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This Honey Glazed Ham is a holiday main that looks impressive but is actually really easy to make, even if it’s your first time cooking ham! Instead of splurging on the store-bought version, this homemade honey ham gives you the same irresistible flavor at a fraction of the price. It’s a total showstopper with a sweet, succulent finish (that’s a little addictive in the BEST way). Each slice has warmth from the honey, brown sugar, and warm spices, and it makes your whole kitchen smell like Easter dinner is well on its way. And the leftovers are half the fun. So let me show you how it all comes together!

Side view of sliced honey glazed ham on a plate with herbs.

Easy Glazed Honey Ham Recipe

I use a smoked spiral-cut half ham here, which is already fully cooked, so all you’re really doing is warming it through and layering on flavor with an easy homemade glaze. Ham glazes are often made with either honey or brown sugar. Honey gives ham a lighter, floral sweetness and a glossy finish, while a brown sugar glaze brings a deeper, more caramelized flavor, like in our baked ham recipe.

I love both flavors, so I use honey and a little brown sugar in this ham glaze recipe for the best of both worlds. That’s also one reason I prefer homemade over store-bought glazed ham whenever I can. Store-bought versions are convenient, but they often come with extra preservatives and less flexibility in flavor. Making the glaze myself means I can balance the sweetness with Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, cinnamon, and a few simple seasonings for a more customizable glaze with the best sticky-sweet finish!

Recipe Success Tips

  1. Go for a spiral-cut ham if you can. This recipe works best with a pre-sliced spiral ham and is written for that. I love it because it’s already sliced and ready to serve. The glaze also seeps down between the slices as it bakes, creating the most flavorful honey ham. Using an uncut ham? Just score the surface in a diamond pattern so the glaze has something to cling to.
  2. Pick the right size ham for your table. I usually estimate about 5 oz. (roughly 1/3 lb.) of ham per person, so a 3.5-4 lb ham works out to around 12 servings (depending on how generous you are!). That little guideline makes it much easier to decide how much ham to buy, especially if you want leftovers for sandwiches the next day.
  3. Boneless is usually the cheapest option. Since ham is often priced by weight, I prefer using boneless ham because you’re not paying for the bone, and it usually cooks a little faster, too. That said, a bone-in ham will still work if you give it more time in the oven covered with foil (the internal temp needs to reach 140°F). Either way, make sure you’re starting with an unglazed ham so the homemade honey glaze can do its thing!
  4. Simplify it even more. This easy recipe uses just a few simple ingredients for the glaze, so it’s perfect for beginners. You can even skip the Dijon mustard, spices, and vinegar for an even simpler 3-ingredient honey glazed ham (honey + brown sugar + ham).
  5. Don’t skip the water in the pan. I like adding a little water to the bottom of the dish to create a steamy environment that gently heats the ham without letting the glaze burn. The glaze will still thicken up and caramelize once you remove the foil near the end.
  6. Make it in a slow cooker. Place the ham in a slow cooker, pour the glaze over top, cover, and cook on low for 3-4 hours, brushing once or twice if possible.
  7. Make-ahead glaze. You can make the honey glaze up to 24 hours in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Warm it slightly before using.
Side view of sliced honey glazed ham on a plate with herbs.
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Honey Glazed Ham

This easy Honey Glazed Ham recipe turns a spiral-cut smoked ham into a sweet, sticky, holiday main dish with a simple homemade glaze made from pantry staples!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Total Cost $18.13 recipe / $1.51 serving
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings 12 servings (~1/3 lb./5 oz. each)
Calories 211kcal

Equipment

  • Small Saucepan
  • 9×13 Baking Dish

Ingredients

For the Honey Glaze

  • ½ cup honey 170g, $1.87
  • ¼ cup brown sugar packed, (50g) $0.11
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard 5g, $0.02
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar 0.18 oz., $0.04
  • ½ tsp garlic powder $0.02
  • ½ tsp onion powder $0.02
  • ¼ tsp salt $0.04
  • ¼ tsp black pepper freshly cracked, $0.08
  • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon $0.01

For Roasting

  • 4 lb. fully cooked smoked ham boneless and spiral cut, $15.92*
  • ½ inch water $0.00

