This year, go ham for the holidays with the only recipe you'll ever need.
How to Make a Christmas Ham
Updated on Dec. 07, 2022
Salty, smoky and glistening with glaze, nothing in the world beats ham for the holidays. But how do you choose the right size ham for your guest list? Should it be bone-in or boneless? And, most importantly, exactly what Christmas ham recipe should you use?
Here’s all you need to know to bake up your best holiday ham recipe yet.
How to Choose a Christmas Ham
How much ham do you need?
For bone-in ham, allow about 1/2 pound per person. Going with boneless? Buy 1/3 pound of ham per person. So, for a party of 12, you’d need a 6-pound bone-in ham or 4 pounds of boneless.
Should you get boneless or bone-in ham?
We prefer bone-in. The ham bone contributes moisture and flavor as the meat bakes, but it does make the ham a bit tricky to carve. (We’ll show you how to master this technique later, so keep reading.) Find out more differences between the main types of ham: bone-in, boneless and spiral ham.
What are the different cuts of ham?
Bone-in full hams are the largest, consisting of the butt (upper portion) and shank (leg) halves. Shank half hams are smaller than butt half hams, and they give you a meaty, flavorful bone ideal for making bean soup. Coming from a larger cut, butt half hams weigh more and yield large slices. Center-cut ham steaks and packaged ham slices sold in the store come from the butt half. The different cuts taste similar, so choose based on your preferred size and brand.
How much does Christmas ham cost?
Many stores offer Christmas ham as a loss leader, so you’re sure to find one that fits your budget. To take off some stress, our Test Kitchen says these holiday hams are definitely worth the price.
One year, my parents splurged on a magnificent spiral-sliced bone-in ham from Nueske’s (one of our favorite ham brands), which was a joy for me to carve and an absolute delight for the family to eat. You can find very good hams for an eighth of this price, and everything in-between, during the holiday season.
Our Christmas Ham Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 fully cooked bone-in ham (7 to 9 pounds)
Glaze:
- 1/2 cup grapefruit juice
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 3 teaspoons coarsely ground pepper
Directions
Step 1: Prep the ham
Preheat oven to 325°F. Place ham on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Using a sharp knife, score surface of ham with 1/4-in.-deep cuts in a diamond pattern. This helps the yummy glaze soak into and infuse the ham with flavor.
Step 2: Bake it
Cover and bake until a thermometer reads 130°, 1-3/4 to 2-1/4 hours.
Test Kitchen Tip: Whole bone-in fully cooked hams need about 15 to 18 minutes per pound. If you’re using a boneless fully cooked ham, plan on baking for 18 to 20 minutes per pound. (Partially cooked and uncooked hams, which are less common, should bake to 145°, so allow a bit of extra time for these.)
Step 3: Prep the glaze
Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine grapefruit and orange juices. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced by half, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients; return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until thickened, 12 to 15 minutes.
Step 4: Brush on the glaze
When a thermometer reads 130°, remove ham from oven. Brush with 1/3 cup of glaze. Bake, uncovered, basting occasionally with the remaining glaze, until a thermometer reads 140°, 15 to 20 minutes longer.
Step 5: Carve your Christmas ham
With a carving knife, cut off one boneless section of ham at a time. Then slice each section. Carve and slice the bone-in section last. For specifics, check out or step-by-step tutorial on carving a ham.
Christmas Ham FAQs
Should I use cloves on my Christmas ham?
Cloves are optional, but they add a lovely aroma as the ham bakes, as well as an old-fashioned appearance. If you like the idea, insert a whole clove into each diamond point of the ham before baking. The cloves also make handy hooks for adorning the meat with pineapple rings and maraschino cherries (if you’re looking for a retro holiday ham recipe).
What other ham glazes could I use?
We think you’ll love the citrus-molasses glaze in this Christmas ham recipe, but there’s lots of room for flavor experimentation here. Make your ham glaze of choice, then brush it on as directed above.
- Sugar Glaze: Combine 1 cup packed brown sugar, 2 teaspoons prepared mustard and 1 to 2 tablespoons cider vinegar.
- Bourbon Glaze: Stir up 2/3 cup bourbon, 2 cups packed brown sugar, 1 tablespoon ground mustard, 1 tablespoon orange marmalade and 1/8 teaspoon ground coriander.
- Cranberry Glaze: In a pot, simmer 1 can (14 ounces) whole-berry cranberry sauce, 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup cider vinegar and 1 to 1-1/2 teaspoons ground mustard.
