Garlic Mango Holiday Glaze Ham: A Sweet & Savory Centerpiece

The holidays are a time for gathering, celebrating, and, of course, indulging in delicious food. This year, elevate your festive spread with a show-stopping dish that's both easy to prepare and incredibly flavorful: the Garlic Mango Holiday Glaze Ham. Forget dry, bland ham – this recipe promises a juicy, tender ham coated in a vibrant, sticky-sweet, and savory glaze that will have your guests asking for the recipe.

Why This Ham Will Be Your New Holiday Favorite

This isn't just another ham recipe; it's an experience. The magic truly happens with the glaze. Imagine the tropical sweetness of ripe mangoes beautifully balanced with the pungent warmth of garlic, a hint of spice, and the tang of apple cider vinegar. This complex flavor profile transforms a traditional holiday ham into something truly extraordinary. It's a fantastic alternative to classic glazes, offering a fresh and exciting twist that will impress even the most discerning palates.

The best part? While it looks and tastes gourmet, it's surprisingly simple to make. With a few key ingredients and a bit of patience, you'll be able to create a memorable centerpiece that will be the talk of your holiday table.

Ingredients:

For the Ham:

1 (8-10 pound) fully cooked bone-in or boneless ham
Whole cloves (optional, for studding)

For the Garlic Mango Glaze:

2 ripe mangoes, peeled and diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to your spice preference)
1/4 teaspoon salt

Equipment:

Roasting pan with a rack
Small saucepan
Blender or food processor
Pastry brush
Meat thermometer

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Ham

Preheat Oven & Score Ham: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). If your ham isn't pre-scored, carefully score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern, about 1/4 inch deep. This helps the glaze penetrate and creates a beautiful presentation.
Optional Clove Studding: For an extra layer of aroma and visual appeal, insert whole cloves into the center of each diamond on the ham.
Place in Roasting Pan: Place the ham, cut-side down if bone-in, on a rack in a large roasting pan.

Step 2: Make the Garlic Mango Glaze

Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine the diced mangoes, minced garlic, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, grated ginger, red pepper flakes, and salt.
Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the mangoes are very soft.
Blend the Glaze: Carefully transfer the hot glaze mixture to a blender or food processor. Blend until completely smooth. Be cautious when blending hot liquids.
Return to Pan (Optional Thickening): If you prefer a thicker glaze, return the blended glaze to the saucepan and simmer over low heat for another 5-10 minutes, stirring constantly, until it reaches your desired consistency.

Step 3: Glaze and Bake the Ham

Initial Bake: Place the ham in the preheated oven and bake for 1 to 1.5 hours, or according to package directions, until it reaches an internal temperature of 100-110°F (38-43°C).
Apply Glaze: After the initial baking time, remove the ham from the oven. Using a pastry brush, generously brush a layer of the garlic mango glaze over the entire surface of the ham.
Continue Baking & Glazing: Return the ham to the oven and continue baking, brushing with more glaze every 15-20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C) for a fully cooked ham. This usually takes another 30-60 minutes, depending on the size of your ham. The glaze will caramelize and become beautifully sticky and golden brown.
Rest the Ham: Once the ham reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the oven and tent loosely with foil. Let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender and moist ham.
Serve: Carve the ham and serve with any remaining warm glaze on the side.
The ham is beautifully scored and studded with cloves, with the glaze beginning to caramelize, ready for more layers.