Instructions

  • Gather all ingredients and preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
  • In a small saucepan, whisk together honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cinnamon. Heat over medium until sugar is dissolved and glaze is slightly thickened.
  • Place ham cut side down in a 9×13 casserole dish. Brush half the glaze over the ham.
  • Pour ½ inch of water into the bottom of the pan around the ham**.
  • Cover loosely with foil and bake for 18-20 minutes per pound, basting once or twice with pan juices. For a 4lb boneless smoked ham, you'll need to bake it for about 1 hour & 20 minutes total. Internal temperature should reach 140°F for pre-cooked ham***.
  • Remove the foil for the last 20-30 minutes of baking. Brush with remaining glaze every 10 minutes to create a golden-brown, sticky crust.
  • Let the ham rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Spoon any extra glaze over slices when serving.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*I make this recipe with a 3.5-4 lb boneless smoked half ham. I have used a spiral cut ham, but if your ham isn’t pre-sliced, score the surface in a diamond pattern about ¼-inch deep before glazing. This helps the glaze penetrate and creates a beautiful caramelized crust when baked.
**Don’t skip the water in the pan. Adding ½ inch of water keeps the ham moist and prevents sugars from burning on the bottom of your dish.
***Temperature matters! You’re not “cooking” the ham, you’re warming it through and glazing it as it’s already pre-cooked. Aim for 140°F internal temperature for best texture and moisture.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (~1/3 lb.) | Calories: 211kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 5g | Sodium: 1891mg | Fiber: 0.1g

how to make Honey Glazed Ham step-by-step photos

The ingredients to make honey glazed ham.

Gather all of your ingredients and preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).

Honey glaze ingredients in a sauce pan.

Make the honey glaze: Add ½ cup honey, ¼ cup packed brown sugar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper, and ¼ tsp ground cinnamon to a small saucepan. Whisk everything together and cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the glaze thickens slightly.

A brush adding honey glaze to a spiral cut ham.

Glaze the ham: Set a 3.5-4 lb. fully cooked boneless spiral-cut smoked ham (cut side down) in a 9×13 casserole dish. Brush about half of the honey glaze over the outside of the ham.

Water being poured into a baking dish with honey glazed ham.

Pour enough water into the baking dish to come up about ½ inch around the ham.

A baking dish covered with foil.

Bake: Loosely tent the dish with foil and bake for 18-20 minutes per pound, spooning some of the pan juices over the ham once or twice as it cooks. For a 4 lb. ham, this will take about 1 hour 20 minutes total.

Since the ham is already cooked, you’re just heating it through, so the center should reach 140°F.

A brush basting a honey glazed ham halfway through cooking.

During the last 20-30 minutes of baking, remove the foil. Brush the ham with the remaining glaze every 10 minutes so it develops a glossy, sticky coating.

Finished honey glazed ham.

Rest and serve: Let your honey glazed spiral ham rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with any extra glaze spooned over the top.

Honey glazed ham on a plate with herbs, being brushed with glaze.

Serving Suggestions

Honey glazed ham pairs beautifully with just about every classic holiday side, which is part of why I love serving it for Easter dinner. Our balsamic roasted vegetables are an easy go-to, and mashed potatoes are pure comfort next to that salty-sweet ham. For a traditional spread, creamed corn is always a winner! A side of mac and cheese will also make the meal feel even heartier and a little extra special. I also like adding a simple salad for something fresh and crisp.

Leftover Honey Glazed Ham Sandwich Ideas!

Leftover honey glazed ham is half the reason to make it in the first place. It’s meal prep GOLD! Ham and cheese sliders are always an easy win for lunch or dinner, especially when you want to use up a good amount of ham at once. They make a nice appetizer for a party or gathering too.

A honey mustard ham panini is another favorite. I layer slices of leftover ham with Swiss cheese and a little honey mustard on sturdy bread, then toast it in a skillet or panini press until the outside is crisp and the cheese is melted.

You could also make a simple ham salad sandwich by finely chopping the ham and mixing it with a little mayo, Dijon, and relish, then piling it onto soft bread or rolls for an easy lunch.

Storage & Reheating

Keep leftover ham tightly wrapped or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Store any extra glaze separate if possible. Honey glazed smoked ham also freezes really well. Wrap slices in individual portions, then place in a freezer bag or container. Freeze for 1-2 months for the best quality. To reheat, warm it gently in the microwave or covered in the oven so it doesn’t dry out. Add a spoonful of leftover glaze or a splash of broth to help keep it moist.

Got More Leftover Ham? Try These Recipes:

  • Our Pasta with Peas and Ham is a fast dinner with sweet peas, savory ham, and Parmesan that’s perfect for busy nights.
  • I love these Ham and Cheese Biscuits for a seriously comforting breakfast or brunch treat!
  • This Chunky Ham and Bean Soup is a budget-friendly way to turn leftover ham into a cozy meal with plenty of beans and big comfort-food appeal.

The post Honey Glazed Ham appeared first on Budget Bytes.



