Honey Glazed Spiral Ham with Orange and Spice Recipe

I’m so excited to share this Honey Glazed Spiral Ham with Orange and Spice Recipe with you—it’s become a staple in my holiday and special occasion cooking. There’s just something magical about the combination of that sweet honey glaze enriched with warm spices and vibrant orange that makes each slice feel like a celebration. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just want a comforting, flavorful main dish, this recipe hits all the right notes every single time.

What I love most is how the spiral ham stays wonderfully juicy thanks to the glaze soaking in, blending the citrus and spices in perfect harmony. Plus, it’s fuss-free since your ham is already cooked—you’re just jazzing it up for that show-stopping finish. Seriously, this Honey Glazed Spiral Ham with Orange and Spice Recipe is worth trying not only for holidays but for any meal where you want to impress with minimal stress.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient here plays a special part to balance sweetness, spice, and citrus tang—making sure the glaze complements but never overpowers the ham. When you shop, fresh oranges and quality honey really shine through in this recipe.

• Bone-in spiral ham: Choose a fully cooked ham, around 8 pounds is ideal for glazing and serving a crowd.
• Orange slices: Fresh slices for roasting add bright citrus aroma and also look pretty on the ham.
• Orange juice: Use fresh if you can—it adds that zesty tang that cuts through the sweetness.
• Dark brown sugar: Provides deep molasses flavor essential for caramelization in the glaze.
• Honey: I prefer raw or wildflower honey for a richer, floral note in the glaze.
• Orange marmalade: Adds texture and boosts citrus flavor with a bit of bitterness that balances sweetness.
• Dijon mustard: A tangy touch that rounds out the glaze’s sweetness.
• Ground cinnamon: Warm and fragrant, cinnamon is key to that cozy spice feeling.
• Nutmeg: Just a pinch enhances the warmth without overpowering.
• Bayou City Lemon Pepper: This unique spice blend adds a subtle citrusy heat; if you don’t have it, regular lemon pepper works too.
• Cloves: Powerful spice, so I go light to avoid bitterness but it adds great depth.
• Salt: Essential for balancing all the sweetness and drawing out flavor.

Variations

I love encouraging you to make this Honey Glazed Spiral Ham with Orange and Spice Recipe your own. Over time, I’ve tweaked the spices and even swapped out ingredients based on the season or what’s in my pantry.

• Spice swap: One year, I added a dash of allspice and loved the extra depth it gave the glaze—try it if you want to experiment with warming spices.
• Vegan-friendly glaze: I once made a version using maple syrup instead of honey that worked wonderfully for vegan guests, just skip the ham and brush over roasted tofu or seitan slices.
• Fresh herbs: Adding finely chopped fresh rosemary or thyme into the glaze creates a lovely herbal contrast to the sweetness.
• More citrus: Sometimes I swap orange juice partially with pineapple juice for a tropical twist.

How to Make Honey Glazed Spiral Ham with Orange and Spice Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Ham and Make Your Glaze

First things first, preheat your oven to 325°F. While that’s warming up, unwrap your spiral ham and place it in a large roasting pan, flat side down, then tuck those fresh orange slices nicely between the spirals and laid on top—this infuses that zesty aroma right into the meat. Now for the glaze: whisk together brown sugar, honey, orange marmalade, Dijon mustard, orange juice, and all your spices—cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon pepper, cloves, and salt. This concoction is the flavor bomb you’ll baste over the ham, so mix it well until it’s smooth and fragrant. Make sure you give it a good stir since the sugar tends to settle.

Step 2: Bake and Glaze in Sessions for Perfect Caramelization

Load the ham into the oven uncovered and bake for about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on size. Every 20-30 minutes, spoon a generous amount of that luscious glaze on top, letting it seep into the grooves. This slow and steady glazing is my secret to get that sticky, beautifully caramelized surface without drying out the ham. Keep an eye near the end so the sugars don’t burn—if you spot any browning too fast, loosely tent with foil. When the internal temperature hits 140°F, you know it’s ready to come out and rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

How to Serve Honey Glazed Spiral Ham with Orange and Spice Recipe

Garnishes

I love garnishing the finished ham with some fresh orange zest and a bit of freshly chopped parsley—it adds a vibrant pop of color against that golden glaze. Sometimes I’ll even add a few whole cloves studded into the orange slices for a rustic, spiced touch, plus it smells fantastic! These little extras make it feel like a dish you really put care into.

