30 Best Christmas Ham Recipes for Your Holiday Dinner

Eliminate the holiday stress with this list of Christmas ham recipes!

If you think that hosting Christmas dinner means spending all day cooking a turkey, you’re wrong.

You can easily create a festive fest by swapping in ham for the roasted bird. 

Not only is it so much easier to make, but I’m willing to argue that ham is far superior in taste.

Most of these Christmas ham recipes require very little effort with a huge, delicious payoff.

Keep reading to make your life easier this upcoming December. 

1. Maple Glazed Ham

Move over honey-glazed ham, it’s maple’s time to shine!

If you’re a fan of sweet, sticky glazed ham, you’ll love this fantastic rendition.

Every forkful carries the subtle aroma of maple to put you in the holiday spirit. 

2. Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham

Get ready to meet your new favorite flavor duo.

If you never thought to mix brown sugar and mustard, you’re missing out. Every bite combines burned sugar sweetness with a tangy punch.

If you’re looking for that crowd-pleasing entree for your next holiday dinner, this recipe will knock it out of the park. 

3. Root Beer Ham

Check out this Southern recipe for baked ham.

It’s sweet, a little tangy, and oh-so-tender in the middle. Seriously, if you tried my Dr. Pepper pulled pork and loved it, this one’s for you.

4. Filipino-style Pineapple Glazed Ham

If you really want to shake things up this holiday season, you have to try this Filipino-style glazed ham.

After sinking your teeth into the juicy, tender meat, you might be wondering why it’s so dang good. 

I’ll let you in on a little sneak preview.

By poaching your meat with pineapple juice, 7-up, and beer, you’re able to create a unique, tangy flavor in the meat.

5. Honey-Baked Ham

Nothing beats the classic flavor of honey-baked ham. If you couldn’t agree more, be sure to check out this amazing recipe.

Every bite is tender on the inside and crispy on the outside with a sticky, charred exterior.

Don’t be intimidated by the hour-and-a-half cook time. Most of that time is spent waiting for the ham to bake in the oven.

6. Peach Glazed Spiral Ham

Peach might not be the first fruit you think of for Christmas. But it works wonders with salty ham.

Like apricot ham, it calls for fruit preserves. That’s how you get the shiny, caramelized coating.

But the peach makes it even fruitier! And you won’t believe how easy it is to create this decadent main course. 

7. Coca-Cola Glazed Ham 

This unique glaze will become a mainstay in your home during the holiday season.

It’s so incredibly simple, even amateur home cooks can create this fool-proof recipe.

All you have to do is douse some Coca-Cola and brown sugar over a pre-baked ham, then slide it into the oven. 

After 90 minutes, (and a few rounds of basting), you’ll have a succulent ham with the most irresistible glaze. 

8. Bourbon Glazed Ham 

Now, here’s an innovative way to transform your boring old ham into something wonderful.

If you ask me, no holiday is complete without the sweet flavors of orange and bourbon.

Something about this festive flavor duo evokes feelings of Christmas cheer.

This recipe takes this sentiment a step further by crafting a ham glaze from bourbon, brown sugar, and orange juice. 

Can you think of a more delicious entree to serve this December? 

9. Chipotle Pineapple Jerk Glazed Ham

Are you growing a little tired of the same old honey-glazed ham? Why not shake things up with this innovative recipe? 

You won’t believe how many mouthwatering flavors are in this ham.

Between the sweet pineapple juice, fiery chipotle chilies, and spicy jerk seasoning, this is one festive recipe you won’t want to miss. 

10. Cherry Glazed Ham

If you go crazy for the sweet and savory flavor combination, be prepared to meet your new favorite recipe.

This cherry-glazed ham combines sugary, tart flavors with the smoky cut of meat. 

Serve this main entree alongside some savory sides like mashed potatoes and rolls for one delectable feast.

11. Holiday Ham with Pomegranate Brown Sugar Glaze

Whether you need a holiday ham for Christmas, Easter, or Thanksgiving, this recipe has you covered. 

Not only do the pomegranate seeds add an unforgettable flavor to the ham, but they also create a picture-perfect garnish.

Serve it alongside some seared rosemary for a pretty platter that will delight your dinner guests.

12. Baked Ham Recipe with Honey Mustard & Apples

Are you ready to take your tried-and-true glazed ham recipe to new frontiers? Read on.

This rendition has you stuffing your meat with apples to add an unforgettable sweetness to every bite.

The honey mustard coating creates a sticky-sweet flavor that tastes like heaven on your palate.

13. Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham 

Need a Christmas ham recipe full of festive flavor? You can’t beat orange and cranberry.

You’ll make a quick preserve using cranberries, orange juice, honey, and cinnamon. And that gets brushed all over the ham before roasting.

When it’s done, the top is glazed and dotted with caramelized fruit. It’s picture perfect, and tastes even better!

14. Bourbon Molasses Glazed Ham 

After just one bite of this bourbon molasses glazed ham, you’ll think about it all the time.

That’s because every bite combines the following flavors and textures: sweet, salty, crunchy, smoky, and juicy.

You might wonder how this 6-ingredient recipe makes it happen.

I encourage you to try it out to see for yourself. I swear you won’t regret it. 

