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    Pink Owl Kitchen » Condiments and Sauces » Easy Brown Sugar Glaze (For Ham, Chicken, and More!)

    Easy Brown Sugar Glaze (For Ham, Chicken, and More!)

    Published: Jun 9, 2022 · Modified: Jul 17, 2022 by Ashley Boyd · This post may contain affiliate links

    JUMP TO RECIPE
    brown sugar glaze dripping from spoon into a glass jar.
    brown sugar glaze dripping from spoon into a glass jar.

    A simple sweet and tangy brown sugar glaze to add delicious flavor to your holiday ham, chicken, salmon, burgers, veggies, and more!

    brown sugar glaze dripping from spoon into a glass jar.

    This brown sugar glaze takes only a few minutes to make and is so good you will want to slather it on everything. If I am having ham for the holidays, it better have this glaze on it or else I'm not interested!

    You won't believe how versatile this brown sugar glaze is. I have put it on everything from turkey, chicken, sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, salmon, and shrimp. Don't believe me? Check out this Brown Sugar Glazed Chicken recipe for starters!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients You Need To Make This Recipe
    • How To Make This Recipe
    • Variations and Substitutions
    • What To Serve With Brown Sugar Glaze
    • Make-Ahead and Storing Instructions
    • Recommended Tools for This Recipe
    • More Easy Recipes You Will love!
    • 📖 Recipe

    Ingredients You Need To Make This Recipe

    • Dark brown sugar. This ingredient is the base for this sauce recipe. Brown sugar gives the glaze rich caramel-like sweetness.
    • Honey. A small amount of honey compliments the brown sugar so well and adds very subtle floral notes.
    • Orange juice. Orange juice adds citrus flavor and acidity to the glaze. I recommend freshly squeezed orange juice but you can also use bottled orange juice. Keep in mind that some brands of orange juice have lots of sugar added which could affect the flavor of your glaze.
    • Whole grain mustard. This ingredient adds a tangy, peppery bite to the sauce. You can also use regular yellow mustard if you do not have whole grain mustard.
    • Apple cider vinegar. This ingredient adds additional acidity and tanginess to the glaze.
    • Ground cinnamon, ginger, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. These spices are added for extra flavor and depth in the glaze.
    brown sugar glaze in a glass jar on a wooden cutting board.

    How To Make This Recipe

    • Add all of the ingredients to a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Heat the glaze while stirring with a wooden spoon until the sugar has dissolved.
    • Either pour the glaze over your ham or allow the glaze to cool completely and transfer it to an airtight container.
    brown sugar glaze on a wooden spoon.

    Variations and Substitutions

    You can use light brown sugar to make this glaze if that is what you have on hand, but it will have a lighter flavor and color. Dark brown sugar has more molasses in it, which is why I prefer it in this glaze over light brown sugar. However, the result will be delicious either way!

    If you do not have any honey on hand, you can omit this ingredient without making any other adjustments to the glaze.

    Freshly squeezed lemon juice can be substituted for orange juice in this glaze. This will change the flavor slightly, adding a bit more tartness.

    brown sugar glaze in a glass jar on a wooden cutting board.

    What To Serve With Brown Sugar Glaze

    There are so many possibilities here y'all! Meat, seafood, and vegetables all pair beautifully with this glaze. Try brown sugar glaze on some of the following:

    • Baked ham
    • Pan-seared salmon
    • Baked or pan-seared chicken (don't forget to check out our Brown Sugar Glazed Chicken recipe!)
    • Sauteed shrimp
    • Sauteed scallops
    • Roasted vegetables such as broccoli, brussel sprouts, butternut squash, or sweet potatoes
    • Sauteed green beans
    brown sugar glazed chicken in a cast-iron skillet.

    Make-Ahead and Storing Instructions

    This glaze can be made up to 3 days ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use. Reheat brown sugar glaze on the stovetop or in the microwave.

    Leftover glaze can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for to a week. This glaze can also be frozen for up to three months.

    Recommended Tools for This Recipe

    • Small saucepan
    • Measuring cup
    • Measuring spoons
    • Mason jar for storing
    brown sugar glaze dripping from spoon into a glass jar.

    More Easy Recipes You Will love!

    • New Orleans Remoulade Sauce
    • Spiced Apple Jam
    • Cajun Honey Butter Roasted Carrots
    • The Best Mississippi Comeback Sauce
    • Crispy Maple BBQ Glazed Wings

    📖 Recipe

    brown sugar glaze dripping from spoon into a glass jar.

    Easy Brown Sugar Glaze (For Ham, Chicken, and More!)

    Ashley
    A simple sweet and tangy brown sugar glaze to add delicious flavor to your holiday ham, chicken, salmon, burgers, veggies, and more!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Condiment
    Cuisine American
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Servings 12
    Calories 80 kcal

    Equipment

    • Small saucepan

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup dark brown sugar packed
    • ¼ cup honey
    • ¼ cup orange juice freshly squeezed or bottled, see note
    • 2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard or yellow mustard
    • 4 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Add all of the ingredients to a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Heat the glaze while stirring with a wooden spoon until the sugar has dissolved.
    • Either pour the glaze over your ham or allow the glaze to cool completely and transfer it to an airtight container.

    Notes

    • You can use light brown sugar to make this glaze if that is what you have on hand, but it will have a lighter flavor and color.
    • Some brands of bottled orange juice have lots of sugar added which could affect the flavor of your glaze.
    • Leftover glaze can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for to a week. This glaze can also be frozen for up to three months.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2tablespoonsCalories: 80kcalCarbohydrates: 19.3gProtein: 0.6gFat: 0.6gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 51mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 18.1gCalcium: 23mg
    Keyword brown sugar glaze, ham glaze
    Tried this recipe?Tag @thepinkowlkitchen on Instagram! And don't forget to leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and review!

    More Condiments and Sauces

    • Creamy Cajun Dipping Sauce
    • New Orleans Remoulade Sauce Recipe
    • The Best Mississippi Comeback Sauce
    • Spiced Apple Jam

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    Hi! I'm Ashley.

    I am a new mom, wife, and creator of all you see here at Pink Owl Kitchen. All of our recipes are influenced by my southern upbringing and are made with fresh, seasonal ingredients to encourage families to come together around the dinner table more!

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