Looking for an easy baked ham recipe that will impress your guests? This Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham is perfect! It’s moist and full of flavor thanks to an easy homemade cranberry glaze.
Whether it’s for Christmas, Easter, or any special occasion this ham will be the star of the show. If you have never baked a ham before don’t be intimidated. It is VERY easy and a perfect place to start for beginners.
We love to enjoy ham throughout the year for different occasions and another one of my family’s favorites is this Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Ham. I like this one too because using the crockpot helps free up some oven space. Or try this Mustard Herb Ham that’s brushed with herbs, garlic, mustard, and honey.
Here’s Why This Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham Will Be Your Go-To
- SUPER easy to make with minimal hands-on time
- Makes great leftovers
- Serves a large crowd
- It’s a low risk and forgiving recipe to make (great for beginners)
- So pretty to look at
What Kind Of Ham Do I Buy?
There are different kinds of ham such as bone-in, boneless, spiral cut….. So which one do I buy??? I prefer to buy a bone-in ham always because the ham will be juicier and more flavorful. Plus some of those boneless hams have been reshaped and can have a weird texture.
Spiral cut hams are bone-in hams that have been cut in a continuous spiral around the ham bone. The benefit of these hams is most of the cutting has been done for you and the glaze can get down into the meat.
If you don’t want to buy a spiral cut but like the idea of the glaze getting into the ham a little more you can lightly cut the outside of the ham in a diamond pattern before baking.
How Much Ham Should I Buy?
For a bone-in ham, you will want to buy 3/4 pound per person. More if you want leftovers. I always plan on 1 pound per person so I have leftovers.
How To Bake A Ham?
Most hams you buy from the store have been smoked and are fully cooked. So all you really need to do is reheat the ham. It is best to bake it at 325 degrees F to an internal temperature of 140 degrees F. This can take around 15 minutes per pound and less if you’re using a spiral cut (around 10 minutes per pound).
If your ham is not fully cooked you will need to bake it to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. This can take anywhere from 25-35 minutes per pound. Also, when baking a ham it is important to place it cut side down in the baking pan.
How To Make Cranberry Orange Glaze for Ham
While the ham is in the oven baking combine the cranberries, orange juice, honey, orange zest, cinnamon, and clove in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
The cranberries will burst and become soft during this process. It will also thicken as it cools making a nice thick glaze. If you prefer your glaze to be smoother you can process it in a blender or with a stick blender.
Serving Suggestions
Any flavorful potato dish always goes well, such as Garlic Herb Potatoes Au Gratin, Scalloped Potatoes, or Easy Garlic Mashed Potatoes are all excellent choices. Keep it light by serving a simple salad or this Spinach Apple and Pomegranate Salad or this Broccoli Bacon and Grape Salad.
Other dishes we like to serve with ham are Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese, Maple Roasted Butternut Squash, and Frog Eye Salad. Oh and don’t forget all the dessert options!!
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Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham
Ingredients
- 1 (10 pound) (4.5kg) bone-in fully cooked ham
- 2 cups (200g) fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup (235ml) orange juice
- ½ cup (120ml) honey
- zest of 1 orange
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ½ teaspoon ground clove
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Place ham in a large baking dish cut side down. Cover tightly with foil and cook for 15 minutes per pound.
- While the ham is cooking combine the cranberries, orange juice, honey, zest, cinnamon, and clove in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes then remove from heat.
- In the last 30 minutes of cook time remove the foil from the ham and brush with glaze. Bake until an internal temperature of 140°F. Remove from oven and let stand 20 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- If you prefer a smoother glaze blend it in a blender or use a stick blender.
- STORAGE: Store cooled leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- FREEZER-FRIENDLY: Freeze completely cooled leftovers in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.