15. Ham with Pineapple and Cherries 

If you’re craving a retro taste of all-American home cooking, this recipe will rock your world.

This tried-and-true recipe is simple, using just 6 ingredients.

It has smoked ham, canned pineapple, maraschino cherries, cloves, brown sugar, and lemon-lime soda.

By adding your favorite citrus fizzy drink to the glaze, you’re able to infuse incredible flavor into your ham.

16. Almond Crusted Baked Ham with Apricot Glaze

Do you love the crispy coating of glazed ham? If you wish there could be even more texture, check out this amazing recipe.

By coating the meat in sliced almonds and brown sugar, you’re able to achieve the perfect crusty coating.

Every time you sink your teeth into this baked ham, expect sugary, smoky flavors coupled with crunchy nuts.

Trust me, you’re in for one irresistible bite. 

17. Crockpot Honey Mustard Glazed Ham

If you want to make your life easier during the holiday season, you’ll appreciate this Crockpot honey mustard glazed ham.

By cooking your meat in a Crockpot, you’re able to free your oven for other holiday concoctions.

You’ll appreciate that this recipe goes with a wide variety of side dishes. It’s the perfect main entree for any holiday feast.

18. Rosemary Citrus Glazed Ham 

Can you believe you just need 10 minutes of prep time to create this succulent, show-stopping Christmas ham dinner?

All you have to do is combine a few simple ingredients to create a mouthwatering glaze, drizzle it over your ham, then bake.

It’s easy enough to make for a simple weeknight dinner, but delicious enough for Easter brunch.

19. Apple Cider Glazed Ham 

Who doesn’t love the combination of pork and apples? 

I just love the way the sweetness of the fruit enhances the smoky flavor of the meat.

In this fantastic recipe, you baste your ham with a homemade apple cider glaze.

This maximizes the succulent, juicy flavors in each bite.

20. Dr. Pepper Ham

Okay, you might be thinking that dousing your ham in Dr. Pepper is a crime against humanity, but hear me out!

Dr. Pepper contains a lot of similar flavors to your favorite BBQ sauce, so why not use it as a base for a tasty glaze? 

Trust me, after one bite, you’ll think of all the ways you can use the famous fizzy soda in cooking.

21. Mango Glazed Ham

Make this in the cold winter, when you’re surrounded by snow, and you’ll feel like you’re outside in the sun.

It’s sweet, tropical, and such a wonderful change from the heavier ham dishes.

Use mango chutney to get the right level of sweet and spice, and don’t forget the cloves!

22. Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups (Tortilla Roll-Ups)

This recipe is an inventive way to upcycle your Christmas Day ham into a Boxing Day or New Year’s Eve appetizer.

Every bite is loaded with cheese, ham, ranch, and green onions to create an explosion of flavor on your palate.

You’re going to wanna make a big batch of these pinwheels because they’ll fly off the plate like hotcakes.

23. Sriracha Ham (Slow Cooker)

All you need are three simple ingredients to create this succulent Sriracha ham. 

The hot sauce gives this ham a fiery twist, which is balanced by the sweetness of brown sugar. 

Every forkful will delight your tastebuds with spicy, sugary flavors.

If this sounds like heaven to you, be sure to check out this delicious recipe. 

24. Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

It’s hard to think of a more comforting food than scalloped potatoes and ham.

I mean, how can you beat potatoes bathed in a rich, cheesy cream sauce? 

By adding leftover ham to the mix, you’re able to create the ultimate comfort food. 

25. Honey Glazed Ham Steak (Dinner For Two) 

Have you ever craved honey-glazed ham but don’t want to commit to buying a whole shank?

Welcome to the wonderful world of ham steak.

Buying a ham steak from your local butcher allows you to enjoy the tasty flavors of the smoky meat without getting overloaded.

26. Ham and Cheese Sliders

Not all Christmas ham recipes are big and over the top. Sometimes, a few slices are all you need.

And you can’t beat the simplicity of these ham and cheese sliders.

Imagine sinking your teeth into the soft Hawaiian rolls and being met with tangy Dijon, juicy ham, and buttery Swiss cheese.

When you need to throw together a quick post-holiday lunch, give this recipe a try.

27. Ham and 15 Bean Soup

If you don’t want to make a whole ham but still want that meaty flavor, try this soup.

It calls for a ham hock, which cooks down in the soup until it’s fall-off-the-bone tender.

Make this a day or two in advance, and you’re all set for Christmas Day.

28. One Pan Ham & Cheese Tortellini 

If you never thought of combining ham and cheese tortellini, allow me to introduce you to your new favorite pasta. 

You’ll love how well the smoky chunks of ham work with the creamy sauce and tender pasta.

Best of all, this recipe requires just one pan and comes together in under half an hour.

29. Monte Cristo Sandwich (Ham Cheese French Toast)

If you thought French toast couldn’t get any better, you’re in for a treat.

The Monte Cristo sandwich combines buttery French toast with savory ham and cheese. 

The exterior is crispy and golden brown and the interior is full of melted cheese, creating one mouthwatering bite. 

30. Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants 

These baked ham and cheese croissants are going to become a staple on your holiday brunch menu.

Every bite is toasty, flakey, and full of buttery goodness.

You’ll love how well the smoky ham works with the melted cheese and Dijon honey sauce.