Bourbon Glazed Ham Recipe

Smoked ham or crock pot spiral ham is a staple holiday recipe that we serve with many different sides. But since making this Bourbon Glazed Ham my family request it every Easter holiday. This recipe is sweet, rich and the perfect glaze on a traditional ham.

The combination of the smokey, salty ham pairs perfectly with this full of flavor bourbon glaze. The ham cooks up with a crispy texture and juicy on the inside.

Why We Love This Recipe

This ham is loaded with flavor. This ham is great to use for ham leftovers such as sandwiches, soups or casserole.

The Bourbon Ham Glaze is easy to make and the perfect holiday ham glaze. It is made up of bourbon, honey, Dijon mustard and salt and pepper. These combined ingredients are heated and then basted on the cooked ham.

Impress your family this holiday with delicious ham recipe.

Ingredients

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Recipe Variations

• Ham – You can follow this recipe using a spiral cut ham or a bone-in ham as well.
• Orange – To add a hint of orange flavor to the glaze feel free to add in orange zest. You can even just add in orange slices or orange juice to the glaze.
• Mustard – We love the addition to the Dijon Mustard but you can also add in ground mustard. It gives it a deep warm flavor.
• Brown Sugar – We like the sweetness of the glaze, but you can add in brown sugar or substitute it for the honey.

How to Make Bourbon Glazed Ham

• Step 1 – Heat Oven – Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.  
• Step 2 – Remove ham from package – Remove the ham from its package and pat it dry with paper towels.

Step 3 – Cut Ham – Score the ham by cutting into the rind of the ham in a diamond shaped pattern making sure that the cuts are approximately 1/4-1/2″ deep with a sharp knife.

Step 4 – Place ham on pan – Place the ham on a roasting pan and pour approximately ¼ cup of water all over the top of it. 

Step 5 – Cover with Foil – Loosely cover the ham with aluminum foil to keep it from drying out. Bake for 2 – 2 ½ hours until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 125 degrees F in the thickest part of the ham.

Step 6 – Make Glaze – While the ham is baking, place the honey, bourbon, dijon mustard, salt and pepper in a small saucepan.

• Step 7 – Simmer the Glaze – Simmer over medium heat, whisking the ingredients together and cook until the honey melts (5-6 minutes) to make the glaze.
• Step 8 – Increase Oven Temperature – Increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees F.  Remove the foil from the ham and brush the ham with approximately ⅓ of the basting mixture. 
• Step 9 – Continue Cooking – Cook the ham for an additional 20 minutes. Baste the ham 2 more times during this cooking time. Continue cooking until the ham reaches an interval temperature of 135 degrees F.  
• Step 10 – Allow Ham to rest – Remove the baked ham and let the ham rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before slicing. Then carefully move the ham to a large cutting board. Then carve the ham into large slices and enjoy.

Expert Tips

• Glaze – Make sure not to add the glaze to soon to the ham or the ham can burn. You want to add the glaze when there is about 20 minutes left on cooking time.
• Cover the Ham – While the ham is cooking, cover the ham with foil. This locks in the moisture and prevents the ham overcooking.
• Cooking Ham – Place the ham fat side up in the baking dish and cook the ham with water. This prevents the ham from drying out.

How to Make Bourbon Glazed for Ham

Bourbon glaze is what makes this ham so flavorful. This Bourbon Glaze is made with simple ingredients which include, honey, bourbon, and Dijon Mustard. These ingredients with salt and pepper are heated in a sauce pan until the honey is melted.

This glaze takes about 5 minutes to heat over medium heat but this extra step is just what this fully cook ham needs.

How to Cook in the Slow Cooker

We love making ham in the slow cooker, especially during the holidays. You can even make this Bourbon Glazed Ham in the slow cooker to free up oven space.

• Place ham in the slow cooker with water after cutting the ham in a diamond pattern on top.
• Slow cook the ham for about 3 hours on low.
• Once the ham has heated through to about 140 degrees then pour the glaze over the ham.
• You can easily combine the ingredients for the glaze in a small bowl and then pour over the ham.

What to Serve with Bourbon Glaze Ham?

• Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes – This recipe is a game changer and makes mashed potatoes so simple. No need for separate pans and boiling potatoes. This easy recipe does not require any boiling or draining.
• Broccoli and Cheese Casserole – Broccoli and Rice Casserole is a staple for our holiday dinners. We have tried many different ways to make this creamy casserole dish, and this one is our favorite.
• Easy Jalapeno Corn Casserole Recipe – The entire casserole is moist and really savory. I just know you will love it. We love serving this quick and easy casserole as a side dish.