How to Glaze Your Kurobuta Ham 

Snake River Farms Kurobuta hams are savory and delicious simply heated and served. If your taste buds are craving a little something extra, it’s easy to add a special touch of flavor with a glaze.

A ham glaze can be as basic or fancy as you desire. Adding a glaze doesn’t have to be time-consuming with this fast-and-easy glaze. A great glaze combines elements of sweet, acid, and spice. 

A Simple Ham Glaze 

You probably have the basic glaze ingredients in your kitchen.  

Ingredients 

• 1 cup brown sugar
  
• 1⁄3 cup orange juice
  
• 4 tablespoons Dijon mustard

To add a little extra you can add these optional ingredients: 

• 1 teaspoon orange zest
  
• 1⁄8 teaspoon spice, such as cinnamon, cloves, or baking spice mix
  
  

Here are the steps to glazing your ham: 

1. Heat the oven to 325°F.
   
2. Heat all glaze ingredients in a saucepan over medium until the sugar dissolves and the glaze thickens (about 15 minutes).
   
3. To glaze, start with a fully thawed ham. It’s fine to leave the ham as-is, but for a more attractive ham, you can score the ham. Or in other words, cut lines in it. This traps the glaze and creates a classic appearance.
   
4. To score, make cuts in the ham about ¼” deep in lines about 1” apart. Score in one direction, then cut diagonally across the cuts to form diamond shapes. 
   
5. Set the ham, fat side up, in a roasting pan. If you’re using a half ham, place the flat side down. Bake until the internal temperature reaches 130°F. 
   
6. Remove from the oven. Brush the glaze over all sides. Return to the oven and bake until the internal temperature reaches 140°F. 
   
7. Remove ham from the oven, and let it rest for 15 to 30 minutes. Slice and serve. 

Learn More About Cooking Your Ham

Want step-by-step guidance on preparing your Kurobuta ham before glazing? Check out our full Guide: How to Cook a Ham for tips on thawing, scoring, and heating your ham to perfection.

Orange and Bourbon Glaze

Bright orange and warm bourbon flavors enhance the richness of our Kurobuta ham.

Ingredients 

•  1 Kurobuta Whole Bone-In Ham or Whole Boneless Ham 
• 10 whole cloves
• 5 whole allspice 
• 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
• 1/2 cup orange marmalade
• 1 cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons bourbon
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 20 turns black pepper
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice 

Here are the steps to glazing your ham:

1. Prepare the glaze by whisking together the marmalade, maple syrup, bourbon, Dijon mustard, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, black pepper and lemon juice. 
   
2. Apply glaze as specified in the ham section. You may also reserve a small portion of the glaze for serving.
3. Preheat your oven to 325°F. 
4. Prepare your roasting pan by covering with foil and placing the rack in the pan. Add about 1/2 inch of water to the roasting pan with the whole allspice, cloves and peppercorns. Make sure the water does not submerge the rack. 
   
5. Lightly score the ham with a knife horizontally and then in the opposite direction to create a cross hatch pattern. Be careful not to cut too deeply into the meat. Place the ham on the prepared roasting rack. 
   
6. Brush the ham with some of the glaze. 
   
7. Place ham in the oven and roast for 1 hour. 
8. Glaze the ham a second time and return to the oven and roast for 45 minutes. 
   
9. Check the temperature of the ham to ensure doneness; once your thermometer reads 125°F remove the ham from the oven. Note: Snake River Farms recommends heating to a 140°F, however, since our hams are fully cooked there is no problem finishing at a lower temperature. 
   
10. Increase your oven temperature to 425°F. 
11. Brush the ham with any remaining glaze and return the ham to the oven for 4 minutes. 
    
12. Rotate the ham and continue to cook for another 5 minutes. 
    
13. Remove the ham from the oven and allow to rest 15 minutes. 
    
14. Slice the ham and serve with any reserved glaze. 

See how easy it is to score, glaze, and carve a whole Kurobuta ham—watch now.

Explore More Ham Glaze Recipes

Our hams are delicious on their own, but a flavorful glaze can take your ham to the next level. From sweet and fruity to bold and savory, these six recipes are easy to follow and perfect for any occasion. Click on a recipe to discover your next favorite glaze.

Kurobuta Ham with Pomegranate-Orange Glaze

Pepper Jelly Bourbon Glazed Kurobuta Ham

Double Smoked Ham with Peach-Pomegranate Glaze

Ginger Ale, Brown Sugar and Rum Glazed Kurobuta Ham

Maple-Bourbon Glazed Ham with Cranberry-Raisin Chutney

Pineapple-Glazed Kurobuta Ham with Bourbon-Cherry Sauce

Learn More About Cooking Your Ham 

Want step-by-step guidance on preparing your Kurobuta ham before glazing? Check out our full Guide: How to Cook a Ham for tips on thawing, scoring, and heating your ham to perfection.

For holiday-specific inspiration, explore our seasonal guides:

• The Perfect Christmas Ham – Make your Christmas centerpiece unforgettable.
• How to Prepare the Perfect Easter Ham Dinner – A step-by-step guide for a memorable Easter meal.
• Best Ham for Thanksgiving – Tips for choosing, glazing, and serving the ultimate Thanksgiving ham.

These guides complement our glaze recipes and provide all the expert tips you need to create a show-stopping holiday ham.