Apricot Glazed Ham
This glazed ham is sweet, savory, and incredibly easy to prepare for any holiday celebration. The apricot glaze takes just minutes to prep with five simple ingredients, then the oven does all the work, so you can focus on the sides. The secret ingredient is minced ginger, which adds unexpected depth that has guests wondering what makes this ham so special.
The secret ingredient everyone asks about!
The apricot glaze for ham adds a great sweet and savory component to the smoked ham that’s SO delicious and has an extra ingredient…
The minced ginger isn’t overpowering, but will have people wondering what that “extra” flavor is. One bite and I think you’ll agree. The glaze brushes on in seconds, then you simply roast until bubbly hot and perfectly glazed.
I originally created this glazed ham recipe for Jones Dairy Farm and their Thanksgiving guide, (highly recommend grabbing it for holiday hosting!), and they were kind enough to let me share it here with you! It’s…
🍑 Sweet, savory, & super flavorful: It has the perfect balance of apricot sweetness with savory mustard and smoky ham.
5️⃣ Made with just 5 basic ingredients: You don’t need anything fancy for this holiday ham. You might already have everything you need for the glaze!
⚡ Takes just a few minutes to prep: Mix the glaze, brush it on, and let the oven do the rest of the work.
🎄 Great main dish for holidays: This is the perfect centerpiece for Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any celebration.
🍴 So many ways to use yummy leftovers: Transform leftover ham into sliders, fried rice, frittatas, and more.
📊 Easy to time perfectly: About 15 minutes per pound means you can plan your meal with confidence.
You’ll definitely want to make my ham and potatoes au gratin with any leftover ham!
Used this recipe for a church potluck! The ham looked great and there was nothing left by the end. Really liked the ginger twist for the apricot glaze. –David
Ingredient Notes
You’ll need a high-quality ham (hi, Jones Dairy Farm!), apricot preserves, Dijon mustard (or grainy brown mustard), brown sugar (honey or maple syrup also works), and minced ginger for that secret flavor boost.
Emily’s Tips & Tricks
- Pro tip: Score the fat in a diamond cross-hatch pattern before glazing. This allows the glaze to penetrate the meat, helps the fat render and crisp up, and prevents a chewy fat layer. Don’t skip this!
- Cooking methods: Add water or broth to the bottom of the baking dish and cover with foil for most of the cooking time to prevent the ham from drying out.
- Variations: Try orange marmalade instead of apricot preserves, add a splash of bourbon to the glaze for depth, or substitute honey for brown sugar.
Apricot Glazed Ham Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This glazed ham with apricot preserves is sweet, savory, and incredibly easy! A secret ingredient makes it unforgettable for any holiday meal.
Ingredients
-
2 lbs. Jones Dairy Farm No Sugar Added Half Ham (about 2 lbs)
-
1/4 cup apricot preserves
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1 Tbsp. dijon mustard
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1 Tbsp. brown sugar
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1 tsp. minced ginger
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- Place ham in a baking dish lined with foil, fat side up, and lightly score in a crosshatch pattern. Bake for 30 minutes.
- In a small bowl, stir together apricot preserves, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, and minced ginger.
- Spread apricot glaze over ham and bake for another 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 125 degrees F.
- Let rest for 5 minutes, slice, and serve.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftover glazed ham in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze in airtight containers for 2-3 months.
- Ingredient notes: Most hams sold in the US are fully cooked, but do need to be warmed through and are better after heating.
- Prep ahead: Mix the glaze up to 2 days ahead and store covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.
- Helpful tools: A shallow baking dish, an instant-read meat thermometer, and a sharp chef’s knife to easily slice.
- Serve with: Cheesy potato casserole, boursin mashed potatoes, honey-glazed carrots, haricots verts, sautéed asparagus, or a pear and gorgonzola salad for a complete holiday meal.
Serving Suggestions
All this ham needs is a few sides and you’ve got yourself a lovely holilday meal:
FAQs
Ham has an inherently salty and smoky flavor on its own, so adding a glaze helps to balance out those flavors with a sticky, sweet glaze. It tastes great on ham.
The general rule of thumb is to plan for about 1/3 pound of ham per person. Ham makes great leftovers (lots of ideas below), so don’t worry if you’ve got extras!
Ham Cooking Times
The time your ham takes to cook will vary based on size, but it takes about 15 minutes per pound. Most hams sold in the US are fully cooked, but do need to be warmed through and are better after heating.
Here’s a table to estimate how long it will take for you to cook your baked ham:
| Ham Weight | Ham Cooking Time |
| 5 pounds | 75 minutes (1 hour + 15 minutes) |
| 6 pounds | 90 minutes (1 hour + 30 minutes) |
| 7 pounds | 105 minutes (1 hour + 45 minutes) |
| 8 pounds | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| 9 pounds | 135 minutes (2 hours + 15 minutes) |
| 10 pounds | 150 minutes (2 hours + 30 minutes) |
| 11 pounds | 165 minutes (2 hours + 45 minutes) |
| 12 pounds | 180 minutes (3 hours) |
About the Author
Emily Dingmann is a recipe developer, nutrition expert, and founder of My Everyday Table. She specializes in creating easy, healthy recipes that help busy parents feed their families well every single day, without the stress. With a degree in Nutrition and over 20 years of experience, Emily shares family-friendly meals that are practical, nourishing, and full of flavor. Learn more about Emily’s approach to everyday cooking and nutrition here.
Food styling and photography by Loren Runion.
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Used this recipe for a church potluck! The ham looked great and there was nothing left by the end. Really liked the ginger twist for the apricot glaze.