Honey-Glazed Ham with Clove and Orange Zest
A festive Easter ham baked with a sweet honey glaze accented by aromatic cloves and bright orange zest for a flavorful centerpiece. This american-inspired easter ready in about 135 minutes pairs bone-in ham, honey, packed brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 10, 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.
Ingredients
- 6 lbs bone-in ham
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tbsp finely grated orange zest
- 20 whole cloves
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Score the surface of the 6 lb bone-in ham in a diamond pattern about 1/4-inch deep, inserting 20 whole cloves at the intersections.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup honey, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 2 tbsp finely grated orange zest, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 tsp ground black pepper until smooth.
- Step 3: Place ham on a rack in a roasting pan and brush generously with half of the honey glaze. Tent loosely with foil and roast for 1.5 hours.
- Step 4: Remove foil, baste ham with remaining glaze, and continue roasting uncovered for an additional 30 minutes until the glaze caramelizes and ham reaches internal temperature of 140°F. Let rest 15 minutes before slicing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Glazed Ham with Clove and Orange Zest take to make?
Total time is about 135 minutes (15 min prep + 120 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 Honey-Glazed Ham with Clove and Orange Zest?
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 ham from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Glazed Ham with Clove and Orange Zest?
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 Honey-Glazed Ham with Clove and Orange Zest for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 10 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 10). 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 Honey-Glazed Ham with Clove and Orange Zest?
American easter 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This recipe is a keeper. The ham was moist and the clove-orange combination was divine.
- ★★★★★
Perfect for Easter! The glaze caramelized beautifully and the orange zest added a wonderful freshness.
- ★★★★★
The honey-glazed ham was the star of our Easter dinner! My family loved the sweet and tangy flavor with the clove and orange zest.
