If you’re looking for a show-stopping centerpiece that captures the festive spirit flawlessly, this Christmas Spiral Ham with Orange Honey Glaze and Pomegranate Garnish Recipe is your golden ticket. Imagine tender, juicy spiral-sliced ham dripping with a luscious, tangy-sweet glaze made from bright orange juice, rich honey, and brown sugar, all enlivened by a hint of cinnamon. Finished with the jewel-like pop of pomegranate seeds and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this dish balances flavor, texture, and visual appeal perfectly. It’s not just a meal; it’s a celebration on a platter that your family and friends will rave about year after year.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients for this Christmas Spiral Ham with Orange Honey Glaze and Pomegranate Garnish Recipe is a breeze, yet every single item plays a key role in creating that irresistible harmony of flavors and festive look. Each ingredient adds a unique note—whether it’s the sweetness, acidity, or the fresh crunch of garnish—making this ham both comforting and elegantly bright.
- Spiral sliced bone-in ham (9-12 pounds): The star of the dish, pre-sliced for easy serving and perfect glaze absorption.
- Orange juice (2 cups): Adds a vibrant citrus brightness that balances the richness of the ham.
- Brown sugar (2 cups): Brings deep, caramelized sweetness critical for the glaze’s signature flavor.
- Honey (1 cup): Gives natural sweetness and a glossy finish to the glaze.
- Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): A warming spice that adds seasonal coziness to the dish.
- Orange zest (zest of 1 orange): For a punch of fresh, aromatic citrus flavor and a pretty garnish.
- Pomegranate seeds (1 cup): Jewel-like seeds that provide a tart contrast and gorgeous color.
- Parsley (1 tablespoon, chopped): Adds a fresh green touch and mild herbaceousness as a finishing flourish.
How to Make Christmas Spiral Ham with Orange Honey Glaze and Pomegranate Garnish Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Begin by preheating your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure the perfect slow roast that keeps the ham juicy. Removing most of the liquid from the ham’s packaging (saving about a cup) is a key step to avoid diluting your glaze while adding just the right moisture to the baking dish.
Step 2: Assemble Ham and Initial Glaze
Place the ham cut side down in a large roasting pan. Add the reserved liquid to the pan which helps keep the ham moist during roasting. Then, mix half of the orange juice, brown sugar, honey, and cinnamon together, pouring this mixture over your ham to soak in that incredible sweet and citrusy base flavor from the very start.
Step 3: Roast Low and Slow
Pop the ham into the preheated oven and roast for 2 to 2 ½ hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the ham to heat through slowly. The low temperature ensures the ham stays tender, while the initial glaze starts to caramelize on the surface.
Step 4: Prepare the Thickened Glaze
During the last hour of baking, pour the reserved half of the orange juice mixture into a pot and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Reduce to medium-low and whisk constantly to prevent bubbling over. Let this simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes until it thickens beautifully—a glossy glaze ready to coat the ham with a luscious shine.
Step 5: Glaze and Garnish
Once the ham is cooked and out of the oven, transfer it to a serving dish. Spoon the thickened orange honey glaze generously over every spiral slice. Then sprinkle with fresh orange zest, vibrant pomegranate seeds, and chopped parsley to add both color and complementary fresh flavors to your Christmas Spiral Ham with Orange Honey Glaze and Pomegranate Garnish Recipe.
Step 6: Carve and Serve
Carve the spiral ham along the existing slices for easy portioning, ensuring each serving is beautifully coated with the glaze and bursting with festive charm. Serve immediately while everything is warm and inviting.
How to Serve Christmas Spiral Ham with Orange Honey Glaze and Pomegranate Garnish Recipe
Garnishes
The pomegranate seeds and orange zest sprinkled over the ham aren’t just pretty—they add delightful bursts of tart and fresh citrus that cut through the sweetness. A sprinkle of chopped parsley adds a subtle herbaceous note, balancing the palette and giving the dish a vibrant and inviting look that guests will instantly love.
Side Dishes
This ham pairs beautifully with classic sides like buttery mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables, or a fresh green bean almondine. For an extra festive touch, try cranberry sauce or a creamy gratin. These sides complement the sweet and tangy profile of the glaze while adding warmth and texture to the holiday table.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday entertaining, consider serving your Christmas Spiral Ham with Orange Honey Glaze and Pomegranate Garnish Recipe on a large wooden board surrounded by sprigs of rosemary or thyme. Arrange slices fanned out for an elegant buffet display. A few citrus wedges and extra pomegranate seeds scattered around the plate add natural color and make it impossible not to dive right in.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, wrap leftover ham tightly in foil or place in an airtight container and refrigerate. Properly stored, the ham will remain flavorful and juicy for up to 5 days, making it perfect for post-holiday meals or easy sandwiches.
