These easy Christmas ham recipes make holiday dinner feel special without keeping you in the kitchen all day. A glazed ham is the centerpiece of so many Christmas tables: sweet, salty, tender, and generous enough to feed a crowd, with leftovers that taste even better the next day.
Below you will find ten easy Christmas ham recipes for holiday dinner, from a classic brown sugar glaze to a slow cooker ham, a honey mustard version, and a maple bourbon glaze for a more grown-up table. Most start with a fully cooked, spiral-cut ham, so the work is mostly in the glaze and the final bake.
Why You Will Love These Easy Christmas Ham Recipes
Ham is one of the easiest holiday main dishes you can make. Unlike a roast turkey, a fully cooked ham only needs to be heated through and glazed, so there is very little risk of drying it out if you watch the temperature and baste it well. It also feeds a crowd, slices neatly, and pairs with almost every Christmas side dish.
- Most recipes use a fully cooked ham, so the cooking is simple and forgiving.
- Glazes come together in minutes from pantry ingredients.
- One ham can feed 12 to 20 people, depending on its size.
- Leftovers are perfect for sandwiches, soups, and breakfast the next day.
- Many recipes can be made in the oven, the slow cooker, or both.
10 Easy Christmas Ham Recipes for Holiday Dinner
Choose your ham first, then your glaze. A bone-in, spiral-cut ham is the easiest to serve, while a boneless ham is the easiest to slice for sandwiches. Whichever you choose, let the ham rest for 15 minutes before carving so the juices settle.
1. Classic Brown Sugar Glazed Ham
This is the classic Christmas ham, and it is the one to make if you want a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Mix brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and a splash of apple cider vinegar into a thick glaze. Score the ham in a diamond pattern, stud it with whole cloves if you like, and bake it covered until hot. Brush on the glaze during the last 30 minutes so it turns shiny and caramelized without burning. Serve with mashed potatoes, green beans, and dinner rolls.
2. Slow Cooker Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze
When the oven is busy with side dishes, the slow cooker is your best friend. Place a spiral-cut ham in the slow cooker, pour over a glaze of brown sugar, honey, mustard, and pineapple juice, and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, basting every hour. The ham stays moist, the glaze soaks into every slice, and your oven stays free. This is one of the easiest Christmas ham recipes for a busy holiday, and it is perfect for a smaller kitchen. For more slow cooker holiday ideas, see our Easy Slow Cooker Christmas Recipes for Busy Holiday Nights.
3. Honey Mustard Glazed Ham
Honey mustard glaze is sweet, tangy, and just a little sharp, which balances the saltiness of the ham beautifully. Whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, a little whole-grain mustard, brown sugar, and garlic. Brush the glaze over the ham and bake until the edges are golden and sticky. This version is wonderful with roasted vegetables and a simple green salad, and it is a good choice if you find brown sugar glaze a little too sweet.
4. Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham
Maple bourbon ham tastes warm, rich, and a little bit fancy, but it is still very easy to make. Simmer maple syrup, brown sugar, bourbon, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of cinnamon until the glaze thickens slightly. Brush it over the ham during the last half hour of baking, and baste it twice so the glaze builds up in glossy layers. The alcohol cooks off, leaving a deep caramel flavor. This is a lovely choice for an adult Christmas dinner, and it pairs well with sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts.
5. Pineapple and Cherry Glazed Ham
This old-fashioned pineapple and cherry ham is the one many families remember from childhood Christmas dinners. Arrange pineapple rings and maraschino cherries over the ham with toothpicks, then brush everything with a glaze made from pineapple juice, brown sugar, and mustard. As the ham bakes, the pineapple caramelizes and the juices baste the meat. It looks festive, it tastes sweet and savory, and it makes a beautiful centerpiece on the holiday table.
6. Orange and Clove Glazed Ham
Orange and clove is a bright, fragrant glaze that cuts through the richness of ham. Combine orange juice, orange zest, brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and ground cloves, then simmer until slightly thick. Score the ham, press whole cloves into the diamonds, and bake, basting with the orange glaze. The citrus keeps the ham tasting fresh and light, and the cloves add a warm holiday scent that fills the whole house.
7. Garlic Herb Butter Ham
If you prefer a savory ham over a sweet one, try garlic herb butter. Mix softened butter with garlic, fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage, then rub it all over the ham before baking. The butter melts into the meat, the herbs turn fragrant, and the outside gets golden and crisp. This ham is wonderful with roasted potatoes, green beans, and a simple pan gravy made from the drippings. It is also a great choice if you are serving guests who do not like sweet glazes.
