Recipe

Brown Sugar Spiral Ham

Juicy, oven-warmed spiral ham with a sticky honey mustard brown sugar glaze and crisp, caramelized edges.

By Matt Campbell

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4.8

A glazed spiral-sliced ham on a white platter with caramelized edges, surrounded by rosemary sprigs and orange slices on a wooden dining table in warm natural light

Spiral ham is one of my favorite kitchen cheats because most of the hard work is already done. It is cured, smoked, and pre-sliced, which means your job is basically: warm it gently, keep it juicy, then paint on a glaze that makes people hover near the oven like it is a sporting event.

This version goes brown sugar + honey + Dijon, with a little butter and cider vinegar to keep it from going full candy. You get that shiny, sticky crust on the outside, plus slices that stay tender instead of drying out around the edges. If you can stir a glaze and baste a ham a few times, you have this.

A spiral-sliced ham sitting cut-side down in a roasting pan with a small amount of water in the bottom, ready to go into the oven on a kitchen counter

Why It Works

Gentle heat keeps it juicy: Spiral ham is already cooked, so we warm it low and slow with a little water in the pan to protect the slices.
Glaze that clings: Brown sugar plus honey gives body, Dijon adds bite, and butter makes it glossy and rich.
Two-stage glazing: Warm first, glaze late. That means caramelized edges without drying out the whole ham.
Easy carving: The spiral slices do the work, and a quick rest helps everything stay neat on the platter.

Pairs Well With

Storage Tips

How to Store Leftover Spiral Ham

Refrigerate: Wrap tightly in foil or store in an airtight container. Keep up to 4 days.
Freeze: Portion into meal-sized packs (slices for sandwiches, cubes for soups). Freeze up to 2 months for best texture.
Best way to reheat (no dry ham): Put slices in a baking dish with a splash of water or broth, cover with foil, and warm at 300°F until hot. For quick reheats, microwave slices covered with a damp paper towel in short bursts.
Leftover glow up: Dice it into mac and cheese, breakfast hash, split pea soup, or fried rice. Ham is basically a seasoning that happens to be edible on its own.

A glass food storage container filled with leftover spiral ham slices and a small cup of extra glaze on a kitchen counter

Common Questions

Do I need to cook a spiral ham or just heat it?

Most spiral hams are fully cooked, so you are reheating. Check the label. If it says fully cooked, you only need to warm it to a serving temperature. For food safety and best texture, aim for about 140°F in the thickest part (not touching bone).

What temperature should I bake a spiral ham?

I like 300°F. Higher heat can dry out the pre-sliced edges before the center is warm. Low and slow is the move.

How long do I cook a spiral ham per pound?

For a fully cooked spiral ham at 300°F, plan around 10 to 12 minutes per pound to warm through. Actual time depends on your ham size and starting temperature (fridge-cold takes longer), so a thermometer beats the clock every time. I usually start checking around the 60-minute mark for a 7 to 9 lb ham.

Should I cover a spiral ham?

Yes. Cover it tightly with foil for most of the warming time to trap moisture. Uncover near the end so the glaze can caramelize.

Why does spiral ham dry out so easily?

Because it is sliced, the edges have more surface area and lose moisture faster. Covering it, using a little water in the pan, and glazing late helps a lot.

Can I use the packet glaze that comes with the ham?

You can, but it is usually very sweet and one-note. This homemade glaze takes about 5 minutes and tastes like you meant it.

What if my ham starts to get too dark?

Loosely tent it with foil and keep going. If your oven runs hot, do the final glazing step with the rack in the middle, not near the top.

Matt Campbell

I have always had a huge passion for the culinary arts, people, working as a team, and so on. I wanted to pursue my love for cooking initially at Virginia Commonwealth University with a culinary arts degree; however, I instead decided to apply myself and acquire more practical skills. My end goal is to eventually open my own restaurant or similar establishment.

Kitchen Essentials

Roasting pan (or large baking dish) with rack optional
Heavy duty aluminum foil
Small saucepan
Pastry brush or spoon for glazing
Instant-read thermometer
Cutting board and carving knife

I used to think spiral ham was the kind of thing you served because you were out of time or patience. Then I realized that is actually the point. It is a team player. It shows up mostly done, lets you focus on sides and people, and still tastes like a proper centerpiece when you give it a real glaze. This one is my go-to because it hits the sweet spot: cozy and familiar, but with enough Dijon tang that you keep going back for “just one more slice.”