There's no better time than Easter dinner to go, well, ham. It's a standby for a reason; picking up a pre-cooked spiral ham is super easy, but we can all admit— it looks SO impressive when you pull a homemade one out of the oven. Trust us, whether you want to go classic with our copycat Honey Baked ham or try something new with our Dr. Pepper pineapple glazed ham, you'll be wishing Easter could be a whole week long so you can try all of these recipes. Not in the mood for a whole ham? Worry not: We've also included plenty of ham-based appetizers and casseroles perfect from Easter brunch to lunch.
When it comes to glazed ham, there are infinite ways to glaze it. Since most pre-cooked hams at the grocery store are already pretty salty, we opt for sweeter glazes, like in our cherry bourbon glazed ham or our brown sugar pineapple ham. As the ham cooks, the sugars in the glaze caramelize and create an irresistible crust that you and your family will be fighting over. Whatever route you choose, we definitely think the glaze for your ham should include a sweet ingredient, something acidic (like vinegar), plus flavor boosters (like bourbon), but feel free to change it up.
Looking for something a little less labor-intensive? Try a ham steak, like we did in our sheet pan Easter dinner or our maple glazed ham steaks—they still feel festive and special, but you won't be stuck with leftovers for days. You could also incorporate store-bought or homemade ham into your Easter sides, from breakfast to dinner. Check out our , our Croque Monsieur breakfast casserole, our , or our for ideas, then get creative. Ham's savory sweetness goes well with nearly anything!
And don't forget those condiments. Put out a spread of something spicy (like mustard), something creamy (like garlic aioli or spicy chipotle mayo), and something sweet (like cranberry sauce or your favorite fruity chutney or jam). We always like some pickled red onions or jalapeños on the side too for some crunch and pucker to cut the saltiness of the ham.
Unsure of which ham to buy? We tried all the best mail-order hams, from BBQ and applewood smoked to classic honey hams, to help you pick out the best for you and your crowd. Speaking of a crowd, not sure how big a ham you'll need this year? Check out our guide for how much ham you'll need per person too.
1
How To Cook A Ham
If you're making ham for the first time this Easter, then this should be your go-to baked ham guide. Our recipe not only perfects a moist, delicious ham, but is glazed with a classic brown sugar glaze, which adds incredible flavor and creates those sought-after caramelized edges.
Get the recipe for How To Cook A Ham.
2
Sheet-Pan Easter Dinner
Think you don’t have enough time or space to cook Easter dinner? Think again. Featuring cheesy potatoes au gratin, maple-glazed ham, garlicky asparagus, and paprika-spiced carrots, our streamlined version of this notoriously complicated meal is as simple as 2 sheet pans and 30 minutes in the oven.
Get the Sheet-Pan Easter Dinner recipe.
3
Copycat Honey Baked Ham
Honey Baked ham is grand, deliciously smoky, and has a signature caramelized crust all over. It's also something you have to order in advance and can be a little on the pricey side. If you didn't have time to order a ham or want to save some money, this copycat recipe is for you.
Get the Copycat Honey Baked Ham recipe.
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4
Scalloped Potatoes & Ham
Cheesy scalloped potatoes meet salty baked ham for a perfect match. It takes the classic side and makes it a heartier dish that's perfect for Easter brunch, or make it with your leftover spiral ham after the celebration.
Get the .
5
Quiche
Quiche is a favorite in the canon of classic dishes, and this version is no exception. Soft, creamy filling studded with ham, chives, and Gruyère rests inside a crunchy, buttery pie crust to create the Easter dinner of your dreams.
Get the Quiche recipe.
6
Ham & Cheese Spinach Puffs
Thought your Easter brunch plans were set? Think again. Stuffed with ham, spinach, and Gruyère, these cheesy pastries are calling your name. These puffs are most delicious fresh out of the oven, but if you want to work ahead, you can even make the filling and even cut out the pastry squares the day before.
Get the .
