Cranberry-Orange Glazed Ham for Holiday Celebrations

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Baked ham glazed with a zesty cranberry and orange sauce, delivering a perfect balance of sweet and tart for festive occasions. This American-inspired holiday recipe, ready in about 105 minutes, pairs bone-in smoked ham, orange juice, fresh cranberries for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 90 min Serves 8 American cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Score the surface of the 5 lbs bone-in smoked ham in a diamond pattern about 1/4-inch deep and place it on a rack in a roasting pan.
  2. Step 2: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup orange juice, 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground cloves, and 1/4 cup water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Brush half of the cranberry-orange glaze evenly over the ham. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 1 hour.
  4. Step 4: Remove foil, baste ham with remaining glaze, and bake uncovered for an additional 30 minutes until the glaze is sticky and caramelized, basting once more halfway through.
  5. Step 5: Let ham rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving with extra glaze on the side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cranberry-Orange Glazed Ham for Holiday Celebrations take to make?

Total time is about 105 minutes (15 min prep + 90 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Cranberry-Orange Glazed Ham for Holiday Celebrations?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in smoked ham from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cranberry-Orange Glazed Ham for Holiday Celebrations?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Cranberry-Orange Glazed Ham for Holiday Celebrations for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Cranberry-Orange Glazed Ham for Holiday Celebrations?

American holiday like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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