Get ready to elevate your holiday feast or a special Sunday dinner with this incredibly easy and mouth-watering Apricot Dijon Spiral Ham recipe! Featuring a luscious sweet and savory glaze that’s utterly irresistible, this dish promises to be the star of your table. Forget complicated preparations; we’re breaking down how to create a perfectly baked, juicy spiral ham with minimal effort, ensuring a spectacular meal every time.
Apricot Dijon Spiral Ham: The Perfect Centerpiece
As the holidays approach, finding a show-stopping main course that’s both impressive and simple to prepare can feel like a challenge. This Apricot Dijon Spiral Ham recipe is the answer! We absolutely adore this dish in our home, and it has become a staple for Easter, Christmas, and even special Sunday gatherings. Its popularity stems from the perfect blend of sweet and tangy flavors in the glaze, which caramelizes beautifully as the ham bakes, infusing every slice with irresistible taste.
This recipe truly takes the stress out of holiday cooking. You’ll be amazed at how quickly the vibrant glaze comes together, and then it’s simply a matter of coating the ham and letting your oven do the rest. The result is a tender, juicy ham with a magnificent crust that will have everyone asking for seconds. Whether you’re hosting a grand celebration or an intimate family meal, this Apricot Dijon Spiral Ham is guaranteed to delight your guests and create lasting memories.
Why This Apricot Dijon Glaze is Unbeatable
The magic of this spiral ham lies in its incredibly flavorful glaze. It’s a harmonious marriage of sweetness from apricot preserves, a rich depth from brown sugar, and a zesty kick from Dijon mustard. This combination isn’t just delicious; it also provides a beautiful golden-brown crust that locks in moisture, ensuring your ham remains succulent throughout the baking process. Unlike many glazes that can be overly sweet or too overpowering, our Apricot Dijon blend strikes a perfect balance, enhancing the natural flavors of the ham without masking them.
Preparing the glaze is perhaps the easiest part of the entire recipe. It comes together in minutes on the stovetop, bubbling into a thick, glossy mixture ready to transform your ham. This glaze is applied in two stages: an initial coating before baking to start the flavor infusion, and a second generous layer towards the end to build that gorgeous, caramelized exterior. This two-step glazing technique is key to achieving maximum flavor and a visually stunning finish that will make your ham a truly unforgettable centerpiece.
Choosing and Preparing Your Spiral Ham
Selecting the Best Ham
For this recipe, selecting the right ham is crucial. We recommend a **fully cooked, bone-in spiral ham** weighing between 6 to 8 pounds. Spiral-sliced hams are ideal because the pre-cut slices allow the glaze to seep in between layers, ensuring every piece is coated in that delightful sweet and savory goodness. The bone also contributes to a richer flavor and helps keep the ham moist during cooking. Avoid country-style hams for this recipe, as they tend to be saltier and drier, which wouldn’t complement our luscious glaze.
Ingredients for the Ham Glaze
You’ll need just a handful of simple ingredients for this incredible glaze:
- Fully cooked bone-in spiral ham: The star of our dish, ready to absorb all the delicious flavors.
- Brown sugar: Provides a deep, caramel sweetness that is essential for a classic ham glaze.
- Apricot preserves: Adds a fruity, tangy sweetness that pairs beautifully with the savory ham and sharp Dijon.
- Dijon mustard: Contributes a subtle, pungent tang that cuts through the sweetness and balances the overall flavor profile.
How to Make Apricot Dijon Spiral Ham
Time needed: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Follow these simple steps to create a truly unforgettable Apricot Dijon Spiral Ham.
-
Preheat oven and prepare ham for baking.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Carefully unwrap the fully cooked spiral ham and place it cut-side down in a sturdy, shallow roasting pan or baking dish. This positioning helps retain moisture and allows the glaze to coat the top evenly.
-
Craft the perfect sweet and savory glaze.
In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and apricot preserves. Place the saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously until all ingredients are well combined and the sugar has dissolved. Bring the mixture to a gentle bubble, then reduce the heat slightly and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. The glaze should thicken slightly. Remove the saucepan from the heat and carefully spoon about half of this delicious mixture evenly over the ham, ensuring it seeps into the spiral cuts.
-
Begin baking the ham.
Place the roasting pan with the glazed ham into the preheated oven. Bake, uncovered, for 1 hour. Baking it uncovered allows the glaze to start caramelizing and forming a beautiful crust.
-
Apply the second glaze layer and finish baking.
After 1 hour, remove the ham from the oven. Generously spoon the remaining glaze over the ham, making sure to coat all surfaces thoroughly. Return the ham to the oven and continue baking for another 15-30 minutes, or until an internal meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham (avoiding the bone) reads 140°F (60°C). This ensures the ham is heated through and the glaze is perfectly caramelized.
-
Rest, slice, and serve.
Once the ham reaches the desired temperature, carefully remove it from the oven and transfer it to a large cutting board. Tent it loosely with aluminum foil and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. This resting period is crucial as it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the ham, resulting in a more tender and flavorful outcome. After resting, slice along the pre-cut spirals or carve as desired, and serve immediately!
Expert Tips for a Flawless Ham
- Choose Wisely: Always opt for a half smoked bone-in ham that is labeled “fully cooked.” This specific type ensures a tender texture and rich flavor that beautifully complements the apricot Dijon glaze. Country-style hams are often too dry and salty for this recipe.
