Holiday Ham Glaze With Brown Sugar and Beer

Holiday Ham Glaze Recipe

This holiday ham glaze is simple, rich, and full of warm flavor. It uses brown sugar, beer, and mustard to create a sweet, tangy glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. It’s the kind of recipe you keep around because it works every time and doesn’t require anything fancy. Just real ingredients and real flavor, which fits your homestead style perfectly.

This glaze was inspired by a friend’s family recipe using PBR, mustard, and brown sugar. We tried our own version with a dark beer and dijon mustard, and it turned into one of those recipes you make once and then keep making because it’s that good.

Using a leftover lager and brown mustard, we made a Irish inspired recipe for a beef stew.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple ingredients you already have in your kitchen.
• Perfect for any ham, spiral, bone‑in, or boneless.
• Sweet and tangy flavor that caramelizes as it bakes.
• Holiday friendly and great for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter.
• Works with leftover ham for soups, casseroles, and sandwiches.

What You’ll Learn

• How to make a brown sugar ham glaze with beer and mustard.
• How fruit juices and sweeteners can change the flavor.
• The best type of ham to buy for your budget and needs.
• Why some hams turn mushy and how to avoid it.
• How to bake your ham so the glaze sticks and caramelizes.

Ingredient Ham Glaze Recipe:

• lagar/dark beer or PBR
• dijon mustard (you can also use yellow mustard)
• brown sugar
• spiral ham

Mix the ingredients together and brush over your ham during baking. The sugars melt and caramelize, giving your ham a glossy, sweet finish.

What Can I Glaze Ham With

Ham glazes can be made with fruit juices, sweeteners, or a mix of both. Some favorites include:

• Fresh orange juice
• Pineapple juice (canned works great)
• Cherries or apples
• Maple syrup
• Dark brown sugar

Fruit juices can be reduced on the stove for a thicker glaze or used as part of a sweet and tangy mix.

Do I Have to Cook the Glaze

You don’t have to cook this glaze. You can simmer it if you want a smoother texture, but it works perfectly fine as is. The sugars melt as the ham bakes, even if they don’t fully dissolve.

Do I Use Spiral Cut Ham or Boneless Ham

Both work well.

• Spiral or bone‑in ham is usually less expensive and has great flavor. You’ll have a soup bone and a little more fat.
• Boneless ham costs more but gives you more meat and less waste.

Use whichever fits your budget and preference.

What Makes Ham Mushy

Ham can turn mushy if:

Fresh pineapple juice is added too early. Pineapple enzymes break down the meat. Add pineapple during the last 15 minutes of baking.

It’s baked too long. Precooked hams only need to be heated until hot.

What Kind of Dish Should I Bake Ham In

Use a roasting pan with 2 to 3 inch sides. This keeps the juices contained and helps the glaze stay on the ham instead of burning onto your oven.

What Can I Make With Leftover Ham

Leftover ham is one of the best parts of making a holiday ham. Try:

• Pea and ham soup
• Scalloped potatoes and ham
• Ham soup (save the bone)
• Ham omelettes
• Ham sandwiches
• Hashbrown casserole with ham

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use yellow mustard instead of dijon

Yes. Yellow mustard works fine and gives a milder flavor.

Can I use a different beer

Any lager or dark beer works. PBR gives a lighter flavor, while darker beers add richness.

Do I need to score the ham

Score non‑spiral hams so the glaze can soak in. Spiral hams don’t need scoring.

Can I thicken the glaze

Simmer it for a few minutes to reduce it.

Should I cover the ham while baking

You can cover it for the first hour if you want it extra moist, but it’s not required.

Why didn’t my glaze melt completely

Brown sugar sometimes stays a little grainy. It still tastes great and melts more as the ham rests.

Try These Other Glazed Ham Recipes

• Brown Sugar Ham with PIneapple
• Bourbon Brown sugar Ham
• Cherry Rum Glazed Ham
• Clove and Pineapple Slow Cooker Ham
• Honey Glazed Ham with Pineapple
• Honey Glazed Spiced Ham
• Mustard and Brown Sugar Glazed Ham
• Spiced Rum Oranged Glazed Ham
• Ham Gravy