Easy Honey Dijon Ham Bake (Saucy Baked Ham Recipe)
This easy honey Dijon ham bake is made with thinly sliced ham coated in a rich, sweet and tangy sauce, then baked until perfectly saucy. It’s a simple, budget-friendly option that’s perfect for Easter, Christmas, or any holiday dinner when you want something comforting and full of flavor.
If you’re planning an Easter dinner or holiday meal but don’t want to spend a ton on a big traditional ham, this is such a great option. We’ve been trying to be a bit more budget-conscious at home lately (because grocery prices are no joke right now), and this turned out to be such a wonderful alternative.
I made it to go with scalloped potatoes for a family dinner, and we all really enjoyed it. Donnie kept going back for serving after serving, and my 2-year-old Richard kept insisting I cut him more pieces—even though he kept calling it “more chicken” 😂 I guess it didn’t matter what it was called because he loved it!
It’s simple, budget-friendly, and still gives you that sweet and tangy, saucy flavor that feels just right for a holiday meal.
I hope you enjoy this recipe! ❤️ If you give it a try, please let me know how it turned out for you in the comments section at the bottom of the page or share a pic of your om noms on Instagram and tag @dishesanddustbunnies! ❤️
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This honey Dijon ham bake is a budget-friendly way to serve a delicious holiday ham without the high cost. The sweet and tangy sauce coats every slice, making it rich, flavorful, and perfectly saucy. It’s simple to make, feeds a crowd, and pairs beautifully with classic sides like scalloped potatoes.
What Is This Easy Honey Dijon Ham Bake Like?
This ham bake is soft, tender, and coated in a rich, glossy sauce that’s perfectly sweet and tangy. Because the ham is sliced thin, every piece soaks up the sauce, giving you flavorful bites all the way through instead of just on the outside.
It’s not a firm, glazed ham with a crust—instead, it’s saucy and comforting, with a texture that makes it perfect for spooning over sides like scalloped potatoes or mashed potatoes.
Be sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of the post for full ingredients & instructions!
Easy Honey Dijon Ham Bake (Saucy Baked Ham Recipe) – Overview
You can find the full recipe details, including ingredient amounts and the full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, but first, here's a quick overview of how to make Easy Honey Dijon Ham Bake (Saucy Baked Ham Recipe)!
First, you’ll whisk together the sweet and tangy honey Dijon sauce in a bowl or measuring cup until smooth. Then, spread your thinly sliced ham in a baking dish and pour the sauce evenly over top.
The ham is baked covered just long enough to heat through, then finished uncovered so the sauce thickens and coats every slice. The result is a tender, saucy ham that’s ready to serve alongside your favorite sides.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
This recipe is meant to be simple and budget-friendly, but there’s still some flexibility depending on what you have on hand.
You can use pre-sliced ham from the store or slice your own from a larger piece—just aim for thin slices so the sauce coats everything well. If you don’t have Dijon mustard, you can use all yellow mustard for a milder flavor, or swap in a bit of whole grain mustard for extra texture.
If you prefer a slightly less sweet sauce, you can reduce the honey a bit or skip the brown sugar. And while the butter is optional, it does add a bit of richness if you want a slightly smoother, more mellow sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to slice the ham thinly?
Thin slices really work best for this recipe because they allow the sauce to coat every piece evenly. If you’re starting with an uncut ham, using a mandolin makes it much easier to get consistent, thin slices—and it’s often more budget-friendly to buy a whole ham and slice it yourself. Pre-sliced ham will also work.
Can I make this with leftover ham?
Yes, this is a great way to use up leftover ham. Just slice it thin if needed so the sauce can fully coat and flavor each piece.
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prepare the ham and sauce in the baking dish ahead of time and keep it covered in the fridge. When ready to cook, bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed since it will be cold.
What kind of ham should I use?
A cooked smoked ham works best for this recipe. You can use either a pre-sliced ham or slice your own from a larger piece.
Storage, Reheating & Freezing
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Keep some of the extra sauce with the ham to help keep it moist.
Reheating
Reheat gently in the microwave or in a covered dish in the oven at 325°F until warmed through. Add a spoonful of extra sauce before reheating to keep the ham from drying out.
Freezing
You can freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating..
What Can I Serve This With?
This honey Dijon ham bake pairs really well with classic, comforting sides—especially anything that can soak up that extra sauce.
Scalloped potatoes are a perfect match (and how I served it for Easter dinner), but it’s also great with mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or rice. For something a little lighter alongside it, simple steamed vegetables like green beans or carrots work really well too.
If you’re building out a full holiday meal, you can add things like dinner rolls, a fresh salad, or roasted vegetables to round everything out.
Other Recipes You'll Enjoy
If you’re looking for a more traditional option, my honey baked ham is another great choice. It has that classic glazed finish with a caramelized coating, while this version is softer and extra saucy—so it really depends on the style you’re going for.
You can also find more holiday meal ideas in my Christmas recipes section, which includes a mix of mains, sides, and comforting dishes that pair really well with ham.
And if you end up with leftover ham, recipes like ham and cheese biscuits are always a great way to use it up in something quick and comforting.
Easy Honey Dijon Ham Bake (Saucy Baked Ham Recipe)
- Total Time: 50–55 minutes
- Yield: 5–7 servings 1x
Description
A simple baked ham made with thinly sliced smoked ham coated in a sweet and tangy honey Dijon sauce, then baked until hot and perfectly saucy—perfect for Easter, Christmas, or any holiday dinner.
Ingredients
- 1.4 kg (about 3 lb) cooked smoked ham, thinly sliced (using a mandolin)
For the sauce (extra saucy):
- ½ cup honey
- ⅓ cup Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup yellow mustard
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 ½ tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp butter (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together all the sauce ingredients (except the butter, if using) until smooth.
- Place the thinly sliced ham in a large baking dish and spread it out in an even layer.
- Pour the sauce evenly over the ham. If using butter, dot it over the top.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 20–25 minutes, until heated through.
- Remove the foil and bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the ham.
- Serve hot. This pairs well with scalloped potatoes, mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered noodles. Keep a small spoon handy to ladle extra sauce over the ham, or serve the sauce on the side.
Notes
Thin slices heat quickly, so avoid overbaking to keep the ham tender.
If starting with an uncut ham, slicing it thinly with a mandolin helps the sauce coat evenly and gives the best texture.
Skipping the butter gives a slightly tangier sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
