Citrus & Balsamic Glazed Spiral Ham
Photo credit: Valdez Williams
When you’re entertaining in a small space, few dishes deliver the same level of impact with as little effort as a spiral ham. It feeds a crowd, fills your home with incredible aromas, and gives you plenty of time to focus on your guests instead of standing over the stove.
This Citrus & Balsamic Glazed Spiral Ham takes a classic centerpiece and adds bright, fresh flavor. The ham roasts gently on a bed of sliced oranges and lemons, which infuse the meat with subtle citrus notes as it warms. At the end, a simple glaze made with brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, and dijon mustard caramelizes beautifully in the oven, creating that irresistible sweet-savory finish.
It’s the kind of dish that looks impressive on the table but is surprisingly simple to prepare—perfect for holidays, brunch gatherings, or any time you’re hosting a group in a small kitchen but still want to entertain in a big way.
Ingredients
For the Ham
1 (8–10 pound) fully cooked spiral-sliced half ham, shank portion
2 oranges (1 sliced, 1 juiced)
1 lemon, sliced
For the Glaze
1 cup packed brown sugar
5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven: preheat to 325°F.
2. Create the Citrus Bed: line the bottom of a large roasting dish with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Arrange the orange and lemon slices in an even layer to create a citrus bed for the ham.
3. Prepare the Ham: remove the ham from its packaging and place it cut side down on top of the citrus slices. Pour any liquid from the packaging into the bottom of the pan. Using a sharp knife, score the surface of the ham in a crosshatch pattern. This helps the ham expand as it warms and allows the glaze to penetrate the meat. Juice the remaining orange evenly over the entire ham.
4. Roast the Ham: loosely cover the ham with foil and place it in the oven. Roast for 2 hours.
5. Make the Glaze: while the ham roasts, combine the brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, and dijon mustard. Stir until smooth and well combined and set aside.
6. Glaze the Ham: after the initial 2 hours, remove the foil. Brush the ham generously with the glaze and return it to the oven for 15 minutes. Remove the ham again, brush with more glaze, and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
7. Rest the Ham: remove the ham from the oven and allow it to rest for at least 30 minutes before serving.
8. Serve: Transfer the ham to a large serving platter and garnish with the roasted citrus slices from the pan.
Once rested and sliced, this ham becomes an effortless centerpiece for your table. The roasted citrus adds color and fragrance to the platter, while the balsamic glaze brings just the right balance of sweetness and tang to each bite.
One of the best parts of serving a ham when entertaining is how far it goes. Not only does it feed a crowd with ease, but the leftovers are just as welcome the next day—perfect for sandwiches, breakfast scrambles, or tucked into salads.
Whether you're hosting a holiday meal or a casual gathering with friends, this citrus-glazed ham proves that great entertaining doesn’t require a large kitchen—just good ingredients, simple techniques, and a table full of people you enjoy connecting with.
