Best Copycat Honey Baked Ham Recipe

Best Copycat Honey Baked Ham Recipe (Homemade & Easy) - Make this easy Copycat Honey Baked Ham at home with a sweet brown sugar and honey glaze, crunchy sugar crust, and no lines or big expense. Step-by-step guide + tips to keep it juicy!

Save money, skip the store, get the same crispy sugar crust at home — this Honey Glazed Ham Recipe delivers!

There’s nothing like the delicious smell of holiday ham cooking in the oven. Brings back heartwarming memories of a lifetime of family gatherings.

Here in the Midwest, family gatherings usually come in the form of potlucks where everyone brings a dish to pass. We love to serve this holiday dish with Classic Midwestern Side Dish Recipes like baked beans or cheesy funeral potatoes.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Signature Spiral Slice - Spiral-sliced ham makes a beautiful centerpiece for your holiday table and is perfect for gatherings. The sweet honey glaze drips between the layers, keeping it moist and delicious.

Plus, it's easy to serve — no carving stress since it’s already sliced!

Honey Glazed Ham Secrets - We’ll show you the secret to that crunchy sugar crust people love from store-bought from Honey-Baked.

Bonus Tip: Make the glaze a day ahead to simplify your holiday prep!

Here's What You Need

Choosing the Ham

Best Ham for Making Copycat Honey Baked Ham is a good quality, 8-10 pound fully cooked, bone-in ham.

Pro Tip: A spiral cut is the best for baking and serving.

You’ve got two main options:

• Shank (Bone-In): This is the more economical cut with that classic shape. The bone adds rich flavor, making leftovers perfect for soups like Mom’s Leftover Ham & Bean Soup. The shank is leaner, so to keep it moist, be sure to cover it, baste it well, and reheat it slowly.
• Butt (Boneless): A little pricier, but more tender and flavorful. This cut has two small bones, which can make carving slightly trickier — but the juicy, tender slices are worth it!

Honey Glaze Ingredients

• honey
• brown sugar
• butter
• spices - all-spice, cloves, cinnamon
• granulated sugar - for the crunchy sugar crust

Flavor Variations

Hot Sauce or Hot Honey: Add a little kick! Just a drop or two of hot sauce or a spoonful of hot honey will balance the sweetness with gentle heat.

Bourbon or Rum: Stir in 1-2 tablespoons for a mellow, deeper flavor.

• Add in Early. Add early in the simmering process to cook off more alcohol and concentrate the flavor.
• Add Later. Add in the last few minutes for a bolder bourbon taste.
• Add at the End. For the strongest punch, stir it in off the heat right before glazing.

How To Make Copycat Honey Baked Ham

Here are helpful step-by-step instructions for unwrapping and preparing the ham.

Move Rack to Lower 3rd of Oven

Preheat Oven to 250°F (121°C)

Step 1. Prepare the Ham. Cut off the netting, unwrap, and pull out the plastic piece that covers the bone.

Set it flat side down on a rack in a roasting pan.

Pro Tip: Using a disposable roasting pan makes cleanup a breeze.

Add about ½ inch of water or broth to the bottom of the pan.

Pro Tip: Let it sit at room temperature for 90 minutes before baking to ensure more even cooking and a more tender & juicy result.

Initial Baking (Without Glaze)

Step 2. Reheat the Ham. Tightly cover the ham in aluminum foil and bake it for about 2 hours.

Remove it from the oven and uncover it about 30 minutes before it's finished cooking.

Pro Tip: We recommend a wireless meat thermometer, like the Meater we use at Seanna’s Kitchen. It ensures juicy meat and shows exactly when to remove the foil and start glazing — no guesswork!

How to Glaze a Ham Like Honey Baked

Step 3. Make the Glaze. Combine glaze ingredients (except the granulated sugar for the crust) in a saucepan.

Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar is dissolved and the glaze slightly thickens. This usually takes 5 minutes.

✨ See "The Spoon Test" below.

Pro Tip: The glaze can be made a few days ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until needed. Reheat before basting.

Increase Oven Temperature to 425°F

Step 4. Apply the Glaze. Using a pastry brush, generously brush it with the prepared glaze.

For that signature crunchy sugar crust, sprinkle granulated sugar over the glaze.

Place it back into the oven uncovered, and continue baking until the internal temperature reaches 120°F - 130°F (49°C - 54°C).

Step 5. Resting Time. Let it rest for 10 minutes before carving, so the juices can settle back in, keeping every slice tender, juicy, and full of flavor.

Step 6. Carving. Carve the meat by slicing along the bone and pulling off the slices.

Fan the slices on a platter and garnish with parsley for a beautiful presentation.

The Secret to That Crunchy Sugar Crust

That signature crunchy sugar crust is what makes this ham extra special — and it’s easier to create than you’d think!

Generously sprinkle granulated sugar over the glazed ham, then let it bake. As it cooks, the sugar will melt and caramelize into that irresistible, crackly crust.

Pro Tip: For an extra crisp finish, you can use a kitchen torch or pop it under the broiler for just a minute or two. Watch closely to avoid burning — you’re looking for golden and bubbly, not dark and bitter.

More Tips for Honey Glazed Ham Success

• Don’t Overcook the Glaze. Be careful not to overcook the glaze as it could become burnt or too thick to brush onto the ham.
• Flavor. Let it sit at room temperature for 90 minutes before baking to ensure more even cooking and a more tender & juicy result.
• Make the Glaze the Day Before. Because I like to keep holiday morning stress-free, I make the glaze the day before and just warm it up when it's time to baste.

How To Serve Honey Baked Ham

We love to serve this Honey Glazed Ham with classic side dishes like baked beans or cheesy hash brown potato casserole.

Be sure to check out our other Classic Holiday Side Dish Recipes.

Side Dishes for Ham