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7
Maple Glazed Ham Steak
Spiral hams are delicious, but they yield so much meat. When you're craving ham, but don't want to fuss with a full roast like that, ham steaks are the way to go! Instead of roasting and glazing a whole ham, just make everyone their own perfectly cooked, savory-sweet steak.
Get the Maple-Glazed Ham Steak recipe.
8
Croque Monsieur Breakfast Casserole
A croque monsieur is a delectable French sandwich with ham and Gruyére, with a silky béchamel sauce poured over top. Turning it into a breakfast casserole makes it easier to put together and share with a crowd. Yum!
Get the Croque Monsieur Breakfast Casserole recipe.
9
Cheesy Mashed Potato & Ham Bake
Imagine a crispy topping on your rich mashed potatoes with an added ham layer, and you've got this cheesy casserole. Serve it as a main or as a side this Easter—it'll be beloved no matter what.
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10
Instant Pot Ham
When you don’t have the oven space, heating your spiral ham in an Instant Pot is a total time- and space-saver. This one-pot recipe is mostly hands-off, and yields a centerpiece-worthy ham glazed in a sweet homemade honey-mustard sauce that soaks into every nook and cranny for maximum flavor.
Get the Instant Pot Ham recipe.
11
Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham
This zingy retro classic glazed ham is a stunner set in the center of a table, and just a few easy sides short of a fantastic feast. Beyond the eye-popping pineapple rings and bright maraschino cherries, the glaze lends a shine and texture to the ham’s caramelized crust too.
Get the Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham recipe.
12
Ham & Swiss Hasselback Biscuit Bites
Step aside, hasselback potatoes: Hasselback biscuit bites are coming to steal your thunder. Featuring convenient canned biscuits stuffed with ham and cheese, these flaky, buttery bites will delight party guests and Easter egg hunters wherever they appear.
Get the .
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13
Ham & Cheese Pinwheels
Packed full of ham and melty cheese, these shareable pinwheel sandwiches get an added flavor boost from fresh parsley and toasty poppy seeds. Endlessly customizable and too easy to create, these 30-minute pinwheels are the perfect last-minute app if you need a guaranteed hit for a crowd.
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14
Cherry Bourbon Glazed Ham
Get ready to plan a dinner party around this ham alone! The tart cherries and bourbon work together to bring a slight sour and oaky tartness to the spiral ham, and the glaze has just enough cayenne pepper to deliver a subtle smoky heat.
Get the Cherry Bourbon Glazed Ham recipe.
15
Spiral Ham
For a classic Easter dinner, you can't get much more impressive than a glazed spiral ham. Got leftovers? Leftover ham is basically refrigerator gold. Try making a legit Croque Madame for your next brunch.
Get the Spiral Ham recipe.
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16
Hawaiian Roll Sliders
Hawaiian rolls are a guilty pleasure of ours: They're buttery, soft, and full of just-sweet-enough flavor. These sliders, layered with ham, Swiss, and caramelized onions, will quickly become a MUST at any Easter celebration.
Get the Hawaiian Roll Sliders recipe.
17
Creamy Ham & Potato Soup
If you’re a fan of potato soup, you’re going to love this upgrade— loaded with chunks of tender potatoes, salty-sweet ham, and tender vegetables, this creamy soup is the comfort food you know and love, with a little something extra.
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18
Classic Ham Salad
Not feeling ham as the star of your meal? We love this super-easy ham salad on crackers as an appetizer. If you're not a fan of green onions, dill or parsley would be delicious substitutes!
Get the Classic Ham Salad recipe.
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19
Crockpot Brown Sugar Ham
Let your slow cooker do the legwork on this easy holiday ham. This leaves plenty of room in your oven for all those sides.
Get the Crockpot Brown Sugar Ham recipe.
20
Ham & Cheese Sliders
Opting for a more casual Easter gathering? These rich-yet-punchy sliders are ideal for a potluck lunch. Classic ham and cheese is sandwiched between sweet Hawaiian rolls, all before being brushed with a homemade dressing that transforms these simple sliders into a sweet and salty dream.
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