Freezing
If you want to keep your ham longer, slice it and freeze portions in freezer-safe bags. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. Frozen ham can maintain its quality for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the refrigerator overnight for the best texture.
Reheating
To reheat, warm slices gently in a covered dish in the oven at 275 degrees Fahrenheit, brushing with extra glaze to keep moist. Microwave works well for smaller portions but take care not to dry out the ham. Reheating slowly preserves tenderness and flavor just like freshly served.
FAQs
Can I use a boneless ham instead of a bone-in spiral ham?
Yes, you can substitute boneless ham, but bone-in spiral ham tends to retain more moisture and flavor during cooking. The spiral slices also help the glaze penetrate better, making the bone-in version ideal for this recipe.
Is fresh pomegranate necessary or can I use frozen or dried?
Fresh pomegranate seeds offer the best texture and burst of tartness that complements the sweet glaze perfectly. Frozen seeds can be used if fresh are unavailable, but dried ones will be too chewy and lack juiciness.
How long can I prepare the ham ahead of time before baking?
You can prepare and glaze the ham a few hours in advance and keep it refrigerated. Just make sure to cover it well to prevent drying out, then bake fresh for best results on the day you plan to serve.
Can I adjust the glaze for less sweetness?
Absolutely! You can reduce the brown sugar or honey slightly if you prefer a less sweet glaze. Just keep in mind the balance between acidity from the orange juice and sweetness is key to that signature flavor.
What’s the best way to carve spiral ham?
Follow the existing spiral cuts carefully with a sharp carving knife to separate slices. This method keeps the ham intact and makes serving easier while ensuring every slice gets that delicious glaze coating.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Spiral Ham with Orange Honey Glaze and Pomegranate Garnish Recipe is truly a festive showstopper that brings both warmth and brightness to your holiday table. It’s easy enough to prepare but feels special enough to impress everyone gathered. Give it a try this season and watch as it becomes a beloved tradition everyone looks forward to at Christmas and beyond.
Print
Christmas Spiral Ham with Orange Honey Glaze and Pomegranate Garnish Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 18 slices
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This festive Christmas Ham recipe features a tender spiral-sliced bone-in ham glazed with a sweet and tangy mixture of orange juice, brown sugar, honey, and cinnamon. The ham is baked to perfection and finished with a luscious homemade glaze, garnished with fresh orange zest, pomegranate seeds, and parsley, making it a perfect centerpiece for holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
Ham
- 1 ham (spiral sliced bone-in, 9-12 pounds)
Glaze
- 2 cups orange juice
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1 cup honey
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Garnish
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 cup pomegranate seeds
- 1 Tbsp parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the ham.
- Prepare Ham: Remove the ham from its packaging. Discard most of the liquid but reserve about 1 cup for cooking.
- Position Ham: Place the ham cut side down in a large baking dish or roasting pan and add the reserved packaging liquid to the dish.
- Make Glaze Base: In a large bowl or measuring cup, combine the orange juice, brown sugar, honey, and cinnamon, mixing well.
- Apply Initial Glaze: Pour half of the glaze mixture evenly over the ham, keeping the remaining half for later.
- Bake Ham: Place the ham in the preheated oven and bake for 2 to 2 ½ hours, calculating approximately 20 minutes per pound until cooked through.
- Prepare Glaze: During the last hour of baking, start preparing the glaze by pouring the reserved half of the orange juice mixture into a large pot or deep pan.
- Heat Glaze: Heat the mixture over medium heat until it begins to boil, then reduce to medium-low heat.
- Simmer Glaze: Whisk constantly to prevent boiling over, and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes until thickened to a syrupy consistency.
- Cool Glaze: Remove the glaze from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
- Remove Ham: Once the ham is cooked through, carefully remove it from the oven and transfer to a serving dish.
- Glaze Ham: Pour the thickened glaze all over the ham, covering it evenly.
- Garnish: Sprinkle the ham with fresh orange zest, pomegranate seeds, and chopped parsley for color and flavor contrast.
- Serve: Carve the ham into slices and serve warm, perfect for festive gatherings.
Notes
- Cooking time is approximately 20 minutes per pound; adjust based on the exact weight of your ham.
- Reserve packaging liquid to add moisture during baking and enhance flavor.
- Constant whisking of the glaze prevents it from burning or boiling over.
- Use fresh pomegranate seeds and parsley for the best garnish effect.
- Allow the glaze to cool slightly before pouring to avoid runoff.
