Ree's Dr Pepper-Glazed Ham Is the Only Recipe You'll Need This Easter (2024)

Easter is coming—the goose is getting fat!

Wait. That's Christmas.

And Christmas isn't coming. At least not for another 200+days.

Okay, now that I've both confused and depressed everyone: Here's the recipe for my yummy sweet-glazed ham—the same ham recipe I'll be making for Easter brunch with all the best ham side dishes. It's totally easy, exceedingly delicious, and results in a purty and glossy Easter ham that'll make your guests say "Oooooooh!" with wide, expectant eyes and, hopefully, hearty appetites because this ham could feed an army. If you're not feeding an army, you'll likely have some leftover ham. To me, that's one of the best parts of cooking a ham—just imagine all the possibilities!

What's the secret to the best holiday ham?

Let's get something straight: Is glazing a ham necessary? No. Is it worth it? Yes! Ham is just regular 'ol ham until you top it with a tangy, sweet, sticky, addictive glaze. For this one, all you have to do is pop open a can of Dr Pepper and mix it with mustard, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Since the ham comes from the grocery store pre-cooked, this is an easy extra step that results in major flavor. Plus, it gives it that gorgeous glossy, lacquered look that just screams holiday ham!

What kind of ham is best for Easter dinner?

Look for a fully-cooked, bone-in ham that isn't spiral cut—it stays juicier in the oven! Shank-end hams are the big, beautiful ones you're used to seeing for the holidays and those work great here. Just remember to do the math on how much ham per person is needed before you put in your order with the butcher!

When should I put my glaze on my ham?

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. I usually bake the ham for about 2 hours before adding some of the glaze. Then I'll pop it back in the oven for 20 minutes, add more glaze, and repeat. The goal is to repeat this process until the ham is nice and glossy. The magic happens when you glaze it 2 or 3 or 4 times.

Do you cook a ham covered or uncovered?

Cover the ham to keep it moist! I've found that just tenting the ham with foil does the job. Keep it tented until you brush on the glaze. Once glaze in on the ham, remove the foil so the glaze has a chance to get all caramelized and yummy.

What can you do with leftover ham?

What can't you do is the real question. Since this is a bone-in ham, save the bone and make ham stock for future soups and stews! With leftover ham, make something breakfast-y like quiche, toss it into your favorite pasta dish or on top of a pizza, or just make a really good ham sandwich.

whole fully cooked bone-in ham (15 to 18 pounds)

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Yields:
18 serving(s)
Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
3 hrs
Total Time:
3 hrs 20 mins

Ingredients

Directions

    1. Step1Preheat the oven to 325°F.
    2. Step2Score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern about 1/8-inch deep. Place cloves in the middle of each diamond. Place the ham in a large roasting pan with a rack, tent it with foil, and bake for 2 to 2 1/2 hours—or longer, depending on the package directions. (Some hams may require 3 to 3 1/2 hours at a lower temperature; just check the package.)
    3. Step3In a small saucepan, heat the brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, and sodauntil bubbly. Cook until reduced and a bit thicker, about 15 minutes.
    4. Step4After about 2 hours of baking time, remove the foil and brush the glaze on the ham in 20 minutes intervals (put the ham back in the oven, uncovered, in between) until it's nice and glossy. Remove from the oven and allow to rest 15 to20 minutes before carving.

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Get a big honkin’ bone-in ham. Fully cooked.

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Use a really sharp knife to score a diamond pattern all over the surface of the ham: First cut lines in one direction…

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Then cut in the other direction.

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Grab a handful of cloves and poke them into the center of each diamond…

And keep going until the whole surface is dotted. I do this for looks more than flavor: I just think it looks lovely and traditional when it’s all done baking.

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Cover the ham with foil, then put it into the oven to warm it up. I do 325 for at least 2 to 2 1/2 hours, but I’d say just look at the instructions on the package and follow those. Some hams say to go 3 to 4 hours, some at a lower temperature. The whole goal here is just to heat the ham slowly…and it takes awhile to do that.

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While the ham is in the oven, you can make the glaze: Throw 3 cups of brown sugar into a saucepan…

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Along with 1/2 cup of grainy, spicy mustard for a nice tang…

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3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar for a little bite…

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And the star of the show!

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A whole can of Dr Pepper.

You can use co*ke. Heck, you could probably even use root beer. But please, for the love of all things good and caramelized, do not use diet pop.

(It’s the sugar we’re after here.)

Amen.

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Bring this mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat…

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And simmer it for a good 15-20 minutes until it’s gotten darker and thicker.

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After the ham has cooked for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, brush the surface with some of the glaze. Then pop it back into the oven, uncovered, for another 20 minutes or so.

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Pull it out and brush on more glaze, then pop it back in the oven.

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Then pull it out and brush on more glaze! Keep doing this until the ham is fully heated and the glaze is really gorgeous and glossy.

