How to Cook the Perfect Holiday Ham

Ham has a bit of an undeserved bad rap these days. It’s an old holiday standby, but some people seem to think that it’s a little boring, better suited as a side attraction to a main dish like prime rib or turkey if it’s served at all. We’re here to tell you that this is nonsense! A well-done holiday ham can be the star of the show—you just have to know how to let it shine.

This sweet and savory mustard-glazed ham recipe is classic, but a bit unexpected to those more accustomed to hams of the pineapple-and-cherry variety. It’s super easy and guaranteed to wow your guests.

Ingredients:

1 whole cured, smoked bone-in ham

1/4 cup of your favorite brown mustard

1 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

Cloves

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. With a sharp knife, score the fat on the exterior of the ham without cutting into the meat itself, cutting lines about a half inch apart to make a diamond pattern on the surface. If you like cloves, press one into each of the crossmarks where the scores meet. Place the ham on a rack in a roasting pan, add a cup of water to the bottom of the pan, and bake for about an hour and a half.

2. While the ham bakes, combine the sugar, mustard, and vinegar to make a glaze. You can add a bit of dry sherry if you like as well. Once the ham has baked for an hour and a half, remove from the oven and brush the glaze evenly over the surface. Return the ham to the oven and bake for another 35 minutes.

3. Remove from oven and let stand for 15 minutes before carving.

For a great side to go with your ham, try making these homemade scalloped potatoes!

Delicious, moist, and fun!