Riesling-Peach Glazed Spiral Ham with Thyme and Mustard
A beautifully glazed spiral-cut ham featuring a sophisticated combination of sweet Riesling wine, peach preserves, and tangy stone-ground mustard. The wine reduces to concentrate its flavors while fresh thyme adds an earthy note that balances the sweetness. Perfect for holiday gatherings, Easter dinner, or special occasions when you want to impress guests with minimal effort. The spiral cuts allow the glaze to penetrate deep into the meat, creating layers of flavor throughout. This recipe transforms a simple ham into an elegant centerpiece that feeds a crowd.
Ingredients
- 1 fully cooked bone-in spiral cut half ham, 6-8 pounds
- 1 cup Riesling winewhite wine or apple juice1:1dietary
reduces alcohol content
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme, plus more for garnish if desired(optional)
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 18 ounces peach preservesapricot or apple jelly1:1flavor
changes fruit profile
- ½ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
- ½ cup stone-ground mustardDijon mustard1:1texture
smoother texture
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- 2
Line shallow roasting pan with foil and place ham on rack
- 3
Insert ovenproof meat thermometer into center of thickest part without touching bone
- 4
Heat wine, thyme sprigs, and shallot to boiling over medium-high heat in 1-quart saucepan
- 5
Reduce heat and simmer uncovered until wine reduces to 1/2 cup
- 6
Remove from heat, discard thyme sprigs, stir in peach preserves, brown sugar, and mustard
- 7
Brush half of glaze mixture over ham
- 8
Bake uncovered for 1 hour 30 minutes, basting with remaining glaze every 30 minutes
- 9
Cover loosely with foil and bake another 30 minutes until thermometer reads 140 degrees F
- 10
Remove from oven and let stand 15 minutes before serving
Tips
Score the ham in a diamond pattern before glazing to help the flavors penetrate deeper and create an attractive presentation.
Save some glaze to serve alongside the ham for guests who want extra sweetness.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure perfect doneness - overcooked ham becomes dry and tough.
Good to Know
Refrigerate leftover ham for up to 4 days wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or foil.
Glaze can be made 2 days ahead and refrigerated. Ham can be glazed 4 hours ahead and refrigerated before baking.
Serve warm with remaining glaze on the side. Pairs well with roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes.
Common Mistakes
Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking the ham and drying it out.
Don't skip the wine reduction step or the glaze will be too thin and won't adhere properly.
Baste regularly to prevent the glaze from burning and ensure even coverage.
Substitutions
reduces alcohol content
changes fruit profile
FAQ
Can I use a different type of wine?
Yes, any sweet white wine like Moscato or Gewurztraminer works well. You can also substitute with white grape juice for alcohol-free version.
What if I don't have stone-ground mustard?
Regular Dijon mustard works fine, though you'll lose some texture. Whole grain mustard is another good substitute with similar texture.
How long will leftover ham keep?
Properly wrapped leftover ham will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze sliced ham for up to 2 months.