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If you're looking for a delicious, flavorful ham glaze that's ready in minutes, you have to try my recipe for Bourbon Glaze Recipe! You'll be looking for any excuse to make this incredible baked ham glaze again!
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Bourbon Glaze Recipe
If you've made a ham before, it all comes down to the glaze. The glaze for ham can make or break dinner, so it's all the more important to get the right flavors to complement the meat!
In all my testing, I think bourbon glaze has to be the best holiday ham glaze recipe yet. Bourbon whiskey is already sweet with tons of smooth, delicious notes of vanilla, oak, and caramel, making it the perfect pairing for salty, savory ham. Add in rich maple syrup and brown sugar, and it's irresistible!
Plus, it's easy! With three easy ingredients and only ten minutes of cooking time, this sticky, luxurious glaze will be ready quickly. Make sure to make extra- you'll add a little to everything!
Bourbon Glaze for Ham Ingredients
- Brown sugar
- Maple syrup
- Bourbon
Bourbon Sauce Recipe
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the brown sugar, maple syrup, and bourbon to the pan and bring to a simmer.
- Let simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning, then quickly pour over the spiral-cut ham, boneless ham, or bone-in ham.
- Brush between each slice, and serve!
Bourbon Glazed Ham Tips
- Make sure you're getting a good-quality bottle of Bourbon! Most of the flavor of this glaze is bourbon, and boiling off the alcohol will make its flavors even more intense. Low-quality bourbon will seriously affect the flavor.
- Pour the glaze over a rimmed dish when glazing the ham for best results. Then, use a basting brush to collect the drips and brush them on each slice!
- When glazing ham, it's always a good idea to glaze every single slice. This will ensure a flavorful ham with no bland bits.
- If you want to add a bit of citrus flavor, add a bit of orange marmalade or orange zest to this delicious glaze.
- Ham sandwiches made with bourbon-glazed ham are incredible!
Bourbon Glaze FAQs
Bourbon glaze is made of simple ingredients with a ton of complex flavor! All it takes is good-quality bourbon, brown sugar, and maple syrup. Combined and cooked until thickened, the glaze is sticky and full of flavor.
The answer to glazing a ham before or after baking is actually right in the middle! Glaze should be added after the ham has been given some time to heat, so it absorbs more easily into the meat. Repeat the glazing process multiple times during the baking and at the end for the best results.
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.
Bourbon ham glaze is cooked until the alcohol is completely boiled off, so it's completely kid-safe and should not have any remaining alcohol! This is true of any glaze or sauce that's boiled until reduced, but be wary of uncooked sauces containing alcoholic ingredients.
How to Store Bourbon Ham Glaze
- Let it cool down to room temperature if it's hot.
- Please put it in an airtight container with a tight lid.
- Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks.
How to Freeze Ham Glaze with Bourbon
- Let the glaze cool down to room temperature.
- Transfer it into a freezer-safe container or a resealable freezer bag.
- Leave a little space at the top of the container or bag to allow for expansion.
- Seal the container or bag tightly to prevent air from getting in.
- Label the container or bag with the date so you can keep track of how long it's been in the freezer.
- Place it in the freezer.
- Your bourbon ham glaze can be frozen for 3-6 months without losing its quality. When ready to use it again, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating or using it.
How to Reheat Bourbon Sauce
- Thaw (if frozen): If your bourbon ham glaze was frozen, make sure to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Stovetop Method:
- Pour the thawed or refrigerated glaze into a saucepan.
- Heat it over low to medium heat.
- Stir continuously to prevent burning or sticking.
- Heat until the glaze is warm and reaches your desired consistency. This usually takes a few minutes.
- Microwave Method:
- Transfer a small amount of the glaze into a microwave-safe bowl.
- Heat in the microwave on medium power in 20-30 second increments.
- Stir between each increment to ensure even heating.
- Continue heating until the glaze is warmed to your liking.
- Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to a low temperature (around 250°F or 120°C).
- Place the glaze in an oven-safe dish or pan.
- Cover it with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
- Heat in the oven for about 10-15 minutes or until it is warm throughout.
Remember to monitor the glaze closely while reheating to avoid overheating and burning. Once it's heated to your desired temperature, you can use it to glaze your ham or as a sauce.
Best Ham Recipes
- Air Fryer Ham
- Glazed Ham Steaks
- Honey Glazed Ham
- Instant Pot Ham
- Smoked Ham my favorite with this ham glaze!
- And if you love flavorful hams, you've got to try my recipe for Pineapple Ham with Pineapple Glaze for Ham! It's tropical, sweet, tangy, and delicious!
Try out all of my ham glaze recipes and find your favorite!
You will want to check out my side dishes for ham and leftover ham recipes!
If you enjoyed the recipe, leave a comment and a rating below!
Bourbon Glaze
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Brown sugar
- ¼ cup Maple syrup
- ¼ cup Bourbon - good quality
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the brown sugar, maple syrup, and bourbon to the pan and bring to a simmer.¾ cup Brown sugar,¼ cup Maple syrup,¼ cup Bourbon
- Let simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning, then quickly pour over the ham.
- Brush between each slice, and serve!
Notes
- Make absolute sure you're getting a good quality bottle of Bourbon! Most of the flavor of this glaze is the bourbon, and boiling off the alcohol will just make its flavors even more intense. Low quality bourbon will seriously effect the flavor.
- For best results, when glazing the ham, pour the glaze on over a rimmed dish. Then use a basting brush to collect the drips and brush them on each slice!
- When glazing ham, it's always a good idea to glaze every single slice. This will ensure a flavorful ham with no bland bits.
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