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Carrots are one of those low-cost ingredients I always feel good tossing into my cart, especially in the spring when Easter cooking and baking start creeping into my mind. They’re affordable, dependable, and delicious, but I’m here to tell you they’re more than just a side dish! This roundup of 15 easy carrot recipes will help you stretch that humble bag into soups, sides, salads, and desserts without stretching your grocery bill.

A collage of carrot recipes.

Soups and Stews

Soup and stews are my go-to when I want carrots to do a little more than just sit on the side of the plate. These recipes make them feel far more substantial, whether they’re blended until smooth or simmered into a hearty pot.

1. Creamy Carrot Soup

Carrot Soup

Overhead shot of carrot soup in three white bowls with sour cream swirled in it
This rich and creamy carrot soup recipe features sweet roasted carrots, warm ginger, and nutty brown butter for an out-of-this-world flavor!
4.67 from 21 votes
$5.81 recipe / $1.45 serving Get the Recipe

I love that this carrot soup gets extra depth from roasted carrots, brown butter, ginger, and thyme, which gives it a richer, more homemade taste that other blended vegetable soups can lack. The cup of heavy cream makes it extra creamy too. 😋

2. Thai Coconut Curry Carrot Soup

Thai Coconut Curry Carrot Soup

You only need a few ingredients to make this light and satisfying Thai Coconut Curry Carrot Soup. It’s a creamy, a little sweet, a little spicy, and a lot of delicious. BudgetBytes.com
You only need a few ingredients to make this light and satisfying Thai Coconut Curry Carrot Soup. It’s a creamy, a little sweet, a little spicy, and a lot of delicious. 
4.76 from 89 votes
$6.69 recipe / $1.12 serving Get the Recipe

This Thai coconut curry carrot soup gets its BIG flavor from creamy coconut milk, Thai curry paste, and the natural sweetness of carrots. To make it vegan, just swap the butter for coconut oil and double-check that your curry paste is vegetarian-friendly!

3. Spiced Lentils with Carrots

Spiced Lentils with Carrots

side view of spiced lentils on a bed of polenta
These warm, sweet, and savory spiced lentils hold up well as leftovers and make the perfect cozy vegetarian meal prep.
4.87 from 97 votes
$4.19 recipe / $1.04 serving Get the Recipe

I think these spiced lentils with carrots are such a delicious meatless dinner because the cumin, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, and carrots make them taste warm and layered. This one also holds up really well for leftovers!

Fresh Carrot Salads

I like carrots just as much in cold and room-temperature dishes as I do in hot ones, especially once spring rolls around. These easy carrot salads are fresh and so very easy to pair with dinner any night of the week.

4. Carrot Feta Salad

Roasted Carrot and Feta Salad

Close up side view of roasted carrot and feta salad
A simple an inexpensive side dish, this Roasted Carrot and Feta Salad combines sweet roasted carrots with salty feta and fresh parsley for a simple salad.
4.73 from 18 votes
$2.49 recipe / $0.41 serving Get the Recipe

Our carrot feta salad shows how far roasted carrots can go, and I like that it’s flexible enough to serve warm, cold, or slightly reheated, depending on what I fancy.

5. Carrot Orzo Salad

Carrot & Orzo Salad

Carrot and orzo salad garnished with herbs.
This carrot & orzo salad is light, fresh, and lets the natural flavors of carrot, parsley, and lemon shine through, with just a touch of feta for fun.
4.66 from 20 votes
$4.07 recipe / $1.02 serving Get the Recipe

This carrot orzo salad keeps things light with roasted carrots, orzo, cumin, parsley, lemon juice, and just a little feta. I sometimes like to add a little garlic powder with the cumin, but it’s absolutely delicious either way!

More Easy Side Dishes Featuring Carrot

These are the carrot sides I make on a regular weeknight, but several of them are also nice for Easter or the holidays when I need something affordable and easy to prep!

6. Sweet Glazed Carrots

Glazed Carrots

Overhead view of glazed carrots in a sauté pan.
Five ingredients and 20 minutes is all you need to make these easy & delicious Glazed Carrots. Perfect for busy weeknights or holiday meals!
4.88 from 8 votes
$1.65 recipe / $0.41 serving Get the Recipe

I’d absolutely keep these glazed carrots in mind for Easter because they’re made with just five ingredients, come together in 20 minutes, and have a buttery brown sugar finish that makes them totally holiday-worthy!

7. Air Fryer Carrots

Air Fryer Carrots

Overhead view of Air Fryer Carrots in a white serving dish.
These Air Fryer Carrots are savory, super easy to make, inexpensive and the perfect compliment to any weeknight dinner meal.
4.78 from 9 votes
$2.51 recipe / $0.62 serving Get the Recipe

These air fryer carrots are a quick side when I need something on the table FAST, and the recipe uses butter, olive oil, garlic powder, and dill for a really easy flavor boost.

