Bourbon Glaze for Ham | Easy Sauce Recipes (2024)

Published: Modified: by Isabel Laessig

Share

Pin

Tweet

Email

Easy Sauce Recipes is an Amazon Associate and may receive compensation for purchases made through affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

You are going to love how easy it is to make my easy Bourbon Glaze for ham recipe! This simple glaze for ham comes together in minutes: simply mix the ingredients together, cook for just 10 minutes, and pour them over the ham. Bourbon glaze is the perfect complement to a beautiful holiday ham!

Bourbon Glaze for Ham | Easy Sauce Recipes (1)
Jump to:
  • Best Bourbon Glaze Recipe
  • Bourbon Ham Glaze Ingredients
  • How to Make Bourbon Ham Glaze
  • Bourbon Glaze Recipe Tips
  • Making Ham Glaze Ahead of Time
  • Bourbon Glaze FAQs
  • What bourbon should I use for a simple glaze for ham?
  • How to Freeze Ham Glaze
  • Glaze Recipes
  • 📌 Pin it for later!
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Reviews

Best Bourbon Glaze Recipe

If you know me, you know how much I love preparing ham. It is truly one of my favorite main dishes to make for my family, especially over the holidays! I've cooked ham on the grill, in the oven, and I've even made smoked ham.

In fact, my smoked ham recipe is where this amazing bourbon ham glaze all began. Smoking a ham with the incredible flavor of this bourbon maple glaze is beyond compare. It is so delicious!

But bourbon glaze is delicious on more than just smoked ham; it pairs well with ham of all kinds, including classic oven-baked ham! Give it a try, and I promise… you will want to make this glaze every time you cook a ham.

Bourbon Glaze for Ham | Easy Sauce Recipes (2)

Bourbon Ham Glaze Ingredients

  • Brown sugar
  • Maple syrup
  • Bourbon

My bourbon ham glaze recipe uses a super simple combination of brown sugar, maple syrup, and bourbon. Cooked into the perfect glaze consistency, this easy sauce recipe is ideal for pairing with ham!

Bourbon Glaze for Ham | Easy Sauce Recipes (3)

How to Make Bourbon Ham Glaze

  1. 15 to 20 minutes before your holiday ham is done cooking, place brown sugar, maple syrup, and bourbon in a small saucepan. Bring it to a simmer and let it cook for about 10 minutes.
    Bourbon Glaze for Ham | Easy Sauce Recipes (4)
  2. Once thickened to a nice, syrupy consistency, pour it over your ham and brush it between each slice. Serve, and enjoy your amazing ham glaze!
    Bourbon Glaze for Ham | Easy Sauce Recipes (5)

Bourbon Glaze Recipe Tips

  • Make sure you allow the glaze to simmer long enough to completely melt the brown sugar; otherwise, your glaze will have a gritty texture.
  • Use a higher-quality bourbon for a better quality finish on the glaze.
  • You can look at the "mash", or ingredients used in the mixture of the bourbon, to see what the flavor notes are. This will change the flavor of your glaze. I recommend lemon and orange flavors for pairing with ham, or any of the variations listed above!

Making Ham Glaze Ahead of Time

To make ham glaze ahead of time, cook it according to the recipe instructions, then leave it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Give it a good mix before using.

When it comes to holiday cooking, anything I can make ahead of time helps things run more smoothly! Bourbon ham glaze is a great make-ahead ham glaze recipe you can whip up beforehand and store in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it.

Bourbon Glaze FAQs

Does ham glaze go on before or after cooking?

When you add your ham glaze depends on the cooking method used for your ham. If you are smoking a ham, add the completed glaze in the last 15-20 minutes of the cooking process. For other methods of cooking ham, you can add some glaze during the cooking process, and the rest later, brushed over the top and between each slice of ham.

Does glazing a ham dry it out?

If you fully glaze the ham from the start of the cooking process and do not cover it, it may dry out as it cooks. However, if you add the glaze gradually or at the end of the cooking process, it will keep the ham deliciously moist rather than drying it out.

Do I cover a ham with foil while glazing it?

If cooking in an oven, you generally want the heat to slightly caramelize the outside of the ham and help the glaze stick. When adding glaze at the end of the cooking process, you do not need to cover the ham with foil.

Is bourbon ham glaze gluten-free?

Bourbon is gluten-free, as are the other ingredients used in this easy ham glaze recipe, making it suitable for a gluten-free meal plan.

What bourbon should I use for a simple glaze for ham?

Like wine, every bottle of bourbon has a different flavor. Bourbon is made from a mixture of corn, spices, fruits, and even herbs, and finishes similarly to molasses.

When choosing a bourbon for ham glaze, either pick the one you know you enjoy already or look at the description on the label to see what flavors were used to make the bourbon.

