Maple-Glazed Ham with Brown Sugar and Clove
Baked ham coated with a sweet and aromatic maple glaze enriched with brown sugar and studded with cloves for a festive centerpiece. This american-inspired holiday ready in about 105 minutes pairs bone-in ham, brown sugar, pure maple syrup for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 430 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
- 5 lbs bone-in ham
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 20 whole cloves
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Score the surface of the 5 lbs bone-in ham in a diamond pattern about 1/4 inch deep and stud with 20 whole cloves at the intersections.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, mix 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup pure maple syrup, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/4 cup water until well combined.
- Step 3: Place the ham on a rack in a roasting pan and brush half of the maple glaze all over the surface.
- Step 4: Cover loosely with foil and bake for 1 hour.
- Step 5: Remove foil and baste ham with the remaining glaze, then bake uncovered for another 30 minutes, basting every 10 minutes, until the glaze is sticky and caramelized.
- Step 6: Let ham rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple-Glazed Ham with Brown Sugar and Clove 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 Maple-Glazed Ham with Brown Sugar and Clove?
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 Maple-Glazed Ham with Brown Sugar and Clove?
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 Maple-Glazed Ham with Brown Sugar and Clove 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 Maple-Glazed Ham with Brown Sugar and Clove?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
A total game-changer for our holiday dinners. The ham stayed juicy and the brown sugar balance was spot-on.
- ★★★★★
The maple glaze caramelized perfectly and the cloves gave it that perfect holiday aroma. My whole family asked for the recipe!
- ★★★★☆
Simple to make and impressive for guests. The maple-clove blend was just right.