Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham: An Irresistibly Easy Recipe for Your Holiday Table
Looking for a show-stopping baked ham recipe that combines elegance with effortless preparation? This Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham is truly exceptional! It promises a wonderfully moist and flavorful centerpiece, all thanks to a simple, homemade cranberry-orange glaze that adds a perfect balance of sweet and tangy notes.
Whether you’re planning for a grand Christmas dinner, a joyous Easter feast, or any other special gathering throughout the year, this Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham is guaranteed to be the star of the show. If the idea of baking a whole ham feels daunting, don’t let it intimidate you! This recipe is incredibly straightforward and an ideal starting point for beginners, promising impressive results with minimal stress.
We absolutely adore serving ham for various occasions, and it’s a dish that brings comfort and joy to our family table. Beyond this cranberry-orange delight, some other family favorites include a Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Ham, which is fantastic for freeing up valuable oven space. For those who enjoy a savory twist, our Mustard Herb Ham, brushed with a fragrant blend of herbs, garlic, mustard, and honey, is another excellent choice. But for a truly festive and vibrant flavor profile, the Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham stands out!
Why This Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham Will Be Your Go-To Recipe
This isn’t just another ham recipe; it’s a recipe designed for success, ease, and incredible flavor. Here’s why it’s bound to become a staple in your culinary repertoire:
- Effortlessly Simple: With minimal hands-on time, this recipe allows you to focus on other aspects of your meal or simply enjoy your guests.
- Fantastic Leftovers: A baked ham yields wonderful leftovers, perfect for sandwiches, soups, casseroles, and more, extending the joy of your meal.
- Feeds a Crowd: Ham is an economical and delicious way to serve a large number of people, making it perfect for holiday gatherings.
- Beginner-Friendly: This is a very forgiving recipe, making it a low-risk option even for those new to baking ham.
- Visually Stunning: The vibrant cranberry-orange glaze creates a beautiful, glossy finish that makes for an absolutely gorgeous presentation on your table.
- Unforgettable Flavor: The combination of sweet honey, tart cranberries, bright orange, and warm spices creates a uniquely delicious glaze that elevates the natural flavors of the ham.
Choosing the Perfect Ham: A Buyer’s Guide
Navigating the various types of ham at the grocery store can be a bit confusing. You’ll encounter options like bone-in, boneless, spiral-cut, and unsliced. So, how do you choose the best ham for this Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham recipe?
Bone-in vs. Boneless Ham
For the ultimate flavor and juiciness, I always recommend buying a bone-in ham. The bone helps to insulate the meat during cooking, preventing it from drying out and imparting a richer, deeper flavor. Many boneless hams, while convenient, have been reshaped and can sometimes have a less desirable texture compared to their bone-in counterparts. Plus, the ham bone is a fantastic base for future soups and stocks!
Spiral-Cut vs. Unsliced Ham
Spiral-cut hams are bone-in hams that have been expertly pre-sliced in a continuous spiral around the bone. The main advantage of a spiral-cut ham is convenience; most of the carving is already done for you, and the pre-cut grooves allow the delicious glaze to seep deep into the meat, ensuring every slice is coated in flavor. This is particularly great for beginners or when you want to minimize carving time.
If you opt for an unsliced (whole) ham but love the idea of the glaze penetrating the meat, you can easily score the outside of the ham yourself before baking. Simply use a sharp knife to cut a diamond pattern about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep all over the surface. This not only helps the glaze adhere and penetrate but also creates a beautiful presentation.
Fully Cooked vs. Uncooked Ham
Most hams available in stores today are “city hams,” which means they have been cured and pre-smoked, arriving to you fully cooked. This recipe assumes you are starting with a fully cooked ham, which primarily requires reheating. If you happen to purchase an uncooked or “fresh” ham, the cooking times and internal temperature requirements will differ significantly (see “How to Bake a Ham” section below).
How Much Ham Should You Buy?
