Pecan Praline Glazed Ham
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This pecan-glazed ham is a real showstopper. With a sweet maple glaze and pecan brown sugar topping, this stunning ham is sure to be the star of your holiday table.
If you’re searching for a versatile ham recipe with a sweet glaze that goes with just about any side dish, this is the perfect holiday ham recipe for you.
I surrounded our ham with sweet potatoes while baking to soak up all that pecan praline goodness. This spiral sliced bone-in ham would also be delicious with a healthy serving of sweet potato casserole, crockpot glazed carrots, creamed spinach, and a nice basket of potato rolls.
With all the upcoming holidays, it’s time to share this fantastic pecan praline ham recipe. It would be an amazing holiday dinner centerpiece or main course option for any special occasion. It is also perfect for an everyday family dinner!
Whenever you serve the juicy pecan ham with sweet maple pecan glaze up, one thing is for sure. The whole family will love it, like my air fryer ham with maple pineapple glaze.
With only 5 simple ingredients and 20 minutes of prep time, you’ll have plenty of time to work on other dishes while your spiral-sliced ham with pecan praline glaze bakes in the oven.
Ingredients for Pecan Glazed Ham
This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Spiral Sliced Ham—I recommend getting a 9-12 pound spiral bone-in cut ham. Make sure that it is fully cooked.
- Butter— You’ll need to divide this up to use at different times. I suggest unsalted butter and then salt as needed, later.
- Maple Syrup— The base of your glaze that brings the natural sweetener.
- Brown Sugar— Enhances the sweetness of the glaze and we all know how well brown sugar pairs with ham. We used light brown sugar but dark brown sugar would work as well and give it a darker color and deeper molasses flavor.
- Crushed Pecans— You can buy chopped pecans or put whole pecans in a food processor.
Supplies for this recipe
- measuring cups and spoons
- large baking dish or roasting pan
- small saucepan
- microwave-safe bowl
- whisk
- meat thermometer
- basting brush
- sharp knife, for slicing and serving
How to make a pecan glazed ham
This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.
Step 1: Preheat to 325°F and make room for the ham by positioning the rack in the bottom third of the oven. Line a large baking dish or shallow roasting pan with heavy-duty foil for easy clean-up, if desired.
Step 2: Remove your ham from the packaging, discarding any liquid. Place the sprial ham cut side down in your baking pan or roasting pan. Surround with sweet potatoes, if desired.
Step 3: Melt 4 Tablespoons of butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. To the butter, whisk in ½ cup of maple syrup.
Step 4: Coat your ham with the glaze mixture. Make sure to get the top of the ham and the sides of the ham.
Step 5: Bake ham for 1 to 1 ½ hours (depending on the size of the ham) in the preheated oven. The internal temperature of the thickest part of the ham should reach 140 degrees f on an oven thermometer.
Step 6: While your ham is baking combine brown sugar and pecans in a small bowl.
Step 7: Remove your ham from the oven and cover it in the brown sugar and pecan mixture. Return to the oven for 30 minutes.
Step 8: Meanwhile, make the final glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat combine the remaining 4 Tablespoons of butter and ½ cup maple syrup. While whisking, bring this mixture up to a slight bubble and cook for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
Step 9: Remove the ham from the oven and drizzle the remaining glaze over the ham.
Step 10: Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Storage
Leftover glazed ham should be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Leftover ham is great for ham and pea salad, breakfast casseroles, omelets, soups, and sandwiches.
Pro tips
- Check ham before baking. Before glazing and cooking make sure there is not a plastic cap on the bone on the cut side of the ham.
- Add veggies. I like to add sweet potatoes around the ham. They end up soaking up some of the pecan praline glaze and really bring this classic ham dinner up a notch. Just use 2 chopped and peeled potatoes around the ham in the bottom of the pan before baking. Sometimes I add some carrots as well. Try adding your favorite veggie!
- No maple syrup? No problem. In a pinch, you can swap the maple syrup out for pancake syrup.
- Up the flavor. Add a dash of cinnamon or vanilla extract when adding the brown sugar for added flavor.
- Don’t overcook. The internal temperature of a precooked ham needs to reach 140°F on a meat thermometer to be safe to eat. Don’t overbake the ham or it will dry out.
Pecan praline ham: Frequently asked questions
Finding the perfect cook time will vary for each spiral ham. Depending on the weight of the ham, some will need more cook time than others. I recommend following the directions found on your ham’s packaging or shooting for 10-12 minutes of baking time per pound of ham. Then check the internal temp of the ham (it should reach 140 degrees f for a precooked ham) and adjust the cooking time as necessary.
Yes, once the maple pecan glazed ham has completely cooled to room temp, transfer the leftovers to a freezer-safe container and place them in a freezer for up to 3 months.
I do not cover it but I know that many people do cover their ham with foil while baking to prevent it from drying out. You are welcome to wrap or tent your ham if you desire. However, I would remove the foil during the last 30 minutes after adding the brown sugar and pecans.
Best side dishes for ham
- Creamed spinach
- Sweet potato casserole with pecan topping
- Creamed corn
- Fluffy potato rolls
- Roasted potatoes in the air fryer
- Macaroni and cheese
Pecan Glazed Ham
Ingredients
- 1 spiral sliced bone in ham 9-12 pounds
- 8 Tablespoons butter divided
- 1 cup maple syrup divided
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup crushed pecans
Instructions
- Position rack in the bottom third of oven and preheat to 325°F. Line a large baking dish or shallow roasting pan with aluminum foil for easy clean-up, if desired.
- Remove your ham from the packaging, discarding any liquid. Place the ham cut side down in a large baking dish or roasting pan.
- Melt 4 Tablespoons of butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. To the butter, whisk in ½ cup of maple syrup.
- Coat your ham with the glaze.
- Bake the ham for 1 to 1 ½ hours (depending on size or ham).
- While the ham is baking combine brown sugar and pecans in a small bowl.
- Remove the ham from the oven and cover it in the brown sugar and pecan mixture. Return the ham to the oven for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the final glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat combine the remaining 4 Tablespoons of butter and ½ cup of maple syrup. While whisking, bring this mixture up to a slight bubble and cook for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Remove the ham from the oven and drizzle the glaze over the ham.
- Allow the ham to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- The larger the ham the longer it will take to cook. Aim for about 10-12 minutes per pound of ham total bake time. The ham is done with the thickest part registers 140 degrees f.
- I put sweet potatoes around the ham while baking to soak up all that pecan praline goodness but this is entirely optional. If using sweet potatoes simply add 2 peeled and chopped sweet potatoes around the ham before baking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
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