This cider glazed ham is a wonderful centerpiece for a holiday meal or special family dinner. The ham bakes on a bed of apples, keeping it moist, while it gets coated in a deeply flavorful glaze made from reduced apple cider, bourbon, mustard, and spices.
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With only 15 minutes of hands-on prep time, the oven does most of the work. The result is a tender, juicy ham with a sweet and savory finish that tastes as good as it looks.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Roasting the ham on a bed of fresh apples infuses it with subtle fruit flavor and adds moisture, preventing the meat from drying out
- Reducing the apple cider and bourbon on the stovetop concentrates their flavors, creating a rich, complex base for the glaze
- Applying the glaze during the last 30 minutes of cooking allows it to thicken and caramelize on the ham’s surface without burning
Essential Ingredients
- Ham: A pre-cooked, smoked ham is ideal for this recipe. You can use bone-in for more flavor or boneless for easier carving. Spiral-cut hams work well as the glaze seeps between the slices.
- Apple Cider: Look for cloudy, unfiltered apple cider, not sparkling hard cider or clear apple juice. The unfiltered cider has a more robust flavor.
- Bourbon: This adds a nice depth and warmth to the glaze. If you prefer to cook without alcohol, you can replace it with an equal amount of apple cider.
- Honey: Maple syrup is an excellent substitute for honey and pairs very well with the other flavors.
- Apples: Choose a firm variety that holds its shape during cooking, such as Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Gala, or Granny Smith.
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Let’s Make it together
Prepare the Ham and Pan: First, get your oven preheating to 325°F (165°C). While it heats, slice your apples and arrange them on the bottom of a foil-lined roasting pan. This apple layer acts as a natural rack. Place the ham on top and pour one cup of cider around it.
Begin Roasting: Place the pan in the preheated oven and let the ham bake for an hour and a half. This initial baking period heats the ham through and lets it absorb moisture from the cider and apples.
Make the Cider Glaze: While the ham is in the oven, you can make the glaze. Combine the rest of the cider and the bourbon in a saucepan. Simmer it until the liquid reduces by about a third. Then, whisk in the mustard, honey, and spices to complete the glaze.
Glaze and Finish Baking: After 90 minutes, brush the ham all over with the prepared glaze. Return it to the oven and continue baking for 30 more minutes. Brush on more glaze every 10 minutes until the ham is nicely coated and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
Rest and Serve: Let the finished ham rest on a cutting board for at least 15 minutes. This is a key step for a juicy result. Slice the ham and serve it warm, with any leftover glaze on the side.
You Must Know
- For food safety, the USDA recommends cooking whole cuts of pork like ham to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) and allowing it to rest for at least 3 minutes
- Using a pre-cooked, spiral-cut ham makes carving and serving very simple
- The glaze can get into all the slices
- If your ham comes with a glaze packet, you can discard it and use this homemade version instead
- The roasted apples from the bottom of the pan are delicious and can be served as a side dish with the ham
Serving Ideas
This ham is a great main course for a celebration. Serve it with classic sides like mashed potatoes, roasted green beans, or dinner rolls.
Storing & Reheating
Store leftover ham tightly wrapped or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. You can also freeze sliced ham for up to 2 months. Reheat slices gently in a skillet or in the oven at a low temperature until warmed through.
FAQ
What kind of ham is best for this recipe?
A fully cooked, bone-in or boneless smoked ham works best. A spiral-cut ham is a convenient option because it’s already sliced, which allows the glaze to coat every piece.
Can I make the glaze ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the glaze up to 3 days in advance. Let it cool completely and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You may need to warm it gently to loosen it before brushing it on the ham.
Can I make cider glazed ham in a slow cooker?
Yes. Place the apples and ham in a large slow cooker and pour 1 cup of cider over it. Cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours. Make the glaze as directed, then brush it over the ham during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
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📖 Recipe Card
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Cider Glazed Ham
- Total Time: 135 minutes
- Yield: 1 (8-10 lb) ham 1x
Description
A juicy baked ham with a sweet and tangy glaze made from apple cider, bourbon, and warm spices.
Ingredients
- 1 (8 to 10-pound / 3.5 to 4.5 kg) pre-cooked bone-in ham, whole or spiral-cut
- 3 large, firm apples (like Honeycrisp or Braeburn), cored and cut into thick slices
- 4 cups (1 L) apple cider, divided
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) bourbon
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a large roasting pan with heavy-duty foil for easier cleanup.
- Arrange the apple slices in a single layer on the bottom of the prepared pan. Place the ham, cut-side down, on top of the apples.
- Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of the apple cider into the bottom of the pan around the ham. This will create steam and keep the ham moist.
- Bake the ham for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- While the ham bakes, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, combine the remaining 3 cups (720 ml) of apple cider and the bourbon. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer. Cook until the liquid has reduced by about one-third, which should take 15-20 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the Dijon mustard, honey, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg until smooth.
- After the initial 90 minutes of baking, remove the ham from the oven. Brush it generously all over with the cider glaze.
- Return the ham to the oven and continue to bake, brushing with more glaze every 10 minutes, for another 30 minutes. The ham is ready when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part (not touching bone) reads 145°F (63°C).
- Carefully transfer the ham to a cutting board and let it rest for at least 15-20 minutes before slicing. Gently warm any remaining glaze and serve it alongside the ham.
Notes
- For food safety, the USDA recommends cooking whole cuts of pork like ham to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) and allowing it to rest for at least 3 minutes.
- Using a pre-cooked, spiral-cut ham makes carving and serving very simple. The glaze can get into all the slices.
- If your ham comes with a glaze packet, you can discard it and use this homemade version instead.
- The roasted apples from the bottom of the pan are delicious and can be served as a side dish with the ham.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 120 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
