A good holiday ham is one of my favorite ways to make Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner feel special without spending all day in the kitchen. Whether you love a sticky honey glaze, classic brown sugar ham, or an easy slow cooker recipe, there’s something here for everyone.
And if you’re planning the rest of your holiday menu, these make-ahead Thanksgiving side dishes and easy Thanksgiving casseroles are great places to start. You can even finish the meal with a batch of Christmas cookies.
Here are 21 delicious holiday ham recipes, from honey-glazed favorites to pineapple ham, maple-glazed ham, and easy Crockpot versions.
1. Copycat Honey Baked Ham Recipe by The Chunky Chef
If you love the sweet, crackly coating on a store-bought HoneyBaked ham, this homemade version is worth trying. The ham warms gently with butter and honey before getting a sugary spice coating that’s caramelized for a deliciously crisp finish.
2. Chef John’s Honey-Glazed Ham by Allrecipes
This honey-glazed ham has all the flavors you’d expect from a classic holiday centerpiece. Honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, cloves, and star anise create a rich glaze, while the caramelized coating gives each slice a wonderful balance of sweetness and spice.
3. Honey-Glazed Ham by Food Network
This baked ham gets its sweet, glossy glaze from honey, ginger ale, brown mustard, and apple cider vinegar. The combination brings just enough tanginess to balance the sweetness, making it a lovely choice for Christmas dinner or a special family gathering.
4. Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham by Cafe Delites
For anyone who loves a sweet glaze with a little tang, this brown sugar mustard ham is a delicious choice. The glaze coats the ham as it bakes, creating golden, caramelized edges and a sticky finish that’s perfect for a festive meal.
5. Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze by Spend With Pennies
Sometimes a classic baked ham is exactly what you want for the holidays. This recipe keeps things simple with a flavorful brown sugar glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven, leaving the ham tender, juicy, and ready to serve with your favorite sides.
6. Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham by Delish
This old-fashioned holiday favorite combines savory ham with sweet pineapple rings, cherries, and a brown sugar glaze. Pineapple juice, vinegar, and warm spices balance the sweetness, while the fruit makes the finished ham especially pretty for Christmas dinner.
7. Baked Ham with Maple Glaze by Allrecipes
If you love maple flavor, this baked ham is a wonderful alternative to traditional brown sugar glazes. Maple syrup, Dijon mustard, dry mustard, and red wine vinegar create a sweet and tangy coating that pairs beautifully with rich holiday sides.
8. Maple-Bourbon Glazed Ham by The Pioneer Woman
This maple-bourbon ham brings a little something extra to the holiday table. Maple syrup, bourbon, brown sugar, mustard, and fresh orange create a rich, fragrant glaze that caramelizes over the ham, making every slice sweet, savory, and full of festive flavor.
9. Pomegranate Maple Glazed Ham by Joyful Healthy Eats
Pomegranate juice gives this maple-glazed ham a beautiful festive color and a little tartness to balance the sweetness. Dijon mustard and warm spices round out the glaze, making it a great choice when you want something familiar with a slightly different holiday twist.
10. Spiral Ham with Pineapple Glaze by Carlsbad Cravings
This recipe starts with a spiral-sliced ham and adds a homemade pineapple glaze that bakes into a sticky, flavorful coating. It’s a lovely option if you enjoy sweet-and-savory holiday ham but prefer a beautifully glazed roast without the traditional pineapple-ring decoration.
11. Pineapple Ham (Spiral Ham Recipe) by The Cookie Rookie
This pineapple ham uses crushed pineapple and brown sugar to create a fruity glaze that coats a spiral-sliced ham. As it bakes, the glaze becomes sweet and caramelized, giving you a delicious main dish that feels right at home on a Christmas dinner table.
12. Pineapple Honey Baked Ham by Immaculate Bites
This pineapple honey ham looks like something straight from a traditional family holiday dinner. Pineapple rings and cherries decorate the ham, while honey, fruit juices, warm spices, and a touch of rum create a beautifully fragrant glaze with plenty of sweetness.
13. Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham by The Recipe Rebel
This slow cooker honey ham is perfect when your oven is already full of casseroles and other holiday favorites. Ginger ale, honey, apple cider vinegar, garlic, and warm spices create a sweet-tangy glaze while the slow cooker handles most of the work.
14. Slow Cooker Maple Brown Sugar Ham by Damn Delicious
With just a few minutes of preparation, this slow cooker ham is an easy way to handle a holiday main course. Pineapple juice, maple syrup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and cloves give it a sweet, warmly spiced flavor that’s perfect for Christmas dinner.
15. Crock Pot Ham with Brown Sugar by Dinner at the Zoo
This Crock Pot ham combines brown sugar, maple syrup, and pineapple juice for a classic sweet holiday flavor. The cooking juices are turned into a delicious glaze before serving, making this an especially practical option when you’re feeding a crowd.
16. Crock-Pot Brown Sugar Glazed Ham by Delish
When you want holiday ham without spending hours watching the oven, this Crock-Pot recipe is a great option. Apple cider, brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and spices create a flavorful glaze while the slow cooker keeps preparation wonderfully simple.
17. Baked Ham with Apricot Glaze by Natasha’s Kitchen
Apricot preserves give this baked ham a delicious fruity twist, while honey and brown sugar add sweetness and shine. The glaze clings to the ham as it roasts, creating a beautiful centerpiece that feels special enough for Christmas without complicated preparation.
18. Sweet and Savory Glazed Ham by Gimme Some Oven
This glazed ham balances sweetness with bright citrus and savory ingredients. Orange and lemon juices, whole-grain Dijon mustard, garlic, soy sauce, and thyme complement the honey and brown sugar, creating a flavorful glaze that pairs beautifully with traditional holiday side dishes.
19. Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham by Add a Pinch
Cranberry sauce and orange juice give this glazed ham a festive sweet-tart flavor that’s especially lovely for Christmas dinner. The fruity glaze comes together easily and coats the ham as it bakes, adding beautiful color and a little brightness to every slice.
20. Root Beer-Glazed Ham by The Pioneer Woman
Root beer might sound unusual in a ham glaze, but it works beautifully with plum jelly, spicy brown mustard, and apple cider vinegar. The ingredients cook down into a glossy, sweet-tangy coating, making this a fun alternative to traditional honey-glazed holiday ham.
21. Slow Cooker Balsamic Cherry Glazed Ham by The Recipe Rebel
This cherry-glazed ham brings something a little different to the holiday table. Sweet cherries, balsamic vinegar, honey, and garlic create a rich, tangy sauce, while the slow cooker makes preparation easy. It’s an especially festive choice for Christmas or Thanksgiving.
Final Thoughts
My favorite holiday dinners are the ones where the food feels special without keeping me in the kitchen all day. Whether you choose a classic honey-glazed ham, something sweet with pineapple, or an easy Crockpot recipe, I hope you find one your family will love.
And don’t forget to save some leftovers. A good ham sandwich the next day is one of the best parts!
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If you’re looking for easy, delicious recipes for real life, you’re in the right place! I share simple family dinners, quick meals, homemade desserts, seasonal recipes, and plenty of helpful food ideas for every occasion.