Planning the right amount of ham ensures you have enough for everyone, plus those coveted leftovers. For a bone-in ham, a good rule of thumb is to purchase approximately 3/4 pound per person. However, if you’re like me and always want plenty of delicious leftovers for sandwiches, breakfast, or other creative dishes, I recommend planning for a full 1 pound per person. A 10-pound bone-in ham, for example, would generously serve about 10-12 people with some leftovers.
Mastering the Art of Baking a Ham
As mentioned, most hams purchased from the store are fully cooked and merely need reheating. The key to a moist and flavorful ham is to reheat it gently and not overcook it. Here’s a detailed guide:
Reheating a Fully Cooked Ham
1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C). This lower temperature ensures slow, even heating, preventing the ham from drying out.
2. Preparation: Place the ham in a large roasting pan, preferably cut-side down. This helps to keep the juices locked into the meat, resulting in a moister ham. If your ham is spiral-cut, place it face down in the pan, or simply ensure it’s nestled securely.
3. Cover for Moisture: Cover the roasting pan tightly with aluminum foil. This creates a steamy environment that keeps the ham moist during the initial baking phase.
4. Cooking Time: For a fully cooked, bone-in ham, plan for roughly 15 minutes per pound. If you are using a spiral-cut ham, it will cook a bit faster, typically around 10 minutes per pound, as the cuts allow heat to penetrate more quickly.
5. Internal Temperature: The most crucial step is to use a meat thermometer. Your fully cooked ham is properly reheated when it reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees F (60 degrees C). Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the ham, avoiding the bone.
6. Glazing: The magical cranberry-orange glaze is applied towards the end of the cooking process. You’ll typically remove the foil during the last 30-45 minutes of baking, brush the ham generously with the glaze, and continue baking until the internal temperature is reached and the glaze is beautifully caramelized.
Cooking an Uncooked Ham (if applicable)
If, by chance, your ham is *not* fully cooked, you will need to bake it to a higher internal temperature of 160 degrees F (71 degrees C). This will take significantly longer, generally anywhere from 25-35 minutes per pound, depending on the size and type of ham. Always confirm doneness with a reliable meat thermometer.
Resting Period
Once your ham reaches the desired internal temperature, remove it from the oven and let it rest, loosely tented with foil, for at least 20-30 minutes before slicing. This resting period is vital, allowing the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every slice is incredibly tender and flavorful. Skipping this step can result in a dry ham.
Crafting the Irresistible Cranberry Orange Glaze for Ham
The star of this recipe, apart from the ham itself, is undoubtedly the vibrant, aromatic cranberry-orange glaze. It’s incredibly easy to make and transforms a simple baked ham into something truly special.
Ingredients for the Glaze:
- Fresh or frozen cranberries: provide the essential tartness and beautiful color.
- Orange juice: adds a sweet, citrusy base.
- Honey: contributes natural sweetness and helps create a sticky, glossy finish.
- Orange zest: infuses intense orange aroma and flavor.
- Cinnamon stick: adds a warm, inviting spice note.
- Ground clove: complements the other spices with its distinct, fragrant warmth.
Steps to Make the Glaze:
1. Combine Ingredients: While your ham is baking in the oven during its initial covered phase, combine all the glaze ingredients – cranberries, orange juice, honey, orange zest, cinnamon stick, and ground clove – in a medium saucepan.
2. Simmer to Perfection: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, then immediately reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow it to cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. During this time, the cranberries will soften and burst, releasing their juices and creating a rich, flavorful liquid.
3. Thicken and Cool: As the glaze simmers, it will slightly reduce. It will continue to thicken significantly as it cools, forming a beautiful, spoonable glaze perfect for brushing over your ham.
4. Achieve Desired Texture (Optional): If you prefer a completely smooth glaze without any cranberry pieces, you can carefully process it in a blender or use an immersion (stick) blender until silky smooth. For a more rustic texture, simply leave it as is after simmering; the burst cranberries add a lovely visual and textural element.
Perfect Pairings: Serving Suggestions for Your Glazed Ham
A beautifully glazed ham deserves equally delicious accompaniments. Here are some fantastic serving suggestions to complete your festive meal:
Hearty Potato Dishes:
- Garlic Herb Potatoes Au Gratin: Creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, a perfect match.
