A festive ham is a much-loved addition to many holiday tables the world over. This sugar-free keto glazed ham is super simple and seriously tasty.
This keto ham recipe was originally published in 2018 and has had a recent update with tips on how to make the best glazed ham recipe.
Why You Will Love this Recipe
Low carb – the keto ham glaze is so easy and so low carb. With only a little in each piece of ham the carbs are negligible.
Everyday ingredients – Made with everyday ingredients found in most keto pantries.
Quick and easy – so simple to make. The oven does most of the work for you. From preparation to table, it can take less than 1 hour.
The Ingredients
Scroll to the bottom of this post for the amount of each ingredient needed to make this easy no sugar ham glaze.
Choosing a ham – I always pick a ham that has a nice layer of fat for baking. When baking a ham you remove the skin and the fat is what protects the meat and holds the glaze. For this recipe, I have used an easy carve leg ham. You can use a rolled ham or shoulder ham if preferred.
Sweetener – I use brown sweetener for the glaze. It has a sweetness level almost the same as brown sugar but no carbs. You can use white sweetener but please reduce the sweetener if needed depending on the level of sweetness of the brand.
Butter – for a dairy-free ham glaze swap the butter for avocado oil if preferred.
Cloves – cloves are used for adding flavour ad decoration. Remove before eating or serving.
Step by Step How to Make It
Step 1. Melt the butter.
Step 2. Add the remaining glaze ingredients and return to the heat.
Step 3. Simmer the ham glaze until it thickens.
Step 4. Remove the skin from the ham. Score with the very tip of a sharp knife into a diamond pattern, careful to not cut all the way through the fat.
Step 5. Brush the ham with the glaze and bake for 30-40 minutes (depending on the size of the ham increase the time) basting every 10-15 minutes with the glaze.
Step 6. Remove the ham from the oven and decorate with cloves. Brush with the glaze and bake a further 20-30 minutes. Rest ham for 20 minutes before slicing and serving.
Sides for Baked Ham
A low carb baked ham can be enjoyed at any time of year. It is the perfect keto entertaining recipe. A baked ham is always perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. You can do the same with ham steaks. One of my favourite ways to do it is an air fryer ham steaks with a simple brown sweetener glaze.
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Keto Ham Glaze Variations
For my keto ham recipes, I chose to use blood oranges and ginger to flavour, but either of these could easily be exchanged for other ingredients.
The following variations would work well with any of our keto pork recipes too.
KETO APRICOT & RUM GLAZED HAM RECIPE
Soak 6-8 dried apricots in 1/4 cup of bourbon or rum overnight. Blend in a food processor and cook as per the recipe below. While apricots generally have about 3g net carbs used in a recipe like this and the amount servings the carbs will still be very minimal.
KETO MAPLE GLAZED BAKED HAM RECIPE
Omit blood orange and ginger and add 2 tablespoons sugar-free maple syrup in its place. Reduce the glaze as per the recipe.
KETO MARMALADE BAKED HAM RECIPE
Omit blood orange and ginger and add 4 tablespoons sugar marmalade in its place. Reduce the glaze as per the recipe.
FAQs and Hot Tips
Ham is low in carbs. Some can be cured with sugar, so check the ingredients. Ham is less than 1g total carbs per 100g serve.
The ham and the ham glaze can both be made ahead of time. I do recommend that you bake it on the day as the ham does look amazing with a fresh glaze.
I use a butane torch to help colour my food and add extra “charriness.” Use a butane torch just before serving to add colour and caramelise the ham glaze.
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Sugar Free Glazed Baked Ham
Equipment
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Ingredients
- 1/4 cup (0.25 cup) butter 60g
- 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) fresh ginger finely minced
- 1/4 cup (0.25 cup) gold sweetener I use Sukrin Gold
- Zest and juice of 1 blood orange or navel orange
- 1/4 cup (0.25 cup) Chicken Bone Broth 60g
- 2 tablespoons (2 tablespoons) Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons (2 tablespoons) coconut aminos 36g
- 5-6 kg (15 lb) Easy Carve Ham
- Cloves (Cloves) for decorating
Instructions
CONVENTIONAL METHOD
- Preheat the oven to 180°C fan/200°C static/400°F. Line a large roasting pan with baking paper.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over moderate heat. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer the glaze until it reduces to a thick silky consistency. Set aside.
