Maple-Glazed Ham with Mustard and Clove Studs
A classic baked ham with a sticky maple glaze and aromatic cloves, delivering a perfect balance of sweet and savory for festive meals. This American-inspired holiday recipe, ready in about 105 minutes, pairs bone-in ham, maple syrup, Dijon mustard for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6 lbs bone-in ham
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 20 whole cloves
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Score the surface of a 6 lb bone-in ham in a diamond pattern about 1/4 inch deep and stud with 20 whole cloves at the intersection points.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup Dijon mustard, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp ground black pepper until smooth.
- Step 3: Place ham on a rack in a roasting pan and brush half of the maple glaze over it. Roast uncovered for 1 hour 30 minutes, basting with remaining glaze every 20 minutes, until heated through and caramelized.
- Step 4: Let ham rest for 15 minutes before slicing thinly and serving warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple-Glazed Ham with Mustard and Clove Studs 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 Mustard and Clove Studs?
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 Mustard and Clove Studs?
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 Mustard and Clove Studs 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 Mustard and Clove Studs?
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
- ★★★★★
This ham transformed my holiday table! The mustard glaze balanced the sweetness beautifully, and it stayed juicy throughout cooking.
- ★★★★★
The best ham recipe I've tried! The clove and mustard combo was genius—my guests couldn't believe how moist it stayed.
- ★★★★★
A new holiday staple! The clove-studded ham with maple and mustard was a hit at my Diwali dinner—everyone raved about the flavor depth.
