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Recipe

Finnish-Inspired Mustard-Glazed Christmas Ham

A fully cooked ham gets a tangy mustard, honey and breadcrumb finish for a Finnish-inspired Christmas dinner. Gentle covered reheating keeps the slices moist.

Finnish-Inspired Mustard-Glazed Christmas Ham
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Plan this recipe

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Ingredients

  • 1 fully cooked boneless ham, about 3 pounds (1.35 kg)
  • 3/4 cup (180 ml) water, for the roasting pan
  • 1/4 cup (60 g) Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons (30 g) whole-grain mustard
  • 3 tablespoons (63 g) honey
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/3 cup (35 g) fine dry breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon (14 g) melted unsalted butter

Instructions

  1. Heat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Remove all ham packaging, plastic caps and any netting that the label directs you to remove. Set a rack in a roasting pan.
  2. Put the ham on the rack with its cut side down if it has one. Pour the water into the pan and cover tightly with foil, leaving room above the meat.
  3. Reheat for about 70–90 minutes before checking the center with an instant-read thermometer. Follow any longer heating directions on the package.
  4. Meanwhile, stir together both mustards, honey, vinegar and allspice. In a separate bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with the melted butter.
  5. When the ham is nearly hot through, remove the foil carefully to avoid steam burns. Brush the top and sides with the mustard mixture, then press on the breadcrumbs.
  6. Return uncovered to the oven for about 15–25 minutes, until the coating is golden and the center reaches 165°F (74°C), the conservative reheating target used here. Shield the coating with foil if it browns early.
  7. Transfer to a board and rest for 15 minutes. Slice thinly across the grain and spoon a little hot pan juice over the meat, avoiding any excessively salty sediment.
  8. Refrigerate leftovers in shallow containers within 2 hours. Use within 3–4 days and reheat portions to 165°F (74°C). Freeze longer-term portions separately.

This manageable Christmas ham uses a fully cooked boneless ham instead of starting with raw cured pork. Mustard and breadcrumbs give the outside a savory finish, while a little honey rounds out the glaze. Serve thin slices with potatoes and cooked vegetables.

Buy a ham clearly labeled fully cooked or ready to eat. This recipe is not suitable for a raw or cook-before-eating ham. Reheating time depends on shape and starting temperature; use a thermometer and the package instructions rather than the clock alone.

Planning the timing

The 100-minute cooking allowance is approximate. A thick, very cold ham may take longer. For a ham still sealed in USDA-inspected packaging, official guidance permits a lower reheating target; this recipe uses 165°F for simplicity and for repackaged ham.

Serving and salt

Ham is already salted, so no additional salt is needed. Serve with unsalted potatoes or vegetables to balance the meal; those side dishes are not included in the nutrition estimate.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use raw ham?

Not with these timings. Choose a product labeled fully cooked and follow its storage and heating directions.

Can I omit the breadcrumbs?

Yes. The glaze will be smoother and more glossy; check the mustards if you need to avoid gluten.

Nutrition notes

Nutrition values are approximate editorial estimates per serving, not laboratory measurements or a verified nutritional analysis. Actual values vary with brands, portion size and substitutions. These original recipe drafts have not been kitchen-tested; cooking times are guides.

Estimate assumes ten portions from a 3-pound fully cooked ham with all glaze; ham brands differ greatly in sodium and fat.

Allergen information: Wheat/gluten (breadcrumbs); Milk (butter); Mustard. Check all ingredient labels and individual dietary needs.

Per serving

Nutrition facts

Serving size: One tenth of the ham and glaze, about 4 ounces cooked meat (estimated nutrition)

Calories
270
Total fat
11 g
Saturated fat
4 g
Cholesterol
75 mg
Sodium
1500 mg
Total carbohydrate
15 g
Dietary fiber
1 g
Total sugars
10 g
Protein
28 g

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