- Run a small sharp knife over the flap of skin on the ham. Using your fingers, separate skin from fat. Remove and discard skin. Lightly score the ham all over in a diamond pattern.
- Brush the ham with the glaze and bake for 30-40 minutes (depending on the size of the ham increase the time) basting every 10-15 minutes with the glaze.
- Remove the ham from oven and decorate with cloves. Brush with the glaze and bake a further 20-30 minutes. Rest ham for 20 minutes before slicing and serving.
THERMAL METHOD
- Preheat the oven to 180°C fan/200°C static/400°F. Line a large roasting pan with baking paper.
- Place the butter into the mixer; heat 3 min/100°C/speed 2. Add the remaining ingredients and cook 5 min/110 ̊C/speed 1. Follow from Step 3 above.
Notes
Baked ham is best consumed within 4 days of storing in the fridge.
The ham can be sliced or cut into large pieces and kept frozen. SWEETENERS
Any sweetener can be used in this recipe but remember to adjust according to the sweetness level of the sweetener. I use Sukrin Gold which is of a similar sweetness to brown sugar. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning to adjust the level of sweetness. INGREDIENTS I use blood oranges in this recipe but any orange of choice can be used. For the images you see I have used a slightly larger ham at 7kg that has only the bone at the end of the ham.
Your Own Notes
Nutrition
Megan Ellam is an Australian keto recipes blogger and author of amazing keto cookbooks such as Slow Cook Keto, Keto Loco, The Healthy Family Keto Cookbook and Every Day Keto.
Megan has been following a ketogenic diet since being diagnosed with insulin resistance in early 2017.
71 responses to “Sugar-Free Keto Glazed Ham”
Delicious and easy! Give it a try.Thanks for the vote of confidence Francine
What a delicious ham! I love the addition of blood orange. So flavorful and definitely the perfect holiday centerpiece.Yay!
This ham seems like the perfect entree for a holiday meal and I like the fact that it is keto as well!Enjoy Moop!
What a great way to enjoy ham without all the sugar and carbs! Thank you for this delicious recipe!You are very welcome Chandice
What a wonderful way to enjoy this holiday classic, but in a much healthier way without all the sugar!Absolutely!
Gorgeous shots! I love honey glazed hams and it was always such a treat for me during the holidays. This keto version is fabulous…the warm ginger is also a wonderful touch!Thanks Tammy
I love how I can make this delicious keto ham with pantry staples – a little cloves go a long way in creating distinct, yet subtle flavours.Decorative and flavoursome
Just added this recipe to my Christmas menu and cannot wait to taste it!Awesome! Merry Christmas Gwynn!
Oooo, can’t wait to try this out for Christmas. It’s nice to know that there are healthier alternatives to honey ham (my favorite!!!). The flavors sound really amazing.
I hope you and the family have an amazing Christmas Jessica
I like ham so much more for Thanksgiving, so I am definitely giving this a go. Thank you so much for this recipe, making it in a couple of weeks for Thanksgiving ๐You are very welcome Cathleen
This was a fabulous keto ham recipe that my entire family enjoyed. I’m looking forward to seeing some of your other recipes and making them! Have a great day! Happy Holidays!
HeidyYay! Happy Holidays!
That ham looks irresistible! It looks so perfect with the cloves all lined up so nicely. Classic.Thanks Bernice
Oh wow, what a beautiful ham. That crispy skin is mouthwatering and glaze sounds fantastic. I can imagine this ham on my Holiday table. Thanks for the recipe. I’m definitely going to make it.You are very welcome Natalie
What a showstopper! I love how perfectly glazed this is and also the flavors from the mustard and blood orange juice. Delicious!Yay! So glad you enjoyed it Jamie.
Such a delicious recipe for the holidays! This will definitely be a favorite!Yay!
This ham was loved by everyone from age 4-85! Perfectly spiced with a crispy exterior.
Weeee! That is so awesome!
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