This easy, sugar-free ham glaze recipe only takes 10 minutes to make! Warm spices, a sugar-free maple syrup substitute and fresh orange zest/juice creates a delicious, sweet glaze that will add amazing flavor to any spiral ham. Toss out the glaze packet (you know the one) and make your own sugar-free ham glaze from scratch. It's so worth it!
A bone-in ham is almost synonymous with the holidays. And whether you're preparing a Christmas ham or an Easter ham, this simple, sugar-free ham glaze is the perfect addition to a spiral cut ham, any time of the year.
It adds a sweet maple flavor with a hint of citrus and cinnamon. Serve the glazed, whole ham with a side of green bean casserole or zucchini gratin (or your own favorite side dishes) to round out your holiday meal.
recipe testing
I've made this sugar-free ham glaze a few times and I've found that it will work with a few different types of sugar substitutes. Granulated monk fruit sweetener, allulose or plain erythritol are all great options.
But for the very best results, try to use a brown sugar substitute like brown or golden monk fruit sweetener. It will give you a rich flavor and taste the closest to a true ham glaze, which typically calls for regular brown sugar.
why this recipe works
This keto-friendly glaze is perfect for any kind of holiday ham. It's quick, easy and versatile. You can use leftover glaze on other proteins like chicken and salmon.
This simple sauce will turn any glazed ham recipe into a keto ham recipe!
It is:
- made with monk fruit sweetener products, which means it's low-glycemic, keto diet and low carb diet friendly
- a quick glaze that's ready in 10 minutes
- incredibly flavorful and versatile
- gluten-free and dairy optional.
the ingredient list
Thankfully, it doesn't take a whole lot to make a keto glaze with sugar substitutes. And taste-wise, you won't even be able to tell the difference!
For the best ham glaze without sugar, you will need:
- sugar-free maple syrup , (affiliate link) or sub sugar-free honey
- golden monk fruit sweetener , brown monk fruit sweetener, (affiliate links) or a similar brown sweetener
- orange, juice and zest
- Dijon mustard
- butter (optional)
- ground cinnamon
- ground allspice
- ground cloves
an easy sugar free ham glaze recipe
Mix, heat, use. Those are the simple steps in creating a quick and easy sugar-free maple glaze that will add extra flavor and texture to a juicy ham.
Here's a look at the process but be sure to view the full recipe card at the bottom of the page for all of the details.
- In a small saucepan, whisk together all of the glaze ingredients except for the butter.
- Heat over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, just until it reaches a boil. Immediately reduce the heat to low and add the butter. Let the glaze simmer for about 10 minutes to reduce and slightly thicken.
- Remove the glaze from the heat, transfer it to a small bowl, and use immediately. If making it in advance, let it cool to room temperature and transfer it to a storage container. Store in the refrigerator.
- To use, brush the ham glaze all over the ham during the last few minutes of cooking time. Depending on the temperature, you can brush it on the ham and cook for 10-20 minutes to let the glaze caramelize.
tips for success
- This sugar-free ham glaze will work well with any kind of ham, whether you have an uncured ham, spiral ham, bone-in or boneless ham. Make sure to cook the ham according to the package instructions (or your favorite recipe) and simply add the glaze at the very end of the cook time.
- Some of the glaze will drip off into the roasting pan or baking dish, so I suggest adding at least two coats of the glaze.
- Don't cover the ham with aluminum foil after applying the glaze. You want the glaze to cook at a high temperature, uncovered. This allows the sauce (and the thin fat layer on the ham) caramelize.
- As the sugar-free ham glaze cools to room temperature, the monk fruit will form a thin layer at the top of the glaze. It breaks down as soon as the glaze is whisked or reheated.
- To make the glaze dairy-free, omit the butter. It simply adds a bit of richness, but it's not necessary to form a glaze.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
substitutions
- I use Lakanto Maple "Syrup" (affiliate link) which adds a delicious maple flavor to the sauce. However, you can use your favorite maple syrup substitution or even a sugar-free honey. These are typically found in the syrup aisle or baking aisle at the grocery store.
- A substitution for the maple sweeter would be this sugar-free simple syrup plus a ¼ teaspoon of maple flavor.
This sugar-free ham glaze is a delicious finishing touch to preparing the perfect ham for your holiday table. No one will even be able to tell that it's sugar free!
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More delicious keto recipes that pair well with this main dish:
- Mediterranean roasted eggplant, a fusion of flavors! Mediterranean-spiced eggplant pieces are roasted until caramelized, then topped with a creamy tahini sauce and chopped dates.
- Cauliflower "risotto" is a low-carb side dish featuring a creamy, cauliflower rice base with crisp asparagus and savory bits of bacon.
- Keto stuffed mushrooms are filled with a creamy, cheesy, sausage filling seasoned with sage. They're easy to make and create the perfect party starter or fun, finger food side dish.
Sugar Free Ham Glaze (Keto, Gluten-Free)
This simple, sugar-free ham glaze recipe creates a sweet, citrus-y, spiced glaze that is the perfect finishing touch for any holiday ham!
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup keto maple syrup
- ½ cup golden or brown monk fruit sweetener (or similar brown sugar substitute)
- juice and zest of 1 orange
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- Pinch of ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional, omit if dairy-free)
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, whisk together all of the glaze ingredients except for the butter.
- Heat over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, just until it reaches a boil.
- Immediately reduce the heat to low and stir in the butter. Let the glaze simmer for 10 minutes to reduce and slightly thicken. Stir often.
- Remove the glaze from the heat, transfer it to a small bowl, and use immediately. If making it in advance, let it cool to room temperature and transfer it to a storage container. Store in the refrigerator.
- To use, brush the ham glaze all over the ham during the last few minutes of cooking time.
Notes
- Some of the glaze will drip off into the roasting pan or baking dish, so I suggest adding at least two coats of the glaze.
- Don't cover the ham with aluminum foil after applying the glaze. The glaze should cook at a high temperature, uncovered. This allows the sauce to become sticky and caramelized.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!