A smokier bourbon works nicely, as well as any bourbon with orange or lemon peel as these flavors pair deliciously with ham. Here are some more great options:

  • Apple flavored bourbon: Fresh apple flavor adds the perfect sweet and tangy bite to ham glaze.
  • "Fire" bourbon (cinnamon-spiced flavor): Cinnamon and warming spices add the perfect spicy kick.
  • Holiday spice: These bourbons usually consist of anise flavors, orange zest, nutmeg, and clove - perfect for a holiday ham!
  • Caribbean reserve: These bourbons are finished in Caribbean casks, or wooden barrels flavored with vanilla-scented rum.
  • Ginger spice bourbon: Warming spices and ginger come together perfectly with maple and brown sugar for the sweet glaze and spicy glaze you've been craving.
  • Cold-brew coffee whiskey: Coffee, brown sugar and ham are a fantastic flavor combination with all the deep, wonderful notes of cold brew!

How to Freeze Ham Glaze

  1. Cook your bourbon ham glaze according to the recipe instructions, then allow cooling.
  2. Once cooled, store in an airtight container or freezer bag and place it in the freezer for up to 6 months. Label with the freezing date.

Glaze Recipes

  • Brown Sugar Ham Glaze
  • Italian Meatloaf Glaze
  • Pineapple Sauce for Ham
  • Ham Steak Glaze
  • Ham Glazes

Check out my all-time favorite sauce recipes here: Easy Sauce Recipes

Cooking for the holidays? Make sure to try my Best Turkey Gravy Recipe!

📌 Pin it for later!

Did you enjoy this page? Save it on Pinterest for later!

Pin

📖 Recipe

Bourbon Glaze for Ham | Easy Sauce Recipes (6)

Amazing Bourbon Glaze for Ham

Isabel Laessig

You are going to love how easy it is to make my easy Maple Bourbon Ham Glaze recipe! This simple glaze for ham comes together in 10 minutes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Sauce

Cuisine American

Servings 1 cup (a little more than)

Calories 747 kcal

Equipment

  • small saucepan

  • basting brush for basting ham

Ingredients

  • ¾ Cup Brown Sugar
  • ¼ Cup Maple Syrup
  • ¼ Cup Bourbon

Instructions

  • 15 to 20 minutes before your holiday ham is done cooking, place brown sugar, maple syrup, and bourbon in a small saucepan. Bring it to a simmer and let it cook for about 10 minutes.

    ¾ Cup Brown Sugar, ¼ Cup Maple Syrup, ¼ Cup Bourbon

    Bourbon Glaze for Ham | Easy Sauce Recipes (7)

  • Once thickened to a nice, syrupy consistency, pour it over your ham and brush it between each slice. Serve, and enjoy your amazing ham glaze!

    Bourbon Glaze for Ham | Easy Sauce Recipes (8)

Notes

  • Make sure you allow the glaze to simmer long enough to completely melt the brown sugar; otherwise, your glaze will have a gritty texture.
  • Use a higher quality bourbon for a better quality finish on the glaze.
  • You can look at the "mash", or ingredients used in the mixture of the bourbon, to see what the flavor notes are. This will change the flavor of your glaze. I recommend lemon and orange flavors for pairing with ham.

Nutrition

Calories: 747kcalCarbohydrates: 159.5gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.2gSodium: 38mgPotassium: 306mgSugar: 152.4gCalcium: 143mgIron: 2mg

Keyword bourbon glaze for ham, bourbon glaze recipe, bourbon glazed ham, bourbon ham glaze

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

  • Author
  • Recent Posts

Isabel Laessig

Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!
» About Me

Latest posts by Isabel Laessig (see all)

  • Carbonara Sauce - October 7, 2023
  • Honey Garlic Sauce - September 6, 2023
  • Avocado Crema Recipe - September 6, 2023

« How to Make Buttermilk (2 Ingredients)

Creamy Mushroom Sauce »

About Isabel Laessig

Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!
» About Me

Reader Interactions

Comments

No Comments

Leave a Reply

Bourbon Glaze for Ham | Easy Sauce Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is bourbon glaze made of? ›

To make this bourbon glaze, the following ingredients are needed:
  1. 2 tablespoons of butter.
  2. 3 tablespoons of brown sugar.
  3. 2 tablespoons of bourbon whiskey.
  4. 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce.
  5. 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.
  6. 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper.
Nov 19, 2022

Do you cook the ham before you glaze it? ›

The idea is to wait until the ham is almost fully heated, then add the glaze as one of the last steps. You don't want to add it too early or the sugars in the glaze could cause it to burn, and you don't want to add it too late or you won't get that caramelized coating.

What is in the glaze packet that comes with ham? ›

Glaze Packet Ingredients: Sugar, Gelatin, Fructose, Honey Powder (Honey, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Wheat Starch, Corn Syrup, Soy Flour, Soy Lecithin), Paprika, Dextrose, Natural Flavors, Spices.

