Cider & Honey-Glazed Holiday Ham with Skillet-Fried Apples

Farmstead Meal #014

There's nothing quite like gathering around the table with family and friends during the holidays. A good smoked ham makes a wonderful centerpiece, and it doesn't take a complicated recipe to make it memorable.

This week, we're pairing our pasture-raised smoked ham with a glaze made from sweet apple cider and Rubee's honey. On the side, we're frying fresh Mick Klug Farm apples in Moo-ville butter until they're golden and tender. The smoky ham, sweet glaze, and buttery apples come together for a holiday meal worth sharing.

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: Approximately 70–80 minutes

Ingredients

From The Farmstead

• 2 lb Jake's Country Meats Boneless Smoked Ham
• 1½ cups sweet apple cider
• 3 Tbsp Rubee's Raw Honey
• 3 Mick Klug Farm Apples
• 2 Tbsp Moo-ville Butter

From Your Pantry

• 1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard
• 1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• ½ tsp Ground Cinnamon
• ½ cup Water
• Pinch of Salt
• Black Pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Thaw the Ham

Thaw the ham in the refrigerator, allowing approximately 4–6 hours per pound. For a 2 lb ham, plan on 8–12 hours. Keep it wrapped and on a tray to catch any drips. Make sure the center is completely thawed before cooking.

2. Prepare the Ham

Preheat oven to 325°F. Place the ham in a roasting pan with ½ cup water and cover tightly with foil to help retain moisture.

3. Roast the Ham

For a boneless smoked shoulder roll, allow approximately 35–40 minutes per pound, or 70–80 minutes for 2 lb. Begin checking early with a meat thermometer. Cook the ham until the center reaches at least 145°F, then allow it to rest for at least 3 minutes. Actual cooking times vary by cut and shape.

4. Make the Cider-Honey Glaze

While the ham roasts, bring the sweet apple cider to a gentle simmer in a small saucepan. Cook uncovered until reduced by about half. Stir in Rubee's honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and black pepper. Continue simmering for 5–10 minutes until slightly thickened.

5. Glaze the Ham

During the final 20 minutes of roasting, uncover the ham and brush generously with glaze. Repeat once or twice as it finishes cooking. Set aside some glaze before brushing for serving later.

6. Fry the Apples

Core the apples and slice into thick wedges. Melt Moo-ville butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the apples, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and tender but still holding their shape.

7. Slice and Serve

Let the ham rest before slicing. Arrange on a serving platter with the warm fried apples alongside. Drizzle with the reserved cider-honey glaze and bring it to the table.

Farmstead Tip

Hosting for the holidays? Make the cider-honey glaze a day ahead and refrigerate. Fry the apples just before serving, and let the ham rest before slicing to keep it juicy.

Know Your Cut: Boneless Smoked Ham

Our Boneless Ham Roast is made from whole-muscle pork raised on our family farm in Southwest Michigan. It's cured with sea salt, turbinado sugar, and vegetable powder made from celery and beets, rather than conventional curing salts.

Smoking gives the ham its rich, savory flavor, while the boneless cut makes it especially easy to slice and serve. Our hams are labeled cook-before-eating, so use a meat thermometer to ensure they're properly cooked.

Ham is a natural choice for holiday gatherings, but it's also one of those cuts that keeps giving after the big meal. Thin slices make wonderful sandwiches, diced ham works in breakfast skillets or casseroles, and smaller pieces can add flavor to soups and beans.

Meet the Maker: Mick Klug Farms

Mick Klug Farms in St. Joseph, Michigan, has deep roots in Southwest Michigan agriculture. Their family has spent generations growing fruits and vegetables for our region, with a focus on quality produce harvested by hand.

In 2018, Mark's brother, Ben Schilling, and sister-in-law, Bae, joined the team. Today, Abby, Mark, Bae, and Ben own and operate both Mick Klug Farms and Schilling Family Farms together.

We carry their apples at The Farmstead, and they're a great example of why we enjoy working with local growers. Behind the fruit on our shelves are real families, years of experience, and a connection to the land that continues from one generation to the next.

For this recipe, choose a firm apple like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or EverCrisp. These varieties hold their shape well in the skillet while developing a little color and sweetness.

Why Cider, Honey & Apples?

Smoked ham already brings plenty of flavor to the table. The cider-honey glaze adds a little sweetness and acidity without overwhelming the pork.

Reducing the cider concentrates its natural apple flavor before adding the honey and mustard. Brushing the glaze on near the end of roasting helps it develop a glossy finish without burning.

Frying the apples separately gives them a chance to brown in butter while keeping their texture. Together, the ham and apples offer a balance of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors.

Make It a Holiday Gathering

One of the nice things about serving ham is how easily it fits different gatherings. Whether you're planning Christmas dinner, hosting a few friends, or feeding family throughout the holiday weekend, you can choose a ham that fits your table.

For a larger gathering, choose a bigger ham and adjust the cooking time according to its weight and cut. The cider-honey glaze can be prepared ahead, and the fried apples take just a few minutes before serving.

And don't forget the leftovers. A little extra ham in the refrigerator can make breakfast or lunch easier over the next several days.

What You'll Find at The Farmstead

Most of the ingredients for this meal are available right here at The Farmstead. Pick up our pasture-raised smoked ham, sweet apple cider, Rubee's honey, fresh Mick Klug Farm apples, and Moo-ville butter.

We're bringing these ingredients together for Farmstead Meal #014 during Dowagiac's Christmas Open House. Stop in, try a sample, and start planning what you'll put on the table when family and friends gather for Christmas.

Visit us at 57470 M-51 S, Dowagiac, Michigan.

Tuesday–Saturday, 10 AM–7 PM

Local Farms. Local Makers. Real Food.