Bourbon Glaze for Ham | Easy Sauce Recipes (2024)

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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
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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!

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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.

4.73 from 18 votes

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

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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

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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

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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 put the glaze on a ham before you cook it or after you cook it? ›

The glaze should not be applied until the final hour to 30 minutes, in order to avoid burning the sugars. What you're going to do with the glaze ingredients is just combine most of them into a paste, and then apply it to the ham. After that, the heat in your oven will take care of everything.

How do you use the glaze packet that comes with the ham? ›

Whether you heat your spiral ham in the slow cooker or oven, all you have to do is open the glaze packet and apply it 30 minutes before your ham is finished cooking. By the time it's ready to serve, you'll have a satiny-glazed ham without any of the time or effort it takes to make a ham glaze.

What is bourbon sauce made of? ›

This sauce includes natural ketchup, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, fresh orange juice, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste and liquid smoke. The liquid smoke is optional, but is essential for smoky bourbon bbq sauce!

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 three basic ingredients in a glaze What does each ingredient do? ›

Glazes need a balance of the 3 main ingredients: Silica, Alumina and Flux. Too much flux causes a glaze to run, and tends to create variable texture on the surface. The texture may vary from shiny, where the glass is balanced, to matte where the excessive flux oxides may form visible, possibly lumpy, crystals.

Do you glaze a ham covered or uncovered? ›

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.

Do you leave ham uncovered after glaze? ›

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.

When should I put my glaze on my ham? ›

Temperatures of around 325 F to 350 F are perfect. Because the temperature is so low, we can simply apply the glaze to the ham about 30 to 60 minutes before the ham is finished cooking.

What to add to glaze packet that comes with ham? ›

In large saucepan, stir together glaze packet contents, 2 cups water and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, 2 to 3 minutes or until brown sugar is dissolved.

Should I use the ham glaze packet? ›

While the included honey glaze packets are meant to save time, making a homemade glaze is simple and worth the extra time for a better, fresher flavor. Making a homemade glaze also gives you the freedom to create different flavors and unique ingredient combinations to elevate your pre-cooked ham.

Can you glaze a ready to eat ham? ›

Spiral-cut hams are popular since they come sliced and are easy to serve. Although your pre-cut pork may include a glaze packet, consider whipping up a simple glaze (see below for recipe ideas) to customize it. Regardless of your choice, glazing a ham will add flavor, color, and sheen you'll be proud to serve.

What are the three ingredients of bourbon? ›

The process is much like that of starting a sourdough bread. The Recipe - Bourbon is distilled from a fermented mash of grain, yeast and water.

What are the three main ingredients of bourbon? ›

Bourbon must be produced from a mash of not less than 51% corn, but typically, a bourbon mash contains ~ 70% corn, 15% rye, and 15% malted barley. A rye whiskey mash can contain 51% rye, 39% corn, and 10% malted barley. The Tennessee whiskey can be made from a mash of 80% corn, 10% rye, and 10% malt.

What is the best bourbon to make a sauce with? ›

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Woodsy flavors and aromas are prominent in this bottle, so when it comes to smoked meats — which is really what BBQ is all about! — Woodford Reserve is a solid pick for a DIY whiskey-infused sauce.

What can I substitute for bourbon glaze? ›

Here are 10 of the best substitutes we've found.
  • Vanilla extract. Aquarius Studio/Shutterstock. ...
  • Rum. Simonkr/Getty Images. ...
  • Brandy or cognac. Tuchkovo/Getty Images. ...
  • Peach nectar and apple cider vinegar. Anna Puzatykh/Shutterstock. ...
  • Dark beer. Gmvozd/Getty Images. ...
  • Scotch. Evgeny Karandaev/Shutterstock. ...
  • Almond extract. ...
  • Rye whiskey.
Oct 22, 2023

Does bourbon glaze contain alcohol? ›

Savory bourbon sauce for grilled and smoked meats are made with bourbon, brown sugar, worcestershire sauce, and spices. And has notes of caramelized sugar and smoky flavors. Does bourbon sauce have alcohol? Yes, bourbon sauce has alcohol, but the alcohol cooks out as the sauce cooks.

Is bourbon glaze alcohol? ›

Does bourbon glaze have alcohol? Despite bourbon whiskey being the base ingredient for bourbon ham glaze, there's no alcohol in it. This is because the glaze is simmered for a full 10 minutes, letting all of the alcohol boil off and keeping only the amazing flavor.

What is the main ingredient in glaze? ›

Glaze: there are more than 3 basic components in glaze, these are: silica, alumina, flux, colourants and modifiers. The common ingredients in glaze colours are, “ copper oxide", “copper carbonate", “cobalt oxide" and “ iron oxide.”

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