- Classic Scalloped Potatoes: A timeless, comforting side that always pleases.
- Easy Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Fluffy, buttery, and a quintessential pairing for ham.
- Roasted sweet potatoes with a touch of maple syrup and cinnamon.
Fresh and Vibrant Salads:
Balance the richness of the ham with light and refreshing salads:
- Spinach, Apple, and Pomegranate Salad: Adds a delightful crunch and fruity sweetness.
- Broccoli, Bacon, and Grape Salad: A flavorful and satisfying salad with a touch of sweetness.
- A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing.
Other Complementary Sides:
- Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese: A universally loved comfort food that pairs wonderfully.
- Maple Roasted Butternut Squash: Sweet, tender, and seasonal.
- Frog Eye Salad: A unique and sweet pasta salad that’s a traditional favorite in some regions.
- Steamed green beans with toasted almonds or a light lemon butter sauce.
- Freshly baked dinner rolls to soak up any extra glaze or juices.
And, of course, don’t forget to explore all the delightful dessert options to complete your feast!
Storing and Enjoying Leftover Ham
One of the best things about baking a large ham is the delicious leftovers! Properly storing them ensures you can enjoy them for days to come.
Storage:
Allow any leftover ham to cool completely before storing. Once cooled, transfer the ham slices or chunks to an airtight container. It will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For best results, you can also store it with a little bit of the leftover glaze to maintain moisture.
Freezing:
Baked ham freezes exceptionally well. Once completely cooled, place leftover ham in a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to use, simply thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Freezing in individual portions can also be convenient for quick meals.
Creative Uses for Leftovers:
- Ham Sandwiches: Classic ham and cheese, or a gourmet sandwich with cranberry mayo.
- Ham & Bean Soup: Use the ham bone (if you had one) and leftover ham for a hearty soup.
- Breakfast Scramble or Omelets: Dice ham and add to eggs with cheese and veggies.
- Ham & Potato Casserole: A comforting dish perfect for a weeknight meal.
- Split Pea Soup: Another excellent way to utilize both the ham and the bone.
- Hawaiian Pizza: Top your homemade or store-bought pizza with diced ham and pineapple.
Recipe for Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham
This recipe provides detailed steps for preparing a moist, flavorful ham with a vibrant, homemade cranberry-orange glaze. It’s designed to be straightforward and yields impressive results for any occasion.
Ingredients (Serves 10)
- 1 (10 pound / 4.5kg) bone-in fully cooked ham
- 2 cups (200g) fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup (235ml) orange juice
- ½ cup (120ml) honey
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ½ teaspoon ground clove
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Place the ham in a large baking dish, cut side down (or face down if spiral cut). Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for approximately 15 minutes per pound for bone-in ham, or 10 minutes per pound for spiral-cut ham.
- While the ham is baking, prepare the cranberry-orange glaze. In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, orange juice, honey, orange zest, cinnamon stick, and ground clove. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst and the sauce has slightly thickened. Remove from heat and set aside. (The glaze will thicken further as it cools.)
- During the last 30-45 minutes of the ham’s cooking time, remove the foil from the baking dish. Generously brush the ham with the prepared cranberry-orange glaze. Return the ham to the oven and continue baking, uncovered, until an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C) is reached when measured with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham, avoiding the bone.
- Once cooked, remove the ham from the oven and let it stand, loosely tented with foil, for 20 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender and moist ham.
Notes
- If you prefer a perfectly smooth glaze, you can carefully blend the cooled mixture in a blender or use an immersion blender until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Storage: Store any cooled leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezer-Friendly: Freeze completely cooled leftovers in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition (per serving, approximate for glaze ingredients only)
(Note: Ham nutrition varies greatly by type and preparation. This data is for the glaze ingredients per serving, assuming 10 servings.)
Calories: 70 kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 0.5g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 0.1mg | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 94mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 77 IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.2mg
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