After perfecting our World’s Best Brown Sugar Ham, we knew we had to deliver another outstanding option for your holiday table. Get ready to experience the incredible flavor and effortless preparation of our Garlic Honey Mustard Ham. This recipe is designed to be remarkably delicious yet simple, making it a standout choice for any festive gathering, especially for your memorable Easter feast.
The Quest for the Ultimate Ham Glaze: Our Culinary Journey
You might think developing a ham recipe is straightforward, but our journey to perfect this Garlic Honey Mustard Ham was quite the adventure! We believe in testing recipes exactly as you would make them at home. This commitment to authenticity often means buying a whole, large spiral ham multiple times, as smaller versions aren’t always available for testing. Imagine the culinary challenge of preparing huge hams repeatedly, ensuring each iteration brought us closer to a foolproof result for our readers. Our rigorous process guarantees you a recipe that delivers consistently amazing results every time, eliminating guesswork from your kitchen.
Through this extensive testing, we’ve mastered the art of creating a juicy, tender ham enveloped in a glaze that’s both sweet and savory, with just the right kick of aromatic garlic and tangy mustard. We specifically chose a spiral-cut ham for this recipe due to its convenience and superior ability to absorb the glaze’s flavors between each slice. And when it comes to leftovers, we’re seasoned pros! Our Food Saver became our best friend, allowing us to perfectly freeze portions of ham to enjoy later, proving just how versatile and delicious ham can be even days or weeks after the initial feast.
Beyond the Holiday Feast: Creative Leftover Ham Recipes
One of the greatest joys of making a delicious holiday ham is the promise of flavorful leftovers. A well-cooked ham offers incredible versatility, transforming into a variety of delightful meals long after the main event. Here are some of our favorite ways to repurpose that succulent ham, ensuring no delicious bite goes to waste:
- Cheesy Ham and Potato Bacon Casserole: A hearty and comforting dish, perfect for a family dinner. The savory ham, creamy potatoes, and crispy bacon create an irresistible combination that’s pure comfort food.
- Hearty Ham Hock Soup: Warm and soul-satisfying, this soup transforms ham hocks into a rich, flavorful broth, packed with vegetables and tender ham pieces. It’s a fantastic way to use up the ham bone and any scraps.
- Quick Ham and Cheese Sliders: These irresistible miniature sandwiches are always a crowd-pleaser. Layers of ham and cheese baked on soft rolls with a savory poppy seed topping make them perfect for appetizers, game day, or a light meal.
- Easy Ham and Cheese Scones: One of our recent favorites! These savory scones are wonderfully flaky and moist, bursting with the delightful combination of ham and cheese – ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a sophisticated snack.
- Classic Ham Sandwiches and Wraps: Elevate a simple sandwich with your gourmet ham. Add some fresh greens, a slice of sharp cheddar, and a dollop of our honey mustard dipping sauce for an easy, flavorful lunch.
- Savory Ham and Veggie Frittata: A quick, healthy, and customizable way to use leftover ham for breakfast or brunch. Combine diced ham with your favorite vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, and eggs for a protein-packed meal.
- Best Ham Fried Rice: Transform your ham into an Asian-inspired delight. Fried rice is incredibly versatile and a fantastic way to utilize leftover ham alongside day-old rice and fresh, colorful vegetables.
- Creamy Ham and Pasta Dishes: Toss diced ham with pasta, a rich cream sauce, and perhaps some peas or asparagus for a comforting and quick weeknight dinner.
We understand that even the most delicious ham can eventually lead to “ham fatigue” – especially when you’re taste-testing huge quantities like we do! Our kids, despite being food bloggers’ children, are no strangers to picky eating. They definitely reached their limit after weeks of ham, and we totally respected their need for a break! But with these creative recipes, enjoying ham multiple times a week becomes a culinary adventure, not a chore.
