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When it comes to making a delicious baked ham, one of the key components is the sauce. A flavorful sauce can take an ordinary ham to the next level, adding a touch of sweetness, tanginess, or spiciness to enhance the natural flavors of the meat. Whether you’re looking for a classic honey mustard sauce or something a bit more unique, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll explore some mouthwatering sauces for baked ham that are sure to impress your family and friends. So let’s get started!
1. Honey Mustard Sauce
No list of sauces for baked ham would be complete without the classic honey mustard sauce. This sauce is a perfect balance of sweetness from the honey and tanginess from the mustard. Here’s an easy recipe to make your own honey mustard sauce:
Ingredients:
– 1/2 cup honey
– 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
– 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
– 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper until well combined.
2. Brush the sauce over the ham before baking, reserving some for serving.
3. Bake the ham according to your recipe’s instructions, basting with the sauce every 15 minutes.
4. Serve the ham with the remaining sauce on the side.
2. Pineapple Glaze
If you’re looking for a sweet and tangy glaze for your baked ham, a pineapple glaze is a fantastic option. The tropical flavors of pineapple pair perfectly with the savory ham. Here’s a simple recipe to make your own pineapple glaze:
Ingredients:
– 1 cup pineapple juice
– 1/2 cup brown sugar
– 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
– 2 tablespoons cornstarch
– 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions:
1. In a small saucepan, whisk together the pineapple juice, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, cornstarch, and ground cloves.
2. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and comes to a boil.
3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the glaze cool slightly.
4. Brush the glaze over the ham before baking, reserving some for serving.
5. Bake the ham according to your recipe’s instructions, basting with the glaze every 15 minutes.
6. Serve the ham with the remaining glaze on the side.
3. Maple Bourbon Glaze
For a more sophisticated and complex flavor profile, a maple bourbon glaze is an excellent choice. The sweetness of the maple syrup and the richness of the bourbon complement the ham beautifully. Here’s a delightful recipe to make your own maple bourbon glaze:
Ingredients:
– 1/2 cup maple syrup
– 1/4 cup bourbon
– 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
– 2 tablespoons brown sugar
– 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
– 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
1. In a small saucepan, combine the maple syrup, bourbon, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and ground cinnamon.
2. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
3. Brush the glaze over the ham before baking, reserving some for serving.
4. Bake the ham according to your recipe’s instructions, basting with the glaze every 15 minutes.
5. Serve the ham with the remaining glaze on the side.
4. Apricot Glaze
If you’re looking for a sweet and fruity glaze for your baked ham, an apricot glaze is a fantastic option. The tanginess of the apricot preserves adds a burst of flavor to the ham. Here’s a simple recipe to make your own apricot glaze:
Ingredients:
– 1 cup apricot preserves
– 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
– 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
– 1 tablespoon brown sugar
– 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions:
1. In a small saucepan, combine the apricot preserves, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and ground ginger.
2. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
3. Brush the glaze over the ham before baking, reserving some for serving.
4. Bake the ham according to your recipe’s instructions, basting with the glaze every 15 minutes.
5. Serve the ham with the remaining glaze on the side.
5. Spicy Mustard Glaze
For those who prefer a bit of heat, a spicy mustard glaze is the way to go. The combination of spicy mustard and tangy vinegar adds a zesty kick to the ham. Here’s a flavorful recipe to make your own spicy mustard glaze:
Ingredients:
– 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
– 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
– 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
– 1 tablespoon honey
– 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey, and cayenne pepper until well combined.
2. Brush the glaze over the ham before baking, reserving some for serving.
3. Bake the ham according to your recipe’s instructions, basting with the glaze every 15 minutes.
4. Serve the ham with the remaining glaze on the side.
Conclusion
With these delicious sauces for baked ham, you can take your holiday or special occasion meal to new heights. Whether you prefer the classic combination of honey and mustard, the tropical flavors of pineapple, the sophistication of maple and bourbon, the fruity tanginess of apricot, or the zesty kick of spicy mustard, there’s a sauce that will suit your taste buds. So go ahead and experiment with these recipes, or create your own unique glaze to make your baked ham truly special. Your family and friends will be asking for the recipe in no time!