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Home » Recipes » Meat Recipes

How to Warm a Honey Baked Ham

felice kaufman author bio
By Felice Kaufman · Updated: Oct 20, 2026
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A Honey Baked Ham from the store is fully cooked and ready to serve. The goal is to warm it without drying out the meat or melting its signature glaze. Because the ham is spiral-sliced, gentle handling is the key.

different views of honey baked ham and honey mustard sauce

Quick Look: Honey Baked Ham

  • Taste: Sweet, smoky, and salty, with tender, juicy meat and a crisp, crackly caramelized glaze. We thought it was absolutely delicious.
  • From the store: We bought our 9-pound spiral-sliced ham at the Honey Baked Ham store in Kendall, Miami, after my son-in-law recommended it just after Thanksgiving.
  • The splurge: It's expensive, but after waiting in line for one, it lived up to every expectation-and makes an easy holiday centerpiece for a crowd.
  • Serving: It comes fully cooked and sliced. Let it sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes; warm only individual slices if you prefer.
  • Why it's a holiday favorite: Almost no prep, easy serving, and that sweet-salty glaze people line up for around the holidays.

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Jump to:
  • Quick Look: Honey Baked Ham
  • Our First Honey Baked Ham
  • What Is a Honey Baked Ham?
  • How To Serve Honey Baked Ham
  • Heating Honey Baked Ham
  • Garnishing the Ham
  • Leftovers and Freezing
  • Sides
  • Nutrition in Honey Baked Ham
  • Honey Baked Ham FAQ
  • How to Warm a Honey Baked Ham

Our First Honey Baked Ham

My son-in-law recommended Honey Baked Ham just after Thanksgiving, so I picked one up at the Honey Baked Ham store in Kendall, Miami.

There was a line, but the first bite made it clear why these hams are so popular around the holidays: tender, smoky meat with a sweet, crisp glaze.

honey baked ham

I kept it refrigerated for two days, then pulled it out and wondered why I had bought such a huge piece of meat. The package clearly stated:

FOR BEST RESULTS, SERVE AT ROOM TEMPERATURE

I let it sit for an hour, then 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!"

honey ham

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 in 1957 and is known for applying its sweet, crunchy glaze by hand. The caramelized coating gives the ham its crisp finish and signature flavor.

honey baked ham slices

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 the ham rest at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before carving.

You can easily slide the slices right off the bone. While I always carve a turkey in the kitchen, you can slice this ham 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.)

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: Place the slices in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, flipping the slices until 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 sauce or chutney on the side.

Leftovers and Freezing

The company states that its bone-in half hams stay fresh for 7-10 days when refrigerated. After serving, wrap leftover slices tightly and use them within 3-5 days.

To freeze, divide the ham into small portions, wrap the slices tightly, and place them in a freezer-safe zip-top bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.

If you have leftover ham, use it to make my Honey Baked Ham and Cheese Sliders for an easy lunch or dinner.

Honey baked ham hickory honey mustard sauce.

Sides

Honey Baked Ham stores offer several heat-and-serve sides, including scalloped potatoes, cornbread stuffing, potatoes au gratin, double cheddar macaroni and cheese, and green bean casserole.

Serve the ham with dinner rolls, a potato dish, and a vegetable. Here are some easy options:

  • roasted cinnamon sugar sweet potatoes recipe
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    Oven Roasted Baby Gold Potatoes
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    Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Parmesan Cheese
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    Roasted Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Carrots

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

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 ❤️

Honey Baked Ham FAQ

How much Honey Baked Ham should I serve per person?

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.

How does Honey Baked Ham taste?

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.

Do they sell Honey Baked Hams already defrosted?

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 gently warm it.

How long does it take to thaw if it arrives in the mail frozen?

A bone-in ham needs about 2-3 days in the refrigerator. A boneless ham usually needs 1-2 days.

How long does it last in the fridge?

According to the company, a bone-in half ham stays fresh for 7-10 days in the fridge. After serving, wrap leftover slices tightly and use them within 3-5 days.

Do you serve gravy with a Honey Baked Ham?

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.

front view of sliced spiral ham.

How to Warm a Honey Baked Ham

Felice Kaufman
Learn how to serve and gently warm a fully cooked Honey Baked Ham without drying out the meat or melting the glaze. Includes tips for carving, storage, and leftovers.
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Prep Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 16 servings
Calories 551.1 kcal

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.
    Front view of a Honey Baked Ham with spiral slices pulling away from the bone.

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 leftover slices tightly or place them in an airtight container. Refrigerate for 3-5 days.

Freezing

  • Portion slices, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, place in a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 551.1kcalProtein: 48.9gTotal Fat: 38gSaturated Fat: 13.6gCholesterol: 140.6mgSodium: 2692.1mgPotassium: 648.6mg
Tried this recipe? Leave a comment below & tag @cookinginthekeys on social!

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Welcome!

Hi, I’m Felice. I live in the Florida Keys and share easy recipes made with fresh seafood, steak, and seasonal vegetables. My cooking is inspired by island life and made with simple, real food.

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