Making Memories: Engaging Young Chefs in the Kitchen
Even with a busy to-do list, finding engaging ways to involve the kids in cooking has become an essential and cherished part of our family kitchen. Our youngest, now two, is incredibly observant and eager to participate in everything we do. He has a keen eye for every detail and can spot a chocolate chip being secretly eaten from across the room, which often makes for highly entertaining photography sessions!
For this Garlic Honey Mustard Ham recipe, we found the perfect task for him: “softly painting” the luscious glaze onto the ham. This gentle activity kept him thoroughly engaged and entertained for most of the photos. While some shots might not have been perfectly lit (thanks to a tiny shadow or an enthusiastically waving arm in the frame!), it allowed us to get the job done efficiently. More importantly, it created a wonderful bonding experience and instilled a sense of pride in his contribution to our family meal. The joy of cooking together and making those precious memories is always worth it, embracing the delightful imperfections and all.
Mastering the Art of Serving Your Holiday Ham
While a whole ham makes for a truly stunning centerpiece, the secret to a consistently enjoyable and elegant holiday meal lies in how you serve it. Just like a perfectly roasted Thanksgiving turkey, it’s generally best to carve your Easter ham in the kitchen before presenting it to your guests. This approach ensures a smoother, more graceful serving experience for everyone, allowing your guests to focus on enjoying the meal rather than navigating carving tools.
Once you’ve expertly carved the ham off the center bone, quickly return the tender slices to the roasting pan, ensuring they mingle with any accumulated pan juices. This crucial step helps keep the meat moist and flavorful. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and place it in a warm oven (ideally around 150-170°F or 65-75°C) while you finalize your other delicious side dishes. This method effectively keeps the ham incredibly moist and at the perfect serving temperature, preventing it from drying out as it sits on the table. When everything else is ready, simply retrieve the warm, juicy Garlic Honey Mustard Ham and serve it with pride, delighting your family and friends with every succulent slice!
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Garlic Honey Mustard Ham
Choosing the right side dishes can elevate your ham dinner from good to truly unforgettable. We often find ourselves looking for fresh, exciting accompaniments that go beyond the usual suspects, offering complementary flavors and textures. Here are some of our top recommendations for what to serve alongside your flavorful Garlic Honey Mustard Ham:
- Irresistible Ham Dipping Sauces: Don’t underestimate the power of a good dipping sauce! Our Pina Colada Ham Dipping Sauce offers a unique, fruity twist that surprises and delights, while our BEST Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce perfectly complements the glaze’s flavors, adding an extra layer of deliciousness and depth.
- Crisp Broccoli Salad: For a fresh and vibrant contrast to the rich, savory ham, our Broccoli Salad is an absolute must-try. Its crisp texture, colorful ingredients, and tangy-sweet dressing provide a refreshing balance that brightens your plate and palate.
- Texas Roadhouse Loaded Sweet Potato: Indulge in a delightful sweet and savory side with this comforting copycat recipe. The fluffy baked sweet potato, lavishly loaded with butter, brown sugar, and toasted marshmallows, offers a delightful and indulgent counterpoint to the ham’s savory notes.
- Fluffy Homemade Rolls: You can never go wrong with warm, freshly baked bread. Our FLUFFY Homemade Rolls are incredibly soft and perfect for soaking up any delicious ham juices, or for crafting delightful mini ham sandwiches with leftover slices.
- Classic Funeral Potatoes: A beloved Utah classic, these creamy, cheesy potato casserole are the epitome of comforting side dishes. Their rich, satisfying flavor and comforting texture make them an ideal and traditional companion for holiday ham.
- Roasted Asparagus or Green Beans: For a simple, elegant, and healthy green vegetable option, toss fresh asparagus spears or green beans with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast until tender-crisp. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice after roasting brightens the flavors beautifully.
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Gravy: A timeless and universally loved favorite, velvety mashed potatoes provide a comforting and absorbent base that pairs beautifully with any glazed ham, especially when drizzled with pan drippings or gravy.
- Homemade Apple or Pear Sauce: The subtle sweetness and slight tartness of a homemade apple or pear sauce can beautifully cut through the richness of the ham, adding a refreshing fruity element to your meal.
