This Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham is a tasty way to make your holiday dinner shine! The ham is juicy, and the glaze is sweet, tangy, and full of cranberries and orange. A little maple syrup makes it even sweeter! The glaze gets sticky and shiny in the oven, making this ham look as good as it tastes.
If you love ham for the holidays, you should also try my Brown Sugar Glazed Ham! Both are great choices for your holiday table. Add this ham to your Thanksgiving Menu or Christmas Menu for a meal worth gathering around!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Ham: Use an 8- to 9-pound, fully cooked, bone-in ham that is not spiral-sliced. The bone helps add flavor, and an unsliced ham helps keep the meat juicy while it bakes. Pour water into the bottom of the roasting pan to help keep the ham moist as it warms.
- Cranberries: Fresh or frozen cranberries both work well. No need to thaw frozen cranberries first!
- Orange juice: Adds a bright, citrus flavor to the glaze. Use 100% orange juice for the best flavor.
- Light brown sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the glaze become sticky and glossy. Dark brown sugar would also work, with a deeper molasses flavor.
- Pure maple syrup: Adds sweetness and a hint of maple flavor. Use pure maple syrup rather than pancake syrup for the best results.
- Orange zest: Adds extra orange flavor to the glaze. Zest the orange before juicing it, and avoid the bitter white part of the peel.
- Kosher salt: A little salt balances the sweetness of the glaze. Since ham can be salty already, you don’t need much.
- Optional garnish: Fresh cranberries, orange slices, and fresh rosemary make the ham look festive on the serving platter. They are optional, so leave them off if you prefer.
Tips for the Best Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham
- Use a meat thermometer. This helps you warm the ham without drying it out. Check the temperature in the thickest part of the meat, away from the bone.
- Score the fat, not the meat. Shallow cuts in a diamond pattern help the glaze cling to the surface without cutting too deeply into the ham.
- Make the glaze ahead. You can prepare the cranberry orange glaze in advance and refrigerate it until you’re ready to use it. Warm it gently so it’s easy to brush onto the ham.
- Watch the glaze closely. The brown sugar and maple syrup can burn at 425°F, so keep an eye on the ham during the final minutes.
- Save some glaze for serving. Set aside a little before brushing the ham so you can serve extra at the table.
FAQs
Can I use a spiral-cut ham?
Yes! You can use a spiral-cut ham, but it may dry out more easily because it is already sliced. This recipe is written for a whole, fully cooked ham that isn’t spiral-sliced, so cooking times may vary. Keep the ham covered with foil while warming, and follow the heating directions on the package. Add the cranberry orange glaze toward the end of cooking, brushing it gently over the ham and between some of the slices if you can. Watch it closely under the higher oven temperature so the glaze doesn’t burn.
Can I use frozen cranberries?
Yes! Frozen cranberries work just as well as fresh cranberries in this glaze. You do not need to thaw them first. They may take a little longer to break down in the saucepan.
Can I make the cranberry orange glaze ahead of time?
Yes! Make the glaze up to 3 days ahead and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to use it, warm it gently in a saucepan until it’s easy to brush onto the ham. If it has thickened too much, stir in a little orange juice.
How do I know when the ham is done?
Since the ham is already fully cooked, you’re reheating it rather than cooking it from raw. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature in the thickest part of the meat without touching the bone. Follow the package directions; USDA guidance generally recommends reheating a fully cooked ham packaged in a USDA-inspected plant to 140°F. Repackaged or leftover ham should reach 165°F.
Can I use orange juice from concentrate?
Yes! Prepared orange juice from concentrate will work. Use it as directed on the package, and measure ¾ cup for the glaze.
Can I make the glaze smoother?
Yes! After the cranberries have burst and the glaze has thickened, use an immersion blender to make it smoother. You can also leave some cranberry pieces in the glaze for a little texture.
How To Store Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham
Refrigerate: Let the ham cool, then store leftover slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Store any extra cranberry orange glaze separately in an airtight container.
Reheat: Place the ham in an oven-safe dish with a splash of water or broth. Cover with foil and warm in a 325°F oven until heated through. Reheat leftover ham to 165°F. Warm the reserved glaze separately and brush it over the ham before serving.
Freeze: Wrap leftover ham tightly in plastic wrap or foil, then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months for the best quality. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Freeze the glaze: You can also freeze leftover cranberry orange glaze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator and warm it gently in a saucepan before serving.
Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham
Ingredients
Ham
- 1 bone-in (8 to 9 pounds) fully cooked ham, not spiral-sliced
- ½ cup water
Cranberry Orange Glaze
- 2 cups (200 g) fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup (8 ounces) orange juice
- ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup (79 g) pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Optional Garnish
- Fresh cranberries
- Orange slices
- Fresh rosemary
Instructions
Prepare the Ham
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Place the ham on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, score the surface of the fat in a diamond pattern, cutting about ¼ inch deep. Avoid cutting deeply into the meat.
- Place the ham cut-side down in a roasting pan. Pour the water into the bottom of the pan.
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for about 1 ½ hours, or until the ham is warmed through and reaches an internal temperature of 120 to 125°F.
Make the Cranberry Orange Glaze
- While the ham bakes, combine the cranberries, orange juice, brown sugar, maple syrup, orange zest, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens.
- Gently press the cranberries against the side of the pan with the back of a spoon to help them break down.
- Remove from the heat. For a smoother glaze, carefully blend with an immersion blender until mostly smooth. The glaze should be easy to brush onto the ham. It will thicken a little more as it cools.
Glaze the Ham
- Remove the ham from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 425°F.
- Carefully remove the foil. If there is a large amount of liquid in the bottom of the pan, carefully pour off most of it, leaving a small amount.
- Set aside some of the cranberry orange glaze to serve with the ham (optional). Brush about one-third of the remaining glaze over the ham.
- Return the ham to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove the ham and brush with another layer of glaze. Bake for another 10 minutes.
- Brush with the remaining glaze and bake for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the glaze is glossy and caramelized and the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F. Watch closely to prevent the sugars from burning.
Rest and Serve
- Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
- Transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with fresh cranberries, orange slices, and rosemary, if desired.
- Serve the reserved cranberry orange glaze alongside the ham.
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
What To Serve With Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham
Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham goes well with so many holiday sides! Here are a few ideas to help you plan your meal.
- Mashed Potatoes: Both my country mashed potatoes and skin-on mashed potatoes are always great choices with ham, but try Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes for ease or Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes for pure deliciousness!
- Stuffing: A savory stuffing, like my sausage stuffing or wild rice stuffing, balances the sweet cranberry orange glaze. Try the Slow Cooker Stuffing version to make your day easier!
- Roasted Carrots: A simple vegetable side that fits right in at the holiday table. If your oven is already full, try my Air Fryer Carrots instead!
- Easy Dinner Rolls: Perfect for serving alongside the ham and soaking up any extra glaze.
