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Easy Brown Sugar Bourbon Glazed Ham for Two

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A quick and easy brown sugar bourbon glazed ham for two, ready in under an hour with simple ingredients. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special date night, this recipe delivers a caramelized, sticky-sweet glaze without the fuss of a large holiday ham.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 to 1.5 pounds bone-in ham steak or small ham portion (about 2 inches thick)
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating, take the ham out of the fridge and let it sit on the counter for about 15 minutes.
  2. Make the glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, bourbon, butter, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, ground cloves (if using), and cayenne (if using). Whisk until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves, about 2-3 minutes. Let it come to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it bubble for another 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Score the ham: If your ham steak has a thick fat cap, use a sharp knife to score it in a diamond pattern, cutting about 1/4 inch deep and spacing cuts about an inch apart.
  4. First glaze application: Place the ham in an oven-safe skillet or baking dish. Brush or spoon about half the glaze over the top and sides of the ham. Reserve the remaining glaze.
  5. Bake for 20 minutes: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes until the glaze starts to caramelize.
  6. Second glaze application: Remove the skillet from the oven. Brush or spoon the remaining glaze over the ham, getting good coverage on all exposed surfaces. Return to the oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes, until the glaze is sticky and deeply caramelized, and the ham is heated through.
  7. Check for doneness: If using a meat thermometer, aim for an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C). The glaze should be bubbling and dark amber, and the ham should feel firm but not hard when pressed.
  8. Rest and serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and tent loosely with foil. Let the ham rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Slice against the grain into 1/2-inch thick pieces and spoon any pan juices over the top.

Notes

For the ham, ask your butcher for a cut at least 1.5 inches thick to prevent drying out. Use a middle-tier bourbon like Buffalo Trace or Four Roses for best flavor. Don’t skip the double-glaze method for maximum stickiness. Let the ham rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute. Watch the glaze closely on the stovetop to prevent burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown sugar bourbon glazed ham, ham for two, easy ham recipe, weeknight ham, glazed ham, small ham, bourbon ham

Find it online: https://recipebelle.com/easy-brown-sugar-bourbon-glazed-ham-for-two/