Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham Recipe With Sweet Citrus Glaze

Cranberry orange glazed ham combines sweet and savory notes that make any gathering feel special.

Ham has long been a centerpiece for celebrations, from holiday dinners to Sunday suppers, because it feeds a crowd without requiring constant attention in the kitchen.

The combination of fruit-based glazes with tender, juicy ham creates a balance that appeals to nearly everyone at the table.

When baked to perfection, the exterior develops a gorgeous caramelized coating while the inside stays moist and flavorful.

Serving ham means more time with loved ones and less time stressing over complicated cooking techniques.

Both festive occasions and casual family meals benefit from a main dish that looks impressive but comes together with minimal fuss.

With just a bit of preparation, you can have a stunning centerpiece that satisfies appetites and earns compliments all around.

Pull up that recipe card and see how simple it is to serve up something truly memorable.

Why Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham Is a Favorite

• Festive Flavor Explosion: This cranberry orange glaze transforms an ordinary ham into a show-stopping centerpiece that’ll have your family asking for seconds at holiday gatherings.
• Super Simple Technique: Even if cooking feels intimidating, this recipe lets you create a gourmet-looking dish with basic kitchen skills and minimal prep work.
• Crowd-Pleasing Combination: The sweet-tangy blend of cranberry and orange gives your ham a bright, complex flavor that appeals to almost every taste preference at the table.
• Make-Ahead Magic: The glaze can be prepared in advance, making your meal prep smoother and letting you spend more time with guests instead of stuck in the kitchen.

What Goes into Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham

• Bone-In Ham (8-10 lbs): The star of your holiday feast, delivering rich, meaty flavor that everyone will adore.
• Fresh Cranberries (2 cups): Tart berries that burst and create a beautiful, vibrant sauce when cooked.
• Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice (1 cup): Bright citrus liquid that adds a tangy sweetness to your glaze.
• Brown Sugar (1 cup): Provides deep caramel-like sweetness that helps your glaze caramelize.
• Ground Cinnamon (2 tsp): Warm spice that adds a subtle, comforting background note.
• Whole Cloves (6): Aromatic spices that infuse a gentle, spicy undertone into your ham’s glaze.

What Tools Support Cranberry Orange Ham

• Large Roasting Pan (16×11-inch): Your perfect partner for roasting the ham evenly and catching all those delicious drippings.
• Sharp Chef’s Knife (8-inch): Essential for scoring the ham’s surface in that classic diamond pattern.
• Saucepan (2-quart): Helps you create the vibrant cranberry orange glaze with precision.
• Pastry Brush: Delivers that gorgeous, sticky glaze smoothly across the ham’s surface.
• Meat Thermometer: Ensures your ham reaches the perfect safe internal temperature without guesswork.
• Cutting Board (large): Provides a stable surface for slicing your beautifully glazed ham.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Guarantees accurate ingredient amounts for a consistent, delicious result.

Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham Cooking Instructions

How to Perfect Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham

• Create deep diamond-shaped cuts across your ham’s surface to help the glaze penetrate and caramelize beautifully.
• Simmer cranberries and orange juice until they burst, creating a rich, vibrant coating that transforms your ham’s flavor profile.
• Every 20 minutes, generously brush your ham with the warm cranberry glaze to ensure deep, consistent flavor and a gorgeous shiny finish.
• Use a meat thermometer to confirm your ham reaches 140°F, guaranteeing perfect doneness without drying out the meat.
• Allow your ham to rest for 15 minutes after baking, which helps redistribute juices and makes slicing easier and more tender.

Flexible Ways to Customize Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham

• Honey Maple Alternative: Replace the cranberry and orange glaze with a sweet honey and maple syrup combination, using equal parts of each for a rich, caramelized coating on your ham.
• Spicy Fruit Swap: Trade cranberries for diced pineapple and add a dash of red pepper flakes to give your ham a sweet and zesty tropical kick that will wake up everyone’s taste buds.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use sugar-free orange marmalade and stevia instead of brown sugar, reducing the total sugar content while keeping the bright citrus flavor for your ham glaze.
• Herb-Infused Variation: Introduce fresh rosemary and thyme to the glaze, chopping them finely and stirring into the sauce to create an aromatic and earthy undertone that complements the ham’s richness.

How to Serve Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham

• Serve with Seasonal Sides: Roasted Brussels sprouts or sweet potato mash complement the ham’s tangy-sweet flavor perfectly.
• Slice for Maximum Elegance: Cut against the scored pattern to create beautiful, uniform slices that showcase the glaze.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: A crisp Riesling or Pinot Noir balances the rich ham and bright cranberry notes wonderfully.
• Leftover Magic: Transform extra ham into sandwiches or chop into weekend omelets for delicious next-day meals.

Storage Notes for Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham

• Refrigerate leftover ham slices in an airtight container for up to 4 days, sealing in the delicious cranberry orange flavor and keeping your meat tender and juicy.
• Reheat ham slices gently in the microwave with a damp paper towel covering them, which helps prevent drying out and keeps the glaze moist.
• Freeze ham portions in freezer-safe bags, removing excess air to preserve the taste. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain the original texture.
• Transform cold ham into delightful sandwiches or dice it for salads, letting the cranberry orange glaze add extra zest to your next meal.

Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham Frequently Asked Questions

Tangy Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham Recipe

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4.9 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 10 1x

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Description

Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham makes your holiday table sparkle with festive flavor that comes together faster than you can say “delicious dinner.” Guests will devour this succulent centerpiece, savoring the sweet-tangy glaze that perfectly balances your perfectly roasted ham.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 (8-10 lb) bone-in ham
• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

Sweeteners:

• 1 cup packed brown sugar

Spices:

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 6 whole cloves

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Instructions

1. Fire up your oven to a precise 325°F and position the rack in the center for even cooking.
2. Create elegant cross-hatched diamond patterns across your 8-10 lb ham’s surface using a sharp knife, cutting about ¼ inch deep.
3. Combine 2 cups fresh cranberries, 1 cup orange juice, 1 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, and 6 whole cloves in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
4. Simmer your cranberry mixture for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until berries burst and liquid thickens into a glossy glaze.
5. Using a silicone pastry brush, generously coat your ham with half of the vibrant cranberry glaze, ensuring complete surface coverage.
6. Place the ham in the preheated oven and roast for 1 hour, carefully basting with remaining glaze every 20 minutes to build rich flavor layers.
7. Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer – your ham is perfectly cooked when it reaches 140°F at its thickest point.
8. Remove from oven and let the ham rest for 15-20 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Scoring the ham creates beautiful presentation and allows the glaze to penetrate deeper into the meat.
• Fresh cranberries work best, but frozen can be substituted if needed during off-season months.
• For a lower sugar version, replace brown sugar with a sugar-free alternative or honey to maintain similar consistency.
• When checking internal temperature, use a reliable meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham without touching bone for accurate reading.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Ham
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 10
• Calories: 360 kcal
• Sugar: 35 g
• Sodium: 1200 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg