Here is a collection of the best holiday ham recipes. Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas…ham is a staple at holiday dinner tables around the world. This list contains contains a variety of ham recipes and different cooking methods.
What Is Ham
Ham is the back leg of a hog & it comes in different cuts and sizes. It is a popular cut of pork that is produced and eaten worldwide. While ham can be cooked fresh, if you are purchasing ham from a grocery store, it has most likely already been precooked. Ham is usually cured before it is sold; this is the case whether you’re buying a spiraled ham for the holidays or ham lunch meat. When cooking a ham for the holidays, you’re essentially reheating the ham and adding flavor like a glaze.
Choosing A Ham
There are a few things you need to keep in mind when choosing a ham for the holidays. First you need to take into consideration how you are cooking the ham. In the list of the best holiday ham recipes below, there are different cooking methods to choose from. For example, if you plan on making ham in the slow cooker, be sure to pick a ham that will fit the appliance.
Another thing to consider when buying a ham for the holiday season is how many people you are feeding. Rule of thumb is to cook approximately 1/2 pound of ham per person. If you anticipate leftovers, then I suggest you plan for 3/4 pound of ham per person.
Other Holiday Collections
How To Cook Ham
Ham can be cooked many different ways. Oven, smoker, slow cooker, air fryer…we have provided a variety of different methods for you to choose from.
What To Serve With Ham
The sky is the limit when it comes to choosing sides dishes to serve with ham. Popular holiday sides dishes that pair well with ham include mac & cheese, green bean casserole, candied sweet potatoes, and greens.
Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Southern Green Beans and Potatoes
Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Storing Leftover Ham
In general, leftover ham is stored in an air tight container in refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for 2 months. To freeze leftover ham portions, wrap them in aluminum foil and freeze. Thaw frozen ham in the refrigerator overnight & use within 2 days. Because there are different ham recipes on this list, I suggest you reference the individual recipe for the proper storing instructions.
Leftover Ham Recipes
I don’t know about you but I actually look forward to eating leftover ham. Leftover ham can be used in many different recipes. Breakfast casseroles, sandwiches, soups…the possibilities are endless. Below are some recipes that use leftover holiday ham.
Leftover Ham and Cheese Panini
The Best Holiday Ham Recipes
This old-fashioned Southern Baked Ham with Pineapple is baked and drizzled with a honey and brown sugar glaze and topped with cherries. Serve this holiday ham for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any gathering.
This tender, moist and perfectly sweet Honey Glazed Ham recipe is cooked in its own juices and glazed with a mixture of honey, pineapple juice and brown sugar. This ham is sweet and salty, buttery and sticky, and the star of any holiday table!!
Smoked ham is succulent, juicy, and super easy. This recipe is truly a fan favorite among smoking enthusiasts, and you can do it at home. What’s not to love about this dish? It has super tender meat, a succulent layer of fat, and sweet juices oozing in every slice. You’ll fall head over heels with the first bite of this lip-smacking dish!
Cook your holiday ham in a fraction of the time in your air fryer this year! Glazed with a sweet and tangy honey sauce, it only takes 30 minutes to make and is a hit with the whole family!
Brown Sugar Glazed Ham slathered with the most delicious sweet sticky fragrant brown sugar glaze. This meal is perfect for Sunday dinner, Easter, or for holiday entertaining. No boring, dry and bland meat here. Just an exceptionally good main dish that will gather all the people around the table!
Pineapple Honey Baked Ham – unbelievably juicy, succulent, baked ham bursting with flavors from pineapple and spiced rum honey glaze. The smokey and salty flavor from the ham complements the sweet, warm, and sticky glaze well. Truly a showstopper holiday main dish!
Air Fryer Honey Glazed Baked Ham is a quick and easy recipe that will show you how to make boneless or bone-in ham in the air fryer. You can even whip up country ham steaks. Serve these juicy slices for weeknight dinners or during the holidays and for Thanksgiving.
Slow Cooker Ham – Effortlessly tender slices of ham carefully cooked with a sweet glaze and flavorful spices all in one slow cooker. Moist, meaty, and melt-in-your-mouth dinner ready to give your palate a satisfying experience. Serve this easy comfort food as it is or pair it with a side of carb for a delicious meal.