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If you are looking for the perfect ham to be the star of your Christmas dinner, this apricot glazed ham is it! It has a delicious apricot glaze drizzled on top and it’s baked to perfection.

If there is ever a time to go all out on a meal, this apricot ham is it! Try cooking these potatoes, beans, and rolls to go with them and your guests will keep coming back for more!

A platter of sliced apricot glazed ham.

Apricot Glazed Ham

We are all familiar with the classic honey ham but wait until you try ham with this apricot glaze! It brings an entirely new flavor to the table. And I promise you that it is one that will keep you coming back for more. This recipe is not only insanely delicious but it’s super easy. Most of the time it’s spent cooking in the oven. While it cooks, you can make all of your sides, and soon you will have a feast to remember!

Trust me when I say that this ham is the best that I have ever tried. There is just something about adding in the apricot and mixing it with some mustard and classic holiday spices like cinnamon. The taste is so good and you MUST TRY this recipe! Plus, it makes a lot so it’s the perfect entree for a holiday party! Invite lots of people over when you make this. They will all be asking you for the recipe before the night is over. Add in this Christmas wreath charcuterie board and you are going to impress everyone with your skills!

Ingredients in Apricot Glazed Ham

This recipe only uses SIX ingredients… that’s it! So snatch up a ham at the store and try this out. You won’t be disappointed. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

  • Spiral ham: When you are picking out your ham make sure that it’s boneless and fully cooked (pre-sliced).
  • Apricot preserves: This fruit gives the BEST flavor to complement this ham.
  • Dijon mustard: This mustard will add in a tangy element.
  • Brown sugar: The brown sugar mixed in is what will create that great glaze for the top!
  • Ground cinnamon and cloves: These spices mixed in with the apricot and mustard are SOO GOOD.

Let’s Cook a Ham!

This apricot glazed ham is the perfect entree for any dinner. Especially ones during the holidays! I love the fresh taste that the apricot brings. It’s delicious and definitely a recipe that you will want to repeat.

  1. Preheat: Preheat oven to 350°F. 
  2. Put ham in pan: Place the ham in a roasting pan or 9X13 baking dish, cut side down.
  3. Whisk ingredients: In a saucepan, combine the apricot preserves, dijon mustard, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cloves. Whisk ingredients together and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Once it comes to a boil, remove from heat.
  4. Brush on glaze: Brush 1/2 of the glaze over the ham. Make sure the glaze gets between the slices.
  5. Cover with foil and bake: Cover the pan tightly with foil so the ham doesn’t dry out. Bake for 90 minutes or per the package instructions. 
  6. Brush on glaze and bake uncovered: Remove the ham from the oven and brush the remaining glaze on top. Save a little for serving if you like. Increase the oven temperature to 425°F. Return the ham to the oven uncovered. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the ham gets a nice brown outer layer.
  7. Let it rest: Transfer the ham to a serving platter. Let the ham rest and slightly cool for 15 minutes before serving. Slice and serve with additional glaze if you saved some.
3 pictures showing how to make a glaze and brush it on the ham.

Tips for Cooking a Ham

Glazed apricot ham is an easy main dish for any dinner. I’ve come up with a few tips that will help it turn out perfectly for you!

  • What if my ham is drying out? Spiral ham is already cooked so all that you will be doing is heating it up. You don’t want to overcook it! So make sure to keep it covered with foil at the beginning. This will keep all of the juices in. A ham is ready when the internal temperature is 140 degrees.
  • Thaw it: If you have a frozen ham then make sure to thaw it overnight in the fridge. Make sure not to start cooking it until it’s fully thawed!
  • Can I use something else instead of apricot preserves? Yes! You can also use apricot jam, jelly or marmalade.
An apricot glazed ham right out of the oven.

How to Store Leftover Ham

Leftover apricot glazed ham makes fantastic leftovers! Use it for sandwiches or reheat it for dinner the next night. Here’s how you can store it safely.

  • In the refrigerator: If you have leftover ham then place it in an airtight container (or wrap it in plastic wrap and then foil) and put it in your fridge. It can last 3-5 days!
  • Reheating: Place the ham on a baking sheet and cover it with foil. Cook at 325 degrees for about 10 minutes or until the ham is heated through!

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Apricot Glazed Ham

By: Alyssa Rivers
If you are looking for the perfect ham to be the star of your Christmas dinner, this apricot glazed ham is it! It has a delicious apricot glaze drizzled on top and it's baked to perfection.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Servings: 20 people

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Place the ham in a roasting pan or 9X13 baking dish, cut side down.
  • In a saucepan, combine the apricot preserves, dijon mustard, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cloves. Whisk ingredients together and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it comes to a boil, remove it from heat.
  • Brush 1/2 of the glaze over the ham. Make sure the glaze gets between the slices.
  • Cover the pan tightly with foil so the ham doesn't dry out. Bake for 90 minutes or per the package instructions.
  • Remove the ham from the oven and brush the remaining glaze on top. Save a little for serving if you like. Increase the oven temperature to 425°F. Return the ham to the oven uncovered. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the ham gets a nice brown outer layer.
  • Transfer the ham to a serving platter. Let the ham rest and slightly cool for 15 minutes before serving. Slice and serve with additional glaze if you saved some.

Notes

It helps to take the ham out of the refrigerator an hour before baking.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 388kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 43gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 166mgSodium: 2634mgPotassium: 655mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 25IUVitamin C: 54mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!
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About Alyssa Rivers

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Alyssa Rivers and the food blogger behind The Recipe Critic. The blog launched in 2012 as a place to share my passion for cooking. I love trying new things and testing them out with my family. Each recipe is tried and true, family-tested and approved.

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12 Comments

  1. Hi, I am from NZ. Your recipe sounds gorgeous and I will be trying it Christmas day (2023) for my family. I have a shank ham (1/2), do I put the cut side down on the pan to cook? Will the glaze run off it while it is cooking?
    Thanks, Jackie

    1. I would lay it down on its side if you can. But I’m sure it will still turn out beautifully if you cook it with the cut side down. The glaze is pretty sticky so it should stay on!
      Merry Christmas, Jackie!

  2. We had this for dinner tonight and really enjoyed it! I usually make a ham in the crockpot, but this might be my go-to recipe from now on. I served it with rice pilaf, Hawaiian rolls, and green beans. Merry Christmas!

  3. thank you for sharing this recipe, have never used apricot before, nice that its not as sweet as the typical honey baked version, much appreciated!