Delicious Make Ahead Ham Recipe

Update 12.11.20

Delicious Make Ahead Ham Recipe

We have been making this recipe for over 20+ years. It started from a recipe I found in a magazine, but we have adjusted the recipe to perfection! Just about every time we bring this to a dinner, we come home with an empty pan.

You really can’t go wrong with this recipe. It is super easy and you can make it ahead of time.

Hubby is the ham guy. He’s the one that will take the time to cut it up, and cut all the fat off it.  He has incredible patience. Isn’t he awesome?!

Hubby cutting up ham

And Arwen stays pretty close. Hubby spoils her with ham treats.

Arwen getting treats

Most hams you buy are already pre-cooked, which is very nice! And it doesn’t really matter what section of ham you purchase. We’ve bought shank, butt, spiral and so on. Usually, I’m looking for the cheapest price.

We like to make this at least a day ahead, this really lets the flavors develop in the ham. You will need cinnamon, ground ginger, mustard, brown sugar, pancake/maple syrup or corn syrup and ground cloves. Then mix that all up. (The full recipe is at the end.)

Mixing up ham sauce

Then layer the ham and the sauce in a roasting pan. We’ve also used a crock pot before, but it really waters down the sauce. Hubby likes to cut the ham into easy serving size pieces.

After we’ve layered all the ham, we keep it in the refrigerator for about 24 hours.

Layer ham and sauce in roasting pan

Yum! Doesn’t that look delicious?? I admit it, I snagged a few nibbles before it hit the fridge.

Then when you’re ready to heat it up, just place it in the oven set for 350° for about 2 hours. We keep the lid on it for most of the cooking. I like to take it off near the end. (Sometimes, I just turn the lid sideways and cook it the entire time that way, you will need to determine the best way you like for your oven). If you happen to leave it on the whole time, it will just make the sauce pretty watery, but it will still taste amazing!!

I've also cooked this ham in the crockpot. It's just as easy, if not easier! I've found that leaving the lid partially off center has given me the best results.

Amazing Leeper Ham

Delicious Make Ahead Ham Recipe
Sauce:
1 ¾ c. brown sugar
¾ c. mustard
3 Tbl. maple syrup or corn syrup
1 Tbl. ground ginger
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground cloves

Mix in a bowl and layer in a roasting pan, with a precooked, and cut up ham. Refrigerate for 24 hours for best flavor, but not necessary. Bake at 350° for approximately 2 hours, taking the lid off for the last 15 min.

You may prepare in a crockpot, but the recipe will just turn out more watery, if you leave the lid on. We've prepared the ham the night before, then pulled it out in the morning and put it in the crock pot. I put it on high for about 2-3 hours. 

For best results leave a spoon in the crockpot to keep the lid open. This keeps it from getting too watery. Then stir it every so often. This turned out perfect, not too watery.

Enjoy!!
Blessings,
Lori

28 comments

  1. Is it ok to prep this with the glaze on it several days ahead?

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    1. Absolutely!! I don't see why it wouldn't work. We usually prep ours a day or two in advance.

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  2. Replies
    1. Hi Deb! We usually get a pretty big ham, about 11-13 lbs. But you can use a smaller one. The more sauce the better!!

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  3. how long would you cook an 8 to 10lbs ham in the crockpot?

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    1. Most hams you buy are already pre-cooked. So, basically you want the ham to warm up and soak in all the yumminess. I'm also assuming you have cut up this ham. I wouldn't just put the ham in there whole. I would say a few hours just to heat it through. 2-4 hours.
      Merry Christmas!

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  4. Do you carve a store bought ham before cooking, put slices in a sauce to cover ham, and heat in oven?

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    1. I don't know about that, but I do know how delicious this ham is!! :)

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  6. is the mustard powdered or mustard prepared?

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    1. Prepared mustard. Just regular ole yellow mustard, nothing fancy. :)

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  7. Would the work with a spiral ham? The ham in your picture looks a lot thicker than spiral slices would be.

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  8. Is it okay to place ham in oven bag? Do I need to rotate the ham periodically to get it all exposed to the glaze? If I make a 15 pound ham -- how may layers can I have , temp, and time?

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    1. I'm sure that placing the ham in a bag wouldn't be a problem. Rotating it might not be a bad idea. Remember most hams you purchase are already precooked, so it's more about marinating it and heating it up. So, with that said, you can do as many layers as you want. I would use the same temp, 350 degrees, and time. It should be warm enough. You could always do it a bit longer, you aren't going to ruin it. It's pretty much foolproof! Merry Christmas! We're getting ready to start our ham today!

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  9. Mine is in the refrigerator now! Have made it several times and the whole family loves it! Thank you for a great, and very easy, recipe!

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    1. Awesome! I'm so glad your family loves it!! Ours does too!! :)

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  10. Can i use a disposable tin pan to bake the ham?

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  11. Should I bake this the day before & reheat the day of or just have it marinating and bake that day?

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    1. This is a great question! To be honest, you could do either! We reheat it over the course of the week after we make it.

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    2. I would never cook a ham like this! Ever!! Your glaze recipe looks delicious but why not score fat on ham, bake for an hr or two to let fat start to crisp up. Then pour over half of glaze, return to oven. Bake another 1.5 hr Basting every 20 min until fat is crisp and very deep brown. My kids call this bark and fight over it. On pork belly or a fresh pork roast it’s called crackling. Without it a ham isn’t worth making.

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    3. Thank you for your opinion, but everyone has their own tastes and likings. You're ham sounds delicious as well. We love it like this and will most likely continue to make it every year! :)

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  12. About how many pounds of ham will the single recipe cover? Thanks

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    1. Oh, I usually get a pretty large ham and have plenty of sauce! I think around a 12-14 lb. ham

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  13. I am trying your method .. Have cut up ham in refrigerator with glaze in a cooking bag .....Will get up early to bake it . Taking it to our church pot tomorrow. seems super easy....

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    1. Glad you're trying it out! It's going to be a hit! Everyone always asks for the recipe! Thanks for sharing!

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