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Balsamic Brown Sugar Glaze for Ham

This easy Balsamic Brown Sugar Glaze for Ham is a bold, flavorful, sweet finish for a holiday ham. Try it today!

A bone-in ham that has been cut in a diamond pattern and cooked with a rich brown glaze sits on a cutting board. A bowl of cut veggies is in the background along with an amber-colored glass.

Is there anything better than gathering around the table with loved ones to celebrate something? From holidays to birthdays to promotions, the joy that comes with being together is an uplifting treat. And now, after the past nearly two years, I appreciate it more than ever.

How about you?

When it comes to holidays, everyone has their own traditions. Thanksgiving is the day to roast a turkey for many, but for others, it’s a time for roast chicken or even ham. Likewise, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Easter and other holidays have foods that families make.

A bone-in ham has been sliced thinly and sits on a cutting board. An amber-colored glass sits in the background.

If you are looking to change it up this year — or seeking a way to make a traditional dish for the first time — this Balsamic Brown Sugar Glaze for Ham is a great option. It transforms the most inexpensive, basic ham into something memorable and delicious.

The family will beg you to make it again.

And, hey! You probably won’t mind either. It’s a simple way to dress up a main dish.

How to make and use this glaze

Making this Balsamic Brown Sugar Glaze for Ham is easy — you simply heat the ingredients together in a pan. Bring it to a boil and cook it for a few more minutes. This will ensure that the sugar dissolves and the glaze gets a little syrupy.

When it’s done, remove it from the heat. You can make this a little (like 30 minutes) in advance of using it.

In terms of the ham, you will want to score it by cutting lines in one direction and then another. This will ensure the glaze really gets in there and flavors the meat.

When there are 30 minutes left to heat the ham, you’ll brush the glaze all over, taking care to get it into the scores of the ham. If you have more, you can pour it over the ham.

It’s going to seem like too much glaze. Don’t worry. It should be loose and liquidity and seem like a lot. You’re going to use it to baste the ham, ensuring a deep and bold flavor throughout.

As the ham heats for that last 30 minutes, baste it every 5 to 10 minutes, again ensuring that it gets into those scores. You want this to really permeate the meat, rendering it sweet and rich.

Of course, having that much glaze means that it will harden in places. That’s why lining your baking sheet with foil is essential — it will ensure an easy, stress-free cleanup.

It’s worth it.

A bone-in ham that has been cut in a diamond pattern and cooked with a rich brown glaze sits on a cutting board. A bowl of cut veggies is in the background along with an amber-colored glass.

Then, when it’s done, slice it thinly.

What to do with leftover Balsamic Brown Sugar Ham

Leftovers from this dish are prime for enjoying in other ways such as:

  • Breakfast sandwiches
  • Quiche
  • Grilled cheese and ham sandwiches
  • Salads
  • Lunch sandwiches
  • Pastas
  • On baked potatoes
  • Casseroles
  • Crostini
Balsamic Brown Sugar Glaze for Ham

Balsamic Brown Sugar Glaze for Ham

Yield: enough for an 8-10 lb ham
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

This easy Brown Sugar Balsamic Glaze for Ham is a bold, flavorful, sweet finish for a holiday ham. Try it today!

Ingredients

  • 1 fully cooked ham (I use this for an approximately 8-pound bone-in ham)
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon grainy mustard

Instructions

  1. Score the ham. Begin heating as directed.
  2. Make the glaze: Combine the brown sugar, balsamic vinegar and mustard in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, bringing to a boil and stirring. Cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
  3. When the ham is 30 minutes from being finished, brush the glaze all over, getting in the crevices. Pour excess glaze over the ham. It will seem like a lot. Don’t worry. 
  4. Return to the oven and cook, basting every 5-10 minutes, for a total of 30 minutes. 
  5. Slice thinly and enjoy.

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