potatoes will stay good for about the same duration. For longer storage, you can freeze portions of the ham for up to 2 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, or place it in a freezer-safe container. However, I don't recommend freezing the sweet potatoes as their texture can become grainy.
To reheat, place the ham in a 325°F (165°C) oven, covered with foil, until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Add a splash of chicken broth or water to maintain moisture. The sweet potatoes can be reheated in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holiday Ham
Can I use a spiral-cut ham for this recipe? Absolutely! A spiral-cut ham works beautifully and makes serving even easier. Just be careful not to overbake it as these hams can dry out more quickly.
How do I know when the ham is fully heated through? Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part (avoiding bone) - it should reach 140°F (60°C) since most hams are pre-cooked.
Why do you cover the ham with foil for the first hour? This helps prevent the glaze from burning and keeps the ham moist while it heats through. The uncovered final cooking time allows for beautiful caramelization.
Can I prepare this the day before? While it's best served fresh, you can prepare the glaze mixture a day ahead. Store it covered in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before using.
What if my ham is larger or smaller than specified? Adjust cooking time accordingly - generally allow about 18-20 minutes per pound (400g) at 325°F (165°C).
The Perfect Holiday Ham: Final Thoughts
After years of preparing holiday meals, I can confidently say this honey-glazed holiday ham with sweet potatoes is a foolproof crowd-pleaser. The combination of sweet, savory, and warming spices creates a harmony of flavors that's simply irresistible. What I particularly love about this recipe is its versatility - it's perfect for Christmas, Easter, or any special gathering where you want to impress without spending the entire day in the kitchen.
The key to success lies in the balanced glaze and the careful basting process, which ensures a beautifully caramelized exterior while maintaining a juicy interior. The sweet potatoes aren't just a side dish - they become infused with the ham's flavors while cooking, making them an integral part of the meal.
Remember, the best results come from not rushing the process. Those two hours of cooking time allow the flavors to develop fully and the meat to heat evenly. Whether you're preparing this for a holiday feast or a special Sunday dinner, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results that will have your guests thinking you spent days in the kitchen instead of just a few hours.
