Does anyone else tend to toss the ham glaze pack that comes with most hams in the supermarket away? Or at least use it for something besides ham? If so, this Balsamic Cherry Ham Glaze is for you!
Balsamic Cherry Ham Glaze is an easy ham glaze for your Christmas ham or any baked ham throughout the year. Tart cherries, balsamic vinegar and brown sugar lend bold flavors.
I think we all have a recipe for Brown Sugar Glazed Ham and of course a Pineapple Ham Glaze with pretty cherries pinning whole pineapple slices, but how about we change things up a bit?
Make sure you PIN Balsamic Cherry Ham Glaze!
Balsamic Cherry Ham Glaze is a festive glaze that uses both bitter and sweet flavors for perfectly balanced flavors.
Who doesn’t love the delicious crispy, crunchy pieces on the crust of the ham? But what if your glaze covered all the ham? You could get those bold flavors in every bite?
It all started because I wanted something different. Pork tastes great with fruity flavors, but you don’t want anything overly sweet, which is why I used tart cherries.
The bitter needs to be complemented with acidity, balsamic vinegar, and also sweet, brown sugar. Allowing it simmer and flavors to marry lands with a full bodied glaze.
Perfect for a Christmas Ham or an Easter Ham, you just can’t go wrong. The beauty of this ham glaze is that you can use it on any cooked ham!
I personally like using it on a boneless ham and scoring the skin. Cooking it while covered first, the skin will split and get crispy.
Adding the glaze last ensures you will have both the syrupy sweetness and crispy you are looking for.
Pair this sweet glaze with savory side dishes like Cauliflower Mac and Cheese or Toasted Couscous. Garnish with a beautiful spring of rosemary for a brilliant red and green centerpiece worthy of any holiday table.
If you liked this ham glaze recipe, check these other special dinner ideas out:
- Sweet Roasted Goose
- Classic Cornish Hens
- Beurre Blanc Pasta
- Crab Topping for Steak
- Thyme Honey Baked Ham
Balsamic Cherry Ham Glaze
Ingredients
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1/4 cup red onion , minced
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/4 cup cherries* , pitted and quartered
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine garlic, red onion, balsamic vinegar, water, cherries and brown sugar. Bring to a low simmer over medium heat.
- Continue to reduce and stir for 15-20 minutes, or until mixture has become dark and sticky.
- Remove from heat.
- Mix cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and combine with balsamic cherry reduction. Set aside.
- Pour sauce over cooked ham.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was!
This looks and sounds so delicious and inviting! I need to try this the???? glaze sounds amazing
This was soooo delicious. My whole family loved it and thought it was so unique. They requested it for Christmas dinner, too!
Love all the flavors in this glaze! Delicious!
Oh, my word! I love ham and if my hubby would let me, I’d make it weekly. I love when the holidays come around since I can eat as much ham as I like. I love the flavors you have here, adding the cherries is brilliant and I can’t wait to make this!