Best Christmas Ham Recipe
My Christmas ham is all about big flavor with minimal effort. The secret lies in the flavorful caramelized glaze of brown sugar, pineapple, honey, and Dijon mustard that infuses the meat with tang and spice. Whether you serve this showstopper alongside roast turkey or as the main event your guests will be begging for seconds!
Brown Sugar: Adds a rich, molasses-like sweetness to the glaze, which is essential for the caramelized finish. Pineapple Juice: Brings a fruity tang that adds another layer of sweetness. Honey: Imparts a natural, smooth sweetness and helps in glazing the ham. If you need a substitute, maple syrup or agave nectar are excellent choices. Dijon Mustard: Adds a sharp touch of depth to the glaze. Ground Cloves: Offers a warm, aromatic quality. You can use ground allspice, ginger, or cinnamon as substitutes, though they will slightly change the flavor profile. Bone-in Ham: The star of the show! Bone-in ham promises a juicy, flavorful result. Pineapple Rings: They add a festive, fruity touch and layer of texture. Maraschino Cherries: These provide a pop of color and a sweet contrast.
Making a classic holiday ham is easy peasy! With simple steps and standard kitchen equipment, you’ll be able to present a stunning and flavorful centerpiece! To begin, combine the brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, Dijon mustard, and ground cloves in a small saucepan. Then bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes or until the sugar dissolves. Now, place your ham in a roasting pan and pour half of the glaze over the ham. It’s important that the glaze covers the ham thoroughly. First, cover the glazed ham with a sheet of aluminum foil. Then bake the ham at 325°F (165°C) for an hour and a half or until it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C). Next, remove the ham from the oven and turn the temperature up to 425°F (220°C). Then place the pineapple rings on the ham and secure them with toothpicks. Now, place a maraschino cherry in the middle of each pineapple ring and secure it with a toothpick. Finally, drizzle the remaining glaze over the pineapple rings and cherries. Now, return the ham to the preheated oven and bake it uncovered for another 15 to 20 minutes or until the glaze is caramelized and bubbly. When done, remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing and serving. It needs this time so that the juices can redistribute and keep the meat juicy. Then serve your Christmas ham with all your favorite side dishes like potatoes romanoff and green bean almondine.
Storage
Once the Christmas ham has cooled, wrap it securely in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the ham in airtight containers or freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months and thaw it in the refrigerator. To reheat, place the ham in a baking dish, cover it with foil to prevent drying out, and warm it in a preheated oven at 275°F (135°C) until it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C). This ensures that the ham remains moist and delicious.
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