How long does leftover Christmas ham last?
Sliced ham lasts three to four days in the fridge, while a hunk of ham will last up to five. If you don’t think you’ll use it up in time, follow our guide on how to freeze ham, on or off the bone.
What can I do with leftover ham?
We love leftover ham layered on grilled cheese, scrambled with eggs, stirred into mac and cheese—even doused with sriracha for a bedtime snack (don’t judge). For more inspiration, try these fabulous leftover ham recipes.
Have Leftover Ham? Make These Next!
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This potpie is probably the coziest way to rework leftovers. The addition of fresh fennel, tarragon and homemade biscuits really takes this dish to the next level. If you don't have time to make homemade biscuits, use our pick for the best store-bought biscuits.
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Ham & Cheese SconesI make these scones as a way to use up leftover ham. The cheesy, savory wonders are a delight as an appetizer or an afternoon snack. —Barbara Lento, Houston, Pennsylvania
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Rather than using crescent rolls, these ham and cheese pockets are made with frozen bread dough. This gives them more of a rounded pocket shape.
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Quick Hawaiian PizzaOur family never quite liked the taste of canned pizza sauce, so one time I tried mixing some barbecue sauce into spaghetti sauce to add some sweetness. I’ve made my pizzas with this special and easy sauce ever since, and my family loves it! —Tonya Schieler, Carmel, Indiana
The age-old debate of whether pineapple belongs on pizza is solved with this quick and simple dish. The homemade sauce is made by combining barbecue sauce with marinara for some sweetness.
Apple Butter Biscuit Breakfast BakeMy grandmother created this recipe to use up the leftovers from Christmas Eve dinner. By combining the leftover ham and biscuits with her homemade apple butter, milk and eggs, she could serve us all a warm, delicious breakfast and still have time to spend with the grandchildren. —Mary M. Leverette, Columbia, South Carolina
This recipe is great for the holiday season, as it combines the warm winter flavors of ham and apple butter. This is a leftovers dream and will quickly become a tradition for years to come.
Ham & Veggie CasseroleI’ve paired ham with broccoli and cauliflower for years. To complete this casserole dinner, I pass around some dinner rolls. —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Casseroles are a gift to slow days, and this one is no exception. With broccoli and cauliflower, this can offset a traditionally sweet ham for a more savory and cheesy dish.
Chicken Cordon Bleu PastaFacebook fans of my blog, Chef in Training, inspired me to make this creamy pasta casserole out of ingredients I had on hand. Success! I took the dish for another flavorful spin and added a bit of smoky bacon and toasted bread crumbs. —Nikki Barton, Providence, Utah
Chicken cordon bleu is thin breaded chicken wrapped around ham and cheese. This dish reimagines the concept by taking all those ingredients and mixing them with pasta, onion and garlic for a creamy and indulgent meal.
Priscilla’s Vegetable ChowderThis is the perfect soup to warm up with on a cold fall or winter day. Serve it in a bread bowl to make it extra special. —Rhodes Bake-N-Serv, Jenna Jackson, Salt Lake City, Utah
Panera's bread bowls really changed the game for soups. This broccoli, carrot, celery and potato chowder is comfortable and homey with the added surprise and texture of ham.
Slow-Cooker Breakfast CasseroleSlow-cooker breakfast casserole is a low-effort, utterly irresistible overnight recipe packed with breakfast favorites like eggs, sausages, hash browns and cheese. Kids and adults alike are going to love it.
Fiesta Ham SoupChowders are a scrumptious way to warm the spirits during the holidays. Our festive soup is brimming with ham, green chiles, potatoes and corn. —Cathy Hastie, Auburn, California
Chowders are a scrumptious way to warm the spirits during the holidays. This festive soup is brimming with ham, green chiles, potatoes and corn.
Twice-Baked Potato CasseroleOur reviewers all agree: This twice-baked potato casserole is a real hit! They love that it can be made in advance and tastes exactly like twice-baked potatoes (but with a fraction of the effort).
Ham & Potato-Rutabaga ChowderThe ingredients in this dish are a nod to my mother's tasty potato and rutabaga side dish, which was always paired with baked country ham; dishes she served during the cold months when I was a child. Whenever I make this chowder it brings me back to a time when life was just a little bit simpler. —Cheryl Perry, Hertford, North Carolina
Potatoes and rutabagas are usually presented as side dishes to a ham dinner. This chowder combines them to make the ultimate comfort meal.