Side Dishes

For sides, I go classic: creamy mashed potatoes, roasted green beans with garlic, and maybe a crisp autumn salad for freshness. But honestly, this honey glazed ham is so flavorful it pairs well with almost anything—think sweet potato casserole or even a tangy coleslaw if you want a contrast. I usually round out the meal with some crusty bread to soak up all those glaze juices.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite shows is carving the spiral ham right at the table, letting guests take warm slices fresh from the roast, surrounded by a platter of Citrus orange slices and fresh herbs. For special occasions, I’ve even arranged the ham on a wooden board with little bowls of the glaze for dipping—adds a fun interactive vibe. Think about layering the ham slices on a bed of fresh greens or edible flowers if you want that extra wow factor at your gathering.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always store leftover ham tightly wrapped in foil or an airtight container in the fridge—this keeps it moist and flavorful for up to 4 days. It’s great for quick sandwiches, salads, or even breakfast hashes. Just be sure to cool it properly before sealing to avoid any sogginess.

Freezing

If you want to freeze leftovers, slice the ham first and lay pieces flat on a baking sheet to flash freeze for an hour before transferring to freezer-safe bags. This prevents clumping and makes it easy to grab exactly what you need later. Based on my experience, frozen ham keeps well for 2-3 months without losing too much quality.

Reheating

Reheating is simple: wrap the slices in foil and warm gently in a 275°F oven for 10-15 minutes. I like adding a splash of orange juice or a bit of broth inside the foil packet to keep it juicy. Microwave works too in a pinch, but low power and short bursts prevent drying out.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Honey Glazed Spiral Ham with Orange and Spice Recipe has truly earned a cherished spot in my kitchen repertoire. It’s one of those recipes that always draws compliments without demanding hours of prep or fancy ingredients. I hope when you try it, you find the same joy I do—in simple, heartfelt food that feels like a warm hug. Go ahead, put this on your next celebration menu and watch it bring smiles all around the table.

Honey Glazed Spiral Ham with Orange and Spice Recipe

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This Honey Glazed Ham recipe features a fully cooked bone-in spiral ham coated with a sweet and flavorful orange honey glaze made from dark brown sugar, honey, orange marmalade, Dijon mustard, and aromatic spices. The orange slices and juice add a fresh citrusy brightness that perfectly complements the savory ham, making it an ideal centerpiece for holiday dinners or special occasions.

• Author: Mary
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 12–16 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Ham and Citrus

• 1 fully cooked bone-in spiral ham (8 lbs)
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 cup orange juice

Orange Honey Glaze

• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 cup honey
• 1/2 cup orange marmalade
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp Bayou City Lemon Pepper
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 325°F (163°C) to prepare for baking the ham evenly and ensuring the glaze caramelizes beautifully.
2. Prepare the Ham: Remove the ham from its packaging and place it flat side down on a large roasting pan. Add the orange slices around and on top of the ham to infuse a fresh citrus aroma.
3. Mix the Glaze: In a medium saucepan, combine the dark brown sugar, honey, orange marmalade, Dijon mustard, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, Bayou City Lemon Pepper, cloves, salt, and orange juice. Stir well over medium heat until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Glaze the Ham: Using a brush or spoon, generously coat the entire ham with the prepared orange honey glaze, making sure to get into the crevices of the spiral slices.
5. Bake the Ham: Cover the ham loosely with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 1.5 to 2 hours, basting with additional glaze every 20-30 minutes. This will keep the ham moist and allow the flavors to meld.
6. Finish and Caramelize: Remove the foil during the last 15 minutes of baking to let the glaze caramelize and develop a glossy, golden crust. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
7. Rest the Ham: Once baked, remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This helps the juices redistribute, ensuring every slice is juicy and flavorful.
8. Serve: Carve the ham along the spiral cuts and serve warm, garnished with the roasted orange slices around the platter for an attractive presentation.

Notes

• The ham is fully cooked, so the goal is to heat it through while glazing and caramelizing for maximum flavor.
• Adjust the sweetness of the glaze by varying the amount of honey or brown sugar to your taste.
• If you don’t have Bayou City Lemon Pepper, substitute with regular lemon pepper seasoning.
• Use a roasting pan with a rack to prevent the ham from sitting in its juices and becoming soggy.
• Make sure to baste regularly to keep the ham moist and flavorful.

Keywords: Honey Glazed Ham, Spiral Ham, Holiday Ham, Orange Honey Glaze, Baked Ham, Glazed Ham