Cranberry Glazed Ham
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This cranberry glazed ham is a bone-in smoked ham topped with a simple 3-ingredient glaze of cranberry sauce, brown sugar, and a splash of orange juice. It’s mostly hands off, and it makes a pretty main dish for your Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter dinner.
A ham is one of the easiest ways to feed a crowd. Since it’s already cooked, you’re really just heating it through and adding flavor. That leaves you free to work on the rest of the meal.
The glaze is what makes this one perfect for the holidays. It’s sweet with a little tang from the cranberries, and you probably already have everything you need in the pantry.
You don’t need to make a chutney or simmer a long list of spices. Just stir it together, brush it on, and let the oven do the rest.
Ingredients
- 1 (10-pound) bone-in precooked smoked ham
- 3 cups water
- 1 (14-ounce) can whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup orange juice
How To Make Cranberry Glazed Ham
Step 1: Get The Ham Ready
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Place the ham flat side down in a roasting pan.
Step 2: Score The Ham (Optional)
This step is optional, but it’s an easy way to add more flavor. Use a sharp knife to cut diagonal lines or a diamond pattern into the top and sides of the ham, about 1/8 inch deep.
This helps the glaze soak into the meat. If you’re using a spiral cut ham, you can skip this, since it’s already sliced.
Step 3: Bake The Ham
Add water to the bottom of the pan, about 1/2 inch deep. Then cover the pan tightly with foil. The water and foil help keep your ham from drying out.
Step 4: Make The Cranberry Glaze
While the ham bakes, add the cranberry sauce, brown sugar, and orange juice to a small saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring, just until the brown sugar dissolves. Then take it off the heat and let it cool.
Step 5: Glaze The Ham
During the last 30 minutes of baking, take the ham out of the oven and remove the foil. Brush half of the glaze over the ham. The whole berries can be a little chunky, so you may find it easier to spoon some on.
Step 6: Caramelize The Glaze
Increase your oven temperature to 400°F (204°C). Return the ham to the oven, uncovered, until the glaze caramelizes. A thermometer in the thickest part of the ham, away from the bone, should read 140°F (60°C).
Step 7: Rest And Serve
Take the ham out of the oven and let it rest. Then slice it and drizzle the remaining glaze over the slices before serving.
Substitutions
- Homemade cranberry sauce: Use about 1 1/2 cups of homemade cranberry sauce in place of the can.
- Other juices: Swap the orange juice for pineapple juice, cranberry juice, apple juice, or apple cider.
- Spiral cut ham: This makes serving easier. It may need less time, so check the package and use your thermometer.
- Boneless ham: This works too. Follow the package directions for time, since a boneless ham usually heats through faster.
Variations
- A little tang: Stir 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard into the glaze.
- A little spice: Add a pinch of ground cloves or cinnamon.
- More orange: Stir in a little orange zest if you’d like more orange flavor.
What To Serve With Cranberry Glazed Ham
This ham fits right in with all your favorite holiday sides.
- Easy mashed potatoes soak up the extra glaze.
- Garlic green beans add something quick and fresh to the plate.
- Homemade dinner rolls are great with dinner, and for leftover ham sandwiches the next day.
- Sausage stuffing makes it feel like a classic holiday dinner.
How To Store And Reheat Glazed Ham
In the fridge: Let the ham cool, then store it in a covered container for 3 to 5 days.
In the freezer: Wrap sliced ham well, or use a freezer-safe container, and freeze it for 1 to 2 months for the best quality. Thaw it in the fridge before reheating.
To reheat: Place the slices in a baking dish with a splash of water and cover with foil. Heat them at 325°F (163°C) until they reach 165°F (74°C).
What To Do With Leftover Ham
Use your leftovers in sandwiches, or make a batch of ham salad for easy lunches.
More Ham And Holiday Recipes
- Baked Ham With Brown Sugar Mustard Orange Glaze
- The Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes
- Easy Apple Dessert Recipes
FAQ’s
Cranberry Glazed Ham
Ingredients
- 1 (10-pound ) bone-in precooked smoked ham
- 3 cups water
Glaze
- 1 (14-ounce can) whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Place the ham flat side down in a roasting pan.
- Optional: Cut diagonal lines or a diamond pattern about 1/8 inch deep into the top and sides of the ham. This helps the glaze soak into the meat for more flavor.
- Add water to the bottom of the pan (about 1/2 inch deep) and cover tightly with foil.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes per pound, or according to package directions, until heated through.
- In a small saucepan, combine the cranberry sauce, brown sugar, and orange juice. Cook while stirring over low heat just until the brown sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and let cool.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, remove the ham from the oven and brush it with half of the glaze.
- Increase the oven temperature to 400°F (204°C) and return the ham to the oven, uncovered, until the glaze caramelizes and the ham reaches 140°F (60°C).
- Remove from the oven, let rest, then slice and drizzle with the remaining glaze before serving.
Notes
- Cooking times vary by brand. The USDA says 15-18 minutes per pound for a precooked, bone-in smoked ham, and Cook’s hams say 10-15 minutes per pound. Check your package and use a thermometer.
- If your ham has been repackaged rather than sold in its original USDA-inspected package, heat it to 165°F (74°C).
- Keeps in the fridge for 3 to 5 days, or in the freezer for 1 to 2 months.
Nutrition
These values are from a nutritional database and automatically calculated, and should only be used as an approximation.
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Kim Mills is a homeschooling mom of 6 and lives on an urban homestead in Ontario, Canada. Blogging at Homestead Acres she enjoys sharing tips to help you save money, grow and preserve your own food.
