It may look like a ham with a rulebook, but the instructions are easier than most people think. Honey Baked Ham comes fully cooked and spiral sliced, so the real trick is knowing what not to do. Don't heat the whole ham or the glaze will melt and the meat can dry out. Bring it to room temperature, carve along the bone, and warm slices only if you want them hot.
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How to Serve Your Honey Baked Ham (Quick-Start)
Do not heat the whole ham in the oven. It will melt the glaze and could dry out the meat.
Serve it at room temperature. Let the ham sit out for 30-45 minutes before carving.
You'll notice plenty of juices in the foil and more as you slice. Spoon them over the ham.
Serve with a potato and a vegetable. It couldn't be easier!
Our First Honey Baked Ham
I've been in wholesale grocery for decades, I;ve learned over the years that products don't sell millions of units by accident. When something moves like that year after year, it's usually because the flavor is so good people keep coming back.
Honey Baked Ham is one of those products. With 400 retail stores, its easy to understand why it's a hit!
I first tried one after my brother called me right after Thanksgiving. He kept saying how sweet it was and how he hopes I try it, really soon!
His excitement convinced me to get one, so I picked up a 9-pound spiral-sliced ham. Luckily, I was able to find one nearby! (We are sometimes challenged finding nearby chain stores in the Keys.)
I put it in the fridge for 2 days and then pulled ot out questioning why I bought this huge piece of meat. On the bag the ham was packed in, it clearly states:
FOR BEST RESULTS, SERVE AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
Your Honey Baked Ham is fully cooked and ready to serve. We recommend that you remove it from the refrigerator and let it stand 30 minutes prior to serving.
It sat for an hour, just to be safe, and I cut off a corner to taste Home run!
I called in my husband. He took a bite and said, "Oh my God, this is so good!"
What Is a Honey Baked Ham?
A Honey Baked Ham is a fully cooked, spiral-sliced ham coated in a sweet, crunchy glaze made from sugar and spices.
The Honey Baked Ham Company was founded more than 100 years ago, and they're known for torching the glaze by hand in their stores. That's what gives the outside its crisp finish and signature flavor.
I bought this one at the Honey Baked Ham store in Kendall, Miami. When I picked it up, the staff gave me a quick rundown on how it should be served.
They reminded me that the ham is fully cooked and the glaze is delicate, so it's best served at room temperature.
I also got a bottle of their honey mustard sauce which seems to be a very popular sauce second to their chutney. It's prefect!
They have all kinds of side dishes in the store like macaroni and cheese, scalloped potatoes, cornbread stuffing, and green bean casserole. They sell smoked and roasted turkey too!
History of Honey Baked Ham
The Honey Baked Ham was started by Harry J. Hoenselaar, a Detroit butcher who wanted to make carving a ham easier.
In 1957, he started The Honey Baked Ham Company. His goal was to make a ready-to-eat ham. This ham could be sliced and served easily without any mess.
Carving a big bone-in ham was hard for home cooks, so he spent years working on a hack. In 1944, he invented the first spiral-slicing machine, built from a tire jack, a pie tin, and a washing machine motor. It cut thin, even slices that stayed on the bone and changed the way people served ham.
He also developed a secret curing and smoking process. The hams are smoked over hardwood chips for up to 24 hours then finished with a glaze.
This glaze is caramelized with a torch to create the crackly crust that everyone knows.
What began as a small idea grew into a national brand with more than 400 retail stores. Mail order is available at honeybaked.com.
How To Serve Honey Baked Ham
Keep the ham in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve it. The company recommends serving it at room temperature.
Leave the foil on and let it rest on the counter for 45 minutes before carving.
You can easily slide the slices right off the bone. While I always carve a turkey in the kitchen, this ham can be sliced right at the table. (If you're cooking turkey for the holidays too, my Butterball turkey recipe is a great guide to keep on hand.)
The spiral-cut meat is already pre-sliced, so you just slip the knife between the layers and the slices almost fall away on their own.
Heating Honey Baked Ham
If you want the ham warm, heat it slice by slice. This keeps the rest of the ham from drying out.
Skillet: Place a skillet over medium-low heat and warm each slice for 20 to 30 seconds. The glaze should sizzle lightly without burning.
Oven: Preheat to 275°F (135°C). Wrap slices tightly in foil and heat for about 10 minutes.
Microwave: To microwave, place the slices in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate. Cover them with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, flipping the slices until they're warmed through.
