Description

This Baked Ham with Raspberry Chipotle Ham Glaze is a perfect blend of sweet and smoky with a hint of heat from chipotle peppers. The ham is scored and studded with cloves for added flavor, then generously brushed with a vibrant raspberry chipotle glaze before being baked to perfection. Ideal for festive gatherings or holiday dinners, this recipe yields tender, flavorful ham with a beautifully caramelized exterior.

Ingredients

Scale

Glaze Ingredients

1 & 1/2 cups seedless raspberry preserves
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped small
3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced

Ham

6 pound cooked ham (rump half or shank portion)
24 whole cloves (optional, for studding ham)

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F to prepare for baking the ham.
Make the Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine raspberry preserves, white vinegar, chipotle peppers, and minced garlic. Start with one chipotle pepper if concerned about spiciness, then adjust to taste.
Cook the Glaze: Cook and stir over medium-high heat until boiling. Reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes, until the glaze thickens to about 1 and 1/2 cups. Set aside.
Prepare Roasting Setup: Place a rack inside a large roasting pan. If unavailable, use an oven-safe cooling rack over a half baking sheet with raised edges to keep the ham elevated from the pan’s liquids.
Prepare the Ham: Remove the packaging from the ham and discard any included glaze packet.
Place Ham on Rack: Set the ham flat-side down on the rack in the roasting pan.
Score the Ham: Using a sharp serrated knife, make diagonal cuts in a diamond pattern about a half inch deep across the ham’s surface.
Optional Clove Studding: If desired, insert whole cloves into the intersections of the diamond cuts for added earthy flavor.
Glaze the Ham: Brush the ham generously with the raspberry chipotle glaze, reserving some for later.
Insert Thermometer: Place an oven-safe meat thermometer into the center of the ham, avoiding any bone, to monitor internal temperature during baking.
Bake the Ham: Bake in the preheated oven for 1 1/2 to 2 1/4 hours, or about 20-25 minutes per pound, until the thermometer reads 135 degrees F. The ham is pre-cooked, so this step warms and crisps the exterior.
Glaze Midway: Approximately 20 minutes before the ham is done, remove it from the oven and brush with the remaining glaze, then return it to bake.
Finish and Rest: When the ham reaches 135 degrees F, remove it from the oven and tent loosely with foil. Let rest until ready to serve.
Serve: Serve the ham with any remaining raspberry chipotle glaze on the side.
Bonus Tip: Use the leftover ham bone to make flavorful Split Pea Soup, which benefits greatly from the chipotle flavor left in the bone.

Notes

Adjust chipotle pepper quantity to your preferred spice level; start with one pepper and add more if desired.
Clove studding is optional but adds a nice earthy undertone to the ham.
Use an oven-safe meat thermometer to ensure perfect temperature without overcooking.
Ham is pre-cooked, so baking is primarily for heating and glazing; avoid exceeding 135 degrees F internal temperature for best texture.
Elevate the ham using a rack to avoid sogginess from pooling juices in the pan.
Leftover ham bone is excellent for making soups or stocks, adding depth with smoky chipotle flavor.