Oven-Roasted Honey Brown Sugar Ham with Star Anise and Cloves
A succulent bone-in ham slow-roasted with a fragrant blend of star anise, cloves, and a honey-brown sugar glaze that caramelizes to a glossy finish. This american-inspired easter ready in about 165 minutes pairs pounds fully cooked bone-in ham, water, whole pieces star anise for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 12, 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
- 8 pounds fully cooked bone-in ham
- 1 cup water
- 3 whole pieces star anise
- 6 pieces whole cloves
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Place the 8-pound fully cooked bone-in ham in a large roasting pan and add 1 cup water, 3 whole star anise, and 6 whole cloves to the bottom of the pan to infuse the steam with spice.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup honey, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon until fully combined to create the glaze.
- Step 3: Brush the glaze generously all over the surface of the ham. Tent loosely with foil and roast for 1 hour.
- Step 4: Remove the foil, baste the ham again with the glaze, and continue roasting uncovered for another 1 to 1 1/2 hours, basting every 20 minutes, until the glaze is caramelized and the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).
- Step 5: Let the ham rest 15 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute and the glaze to set.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Oven-Roasted Honey Brown Sugar Ham with Star Anise and Cloves take to make?
Total time is about 165 minutes (15 min prep + 150 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 Oven-Roasted Honey Brown Sugar Ham with Star Anise and Cloves?
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 water from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Oven-Roasted Honey Brown Sugar Ham with Star Anise and Cloves?
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 Oven-Roasted Honey Brown Sugar Ham with Star Anise and Cloves for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). 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 Oven-Roasted Honey Brown Sugar Ham with Star Anise and Cloves?
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
- ★★★★★
The clove-infused glaze made my whole house smell like Christmas. Served with roasted veggies—pure perfection!
- ★★★★★
My family kept asking for the recipe after dinner. The cloves and star anise made the ham smell like a holiday dream.
- ★★★★★
This ham stole the show at our Easter brunch! The honey-brown sugar glaze caramelized perfectly, and the star anise gave it that special holiday touch.