8. Roasted Carrots

Roasted Carrots

Roasted carrots in a bowl from above.
This roasted carrots recipe is easy, inexpensive, healthy, and delicious, making them my go-to side dish for any weeknight dinner!
5 from 5 votes
$2.50 recipe / $0.62 serving Get the Recipe

I love this roasted carrots recipe for its simplicity. The dry oven heat caramelizes the carrots nicely and turns a few basic seasonings into an easy side dish I can make any night of the week.

9. Spicy Pickled Carrots

Pickled Carrots

Overhead view of spicy pickled carrots in a glass bowl.
Spicy pickled carrots are an easy and delicious snack that can also be served as a side dish or condiment with your favorite meals.
4.85 from 20 votes
$2.38 recipe / $0.30 serving Get the Recipe

These pickled carrots are a fun change of pace! They’re a quick pickle made with budget-friendly vinegar, jalapeño, red onion, cumin, and oregano, and they work as a snack, side, or bright topping for other meals. I often throw in other veggies that need using up (think cauliflower or green beans) to make the most of the pickling liquid!

Everything Carrot Cake

If there’s one place carrots never go to waste in my kitchen, it’s in baking. This mix of cakes, muffins, and breakfast bakes takes that familiar carrot cake flavor and works it into all kinds of easy homemade treats.

10. Classic Carrot Cake

Carrot Cake Recipe

Side view of a slice of carrot cake on a plate
This Carrot Cake recipe is soft, moist, and topped with the best cream cheese frosting EVER. Made with simple pantry staples and freshly grated carrots!
4.67 from 3 votes
$13.92 recipe / $0.93 serving Get the Recipe

I’m all in on this carrot cake because it’s soft, moist, packed with freshly grated carrots, warmly spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, and finished with a thick cream cheese frosting and chopped pecans.

11. Carrot Cake for Two

Carrot Cake (for two)

Make just enough carrot cake to make you and a loved one happy. No leftovers to “accidentally” indulge in!
4.67 from 36 votes
$1.30 recipe / $0.65 serving Get the Recipe

This small-batch carrot cake is great because it’s just enough for two people and a smart way to use up the last carrot or two hanging around in the fridge!

12. Carrot Cake Muffins

Carrot Cake Muffins

Close up side view of carrot cake muffins on a cooling rack.
These soft, fluffy, and moist carrot cake muffins are full of delicious carrot cake flavor and the perfect sweet treat any time of the day!
4.96 from 23 votes
$4.42 recipe / $0.44 serving Get the Recipe

These carrot cake muffins bring together shredded carrots, warm spices, and a soft crumb in a breakfast-friendly bake that’s ready in under an hour! I highly recommend using freshly shredded carrots in this one for the best texture and moisture.

13. Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal

Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal

This Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal is packed with good-for-you carrots, only a little sugar, and pops of sweetness from raisins and a cheesecake-inspired topping. BudgetBytes.com
This Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal is packed with good-for-you carrots, only a little sugar, and pops of sweetness from raisins and a cheesecake-inspired topping. 
4.60 from 25 votes
$5.16 recipe / $0.86 serving Get the Recipe

This carrot cake baked oatmeal is one I’d happily make ahead, since it turns carrot cake flavors into a practical breakfast with oats, carrots, raisins, and a creamy cream cheese topping.

14. Carrot Cake Bars

Carrot Cake Bars

Side view of carrot cake bars on a plate.
This easy Carrot Cake Bars recipe with a cheesecake swirl is a simple spring dessert made with fresh carrots, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cream cheese!
No ratings yet
$3.90 recipe / $0.43 serving Get the Recipe

These easy carrot cake bars skip the thick frosting and bake creamy cheesecake swirls right into the batter for a dessert that’s simple and perfect for spring!

+ One Evergreen Breakfast Classic

I wanted to end with a recipe where carrots play a helpful part without taking over the whole thing. This last recipe folds them into a hearty breakfast bake with plenty of other texture and flavor going on too.

15. Morning Glory Muffins

Morning Glory Muffins

Array of muffins in a decorative display.
Morning glory muffins are a unique mix of fruit, vegetables, and nuts all packed into one naturally sweet muffin!
4.70 from 10 votes
$4.47 recipe / $0.25 each Get the Recipe

Our morning glory muffins pack in carrots, applesauce, raisins, walnuts, and coconut for a deliciously hearty breakfast baked good that’s simple but so satisfying! They freeze great too.

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