Switch up the ham this Christmas with the Studd siblings' honey soy recipe.

What you need to know before you start

You’ll need to set aside at least 1 hour 30 minutes to make this recipe from start to finish. Cooking a Christmas ham requires your undivided attention as it will need to be basted every 15-20 minutes while it’s in the oven. 

You’ll also be required to correctly prepare the ham for glaze. Most hams will come with a layer of skin that needs to be removed. To complete this step, you’ll need a steady hand and a small sharp knife. Other equipment also includes a large roasting tray, a bowl to combine the glaze ingredients, a spoon for mixing and a basting brush. 

Why is this the best sticky honey soy Christmas ham recipe?

This isn’t like your traditional honey mustard glazed Christmas ham. This version by artisan cheese experts Ellie and Sam Studd puts an Asian twist on a classic festive recipe.

Instead of traditional ingredients like maple syrup and brown sugar, this sticky honey soy recipe uses Chinese flavours like soy sauce, char siu sauce and Chinese five-spice powder to create a sweet, spicy and umami-rich glaze that pairs beautifully with the savouriness of a ham.

Do you glaze a ham before or after heating?

For this recipe, apply the glaze to the ham before it has been heated. Some recipes will call for a glaze to be applied in the final moments of cooking time to avoid any sugars in the glaze from burning. However, for this recipe, the ham can be glazed prior to it going in the oven. 

Can I glaze my ham the day before Christmas?

You should only glaze your ham when you’re ready to cook. Feel free to prepare the glaze ingredients up to 1 week before the big day, and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also remove the skin of the ham 1-2 days prior to cooking (some people choose to reserve the skin, to use as a natural covering for storing leftovers). On the day, glaze the ham as soon as it’s time to put it in the oven.

What ingredients you’ll need 

Whole smoked leg ham on the bone: The star of the show. We use a 7kg whole leg ham on the bone to feed a party of 18. 

Soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a rich umami flavour to enhance the flavours of the glaze. 

Runny honey: The natural sweetness of a runny honey imparts fruity and floral undertones while creating a smooth texture for the glaze. 

Char siu sauce: The sweet and savoury elements of this sauce add a spiced aroma while contributing to the rich caramelisation of the ham once cooked. 

Garlic cloves: Garlic has a rich, savoury flavour that enhances the overall umami profile of the glaze.

Chinese five-spice powder: The blend of star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns and fennel seeds creates a flavour that’s warming and earthy with a slight kick of heat. 

Long green shallots: These shallots have a mild onion flavour to add a crisp freshness. Shallots are sprinkled on the finished dish for a vibrant pop of green. 

How do you cook sticky honey soy Christmas ham without drying it out?

Keep your Christmas ham moist and flavourful by following a few simple tricks. We advise cooking a 7kg bone in ham at 170°C/150°C fan-forced for 1 hour 15 minutes. Liberally glaze the ham as it enters the oven and continue to baste every 15-20 minutes to prevent it from drying out. Don’t forget to rest the finished ham for 15 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute through the meat. 

How to store leftover sticky honey soy Christmas ham

You can store leftover glazed Christmas ham whole or in slices, however, slices will dry up faster, so consider how quickly you intend to eat your leftovers before slicing. For the whole ham, store it in the fridge wrapped in its reserved skin, or use a cloth ham bag, following the bag’s instructions. Stored this way, the ham can last for up to 1 month. Ham slices can also be wrapped in plastic wrap or can simply be placed in an airtight container and stored in the fridge for up to 1 week. 

What to serve with Christmas ham 

Make your honey soy ham the centrepiece of your festive dinner party. Complete your feast with all the trimmings like duck fat potatoes, zucchini gratin and roasted pumpkin. For dishes that complement the Asian flavours of the Christmas ham, look for sides like sweet corn with black pepper sauce or a refreshing green papaya salad.  

Drinking pairings with sticky honey soy Christmas ham

Choose drinks that pair beautifully with the rich and savoury flavours of an Asian-inspired Christmas ham. We recommend a light and acidic pinot noir, a Champagne to cleanse the palate or a malty amber beer to complement the notes of honey from the glaze. 

If you love our sticky honey soy Christmas ham recipe, try this 

Got plenty of leftovers? If you can’t bear to look at another Christmas ham and cheese toastie, look to these recipes that breathe new life into your Chrissy leftovers: 

• Leftover ham fried rice
• Ham and potato cakes with rocket pesto
• Christmas ham and potato rosti