Maple Bourbon Pecan Glazed Ham makes an elegant centerpiece for Easter, Christmas, or any special celebration. The ham stays moist and smoky inside while the outside is glazed and caramelized with maple, bourbon, brown sugar and a touch of pecan crunch.
This baked ham is straightforward to prepare and impressive to serve. Start with a pre-smoked, spiral-sliced ham for easiest results: it remains tender and juicy while the glaze adds balanced sweetness and texture. The glaze combines maple syrup (or honey), bourbon, brown sugar, butter and chopped pecans, cooked briefly until glossy. The ham is heated gently, then the glaze is poured over and the ham finishes baking so the flavors meld and the exterior caramelizes.
Table of Contents
- Glaze Ingredients
- How to Make It
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What Can You Serve With Glazed Ham?
- Maple Glazed Ham Recipe
Glaze Ingredients
- Maple syrup or honey
- Bourbon
- Brown sugar
- Butter (salted preferred)
- Pecan halves, chopped
Equipment Needed
- Roasting pan (a 9×13 works well)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Small saucepan
- Rubber spatula or spoon
- Aluminum foil
How to Make It
How Do You Bake a Ham?
Most hams sold at grocery stores are fully cooked and smoked; check the package to confirm. A pre-cooked ham only needs to be heated through to 140–145°F. A raw (uncooked) ham must reach 160°F. To prevent drying, cover the ham with foil while it heats, using a shallow roasting pan. Remove the foil near the end, pour the glaze over the ham and finish baking so it caramelizes.
How Long Does a Ham Take to Cook?
Use the guideline of about 15 minutes per pound for a pre-cooked, spiral-sliced ham. For example, an 8-pound ham will need roughly two hours at a low temperature to warm through and allow the glaze to penetrate during the final stage.
How Much Ham Do You Need Per Person?
Plan on a little less than one pound per person when serving a bone-in, pre-sliced ham, allowing extra for seconds and leftovers. An 8–10 pound ham typically feeds 9–10 people.
Frequently Asked Questions
A pre-cooked, spiral or smoked ham typically requires about 15 minutes per pound to heat through.
Allow just under a pound per person for a bone-in pre-sliced ham; an 8–10 pound ham usually serves 9–10 people.
Pre-cooked hams should be heated to 140–145°F; raw hams must reach 160°F.
Storage / Shelf Life / Reheating
Once cooled, store leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to seven days. You can also freeze sliced ham; removing meat from the bone before freezing makes later use easier. Freeze the bone separately to add to soups or beans for extra flavor.
Leftover ham is versatile—use it in breakfasts, sandwiches, soups or casseroles. To reheat slices, bake at 275°F for 10–15 minutes until warmed through.
Helpful Tips
- Cover the ham while heating so it stays moist; uncover for the final baking after glazing so the glaze caramelizes.
- Buy a slightly larger ham than you expect to need if you want leftovers—ham is great to repurpose.
What Can You Serve With Glazed Ham?
Choose sides that complement sweet and savory flavors. Popular pairings include garlic mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, roasted or lemon-garlic asparagus, roasted broccoli, sautéed green beans, or a classic green bean casserole.
Have You Tried This Recipe?
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Maple Glazed Ham
Ingredients
- 1 spiral sliced smoked ham (7–10 pounds)
- 3 tablespoons bourbon
- 2 cups pecan halves, chopped
- 2 cups maple syrup (or honey)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 5 tablespoons butter (salted preferred)
Instructions
Bake the Ham
- Preheat the oven to 275°F.
- Remove ham from packaging and place flat side down in a shallow roasting pan. Cover tightly with foil.
- Bake for about 1½ hours (roughly 15 minutes per pound as a guide) until the ham is heated through.
Prepare the Glaze (when about 15 minutes remain)
- In a small saucepan over medium heat combine butter, brown sugar, maple syrup (or honey), bourbon and chopped pecans.
- Bring to a gentle boil, stirring frequently so the sugars don’t burn, and let boil 2–3 minutes.
- Reduce heat and simmer 6–8 minutes until the glaze is slightly thickened, then remove from heat.
Pour Glaze over the Ham & Finish Baking
- Remove the ham from the oven and discard the foil.
- Pour the warm glaze evenly over the ham.
- Return the ham to the oven uncovered for an additional 30 minutes so the glaze sets and the exterior caramelizes. The ham is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F for pre-cooked hams.
- Remove from oven and let rest 5–10 minutes before slicing.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
You can swap maple syrup for honey depending on the flavor profile you prefer; both work well. If you plan to freeze leftovers, remove meat from the bone first and freeze the bone separately to use for soups or beans.
How to Store Leftover Ham
Store cooled ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 7 days or freeze for longer storage. Leftovers are excellent in breakfasts, sandwiches, soups, casseroles, or beans.
Glazed Ham Tips
- Cover the ham while it heats to retain moisture, then uncover for the final glaze stage so it caramelizes.
- Choose a ham size that leaves you comfortable with leftovers—ham is very versatile.
Special Equipment Needed
- a roasting pan
- a mixing bowl
- measuring spoons and cups
Nutrition
Calories: 740kcal
Carbohydrates: 49 g
Protein: 62 g
Fat: 33 g
Nutrition information is approximate and should be used as a guide.