Sweet & Tangy Holiday Ham
Published Dec 08, 2025
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A Show-Stopping Gluten-Free Centerpiece
Nothing brings the holidays together quite like a beautifully glazed ham. This Sweet & Tangy Holiday Ham is the perfect main dish for gatherings big or small — festive, flavorful, and incredibly easy to prepare. With a glossy, sticky glaze that balances sweetness, citrus brightness, and tangy depth, it turns an ordinary ham into a celebration-worthy showpiece.
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Even better? It’s naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and nut-free, making it a worry-free main dish for guests with food sensitivities. Whether you’re hosting Christmas dinner, planning an Easter brunch, or feeding a crowd for a winter celebration, this ham delivers every single time.
What Makes This Glazed Ham Extra Special
A Flavorful, Balanced Glaze Everyone Will Love
The real magic comes from the sweet-tangy glaze. Honey provides the natural sweetness, orange marmalade adds vibrant citrus, and Dijon mustard brings gentle heat and sharpness. Tamari deepens the umami without gluten, while a touch of butter gives it a smooth, silky finish.
But the standout ingredient — the one that brightens and balances the entire glaze — is Marukan Seasoned Gourmet Rice Vinegar.
Why Marukan Rice Vinegar Makes a Difference
This premium vinegar adds a clean, delicate tang that lifts the sweetness and rounds out the richness of the ham. Unlike stronger vinegars that can overwhelm, Marukan’s seasoned rice vinegar creates harmony in the glaze, enhancing the honey and citrus without overpowering them.
It’s the secret to achieving that irresistible sweet-tangy finish that keeps everyone going back for seconds.
Perfect for Holiday Entertaining
Spiral-cut ham is already a crowd favorite — it’s easy to carve, stays juicy, and pairs beautifully with nearly any side dish. This version elevates the classic with a bold, festive glaze that caramelizes beautifully at high heat. When it comes out of the oven golden, glossy, and slightly sticky, it looks straight out of a holiday magazine spread.
What You’ll Need
Main Ingredient:
- A bone-in spiral-cut ham, large enough to serve 10–12 guests
For the Sweet & Tangy Glaze:
- Honey
- Orange marmalade
- Marukan Seasoned Gourmet Rice Vinegar
- Tamari or gluten-free soy sauce
- Dijon mustard
- Butter or dairy-free alternative
Helpful Tools:
- Roasting pan
- Foil
- Pastry brush for glazing
- Small saucepan
- Whisk
- Meat thermometer for peace of mind
When to Serve This Sweet & Tangy Holiday Ham
This ham is wonderfully versatile and works for nearly any special gathering:
- Christmas dinner or holiday parties
- Easter brunch spreads
- New Year’s celebrations
- Weekend gatherings or family feasts
- Potlucks and church meals
- Special occasions where you need a beautiful, effortless main dish
Because it reheats well and feeds a crowd, it’s ideal when entertaining or meal prepping for multiple days.
Tips, Serving Ideas & Variations
Tips for Success
- Keep the ham covered during the first bake to ensure it stays juicy.
- Increase the heat at the end — that’s what gives the glaze its caramelized finish.
- Brush generously with glaze to build shine and flavor.
- Let the ham rest briefly before serving for cleaner slices and better texture.
Serving Ideas
- Serve the extra glaze on the side — it makes a delicious dipping sauce.
- Use leftovers for sandwiches, omelets, soups, or breakfast hash.
- For great sides, try Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Sudachi Ponzu Glaze and Pomegranate Seeds, Gourmet Mushroom and Ricotta Galette, or Mushroom Fried Rice
Easy Variations
- Spicier version: Add chili flakes or a spoonful of hot honey.
- Citrus-forward: Increase the marmalade or add a splash of orange juice.
- Herbed glaze: Add rosemary or thyme for an earthy note.
- Dairy-free: Swap butter with dairy-free butter — the glaze stays perfectly shiny.
A Festive Main Dish That Shines on Every Holiday Table
This Sweet & Tangy Holiday Ham strikes the perfect balance of comforting, familiar flavors with a bright, modern twist. The glaze is simple to make yet tastes like something from a gourmet kitchen — thanks especially to the addition of Marukan Seasoned Gourmet Rice Vinegar, which brings the entire dish together.
If you’re looking for a stunning, reliable, gluten-free centerpiece for your next holiday meal, this ham will quickly become a tradition in your home, too.
Sweet & Tangy Holiday Ham
Ingredients
- 1 bone-in spiral-cut ham, (8-10 pounds)
- 1 cup honey
- ¾ cup orange marmalade
- 3 tablespoons Marukan Seasoned Gourmet Rice Vinegar
- 2 tablespoons tamari or gluten-free soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Place the ham in a roasting pan and pour 2 cups of water into the bottom of the pan. Cover the pan with foil and bake for 2 hours.
- Meanwhile, make the glaze. In a small pot over medium heat, combine honey, marmalade, Marukan Seasoned Gourmet Rice Vinegar, tamari, mustard, and butter. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer while whisking, and cook until thickened, 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Remove the ham from the oven and discard the foil. Increase oven heat to 425°F (220°C). Brush half of the glaze onto the ham, reserving the remaining glaze. Return the ham to the oven and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until golden brown and sticky.
- Serve the ham with the remaining glaze on the side.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
