Christmas Ham with Orange Pomegranate Glaze Recipe

Introduction

This Christmas ham is a festive centerpiece perfect for holiday gatherings. Its sweet and tangy glaze, infused with orange, honey, and cinnamon, adds a beautiful flavor that complements the tender spiral-sliced ham. Garnished with pomegranate seeds and fresh parsley, it’s as visually stunning as it is delicious.

Ingredients

• 1 bone-in spiral sliced ham (9-12 pounds)
• 2 cups orange juice
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 cup pomegranate seeds
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Step 2: Remove the ham from its packaging, discarding most of the liquid but saving about one cup.
3. Step 3: Place the ham cut side down in a large baking dish or roasting pan. Add the reserved liquid to the dish.
4. Step 4: In a large bowl or measuring cup, combine the orange juice, brown sugar, honey, and cinnamon.
5. Step 5: Pour half of this mixture evenly over the ham, reserving the other half for later.
6. Step 6: Bake the ham for 2 to 2 ½ hours, allowing about 20 minutes per pound.
7. Step 7: During the last hour of baking, prepare the glaze by pouring the reserved orange juice mixture into a large pot or deep pan.
8. Step 8: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to medium-low.
9. Step 9: Whisk constantly to prevent bubbling over, and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes until thickened.
10. Step 10: Remove the glaze from heat and let it cool slightly.
11. Step 11: When the ham is fully cooked, transfer it to a serving dish.
12. Step 12: Pour the thickened glaze all over the ham.
13. Step 13: Sprinkle the ham with orange zest, pomegranate seeds, and chopped parsley for a festive finish.
14. Step 14: Carve the ham and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh-squeezed orange juice for a brighter, more natural flavor in the glaze.
• Substitute pomegranate seeds with dried cranberries or fresh cherries if pomegranates aren’t available.
• For extra moisture, baste the ham with its pan juices every 30 minutes while baking.
• Add a splash of bourbon to the glaze for a subtle depth of flavor.

Storage

Store leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat slices gently in the oven or microwave, covering with foil or a damp paper towel to maintain moisture. The glaze can also be stored separately and reheated before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a boneless ham instead of bone-in?

Yes, you can use a boneless ham, but cooking times may be shorter since boneless hams tend to be smaller and denser. Check the package instructions and adjust baking time accordingly.

Can I prepare the glaze in advance?

Absolutely, the glaze can be made a day ahead and refrigerated. Warm it gently before glazing the ham to ensure it spreads evenly.

Christmas Ham with Orange Pomegranate Glaze Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 129 reviews

• Author: Isabella
• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x

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Description

This classic Christmas Ham recipe features a spiral sliced, bone-in ham glazed with a sweet and tangy mixture of orange juice, brown sugar, honey, and cinnamon. The ham is slow-roasted to perfection, then finished with a luscious homemade glaze and garnished with fresh orange zest, pomegranate seeds, and parsley for a festive touch. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this recipe ensures a juicy, flavorful centerpiece that’s both easy to prepare and visually stunning.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Ham

• 1 ham (spiral sliced bone-in, 9-12 pounds)

Glaze

• 2 cups orange juice
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1 cup honey
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Garnish

• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 cup pomegranate seeds
• 1 Tbsp parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163 degrees Celsius) to prepare for roasting the ham.
2. Prepare the ham: Remove the ham from its packaging, discarding most of the packing liquid but reserving about 1 cup for cooking.
3. Place the ham in the roasting pan: Position the ham cut side down in a large baking dish or roasting pan, and pour the reserved liquid into the dish to keep the ham moist.
4. Make the glaze mixture: In a large bowl or measuring cup, combine the orange juice, brown sugar, honey, and cinnamon, stirring until well blended.
5. Apply initial glaze: Pour half of the glaze mixture evenly over the ham, saving the other half for the finishing glaze.
6. Roast the ham: Place the ham in the oven and cook for 2 to 2 ½ hours, allowing approximately 20 minutes per pound, until fully heated through.
7. Prepare the glaze during the last hour: While the ham is roasting, pour the remaining glaze mixture into a large pot or deep pan for reduction.
8. Simmer the glaze: Heat the glaze over medium flame until it reaches a boil, then reduce to medium-low and whisk continuously to prevent boiling over.
9. Reduce to thick consistency: Allow the glaze to simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring often, until it thickens into a syrupy texture.
10. Cool the glaze: Remove the pot from heat and let the glaze cool slightly to thicken further and be ready for glazing.
11. Remove the ham from oven: Once cooked, carefully take the ham out of the oven and transfer it to a serving dish.
12. Glaze the ham: Pour the thickened glaze evenly all over the warm ham to coat it with a shiny, flavorful finish.
13. Add garnishes: Sprinkle the ham with fresh orange zest, pomegranate seeds, and chopped parsley for color, flavor, and festive appeal.
14. Carve and serve: Slice the ham and serve immediately for the best taste experience.

Notes

• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the ham is heated to an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C) for optimal safety and juiciness.
• If you prefer a thicker glaze, you can continue to simmer it longer, but watch carefully to prevent burning.
• Resting the ham for 10-15 minutes after roasting before glazing can help juices redistribute evenly.
• Pomegranate seeds add a nice burst of freshness and color but can be omitted if unavailable.
• Leftover ham pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Christmas ham, holiday ham recipe, glazed ham, spiral sliced ham, baked ham, festive ham, holiday main dish