Brown sugar glaze is a must for making the perfect baked ham for your main dish at a holiday gathering or a Sunday dinner. It is sweet, rich, and sticky, adding out-of-this-world flavor to a simple cooked ham. Making brown sugar glaze for baked ham is probably the easiest thing to do! It takes no more than 5 minutes to make a perfectly sticky ham glaze. So, are you wondering how to make a brown sugar glaze for ham? Read ahead!
Ingredient breakdown
- Brown sugar: Brown sugar is the main ingredient for making this glaze. If you are wondering whether to use white sugar, I recommend you stick to brown sugar. It gives this glaze a dark color and a caramel-like deep flavor. I have used light brown sugar for this recipe, but you can also use dark brown sugar. Whatever you like the best will work.
- Pineapple juice: Pineapple juice has a tropical and sweet taste with a hint of tanginess. It is an excellent choice for this brown sugar glaze recipe.
- Grainy mustard: Grainy mustard has a savory flavor with hints of spice, bitterness, and sweetness. It really elevates the taste of this glaze.
- Honey: Add honey for more sweetness and color.
- Clove: Cloves have a warmth to them, which makes this glaze intense and delicious.
- Cinnamon powder: For more warmth and flavor, add cinnamon powder. It offers a hint of sweetness as well.
How to Make a Brown Sugar Glaze for Ham
Making brown sugar glaze for ham is super easy. The whole process takes only 5 minutes making this glaze effortless and quick. Here is what you have to do.
- Step 1: Start by adding all the ingredients, i.e., pineapple juice, light brown sugar, grainy mustard, honey, cloves, and cinnamon powder, in a saucepan.
- Step 2: Place the saucepan over medium heat and start stirring it using a wooden spoon. This way, as the mixture heats up, the sugar will start to melt, and the sauce will start to thicken up.
- Step 3: Simmer the sauce for about 5 minutes over medium heat until it gets thicker and stickier.
- Step 4: Once it reaches your desired consistency, pour it over the ham about 20 minutes or so before the ham is fully cooked. You can baste the ham every 5 minutes or so if desired.
Variation ideas
You will find several different recipes for making brown sugar glaze for ham. Here are a few popular variations of this recipe that you can try:
- Orange Juice: Most people prefer pineapple juice for its tropical flavor, but you can also replace it with orange juice. It has enough sweetness, with a hint of tanginess, and the citrusy flavor comes out in the glaze.
- Maple Syrup: Maple syrup is a widely used substitute for honey. It has a very sweet flavor with a hint of caramel and toffee. You can easily use it instead of honey.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar cuts through the sweetness of this glaze and adds more flavor and depth to it. Adding apple cider is an excellent idea for those who like their glaze to be a bit more savory than sweet.
- Unsalted Butter: This brown sugar glaze has a sticky texture. However, you can turn it into something silky and smooth if you would like. All you have to do is add unsalted butter. It will give this glaze a luxuriously buttery texture and a delicious flavor.
- Dijon Mustard: Dijon mustard is known for its savory, salty, and tangy flavor. It adds a layer of depth to this brown sugar glaze. It is often a perfect substitute for grainy mustard.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: Cinnamon powder works just right in a brown sugar glaze for ham. However, adding pumpkin pie spice can elevate the flavors to the next level. It makes this dish a perfect choice for the fall season.
- Ginger/Garlic: Ginger and garlic are two flavors that usually go side by side. Both offer a depth of flavor and add a savory dimension to any dish. Add the two ingredients or any of these to this brown sugar glaze for more flavor.
- Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs are not just aromatic but are also loaded with flavors. Add your favorite fresh herb sprig, like rosemary, thyme, oregano, etc., for both taste and aroma.
Can you make brown sugar glaze in advance?
Absolutely! You can make this brown sugar glaze for ham in advance or store any remaining glaze for later use. Place it in an air-tight jar and refrigerate. You can store it for up to 4 days. Because it has brown sugar, it tends to thicken in the refrigerator. Simply heat it just before using it to regain its sticky liquid-like consistency.
How to Make a Brown Sugar Glaze for Ham
- Preparation time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups
Ingredients
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- 2 tbsp grainy mustard
- ½ cup honey
- ½ tsp cloves
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder
Instructions
- Add pineapple juice, light brown sugar, grainy mustard, honey, cloves, and cinnamon powder in a saucepan.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir so that the sugar dissolves.
- Simmer the mixture for about 4 to 5 minutes or until it starts to thicken up.
- Once it is sticky enough but not too sticky, take it off the heat and pour it over the ham around 20 minutes or so before the ham is scheduled to be done.
How to Make a Brown Sugar Glaze for Ham
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Yield: 2 cups
Ingredients
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- 2 tbsp grainy mustard
- ½ cup honey
- ½ tsp cloves
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder
Instructions
- Add pineapple juice, light brown sugar, grainy mustard, honey, cloves, and cinnamon powder in a saucepan.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir so that the sugar dissolves.
- Simmer the mixture for about 4 to 5 minutes or until it starts to thicken up.
- Once it is sticky enough but not too sticky, take it off the heat and pour it over the ham around 20 minutes or so before the ham is scheduled to be done.