BOURBON GLAZED HAM: THE ULTIMATE FEAST
Bourbon glazed ham is a flavorful dish that perfectly marries the smokiness of a well-cooked ham with the rich, sweet, and slightly spicy notes of a bourbon glaze. This dish stands as a centerpiece for Easter and other holiday meals, offering a delicious twist to traditional ham recipes.
The glaze, made with bourbon whiskey, brown sugar, and a blend of spices, caramelizes beautifully over the ham's surface, creating a glossy, delectable coating that enhances every bite.
Whether it's served at a holiday dinner, a celebratory feast, or simply as a sophisticated main course, bourbon glazed ham is sure to impress with its depth of flavor and stunning presentation.
Easter and Holiday Ham Ideas
Bourbon Glazed Ham is the perfect of ham to serve for Easter. Its blend of savory and sweet that will be a hit with all your guests. The simplicity of preparing Bourbon Glazed Ham aligns perfectly with the spirit of Easter, a time for reflection, renewal, and joyous gatherings rather than being tied up in the kitchen.
Its versatility makes it a perfect main meal for Easter Sunday, as it can be served with a variety of side dishes, from traditional Stuffing, baked mashed potatoes, to traditional Easter desserts.
Let's not forget the potential for leftovers, which can be transformed into delicious dishes including breakfast for the days following Easter, extending the celebration and ensuring that the joy and flavors of the holiday linger a little longer.
What you'll love about this recipe:
Bourbon Glazed Ham Side Dishes
Complementing Bourbon Glazed Ham with the right side dishes can transform your Easter meal into a harmonious symphony of flavors and textures. Several recipes from Sweet and Savory Morsels would beautifully round out your Easter or holiday meal.
Consider pairing your ham with Traeger Smoked Stuffing, adding a smoky depth that balances the glaze's sweetness. The stuffing, with its mixture of herbs and breadcrumbs, perfectly absorbs the ham's juicy flavors, making every bite a delight.
For a lighter contrast, the Festive Easter Fluff Salad offers a refreshing and colorful addition to your table. Its sweet, creamy texture and fruit flavors provide a pleasant palate cleanser between the more savory dishes.
To round off the meal, the Easter Peeps S'mores Dip is a delicious dessert for all ages. This creative take on traditional s'mores, featuring the seasonal charm of Easter Peeps, creates a fun dessert guests of all ages will love.
Together, these side dishes not only enhance the flavors of the Bourbon Glazed Ham but also add a festive flair to your Easter celebration, creating a meal that's as visually appealing as it is delicious.
Ingredients you'll need for this Recipe
To get started making this Bourbon Glazed Ham recipe, you'll first want to gather all your ingredients.
Here is what you'll need:
Tools You'll Need
The bourbon glaze can be prepared in advance, saving you time on the day of your event.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2: Place the ham in a 9×13 baking dish or Roasting Pan. Score the ham in a diamond pattern first, if desired, but this isn’t a must.
Step 3: Bake the ham for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the ham to check its internal temperature, which should be 125 degrees.
Step 4: Mix the brown sugar, bourbon, dried minced onion, minced garlic, ground cloves, and pepper in a medium bowl and mix well. This creates the glaze.
Step 5: Remove the ham from the oven and immediately pour the glaze over the top of the ham.
Use a basting brush, if necessary, to coat the unglazed portions of the ham. Cover the top of the pan in aluminum foil.
Step 6: Place the ham back in the oven and bake for about 15 more minutes or until the thickest part of the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees.
Step 7: Remove the ham from the oven and let it sit for 15 minutes before basting it with the glaze one more time. Slice, serve, and enjoy!
FAQs about Bourbon Glazed Ham
Believe me, this Bourbon Glazed Ham will be the centerpiece of your feast, captivating your guests with its flavor and presentation.
Handy tip: Make sure your ham will fit your dish or roasting pan!
If your ham is too large to fit in a 9×13 dish, simply use a baking dish or roasting pan that it will fit in.
lll
Tips & Tricks
- Scoring the Ham: Before applying the bourbon glaze, score the ham by making shallow cuts in a diamond pattern across its surface. This not only enhances the presentation but also allows the glaze to penetrate deeper into the meat.
- Customizing the Glaze: Feel free to tweak the glaze ingredients to suit your taste. Maple syrup, apple cider, or a splash of orange liqueur can add interesting twists to the flavor profile.
- Selecting the Ham: Opt for a fully cooked, spiral-cut ham for ease of slicing and serving. Ensure the ham fits in your roasting pan with enough space around it for air to circulate.
Bourbon Glazed Ham
Equipment
- 9×13 Baking Dish or Roasting Pan
- Aluminum Foil
- Baster
- Basting Brush optional
- Meat Thermometer
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- 1 5- Pound Boneless Ham precooked
- 1 Cup Brown Sugar packed
- ¾ Cup Bourbon
- 1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic
- ½ Tablespoon Dried Minced Onion
- 2 Teaspoons Ground Pepper
- ½ Teaspoon Ground Cloves
Notes
- To store, place in an airtight container and either refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Do not add more bourbon or the glaze will end up too thin or the other flavors will be overpowered.
- You can score the ham, if desired, before baking, but with this style of glazing, it’s not really necessary.
- I highly recommend storing the leftovers, sliced, and in the glaze as it only further soaks up the flavor.
- You can use any style of ham you desire, even bone-in, as it’s all about the internal temperature.
- It’s important to note that the cooking time will change based on the size and style of your ham, so pay less attention to the total time cooked and only worry about the internal temperature.
- It will be the same for all pre-cooked styles of ham. If your ham is too large to fit in a 9×13 dish, simply use a baking dish or roasting pan that fits it.
- The recipe is easily doubled in order to account for larger hams as well.
- However, this glaze recipe makes extra because we love extra glaze in our house.
Did you make this recipe?
Mention us @sweetandsavorymorsels or tag us using #sweetandsavorymorsels so we can see your creations! You can also leave a comment below!
