Apple Butter Honey Glazed Ham combines the savory richness of a bone-in ham with a sweet, fruity, and slightly tangy glaze. This recipe is not only incredibly tasty but also quite easy to prepare, making it a fantastic choice for holiday feasts like your Christmas menu or for special gatherings! And, it’s perfect for all of your leftover ham recipes! For another easy, but flavorful ham, try my Brown Sugar Glazed Ham, too!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Ham: For this recipe, I went with a ham that still has the bone in it, and it’s not sliced in a spiral. That means you’ll need to slice it yourself. If you use a spiral ham, be sure to adjust the cooking time to avoid overcooking. You could also choose a boneless ham, but again, you might need to change the cooking time.
Apple Butter: Apple Butter is a delicious apple-flavored spread that is wonderful on bread or used as a condiment. And, of course, delicious in this glaze. Look for it with the jams and jellies in your local grocery store. Or, make homemade apple butter to use.
Honey: Honey adds a natural sweetness to the glaze. It also gives the glaze a little stickiness and a lovely sheen.
Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar not only adds more sweetness but is crucial in creating a caramelized exterior.
Mustard: Dijon mustard introduces a touch of tanginess and a mild heat that cuts through the sweetness of the other ingredients. You could substitute yellow mustard, but it has a milder flavor and will change the overall flavor profile.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar provides a specific flavor to the glaze. But, you could substitute white wine vinegar or distilled white vinegar.
What To Serve With Apple Butter Glazed Ham
There are several different side dishes that pair well with this ham. Here are just a few ideas you could try:
- Mashed Potatoes (I also have skins-on mashed potatoes or cauliflower mashed.)
- Green Beans
- Macaroni and Cheese
- Scalloped Potatoes
- Creamed Spinach
- Dinner Rolls or Biscuits
- Cranberry Sauce
- Air Fryer Carrots
Can I Make The Glaze Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can make the apple butter honey glaze in advance to use when are ready to cook the ham. Once the glaze has been prepared, first, let it cool. Then, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last for up to a week. When ready to use the glaze, give it a stir or gently reheat it before pouring it over the ham.
How To Store Apple Butter Honey Glazed Ham
To store leftover apple butter honey-glazed ham to use in a variety of recipes, first, let it cool to room temperature. Then, you can store it in the refrigerator or freezer.
To Refrigerate: If not already sliced, consider slicing or portioning the ham for easier use and storage. Store it in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
To Freeze: If you are not going to use leftover ham within a few days, freeze it for up to 1-2 months in the freezer! Once the cooked ham has cooled to room temperature, portion it and store it in freezer-safe containers. Label and date the packaging. Follow the safe thawing instructions when ready to enjoy the ham.
Thawing Frozen Ham
When ready to use, practice these safe guidelines for thawing frozen ham. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there are three ways you can safely defrost (thaw) frozen ham:
In The Refrigerator: The best way to thaw or defrost frozen ham is to let it thaw slowly in the refrigerator (4-6 hours per pound).
In Cold Water: A more tedious way would be to thaw ham in cold water. Keep the ham in a plastic bag that is airtight. Submerge the ham in the water, changing out the water every 30 minutes or so. If thawing with cold water, use the ham immediately after it has thawed.
Microwave: If defrosting the frozen ham in the microwave, you also must use it immediately after it has thawed.
Apple Butter Honey Glazed Ham
Ingredients
- 1 whole (8-9 pounds) ham, bone-in
- 1 cup (240 g) apple butter
- ½ cup (170 g) honey
- ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup (60 g) apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F.
- Place the ham on a cutting board. With a sharp knife, score the top of the ham. Begin by making a shallow cut (about ¼ to ½-inch deep) in the fat or skin of the ham. To do this, position your knife where you want to start the cut and gently press down while pulling the knife towards you. The cut should be about 1-2 inches long. Continue making cuts in the fat, spacing them about 1 to 2 inches apart. The cuts should form a diagonal or crisscross pattern, creating a diamond or checkerboard pattern on the ham's surface.
- Place the scored ham in a roasting pan with the scored portion facing up.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the apple butter, honey, brown sugar, mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar is dissolved.
- Pour the glaze on top of the ham. Tent the ham loosely with aluminum foil.
- Roast for 2 hours, carefully basting with the juices in the pan every 30 minutes.
- Remove the roasted ham from the oven. (The internal temperature of the ham should read 145°F.) Let the ham rest for about 15 minutes before slicing.
- Enjoy!
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
Can the apple butter honey basted ham be done in a slow cooker?