- Room Temperature Ham: For even cooking, allow your ham to sit at room temperature for about 30-60 minutes before placing it in the oven. This takes the chill off and promotes more consistent heating.
- Prevent Drying Out: The key to a moist ham is gentle cooking and avoiding overcooking. While our recipe bakes uncovered for caramelization, some prefer to tent the ham loosely with foil for the first hour to prevent the exterior from drying before applying the second layer of glaze.
- Basting for Extra Flavor: During the second baking phase, you can periodically baste the ham with the pan drippings or additional glaze from the saucepan. This adds extra moisture and deepens the flavor of the crust.
- Rest is Best: Don’t skip the resting step! After baking, letting the ham rest under foil for 10-15 minutes allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every slice is incredibly tender and succulent.
Spiral Ham: Frequently Asked Questions
A good rule of thumb is to estimate about 3/4 pound of bone-in ham per person. If you’re using a boneless ham, you can plan for about 1/2 pound per person. This usually allows for generous servings and a bit of delicious leftover ham!
The most effective way to keep your ham moist is to avoid overcooking it. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 140°F (60°C) and no higher. You can also tent the ham loosely with foil for the initial part of the baking process to lock in moisture.
According to the USDA, to reheat a spiral-sliced ham in a conventional oven, cover the entire ham or a portion with heavy aluminum foil and heat at 325°F (160°C) for about 10 minutes per pound, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C). Individual slices can also be reheated quickly in a skillet with a splash of broth or in the microwave.
For optimal results with this Apricot Dijon glaze, choose a fully cooked, bone-in smoked spiral ham. This specific type is pre-sliced and has a wonderful smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet and tangy glaze. Avoid country-style hams, as they can be too dry and salty.
Yes, you can absolutely prepare the apricot Dijon glaze a day or two in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to use, gently reheat it over medium-low heat on the stovetop, stirring frequently, until it returns to a pourable consistency.
This flavorful ham pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Consider serving it with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, green bean casserole, sweet potato gratin, or a fresh garden salad to complement its rich flavors.
Serving Suggestions & Customizing Your Ham
This Apricot Dijon Spiral Ham is incredibly versatile when it comes to serving. For a holiday feast, consider pairing it with classic sides like creamy mashed potatoes, tender roasted asparagus, a vibrant green bean casserole, or a sweet potato soufflé. For a simpler Sunday dinner, a crisp green salad and some crusty bread are all you need to complete the meal.
Feeling adventurous? You can easily customize the glaze to your preference. A touch of ginger can add a warm, spicy note, or a pinch of red pepper flakes could introduce a subtle heat. You can also experiment with different fruit preserves, such as peach or orange, for a unique twist on the classic apricot. Regardless of how you serve it or customize it, this spiral ham is sure to be a highlight.
Other Ham Recipes You May Enjoy
- Honey Baked Glazed Ham Recipe
- Ham and Pineapple Fried Rice
- Iowa Ham Salad
- Ham, Bean and Cabbage Soup
- Coca Cola Glazed Ham
10
servings
Apricot Dijon Spiral Ham
Jamie Sherman
5
mins
1
hr
25
mins
1
hr
30
mins
Rate
Equipment
-
Silicone Pot Holder Trivet Mats – Hot Pads Spoon Rest, Multipurpose Trivet for Hot Dishes Heat Resistant Food Grade Silicone Set of 4
-
Calphalon 5-Piece Nylon Kitchen Cooking Utensil Set
-
Simply Calphalon Nonstick 10 Piece Cookware Set
-
Nonstick Steel Roaster with Flat Rack, 11-Inch x 15-Inch, Gray
-
Measuring Cups and Spoons
-
Stainless Steel Carving Meat Fork
Ingredients
-
1
fully cooked bone-in spiral ham,
6 to 8 pounds -
½
cup
packed brown sugar -
½
cup
apricot preserves -
2
tablespoons
Dijon mustard
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the ham cut side down in a shallow roasting pan or baking dish.
-
Combine the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and apricot preserves in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until combined. Let the mixture start to bubble while constantly stirring. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes. Remove the glaze from the heat and spoon half of the mixture over the ham.
-
Bake the ham, uncovered, for 1 hour.
-
Spoon the remaining glaze over the ham and bake another 15-30 minutes longer or until a thermometer reads 140°F (60°C) and the ham is heated through.
-
Slice and serve immediately!
Notes
- Choose half a smoked bone-in ham labeled “fully cooked.” For this recipe, a country-style ham would be too dry and salty.
- Allow the ham to rest for 10-15 minutes after baking to ensure maximum juiciness.
Nutrition
Calories:
478
kcal
,
Carbohydrates:
19
g
,
Protein:
51
g
,
Fat:
21
g
,
Saturated Fat:
5
g
,
Polyunsaturated Fat:
2
g
,
Monounsaturated Fat:
8
g
,
Cholesterol:
199
mg
,
Sodium:
3184
mg
,
Potassium:
793
mg
,
Fiber:
0.2
g
,
Sugar:
16
g
,
Vitamin A:
26
IU
,
Vitamin C:
64
mg
,
Calcium:
30
mg
,
Iron:
2
mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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