Sweet Tea Glazed Ham (Printable Version)
Succulent ham glazed with sweet tea, brown sugar, and citrus creates a caramelized Southern centerpiece perfect for holiday gatherings.
# What You'll Need:
→ Ham
01 - 1 fully cooked bone-in spiral ham (4.5–5.5 kg / 10–12 lbs)
02 - Whole cloves (optional, for studding)
→ Sweet Tea Glaze
03 - 720 ml (3 cups) brewed sweet black tea (strong and slightly sweetened)
04 - 180 g (1 cup) brown sugar, packed
05 - 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
06 - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
07 - Zest and juice of 1 orange
08 - ½ tsp ground ginger
09 - ½ tsp ground cinnamon
10 - Pinch of cayenne (optional)
# Steps to Follow:
01 - Preheat oven to 160°C (325°F). Line a large roasting pan with foil and place ham on a rack inside. If desired, score the surface in a diamond pattern and stud with cloves.
02 - In a saucepan, combine sweet tea, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, orange zest and juice, ginger, cinnamon, and cayenne. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes until syrupy.
03 - Brush ham all over with glaze, reserving half for basting. Cover loosely with foil.
04 - Bake for 2 to 2.5 hours (about 12–15 minutes per pound), basting with glaze every 30 minutes.
05 - During the last 20 minutes, remove foil and increase heat to 190°C (375°F). Apply final glaze layer and bake uncovered until caramelized.
06 - Rest 15 minutes before carving. Serve with any remaining glaze on the side.
# Additional Tips::
01 -
- Perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors in every bite
- Uses simple ingredients to create a showstopping main dish
- Makes excellent leftovers for sandwiches and breakfast hash
- Requires minimal hands on time despite the impressive results
02 -
- Unbelievably versatile as leftovers for breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
- No need to make additional sauce as the leftover glaze works perfectly
- Can be prepared a day ahead and reheated for stress-free entertaining
03 -
- Cool your tea completely before measuring to ensure proper glaze consistency
- Save the ham bone for flavoring beans, collard greens, or soup
- For extra flavor, add 2 tablespoons of bourbon to the glaze during the final simmer