Slicing and Storing Your Delectable Spiral Ham
Proper slicing is key to both the elegant presentation and the maximum enjoyment of your spiral ham. While we have a dedicated post that goes into extensive detail on how to carve a spiral ham, here are the essential tips to keep in mind for this Garlic Honey Mustard Ham. The main goal is to ensure each slice is easy to serve and stays incredibly moist.
Spiral hams are conveniently pre-sliced around the bone, which inherently makes carving much simpler. However, the open cuts mean that sliced ham can cool and dry out quickly if not handled properly. To prevent this, once you’ve expertly separated the ham slices from the bone, immediately place the meat back into the roasting pan with its flavorful juices. Cover it securely with aluminum foil. While your other side dishes are being brought to the table, keep the ham in a warm oven (as suggested above, around 150-170°F or 65-75°C). This crucial method helps the ham retain its temperature and precious moisture, ensuring every bite is as succulent and delicious as the first. For any truly delectable leftovers, store the carved ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. For longer storage, freeze individual or family-sized portions in your trusty Food Saver bags for up to 3 months, ensuring you can enjoy that holiday flavor anytime.
More Irresistible Ham Recipes You Will Love:
- World’s Best Brown Sugar Ham
- Honey Baked Ham
- Ham Dipping Sauces
- Secret to the Best Ham Fried Rice
- Spring Ham and Asparagus Lemon Cream Sauce
- Cheesy Ham and Potato Bacon Casserole
- Ham Lemon Orzo with Parmesan and Peas
- Ham and Cheese Sliders
- Hawaiian Ham and Pineapple Casserole
- Ham and Cheese Breakfast Stromboli
- Hash Browns Ham Frittata
- Ham Hock Soup
- Easy Ham and Cheese Scones
- Ham and Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese
- How to Make Ham in a Slow Cooker
- How to Carve a Spiral Ham
- All our BEST PORK RECIPES here!
Garlic Honey Mustard Ham Recipe
Garlic Honey Mustard Ham
By Sweet Basil
Cook Time: 1 hr 30 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 35 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted Butter
- 4 Tablespoons Honey
- 3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
- 5 Cloves minced Garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard
- 2 Tablespoon Stone Ground Mustard
- 10 Pound Spiral Ham
- Ham Dipping Sauces (for serving, optional)
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (160°C).
- In a glass measuring cup or small microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Once melted, add the honey, brown sugar, minced garlic, salt, Dijon mustard, and stone-ground mustard. Whisk all the ingredients together until the mixture is completely smooth and well combined.
- Place the spiral ham in a large roasting pan. Pour about 3/4 of the prepared glaze generously over the ham. Using a basting brush, ensure the glaze is spread evenly, working it into the layers of the spiral ham for maximum flavor penetration.
- Bake the ham in the preheated oven for 90 minutes (1 hour and 30 minutes) at 325 degrees Fahrenheit (160°C). This allows the glaze to caramelize beautifully and the ham to heat through thoroughly.
- After 90 minutes, carefully remove the ham from the oven. Take the remaining glaze and spread it over the entire surface of the ham, giving it a final boost of flavor and a glistening, appetizing finish before serving.
Recipe Notes
Leftovers of this delicious Garlic Honey Mustard Ham can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. It’s fantastic cold in sandwiches, perfect for quick salads, or reheated gently for another satisfying meal.
Nutrition (Approximation per 2 slices)
Serving: 2 slices, Calories: 601 kcal, Carbohydrates: 14g, Protein: 84g, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 252mg, Sodium: 3853mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 13g
We truly hope this Garlic Honey Mustard Ham becomes a cherished part of your family’s holiday traditions. Its undeniable ease of preparation, incredible depth of flavor, and exceptional versatility for delicious leftovers make it a true centerpiece winner for any celebration.
Like this recipe? We’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below and share your thoughts and experiences. Your feedback means the world to us and helps other home cooks discover this fantastic recipe.