My Best-Ever JambalayaI tried to mimic Jambalaya from my favorite restaurant and it turned out so well my daughter and husband now prefer my recipe and won't order it when we go to the restaurant! —Alexis Van Vulpen, St. Albert, Alberta
This jambalaya proudly earns its spot as the best. The Cajun seasoning and hot pepper sauce add a kick to the chorizo, ham and chicken.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Crescent RingA classic cordon bleu has chicken, cheese and ham. To change it up, roll everything inside a wreath of crescent dough for a beautiful meal. —Stella Culotta, Pasadena, Maryland
This wonderfully presented take on chicken cordon bleu uses crescent rolls in the shape of a ring. This makes for a portable, hand-held treat for any party.
Mediterranean Broccoli & Cheese OmeletMy Italian mother-in-law taught me to make this omelet years ago—she would make it for breakfast, lunch or dinner and eat it on Italian bread. This is one of my favorite ways to use up leftover broccoli. —Mary Licata, Pembroke Pines, Florida
Ham & Chicken RollsMy family is so crazy about these rolls, we serve them at dinner, snack time, cocktail parties—even breakfast. You can make them a day in advance and refrigerate until needed. —Evelyn Stocks, Winterville, North Carolina
These ham and chicken sandwich rolls can be served any time of day for a fast meal. They can even be refrigerated in advance for an event or trip.
Baked Two-Cheese & Bacon GritsIn the South, everyone loves three things: bacon, cheese and grits! After playing around with this recipe, I took it to my first family party as a newlywed, and it was a huge hit. This recipe has become a family tradition that I'm sure will be passed down for generations. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Ham & Broccoli PastaIt’s hard to beat a meal that is created in one pan, takes 30 minutes and your kids will actually thank you for making. Sounds like a keeper in my book! —Jana Cathey, Ada, Michigan
This one-pan dish relies on one ingredient: chive and onion cream cheese. The cream cheese works wonderfully in this pasta creates a creamy consistency and complements the ham and broccoli.
Scrambled Egg BreadWe always eat ham, eggs and bread on camping trips, and we often have extras. Combine them and you’ve got scrambled egg bread. We first made this on a visit to Mount Shasta. —Shirley Mondeau, Rohnert Park, California
You've heard of avocado toast and egg sandwiches, but let's meet somewhere in the middle for this scrambled egg bread. This fun breakfast takes a traditional omelet and turns it into something new with ease.
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This recipe is recommended as a dip for bread. Comforting and warm, this soup has all the fixings for a cold night.
Green Bean and Cauliflower CasseroleI like to make my own savory cream sauce for the timeless green bean casserole. This time I added another vegetable for a delicious twist that sets my casserole apart from the rest! You can omit the vermouth if you'd like by substituting another half-cup of chicken broth. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
Adding cauliflower and ham to the traditional green bean casserole creates new flavors and textures that really complement this dish. Perfect for the day after Christmas, it can be a side dish or the main event.
Ham and Spinach PieWith the exception of the phyllo dough, which I always have on hand, this ham and spinach pie recipe is made entirely from Easter dinner leftovers. One of my neighbors traded me four freshly caught trout for a slice! —Teena Petrus, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
This ham and spinach pie makes a wonderful breakfast and an equally as enticing breakfast for dinner. The mushrooms and spinach add a softness to the crunch that phyllo dough creates.
Sweet Onion Creamed CornA friend from church gave me this easy and delicious recipe more than 40 years ago, and I still make it regularly. She was from the South, and whenever I cook it, I remember her fondly. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
This creamed corn has every comfort flavor you can imagine. Sweet and savory elements fight against each other for dominance and it's for the best that all of them win.
Ham & Swiss Baked PenneAs a kid I loved to the hot ham and Swiss sandwiches from a local fast-food restaurant. With its melty, gooey goodness, this bake makes me think of them. —Ally Billhorn, Wilton, Iowa
This is the pasta equivalent of a ham and Swiss sandwich. The crunchy breadcrumb topping is so divine over the creamy pasta that you'll be happy you had leftover ham in the fridge.
Truly Tasty Turnips with GreensThese savory greens are a hit at every church dinner I take them to. Adjust the seasonings as you please to make this recipe your own. —Amy Inman, Hiddenite, North Carolina
These slow cooker greens are a wonderful way to bring people together. Your kitchen will smell heavenly throughout the day.
