Sweet Tea Glazed Ham

This sweet tea glazed ham transforms an ordinary bone-in spiral ham into an extraordinary holiday centerpiece with minimal effort. The magic happens in the glaze, where strong sweet tea reduces with brown sugar, mustard, and warm spices to create a complex caramelized exterior that will have guests requesting this recipe for years to come.

I first made this for Easter dinner when unexpected guests doubled our headcount, and it saved the day. The ham was so popular that my brother-in-law now specifically requests "that tea ham" for every family gathering.

Ingredients

• Fully cooked bone-in spiral ham: makes this recipe foolproof and ensures perfect slicing
• Brewed sweet black tea: provides the distinctive Southern flavor base and natural sweetness
• Brown sugar: caramelizes beautifully and adds depth to the glaze
• Dijon mustard: cuts through the sweetness with necessary tang
• Apple cider vinegar: balances the sweetness and tenderizes the meat
• Orange zest and juice: brighten the entire dish with citrus notes
• Ground ginger and cinnamon: add warm aromatic complexity
• Cayenne pepper: optional but adds subtle heat that complements the sweet glaze

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Ham:

Remove ham from refrigerator 1 hour before cooking to take the chill off. Preheat your oven to 325°F and prepare a roasting pan with foil for easy cleanup. Score the ham surface in a diamond pattern about 1/4 inch deep to allow the glaze to penetrate. If desired, press whole cloves into the intersections of your scored lines for extra flavor and presentation points.

Create the Sweet Tea Glaze:

Combine sweet tea, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, vinegar, orange zest and juice, and spices in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring mixture to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce to a simmer. Let it reduce for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until it reaches a syrupy consistency that coats the back of a spoon. The mixture should reduce by about one-third.

Initial Glazing:

Brush a generous layer of glaze all over the ham, getting into all the crevices between the spiral slices. Reserve about half the glaze for later basting. Cover the ham loosely with foil to prevent the surface from drying out or burning during the initial cooking phase.

Bake with Love:

Place the ham in your preheated oven and bake approximately 12-15 minutes per pound. The goal is simply to heat the ham through since it is already fully cooked. During this time, baste every 30 minutes with additional glaze, lifting the foil carefully each time and replacing it after basting.

Final Caramelization:

For the grand finale, remove the foil during the last 20 minutes of cooking and increase the oven temperature to 375°F. Apply a final thick layer of glaze and return to the oven uncovered. Watch carefully as the surface transforms into a beautiful caramelized coating with deep mahogany color.

Rest and Serve:

Allow the ham to rest for a full 15 minutes before carving. This critical step allows juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring maximum moisture in every slice. Serve with any remaining glaze on the side for guests who desire extra sweetness.

Save This

The orange component in this glaze is truly the unsung hero. My grandmother always said a touch of citrus brightens pork like nothing else, and after years of experimenting, I completely agree. The natural oils in the zest especially make the entire kitchen smell incredible while baking.

Selecting the Perfect Ham

When shopping for your ham, look for one labeled "spiral-cut" and "fully cooked" or "ready to serve." The spiral cutting makes serving easier and allows the glaze to penetrate between the slices. Bone-in hams have superior flavor compared to boneless options. The shank portion tends to be easier to carve than the butt portion, though either works beautifully with this recipe. For a 10-12 pound ham, you can expect to serve 10-12 people with some leftovers.

Save This

Make-Ahead Options

This glazed ham works wonderfully as a make-ahead dish. You can prepare the entire ham a day before serving, let it cool completely, then refrigerate. When ready to serve, cover with foil and reheat in a 300°F oven until warmed through, about 30-45 minutes. Alternatively, prepare just the glaze up to three days ahead and store refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before using, or gently rewarm if it becomes too thick to spread.

Southern Serving Suggestions

In true Southern tradition, this sweet tea glazed ham pairs beautifully with classic sides. Serve alongside creamy mac and cheese, collard greens with pot likker, or sweet potato casserole. For a complete holiday spread, add buttermilk biscuits, deviled eggs, and a peach cobbler for dessert. The sweet-savory profile of the ham complements both rich and acidic side dishes, making it extremely versatile for your menu planning.

The History Behind Sweet Tea Ham

This recipe represents a modern twist on Southern cooking traditions. Sweet tea became popular in the South during the early 1900s when tea and sugar became more affordable. Using it as a ham glaze combines two beloved Southern staples. Historically, hams were preserved with salt and sugar curing methods, and holiday preparations often involved sweet glazes using local ingredients like sorghum, molasses, or fruit preserves. This recipe honors that tradition while introducing the distinctive flavor of sweet tea that feels inherently Southern.

Common Questions

→ Can I use a different type of ham for this dish?

Yes, while the recipe specifies a bone-in spiral ham, you can use a regular bone-in ham or even a boneless ham. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly (boneless hams generally cook faster). The spiral cut allows the glaze to penetrate better, but you can score a regular ham in a diamond pattern to achieve a similar effect.

→ How do I make the sweet tea for the glaze?

Brew 3 cups of strong black tea (using 3-4 tea bags) and add 2-3 tablespoons of sugar while it's hot. If you prefer, you can use pre-made sweet tea, just ensure it's not too diluted. For a deeper flavor, brew the tea longer rather than adding more sugar.

→ Can I make the glaze ahead of time?

Absolutely! The sweet tea glaze can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Simply warm it before using to restore its syrupy consistency for easier brushing.

→ What can I serve with this glazed ham?

This ham pairs beautifully with other Southern-inspired sides like cornbread, collard greens, mac and cheese, or roasted sweet potatoes. The sweet-savory flavor profile also works well with tangy sides like coleslaw or vinegar-based potato salad to balance the sweetness.

→ How should I store and use leftover ham?

Store leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The leftovers make excellent sandwiches, can be diced for omelets or quiches, added to bean soups, or transformed into a delicious ham and potato hash for breakfast.

→ Can I make this ham without the cloves?

Yes, the cloves are optional and primarily add a decorative touch along with subtle aromatic flavor. The ham will still be delicious without them. If you enjoy the flavor of cloves but don't want to stud the ham, you can add 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves to the glaze instead.