8. Smoked Ham with Brown Sugar and Mustard
A smoked ham already has a deep, rich flavor, so it needs only a simple glaze to shine. Brush it with brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and a little apple cider vinegar, then bake until heated through and caramelized on the outside. The smokiness, the sweet glaze, and the salty meat work together perfectly. If you buy a smoked ham, check whether it is fully cooked or partially cooked, and follow the package directions for heating time so it stays juicy.
9. Ham with Cranberry Glaze
Cranberry glaze gives your Christmas ham a ruby-red shine and a tart-sweet flavor that is perfect for the holidays. Simmer cranberry sauce, brown sugar, orange juice, and a little Dijon mustard until smooth, then brush it over the ham during the last 30 minutes of baking. The glaze is beautiful, the cranberries balance the salt, and the flavor pairs wonderfully with stuffing and roasted vegetables. This is a smart way to use up a jar of cranberry sauce, too.
10. Baked Ham with Apricot Glaze
Apricot glaze is smooth, golden, and gently sweet, with a little tang from Dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar. Warm apricot preserves with brown sugar and mustard until the mixture is pourable, then brush it over the ham and bake until glossy. Apricot works especially well on a spiral-cut ham, because the glaze seeps between the slices. Serve it with scalloped potatoes, roasted carrots, and a crisp salad for a complete Christmas dinner.
How to Choose the Right Ham for Christmas Dinner
Start with a fully cooked ham if you want the easiest holiday dinner. A bone-in ham has the best flavor, a spiral-cut ham is the easiest to serve, and a boneless ham is the easiest to slice for sandwiches and leftovers. Plan on about 1/2 pound of boneless ham per person, or 3/4 to 1 pound of bone-in ham per person, since the bone adds weight. If you are feeding a crowd, one large ham is easier than two small ones, but two smaller hams cook faster and give you more glazed edges.
Tips for the Best Christmas Ham
- Let the ham sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking so it heats evenly.
- Cover the ham with foil for most of the baking time to keep it moist.
- Add the glaze only in the last 30 minutes so the sugar does not burn.
- Baste the ham two or three times for a thick, shiny glaze.
- Heat ham to 140°F for a fully cooked ham, and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.
- Save the bone and drippings for soup, beans, or split pea soup the next day.
- Slice only what you need, and keep the rest whole so leftovers stay moist.
What to Serve with Christmas Ham
Christmas ham goes with almost every holiday side dish. Serve it with mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, roasted carrots, dinner rolls, and cranberry sauce. For a full holiday menu, see our Easy Christmas Dinner Recipes for a Crowd. Finish the meal with something sweet, like our Easy Christmas Cookies, and save the leftover ham for sandwiches the next day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you cook a Christmas ham?
A fully cooked ham needs about 15 to 18 minutes per pound at 325°F, or until it reaches 140°F in the thickest part. A spiral-cut ham heats a little faster, so start checking it early. Always use a meat thermometer, because ham sizes and ovens vary, and the glaze can make the outside look done before the center is hot.
Can I make Christmas ham in the slow cooker?
Yes. A slow cooker is one of the best ways to cook a Christmas ham, especially a spiral-cut ham that fits in the cooker. Cook it on low for 3 to 4 hours with the glaze, basting every hour. The ham stays moist, the glaze soaks in, and your oven stays free for side dishes and desserts.
How much ham do I need per person?
Plan on 1/2 pound of boneless ham per person, or 3/4 to 1 pound of bone-in ham per person. If you want generous leftovers for sandwiches and soup, buy a little more. A 10-pound bone-in ham serves about 12 to 14 people, while a 10-pound boneless ham serves about 18 to 20 people.
How do I keep ham from drying out?
Cover the ham with foil while it bakes, add a little water, broth, or juice to the pan, and do not overcook it. A fully cooked ham only needs to reach 140°F. Let it rest for 15 minutes before carving, and slice only what you plan to serve right away so the rest stays moist.
What can I do with leftover Christmas ham?
Leftover ham is one of the best parts of Christmas dinner. Use it in sandwiches, ham and bean soup, split pea soup, omelets, and fried rice. Try our Honey Baked Ham Salad Recipe for a quick lunch the day after Christmas. Store leftover ham in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days, or freeze it for up to 2 months.
Final Thoughts
A great Christmas ham does not need a complicated recipe. Choose a good fully cooked ham, pick a glaze you love, and let the oven or slow cooker do the work. Whether you go classic with brown sugar, bright with orange and clove, or rich with maple bourbon, these easy Christmas ham recipes will give you a tender, glossy centerpiece and a holiday dinner your family will remember.