Ham and Broccoli CornbreadLeftovers haunt me. Often nobody wants to eat them, and I hate to see them go to waste. A cornbread casserole is an excellent way to leverage many combinations of leftover meat and veggies into exciting new meals that everyone will love. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
Give your leftover ham and veggies the perfect home in this cornbread. Easy and accessible, these can make a great breakfast or appetizer for a group.
Sweet Potato and Ham HashSweet potato hash might be the ultimate breakfast-for-dinner recipe. Loaded with sauteed vegetables, browned ham, soft eggs and cheese, it has all the flavors and textures you want, whether it's morning, day or night.
A lot of breakfast recipes fail to utilize sweet potatoes, but this is not one of them. This recipe offers a fresh take on breakfast and gives you the option of what to serve it with.
Chicken Marsala LasagnaI love chicken marsala, but most recipes do not serve a crowd. So I invented this chicken marsala lasagna. It makes enough for 12 people. —Debbie Shannon, Ringgold, Georgia
This chicken marsala dish serves 12 people. This is not a rushed recipe, but the time and effort put in will really shine through in this lasagna remix.
Ham & Jack Pudgy PiePepper jack cheese adds spicy flavor to these warm, melty sandwiches. —Terri McKitrick, Delafield, Wisconsin
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Muffuletta PastaA friend gave me this recipe when she learned that I love muffuletta sandwiches. Very rich and filling, this easy skillet supper goes together quickly on a busy weeknight. Serve with some cheesy garlic bread. —Jan Hollingsworth, Houston, Mississippi
Muffuletta sandwiches are a New Orleans creation that combines olive salad and cold cuts. This pasta is all of that and more.
Mustard Ham StrataI had this at a bed-and-breakfast years ago. The owners were kind enough to give me the recipe, and I've made it many times since. —Dolores Zornow, Poynette, Wisconsin
Strata are a group of layered casseroles, usually for brunch, with cheese, eggs and bread as the base. This strata has mustard, ham and green onion.
Roasted Red Pepper TrianglesI sandwich full-flavored meats, cheeses and veggies between layers of flaky crescent dough for this sensational treat. We like to have marinara sauce on hand for dipping. —Amy Bell, Arlington, Tennessee
These roasted red pepper triangles have pepperoni and ham for some strong flavors. The spice from the red pepper is balanced with the cheese and meat.
Grilled Ham BurgersMy family loves my ham loaf, so I decided to make the ham loaf mixture into patties and grill them—it was an instant hit. Adding the arugula gives these burgers a peppery bite and honey mustard dressing adds just the right sweet and sour flavor. —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Give your leftover ham new life with these delicious grilled burgers. With crushed pineapple, these burgers are sweet and smokey
Beer-Braised Pulled HamTo jazz up ham, I slow-cooked it with a beer sauce. Buns loaded with ham, pickles and mustard are irresistible. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
To jazz up ham, slow-cook it with a beer sauce. Buns loaded with ham, pickles and mustard are irresistible.
Potato Ham Omelet PieAs a holiday kickoff, my family gets together in early December for a hearty brunch before going out to cut our Christmas trees. This flavorful breakfast pie, assembled in layers, was a big hit at last year's gathering. —Shelly Rynearson, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
This pie is great to make when you have an abundance of leftover ham you want to get rid of. It contains layers of potato, ham and cheese and makes for a lovely breakfast or lunch.
Linguine with Ham & Swiss CheeseMy grandmother used to make this for parties and potlucks. It was loved by all back then, and it still is today. The classic combination of pasta, ham, cheese and a creamy sauce makes it irresistible. —Mary Savor, Woodburn, Indiana
This pasta uses leftover and pantry staples to make a filling meal. If you're not crazy about canned cream of mushroom soup, try your hand at making homemade cream of mushroom soup
for this recipe.
Ham & Cheese ZitiThis versatile dish is a crowd-pleaser. You can easily take the recipe and make it your own by changing up the cheeses or veggie. My family loves it! —Donna Bailey, Oreland, Pennsylvania
This versatile dish is a crowd-pleaser and easy to whip up with your leftover ham. Don't be afraid to change the cheeses or veggie to make the most of what you have on hand.
Grilled Pesto, Ham and Provolone SandwichesThese Italian-style sandwiches are loaded with zesty flavors. To lighten them a little, use fat-free mayo. We serve them with minestrone or a crisp salad. —Priscilla Yee, Concord, California
Prepared pesto, basil and pickled cherry peppers add a ton of flavor and brightness to a standard ham sandwich. Serve these sammies with minestrone or a crisp salad for a complete lunch.
