Easy Apricot Glazed Ham
Ready to Eat?
Hey there, fellow food lover! So, you’re thinking about whipping up something that’ll get your friends and family drooling like puppies? Well, put on your favorite apron (the one with that weird stain—is it even a stain anymore at this point?), because we’re diving into the wonderful world of Easy Apricot Glazed Ham! Spoiler alert: this dish is simpler than making toast and way more impressive.
Seriously, who knew ham could be such a showstopper? Just imagine that beautiful, glistening ham on your table, with its sweet apricot glaze glimmering like a fancy jewel. Your dinner guests won’t know whether to indulge in the deliciousness or take a picture for Instagram—bet they choose the former!
Why This Dish Slaps
Let me be real with you: Easy Apricot Glazed Ham is the hero we didn’t know we needed. Why? Because it takes a humble piece of ham and elevates it to an epic feast with minimal effort. You won’t need to spend hours slaving away in the kitchen or throwing pots and pans around like you’re on a cooking show. Nope! This bad boy requires just a handful of ingredients and a bit of patience while it bakes to perfection.
Plus, this isn’t just any old meat dish. It’s sweet, tangy, and absolutely succulent! Trust me, the glaze is like a juicy, fruity hug for your taste buds. So whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, family reunion, or just a Wednesday night dinner extravaganza, this recipe is your ticket to deliciousness. Not convinced yet? Stick with me, and let’s get cooking!
Grab These Ingredients
Before we get busy cooking, let’s grab everything you’ll need. No need to run to five supermarkets on a scavenger hunt—this shopping list is super simple! Just snag:
- 1 (8-10 pound) spiral sliced bone-in ham – This beauty is the star of the show.
- 1 cup apricot preserves – Sweet, sticky perfection right here.
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard – Adds a zing that’ll wake up those flavors.
- 1/4 cup brown sugar – Because sweet is always better, amirite?
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon – A warm hug for your ham.
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves – A spice that brings all the cozy feels.
Got your shopping list ready? Let’s move on to the fun part!
Cook It Like a Pro
Let’s get comfy: Take that gorgeous ham out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This helps it cook more evenly. In the meantime, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), because we wanna make things hot in here!
Whisk, whisk, baby: In a small saucepan, combine the apricot preserves, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves. Whisk it all together and heat on medium until it simmers. You want those flavors just to meld together beautifully. When it reaches a simmer, remove from heat and split the glaze in two. Set aside one half for later.
Ham time: Place the ham in a roasting pan cut-side down. Get your trusty brush (or just use a spoon if you don’t have one, no judgment) and slather on the glaze, making sure to get it in between all those tasty slices. Drape it lightly with aluminum foil and pop that sucker in the oven.
Bake it out: Let the ham bake for about 90 minutes. Use a thermometer to make sure it reaches an internal temp of 145°F (63°C). Pop that foil off, crank the oven up to 425°F (220°C), and let it roast uncovered for just another 10 minutes. This step is where we caramelize and create that drool-worthy crust!
Glaze it again: While the ham is finishing up, warm the reserved glaze you set aside earlier—just a quick zap in the microwave for about 15 seconds will do!
Rest and serve: Carefully transfer that beautiful ham to a serving platter, let it rest for about 15 minutes, then drizzle it with the warm reserved glaze. You did it! Now you’re ready to impress.
Rookie Mistakes to Skip
Okay, let’s chat real quick about what NOT to do, because nobody wants a kitchen disaster, right?
- Don’t skip the resting time! That’s key, my friend. Slicing into the ham too soon means you risk losing all those juicy juices (and nobody wants dry ham).
- Over-glazing? Less is more, trust me! You want that glaze to compliment, not overwhelm.
- Ignoring the weight of your ham? Don’t forget to check your cooking time based on the weight. It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation; bigger hams take longer!
Tweak It Your Way
Feeling fancy or just want to experiment a bit? Here are some swapping ideas to take this dish to the next level:
- Mustard swap: Not a Dijon fan? No worries! Honey mustard will add a sweet twist.
- Herbs galore: Sprinkle some fresh thyme or rosemary into your glaze for a fresh flavor boost.
- Apricot alternative: If apricots aren’t your jam, try peach or raspberry preserves instead. Who says we can’t mix it up?
Curious? Here’s Answers
- Can I use a pre-cooked ham? Absolutely! Just reduce the baking time, so it’s just warming through instead of cooking from scratch.
- Can I prep this early? Totally! You can make the glaze a day ahead. Just store it in the fridge and reheat before using.
- What sides go with this? I’m glad you asked! It pairs fabulously with roasted veggies or creamy mashed potatoes!
- Leftovers? Yup, they can go on sandwiches or even in a breakfast scramble. Get creative!
- Can I use it for a festive occasion? Heck yes! This ham steals the show any time of year!
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, your very own Easy Apricot Glazed Ham adventure! You’ve just pulled off a dish that’s not only delicious but as easy as pie (well, easier, actually). It’s perfect for sharing, so gather your friends or family around because this dish deserves an audience. Who knew cooking could be so thrilling? You did it, superstar, and I couldn’t be prouder! Now go strut your stuff; this ham isn’t going to show off itself!
Easy Apricot Glazed Ham
Ingredients
Method
- Take the ham out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a small saucepan, combine the apricot preserves, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves.
- Whisk together and heat on medium until it simmers.
- Remove from heat and split the glaze in two; set aside one half for later.
- Place the ham in a roasting pan cut-side down.
- Brush the glaze onto the ham, ensuring it gets in between the slices.
- Drape the ham with aluminum foil and place it in the oven.
- Bake for about 90 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Remove the foil, increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C), and roast uncovered for an additional 10 minutes.
- Warm the reserved glaze in the microwave for about 15 seconds.
- Transfer the ham to a serving platter and let it rest for 15 minutes.
- Drizzle with the warm reserved glaze before serving.