Garnishing the Ham
Keep the garnish simple and seasonal. Place the ham on a large platter and decorate with fresh cranberries, pineapple rings, orange slices, and a few herbs like rosemary, thyme, or sage.
Add a small bowl of honey mustard or chutney on the side.
Leftovers and Freezing
Wrap leftovers tightly in portions or store them in an airtight container. They will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
To freeze, portion the ham and wrap a few slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place the packages in a freezer zip-top bag. Thaw in the refrigerator when you're ready to use it.
If you have exletover ham, take a look at my Leftover Ham Recipes for simple ideas that stretch it into a few more meals.
Sides
I picked up a bottle of honey mustard sauce, which is the perfect sauce! Pour into a serving bowl with a spoon and serve at room temperature. The squeeze bottle is a little hard to use.
They also sell chutney at the store or you can use your favorite cranberry sauce.
You can grab plenty of sides right at the store. They're ready to heat and serve. They offer many side dishes including scalloped potatoes, cornbread stuffing, potatoes au gratin, double cheddar mac and cheese, and green bean casserole.
Serve the ham with dinner rolls, a potato dish, and a vegetable. Here are some easy options:
Nutrition in Honey Baked Ham
These values were gathered from the Honey Baked Ham website for a 4-ounce serving. Nutrition can vary based on size and cut. Please refer to HoneyBaked.com or contact your local store for the most accurate information.
- Calories: 210
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Sodium: 1370mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 5g
- Total Sugars: 5g
- Protein: 21g
- Potassium: 360mg
Takeaway
There is a good reason Honey Baked Ham sells millions of hams every year!
And the answer is simple. It's delicious! The ham is tender, the slices pull apart easily, and the glaze gives it a sweet, smoky, salty, crunchy finish. It tastes like a holiday ham should taste, and that's why so many people pick one up every year.
The Honey Baked Ham is salty, smoky, sweet, and always a hit. You can find it at one of the 400 shops across the country.
It makes perfect centerpiece for any meal. If you're hosting, pick one up a few days ahead and simply bring it to room temperature before serving.
Keep it chilled until then, let it rest before carving, and avoid heating the whole ham so you don't lose that famous glaze. Warm slices gently if you want them hot, store leftovers in the fridge, and freeze extra portions for later.
Pair it with simple sides and you've got an easy, stress-free meal.
This post is not sponsored or affiliated with The Honey Baked Ham Company. I purchased the product myself. My husband can't wait to get another one ❤️
FAQ
Plan on ½ pound of bone-in ham per person. A 10-pound ham is enough for most family gatherings and still leaves extra for sandwiches or soup. It's always better to have a little extra because the slices go fast.
Honey Baked Ham is sweet, salty, and smoky with a crunchy caramelized glaze. The meat is tender and juicy, and the spiral slices make it easy to enjoy every bite.
Yes. When you buy a ham directly from a Honey Baked Ham store, it's already thawed, fully cooked, and ready to serve. You can slice it cold or warm it gently.
A bone-in ham needs about 2-3 days in the refrigerator. A boneless ham usually needs 1-2 days.
A Honey Baked Ham keeps for about 7-10 days in the refrigerator once you bring it home.
Gravy isn't usually served with Honey Baked Ham. The sweet glaze doesn't pair well with traditional gravy. Most people serve honey mustard or a simple fruit sauce like pineapple or orange-honey chutney. You can also use cranberry sauce.
Honey Baked Ham Instructions
Ingredients
- 8 pound Honey Baked Ham spiral-sliced or boneless
Instructions
Chill or Room Temp
- Keep the ham refrigerated until ready to serve. Let it sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before carving.
To Carve
- The spiral-cut meat is already pre-sliced, so you just slip the knife between the layers and the slices almost fall away on their own.
To Heat Individual Slices (Optional)
- Skillet: Warm slices for 20-30 seconds over medium-low heat.
- Oven: Wrap slices in foil and heat at 275°F (135°C) for 10 minutes.
- Microwave: To microwave, place the slices in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate. Cover them with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, flipping the slices until they're warmed through.
Storage
- Wrap ham tightly or place in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Freezing
- Portion slices, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, place in a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Scalloped potatoes or au gratin potatoes
- Green bean casserole
- Sweet potato casserole
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Cranberry-orange relish
- Creamy macaroni and cheese
- Steamed or roasted asparagus
- Honey mustard
- Dijon mustard
- Cranberry sauce or cranberry-orange relish
- Apricot preserves warmed with a little water
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