Honey-Balsamic Glazed Ham with Caramelized Pearl Onions
This sumptuous Honey-Balsamic Glazed Ham boasts a delightful combination of sweet and tangy flavors, making it the perfect centerpiece for your holiday feast or special occasion. The ham is beautifully caramelized and coated in an irresistible sauce made with brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard. Roasted pearl onions add a touch of elegance and flavor that perfectly complements the ham. Serve this dish alongside your favorite sides for a truly unforgettable meal that family and friends will savor.
12
Servings
250
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
white pearl onions
2 lbs (peeled and trimmed)
brown sugar
1 cup (packed)
balsamic vinegar
5 tablespoons
Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons
butter
1/4 cup (diced)
salt
1 teaspoon
ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon
half ham shank
8-10 lbs (fully cooked, fat trimmed to 1/2 inch thickness)
water
1/2 cup
Instructions
1
1. Begin by preparing the pearl onions. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the onions for 2 minutes. Drain and let them cool slightly.
2
2. Carefully trim the root ends of the onions, keeping the base intact, and peel them. (If desired, this step can be done a day in advance; simply cover the peeled onions and refrigerate.)
3
3. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
4
4. In a bowl, mix together the brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard to create a rich glaze.
5
5. Transfer the prepared pearl onions to an 11x7x2-inch glass baking dish. Pour 2/3 cup of the glaze over the onions and add the diced butter, salt, pepper, and ½ cup of water. Gently toss to coat the onions in the glaze and seasoning.
6
6. Cover the onion dish with foil and set aside.
7
7. Line a large roasting pan with foil to simplify cleanup.
8
8. Score the ham by making a diamond pattern with ½-inch-deep slits across the surface. This will allow the glaze to penetrate the meat.
9
9. Place the scored ham in the prepared roasting pan and roast in the oven for 45 minutes.
10
10. After the initial roasting time, also place the covered onion dish in the oven. Roast the ham and onions together for an additional 25 minutes.
11
11. Carefully remove the foil from the onion dish and continue roasting the ham and onions for 50 minutes more, basting the ham with some of the remaining glaze every 10 minutes.
12
12. After the total roasting time, check that the ham is deep brown and caramelized to your liking. If necessary, continue roasting until the desired glaze is achieved, about another 30 minutes.
13
13. Once done, carefully transfer the ham to a large serving platter and let it rest for a few minutes.
14
14. Spoon the caramelized onion mixture into a bowl for serving alongside the ham.
15
15. Carve the ham and serve it with the roasted pearl onions, passing the extra glaze at the table.
Nutrition Information
16.7g
Fat
19g
Carbs
12.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Honey-Balsamic Glazed Ham with Caramelized Pearl Onions?
It is a roasted ham centerpiece featuring a sweet and tangy glaze made from brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard, served with caramelized pearl onions.
What are the primary flavors in this ham recipe?
The dish offers a delightful combination of sweet and tangy flavors from the balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard glaze.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes approximately 12 servings.
What type of ham should I use?
The recipe calls for an 8-10 lb half ham shank that is fully cooked with the fat trimmed to 1/2 inch thickness.
How do I prepare the pearl onions?
Cook the onions in boiling salted water for 2 minutes, drain, cool, trim the root ends, and peel them.
Can I prepare the onions ahead of time?
Yes, you can peel and trim the onions a day in advance if you keep them covered and refrigerated.
What oven temperature is required for roasting?
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees Celsius).
How is the honey-balsamic glaze made?
The glaze is made by mixing together packed brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard in a bowl.
What size baking dish is needed for the pearl onions?
The onions should be placed in an 11x7x2-inch glass baking dish.
What ingredients are added to the onion dish?
The onions are tossed with 2/3 cup of the glaze, diced butter, salt, pepper, and 1/2 cup of water.
Why should I score the ham?
Scoring the ham in a diamond pattern with 1/2-inch-deep slits allows the glaze to penetrate the meat better.
How long do I roast the ham initially?
Place the scored ham in a foil-lined roasting pan and roast for an initial 45 minutes.
When do I add the onions to the oven?
The covered onion dish is placed in the oven after the ham has already roasted for 45 minutes.
How long do the ham and onions roast together while the onions are covered?
They roast together for 25 minutes with the onion dish covered in foil.
When should I remove the foil from the onions?
Remove the foil after the onions have roasted covered for 25 minutes, then continue roasting for 50 more minutes.
How often should I baste the ham?
Baste the ham with the remaining glaze every 10 minutes during the final roasting period.
How do I know when the ham is finished cooking?
The ham is done when it is deep brown and caramelized to your liking.
What if the ham is not caramelized enough after the suggested time?
If necessary, continue roasting for about another 30 minutes until the desired glaze is achieved.
Should the ham rest before serving?
Yes, once transferred to a serving platter, let the ham rest for a few minutes before carving.
How are the caramelized pearl onions served?
Spoon the onion mixture into a bowl and serve them alongside the carved ham slices.
Should I serve extra glaze at the table?
Yes, the recipe recommends passing the extra glaze at the table for guests to enjoy.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 250 calories.
How much fat is in one serving?
Each serving contains 16.7g of fat.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
There are 19g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein does this dish provide?
Each serving provides 12.5g of protein.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 9 ingredients: pearl onions, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, butter, salt, pepper, ham, and water.
What type of mustard is used in the glaze?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of Dijon mustard.
How much balsamic vinegar is required?
The recipe requires 5 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar.
What amount of pearl onions is needed?
You will need 2 lbs of white pearl onions.
How much butter is used for the onions?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of diced butter for the onion mixture.