Easy Baked Ham with Roasted Vegetables

Easy oven-baked ham is one of those dishes that doesn’t require much attention, yet still feels festive when you bring it to the table. This simple baked ham with roasted vegetables is perfect as a main course for Christmas, Easter dinner, or any other special occasion. With very little effort you get a tender, flavorful piece of meat with a glossy glaze and perfectly roasted vegetables straight from the oven.

Recipe Ingredients

You don’t need many ingredients to make this easy baked ham, although you can make it as simple or as elaborate as you like. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Ham – I used a pre-cooked ham. It saves a lot of time and takes away the stress of having to guess if the meat is properly cooked. Same type used in my chipotle & cranberry glazed ham.
• Marinade/Glaze – I went with a simple mixture of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and a little honey. It creates that delicious sticky exterior. The honey can be replaced with maple syrup too. I like to add a bit of orange juice sometimes too.
• Vegetables – You can vary endlessly here. I chose Brussels sprouts and broccolini and added almonds for extra crunch.

Other than that you will need a large roasting pan to place ham and vegetables in. You can also use two separate roasting pans. That is totally optional.

How to Choose the Right Ham

For this ham recipe, I use a pre-cooked ham. That means the ham is already cooked, but gets warmed and glazed in the oven for extra flavor. This type of ham is easy to find around the holidays (for Christmas and Easter and probably Thanksgiving too) and can also be ordered from your butcher.

It comes either as a bone-in or boneless (bone-in = more flavor). Bone-in ham is harder to find, but just like with my leg of lamb recipe, it really does add flavor.

Tip: Choose a ham with a thin fat cap. This keeps the meat from drying out and adds great flavor.

What to Serve with Oven-Baked Ham

To turn the ham into a full meal, I like serving it with lots of vegetables, and roasted or fried potatoes are always a great choice.

Which Vegetables Work Well?

Depending on the season, you can choose vegetables that roast well in the oven. I roasted everything together with the ham, but you can also roast them separately if they need different cook times.

Seasonal pairings:

• Summer – zucchini, bell peppers, red onion
• Winter – pumpkin, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, parsnip, cauliflower
• Spring – fennel, carrots, asparagus
• Fall – celeriac, red onion, carrots

Roasting separately is always an option, or choose vegetables that have similar roasting times.

Which Sauce Goes with Oven-Baked Ham?

My all-time favorite is cranberry sauce, but a gorgonzola sauce or one of my other sauce recipes works beautifully too.

For a starter, I love salmon tartare, but tomato tartare or steak tartare are also great options. For dessert, panna cotta is always a winner if you ask me, but you can absolutely keep it simple with something like an easy chocolate mousse.

What Can You Do With Leftover Ham?

Leftover baked ham is one of those things you absolutely want to plan for. It stays juicy, it slices beautifully, and it works in both cold and hot dishes. Here are some delicious ways to use it up:

Cold Options

Perfect for quick lunches or meal prep:

• Sandwiches with dijon mustard or mayo
• Wraps with lettuce & cheese
• Cobb salads or chef salads
• Bagels with cream cheese and arugula
• Charcuterie boards with crackers & pickles

Warm Leftover Meals

Great for dinners, soups, and comfort-style dishes:

• Ham & potato soup
• Creamy pasta with peas & ham
• Fried rice with ham instead of bacon
• Ham & cheddar omelets
• Breakfast burritos with eggs
• Ham and vegetable frittata
• Loaded baked potatoes (sour cream, cheese, chives, ham)

Freezing Leftovers

Ham also freezes surprisingly well:

• Slice or dice before freezing
• Store airtight (zip-top bags or containers)
• Freeze for up to 3 months

It’s perfect to keep on hand for quick meals like soups, casseroles, and quiches.

FAQ Oven-Baked Ham

How long should a pre-cooked ham go in the oven?

Since it’s already cooked, you’re only reheating it. Count about 20-25 minutes per 500 g (roughly 1 lb) in a preheated 350°F (180°C) oven. Loosely cover with foil if needed to prevent drying out. I usually bake it slightly longer so the glaze becomes nice and sticky.

When should I apply the balsamic-honey glaze?

Since the oven temperature isn’t too high, you can apply the glaze right away and baste multiple times so it caramelizes nicely. If it’s browning too fast, cover with aluminum foil.

Will the ham be too sweet because of the honey?

No. The balsamic balances the sweetness, and as it caramelizes it becomes savory-sweet. You can adjust the ratio to taste.

How do I know if the ham is warm enough?

Use a meat thermometer. A pre-cooked ham is ready at an internal temperature of 140-150°F (60-65°C) – warm but still juicy.

Can I use raw ham instead?

Yes, but raw ham needs much longer cooking time and a higher final temperature (155-160°F / 68-70°C). Ask your butcher for guidelines and always use a thermometer.

Is glazed ham good cold?

Yes! This ham is fantastic cold. Perfect for:

• sandwiches
• wraps
• salads
• lunchboxes
• charcuterie boards

Can I prepare the ham in advance?

Absolutely. You can glaze it a day ahead (so the flavors can absorb) and pre-cut your vegetables. Take the ham out of the refrigerator an hour before baking so it can come closer to room temperature before reheating.