Let's talk about the Thanksgiving ham. Turkey gets all the attention, but ham is the unsung hero of the holiday table. It's sweet, savory, feeds a crowd, makes incredible leftovers, and doesn't require nearly as much emotional investment as a 20-pound turkey.

And while there's nothing wrong with picking up a honey-baked ham from the store, making one at home has some serious advantages. You control the ingredients, customize the flavor, and skip the premium price tag that comes with a specialty pre-glazed ham. A good honey glaze transforms an ordinary holiday ham into a sticky, caramelized, flavor-packed centerpiece. And with Local Hive Honey, you can experiment with different flavors from more than 23 unique U.S. honey varietals, each with its own character.

Whether you're a traditionalist or someone who thinks Thanksgiving could use a little Sriracha spice, we've got a glaze for you.

Why Make Honey Baked Ham at Home?

Three reasons: flavor, flexibility, and a little extra money in your holiday budget.

You control the ingredients. Homemade glaze means no mystery ingredients or suspiciously prepackaged glaze packets. Just real stuff that's already in your pantry, fridge and liquor cabinet. (You read that right.)

You customize the flavor. Want something classic and sweet? Go for it. Prefer citrus, spice, or a splash of bourbon? You're in charge.

It's easier than you think. Most holiday hams are already fully cooked. You're essentially warming the ham, preparing your glaze, and letting the oven do the heavy lifting. No culinary degree required.

4 Homemade Honey Glazes for Thanksgiving Ham

1. Classic Honey Baked Ham: Honey, Brown Sugar & Dijon

Some things are classics for a reason. Local Hive Honey and brown sugar create a sweet, caramelized coating, while Dijon mustard adds a little tang to balance things out.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Local Hive Clover Honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Why you'll love it: It's the traditional honey baked ham flavor everyone knows, with a little extra depth from the mustard.

2. Honey Citrus Glaze: Orange & Clove

Give your holiday ham a little brightness. Fresh orange juice and zest bring a fruity, citrusy flavor, while ground cloves add that unmistakable warmth of the holiday season.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Local Hive Florida Honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Why you'll love it: The citrus cuts through the richness of the ham, making this a particularly refreshing alternative to traditional brown sugar glazes.

3. Sweet Sriracha Ham: Garlic & Sweet Heat

For the Thanksgiving crowd that likes to keep things interesting, this one's for you. Local Hive Sriracha Honey Hot Sauce brings the heat, while garlic and vinegar add savory depth and balance.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Local Hive Honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons Local Hive Sriracha Honey Hot Sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Why you'll love it: Sweet, spicy, and tangy. It's an unexpected twist that might just steal the show.

4. Honey Bourbon Glaze: Bourbon, Butter & Dijon

A little bourbon at Thanksgiving? We see no problem with that. Honey and brown sugar provide the sweetness, bourbon brings warmth and depth, and butter makes everything deliciously rich.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Local Hive Southeast Honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup bourbon
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons butter

Why you'll love it: Rich, buttery, and a little indulgent. This glaze is right at home alongside mashed potatoes and all your other Thanksgiving favorites.

Choosing the Right Honey

Not all honey tastes the same, and that's part of what makes cooking with Local Hive Honey so much fun. Local Hive sources 100% U.S. honey from American beekeepers and bottles more than 23 regional and varietal blends. Each has its own unique flavor, influenced by the flowers where the bees forage.

A mild, floral honey works beautifully in a classic glaze, while richer, more robust varieties can complement the bourbon or citrus versions. Check out our Honey Finder to find your new favorite.

Tips for Making Honey Baked Ham

A few simple tricks will help you get that juicy ham and glossy, caramelized glaze:

Start with a fully cooked ham. Bone-in or boneless both work. Follow the package instructions for preparation and reheating.

Keep it covered. Warming the ham under foil helps prevent it from drying out.

Glaze toward the end. Honey and brown sugar can burn at high temperatures, so save the glaze for the final 30–45 minutes.

Baste generously. Brush on several layers of glaze to build up that sticky, flavorful coating.

Let it rest. Give the ham 10–15 minutes before carving.

You can also prepare your glaze up to three days ahead and refrigerate it until you're ready to use it. One less thing to worry about on Thanksgiving morning.

How to Make Honey Baked Ham at Home

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: Approximately 2–3 hours, depending on ham size
Servings: 12–16

Recipe Notes:
- For commercially packaged, fully cooked ham, reheat to 140°F. Other cooked hams may require 165°F; follow package instructions.
- If using spiral-cut ham, keep it covered while warming to help retain moisture.
- Glaze can be made up to three days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Each glaze recipe makes enough for approximately one 8–10 lb. ham.