Note: On my Food Network episode last weekend, I only glazed it once because I had been at church and didn’t want to add too much more time before we ate. It was still totally delicious, but glazing the ham 2 or 3 (or 4) times really results in more of a masterpiece in terms of gorgeous surface.

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Mmmm. Easter feast!

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Enjoy, guys. This ham’ll take you far in life.

Ree's Dr Pepper-Glazed Ham Is the Only Recipe You'll Need This Easter (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular ham for Easter? ›

What most American cooks procure for Easter dinner is a wet-cured, lightly smoked, prebaked ham, what neighborhood butchers called a city ham, when there were still neighborhood butchers. There is nothing particularly urban about city ham, the meat expert Bruce Aidells said, but the name took hold as shorthand.

Do you cook the ham before you glaze it? ›

In this case, you'll want to preheat your oven to 325 or 350 degrees F, then follow the directions on the package for how long to heat the ham before serving. The glaze should not be applied until the final hour to 30 minutes, in order to avoid burning the sugars.

Should Easter ham be served warm or cold? ›

Cured hams don't necessarily need to be cooked.

Most cured hams (although not all), as well as cured and smoked hams come ready to eat. So, it's really up to you and depends on your taste if you prefer to eat it cold or heated through.

What cut of meat is an Easter ham? ›

A ham comes from the back thigh, or rump, of a pig. This tasty treat is a staple protein at Easter dinner.

What is the tastiest ham in the world? ›

Joselito | Declared the best ham in the world | Iberian acorn-fed ham. SINCE 1868 With more than 150 years of experience, Joselito holds the secrets of an ancestral tradition.

What type of ham has the best flavor? ›

Buy bone-in ham. Yes, the bone is a little more work to cut around, but the meat is more flavorful and the hambone can be used to flavor soups and stews. Check the label. City hams can be artificially plumped up with water or solutions, but this dilutes the flavor, so look for one with no added water or juices.

What is the secret to good ham? ›

What to Know Before You Bake
  • Cook it low and slow. This ensures that the meat doesn't dry out as your ham spends at least a couple hours in the oven. ...
  • Create a steamy environment. ...
  • Finish it with glaze. ...
  • Don't crank the heat. ...
  • Be careful to not overcook it (yup, that's a thing).
Mar 5, 2024

How do you get glaze to stick to ham? ›

6. Basting – As the brown sugar ham glaze cools, it thickens so it sticks better to the ham as you baste during the cook time. Be generous and slather it on thickly – aim to use it all by the end of the cook time.

How do you keep a glazed ham moist? ›

Cover the ham to keep it moist! I've found that just tenting the ham with foil does the job. Keep it tented until you brush on the glaze. Once glaze in on the ham, remove the foil so the glaze has a chance to get all caramelized and yummy.

Are you not supposed to eat ham on Easter? ›

“Easter ham is as ubiquitous to the American table as Thanksgiving turkey, but it wasn't always,” Hopwood says. For many, lamb was the main protein at Easter and Passover tables. Still, serving ham was always a popular choice, for seasonal reasons.

How big of a ham do I need for 10 adults? ›

That means for a 10-person Easter dinner, you'll need a bone-in ham that weighs between 7.5-10 pounds or a 5-pound boneless ham. If you're serving country ham, though, you'll need way less of it. Although it is delicious, the saltiness will prevent people from heaping it on their plates.

What size spiral ham for 10 adults? ›

Bone-In Spiral-Cut Ham

Estimate 3/4 to 1 pound per person for a bone-in ham.

Which is better, shank or butt ham? ›

Butt portion vs. shank, which do you need? The butt portion will cost more per pound and will yield the largest amount of attractive slices. The shank bone is preferred by many for cooking with beans or in making soups, and others prefer the “fully cooked” varieties for ease of preparation and cooking time.

What is better, bone-in or boneless ham? ›

A bone-in ham makes for a great visual presentation on the table, and is perfect for carving. And it's not just there for show — a ham bone is an excellent starter for flavorful soups and stocks. Boneless hams are easier to carve, and better suited for sandwiches. There's no real difference in flavor or texture.

What is the most popular meat eaten on Easter? ›

There's no question lamb is front and centre at the Easter table - and for good reason - but there are plenty of alternatives to choose from. This is our list of some of the best meats to have for your Easter dinner: Easter Lamb.

What is the most popular cut of ham? ›

Shank: This portion comes from the lower half of the leg and is the most common cut used for baked ham. Butt: Also known as ham sirloin, this section comes from the upper region of the leg and is the most tender and flavorful cut of ham.

What is the most popular meat for Easter? ›

We all know the two most popular meats in the world to serve as the centerpiece of an Easter dinner are lamb and ham. For most Americans, unlike most of the rest of the world, the choice is usually ham.

How to pick a ham for Easter? ›

For the best flavor, avoid hams with labels that read "ham, water added" or "ham and water product." Of all the fully-cooked hams, this is the easiest option of all. It's also pre-cut, so you don't need to worry about carving it before the meal.

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