Rosemary Brown Sugar Glazed Spiral Ham
This Rosemary Brown Sugar Glazed Spiral Ham is so juicy with crispy edges from the brown sugar glaze. The perfect centerpiece for Easter or Christmas!
Servings: 20 servings
Calories: 35kcal
Ingredients
HAM
- 1 spiral ham (8-10 lbs)
- ½ orange , thinly sliced
- 4 garlic cloves , slivered
- 6 sprigs fresh rosemary and thyme , cut up
GLAZE
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 2 Tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon mild paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250°F.
- In a small bowl, combine the glaze ingredients and stir together well; set aside.
- Remove packaging and if your ham has a small plastic disk on the underside of the bone, remove and discard the disk.
- Place ham in a shallow roasting pan lined with foil (or a Silpat mat), cut side down.
- Between the slices all around the ham insert the thinly sliced orange, garlic clove slivers, and sprigs of fresh rosemary and/or thyme. Cover tightly with foil paper.
- Bake for 13-16 minutes per pound until ham reaches 140°F. The ham doesn't need any attention or checking until at least 1 ½ hours have passed.
- For the last 20 minutes of the cooking, uncover and spoon the glaze over the ham.
- Transfer to a platter using two large, wide spatulas. Remove the ham from the oven and rest at least 15 minutes before cutting. Spoon any glaze from the pan over the ham before serving if desired.
Notes
Variations and Substitutions
Try honey or maple syrup instead of brown sugar for a different sweetness. Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves for a warm flavor.
No balsamic vinegar? Use apple cider or white wine vinegar for similar tang.
For a vegetarian option, swap the ham for tofu, tempeh, or roasted vegetables and brush with the same glaze.
Use dried herbs if you don’t have fresh—just halve the amount.
Want spice? Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
Not a fan of oranges? Use pineapple or apricots, thinly sliced.
To make it gluten-free, use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce and thicken with cornstarch or arrowroot.
For a kid-friendly version, replace balsamic with ketchup and add a touch of brown sugar or honey.
Make the glaze ahead and refrigerate up to 3 days; reheat gently before brushing.
No roasting pan? Use a baking dish or oven-safe skillet.
For a thicker glaze, simmer longer or reduce the broth slightly.
Nutrition
Calories: 35kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Sodium: 19mg | Potassium: 30mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.1mg