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This recipe for Christmas Ham with a Maple-Mustard Glaze is a guaranteed showstopper! It's moist, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make, even for a novice cook like myself (I've had my fair share of kitchen disasters!). It's perfect for your Christmas dinner, or honestly, any special occasion where you want to impress your family and friends with a truly unforgettable ham.
The star of this recipe is the maple-mustard glaze – sweet, tangy, and utterly addictive. It perfectly complements the savory flavor of the ham, creating a magical balance of tastes. I love to use a good quality Dijon mustard, but feel free to experiment with other mustards if you wish. The process itself is incredibly simple, requiring minimal ingredients and even less effort. Trust me, even if you're not a big fan of cooking (I get it!), you can absolutely pull this off.
Required Equipments
- Large roasting pan
- Meat thermometer
- Basting brush
- Small saucepan
Christmas-Ham-with-a-Maple-Mustard-Glaze
This Christmas Ham with Maple-Mustard Glaze recipe is a delicious, crowd-pleasing dish that's surprisingly easy to make. The sweet and savory glaze perfectly complements the tender ham, creating a truly unforgettable holiday meal.
⏳ Yield & Time
Yield: 8-10 servings
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 90 minutes
Total Time:
🍽 Ingredients
📖 Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Place the ham in your large roasting pan. Add about 1 cup of water or ham stock to the bottom of the pan; this helps keep the ham moist during cooking. Don't skip this step!
- Score the ham's fat cap (if it has one) in a crosshatch pattern. This allows for better flavor penetration and even cooking. Be careful though, don't cut too deep!
- In a small saucepan, combine the maple syrup, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, and ground cloves. Whisk everything together until smooth. Taste it – it should be delicious!
- Brush about a third of the maple-mustard glaze over the ham's surface. Reserve the remaining glaze for later basting.
- Roast the ham uncovered for approximately 15 minutes per pound, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 145°F (63°C). If the glaze starts to get too dark, tent the ham loosely with foil.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, baste the ham with the remaining glaze every 10 minutes. Make sure to get it all over to ensure a beautifully even finish!
- Once the ham reaches 145°F (63°C), remove it from the oven. Let the ham rest for at least 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving. This is crucial—don’t skip this step! The juices redistribute during this rest period.
- Slice and serve! You can garnish with fresh parsley or cranberries for a festive touch. Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy!
📝 Notes
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the glaze.
- Adjust cooking time based on the weight of your ham. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Don't forget to let the ham rest! This step is important for tenderness and juiciness.
- Leftover ham is great in sandwiches or salads the next day!
🍎 Nutrition
Calories: 400kcal
Protein: 30g
Fat: 30g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 2g
Calcium: 100mg