What is the honey glaze made of on ham? ›

The glaze is the most delicious combination of brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and just a splash of fruity apple cider vinegar. While hams often comes packaged with a granulated glaze, you can — and should — make your own. It will transform a city ham to the most-talked-about dish at the table.

What are the three basic ingredients in glaze? ›

A BASE GLAZE is a mixture of these three basic groups: SILICA, FLUX AND ALUMINA.

What are the 4 ingredients in bourbon? ›

The Recipe - Bourbon is distilled from a fermented mash of grain, yeast and water. The “mash bill” must have a minimum of 51% corn. For most bourbons, the average is about 70%. Other grains such as rye, malted barley, and wheat are considered “flavor” grains.

Should you bake a ham covered or uncovered? ›

Bake the ham in the preheated oven, uncovered, for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest portion registers 140°F, basting every 30 minutes with 1/2 cup of the glaze. Be sure to keep an eye on the ham, and cover it loosely with foil if it starts getting too dark.

Do I cover ham when I glaze it? ›

Cover loosely with baking/parchment paper then loosely with foil. Reheat in a 130°C oven for 2 hours or until the centre of the ham registers 60°C/140°F (or a skewer inserted into the middle is hot). Add water as needed to prevent pan juices from drying out (we want a syrupy sauce at the end to serve with the ham!)

Should a glazed ham be covered when baking? ›

If you don't cover your ham while cooking it will quickly dry out. Instead: Put some aluminum foil over your ham while it's cooking. It is recommended that the ham is covered for at least half of the cooking process and only removed during the last half when you glaze it.

What is in the glaze for Smithfield ham? ›

Glaze Packet Ingredients: Sugar, Dextrose, Brown Sugar, Water, Modified Food Starch, Caramel Color, Potassium Sorbate And Sodium Benzoate (Preservatives), Spice, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum. Bacon Bit Packet Cured With: Water, Contains 2% Or Less Of: Salt, Sugar, Sodium Phosphates, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite.

What is the point of glazing ham? ›

Cook's hint: To speed things up, you can score and stud the flesh 24 hours ahead of time then cover with the removed skin. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to glaze and cook. Cooking: As the ham is already cooked, the purpose of glazing is to add your own flavour notes and to caramelise the fat.

Why is my ham glaze runny? ›

Pour your glaze over the ham's fat – if you think the glaze is a bit too runny, add more honey. This ensures the glaze stays on the ham rather than most of it running off onto the baking tray. Put the ham in the oven for 15 minutes, then turn the tray around for a further five minutes.

How does Gordon Ramsay cook ham? ›

Method. Put the gammon into a large saucepan and pour on enough cold water to cover. Add the carrots, leek, onion, peppercorns, coriander seeds, cinnamon stick and bay leaves. Bring to the boil, turn down to a simmer and cook for 3 hours, topping up with more boiling water if necessary.

What is a substitute for orange juice in ham glaze? ›

If you don't have any OJ on hand or simply don't want to use it, you can replace it with orange concentrate or orange extract combined with water. If you have an allergy and don't want to use orange at all, you can always try replacing it with apple cider, pineapple juice, or even apple cider vinegar.

What can you use instead of honey in ham glaze? ›

If the honey you're replacing is in a sauce, a glaze or marinade for meat or vegetables, use maple syrup in its place. It'll act in much the same way, even if it changes the flavor of the dish a bit.

What is a good substitute for bourbon glaze? ›

If you aren't baking and, instead making something savory like a barbecue sauce, glaze, or pan sauce, a fruit juice like apple juice or apple cider could be one of the better substitutes for the bourbon you're lacking.

What can I substitute for bourbon glaze? ›

Vanilla extract and apple cider vinegar have often been used to mimic the taste of bourbon in recipes, but you can clearly tell when they are used as substitutes.

Is there alcohol in bourbon glaze? ›

Most of the flavor of this glaze is the bourbon, and boiling off the alcohol will just make its flavors even more intense. Low quality bourbon will seriously effect the flavor.

Is bourbon glaze alcoholic? ›

Yes, bourbon sauce has alcohol, but the alcohol cooks out as the sauce cooks.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rubie Ullrich

Last Updated:

Views: 6353

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rubie Ullrich

Birthday: 1998-02-02

Address: 743 Stoltenberg Center, Genovevaville, NJ 59925-3119

Phone: +2202978377583

Job: Administration Engineer

Hobby: Surfing, Sailing, Listening to music, Web surfing, Kitesurfing, Geocaching, Backpacking

Introduction: My name is Rubie Ullrich, I am a enthusiastic, perfect, tender, vivacious, talented, famous, delightful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.