Keto Sweet & Spicy Glazed Ham (Sugar-free)

This keto glazed ham is covered in a sugar-free ham glaze that's sweet, savory, and gently spicy.

Brown sugar substitute and allulose give the glaze its classic sweetness, while mustard, warm spices, chipotle powder, and red pepper flakes add plenty of flavor without relying on traditional brown sugar or honey.

If you prefer a milder, more traditional mustard-forward glaze, try my keto brown sugar mustard glazed ham instead. That recipe skips the chipotle and places more emphasis on the mustard flavor.

It's a delicious keto ham glaze recipe for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or anytime you want a special main dish that can still fit comfortably into a low-carb meal.

Clocking in at only 5.5 net carbs per generous servings, this recipe fits your low carb diet beautifully.

If you have any ham leftovers, be sure to add to your keto meal planning rotation our keto ham casserole, which is simply scrumptious!

Why You'll Love This Sweet and Spicy Keto Ham

This keto glazed ham gives you all the flavor and glossy finish you expect from a holiday ham without using a traditional sugar-heavy glaze.

The combination of brown sugar substitute and allulose creates sweetness while the mustard and warm spices keep the glaze from tasting one-dimensional. Chipotle powder and red pepper flakes add a mild smoky heat that makes this recipe especially good for anyone who enjoys that sweet, salty, and spicy combination.

Another benefit of using allulose alongside the brown sugar substitute is that it helps the glaze stay smoother while warm instead of crystallizing as quickly.

Creating a low-carb version of glazed ham for our family was a top priority. And it's something I perfected after several attempts. You are welcome!

Is Ham Keto-Friendly?

Ham itself is typically low in carbohydrates, but the amount of added sugar can vary considerably by brand and preparation. This is especially important with honey-baked, maple-glazed, and brown sugar-glazed hams because much of the added carbohydrate comes from the glaze.

When shopping for ham, check the nutrition label and ingredient list rather than assuming every ham is the same.

If your ham includes a sugary glaze packet, simply discard it and use this homemade sugar-free ham glaze instead.

Which Is The Best Ham?

I chose a 9-pound fully cooked smoked ham, the shank portion that includes the bone. But you can easily double the recipe to make a whole ham or even a spiral ham.

I prefer to use bone-in ham since it is more flavorful and remains juicy. A boneless ham will also work, but you must reduce the cooking time because these tend to dry out quickly. 

What Makes This Sugar-Free Ham Glaze Different?

This isn't simply a keto version of a traditional brown sugar glaze. The defining flavor in this recipe comes from chipotle pepper powder, which adds smoky warmth to the sweet glaze.

Brown sugar substitute and allulose provide sweetness, while butter adds richness. Brown mustard and dry mustard balance that sweetness, and cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice give the glaze the warm flavors associated with holiday ham.

Chipotle powder and red pepper flakes finish everything with just enough heat to make this glaze stand out.

How Spicy Is This Keto Glazed Ham?

Despite the chipotle and red pepper flakes, this ham is not overwhelmingly hot. The spices are there to provide warmth and balance the sweetness of the glaze.

If your family prefers very mild food, reduce the chipotle pepper powder and red pepper flakes. If you enjoy a stronger sweet-and-spicy contrast, you can increase them to taste.

How To Make a Sugar-Free Ham Glaze

The sugar-free glaze is prepared separately while the ham cooks. Melt the butter with the brown sugar substitute and allulose over medium heat, then stir in the mustard and spices. Allow the mixture to gently simmer until everything is well combined and the glaze begins to thicken.

Best Sugar Substitutes For A Sugar-Free Ham Glaze

I have several options when it comes to which sweetener you can use in this ham glaze Monk Fruit is my favorite since the texture and flavor are what I have found to be the closest to real sugar. 

I am recommending you use their brown sugar substitute in this recipe, although you can use their golden sugar-free substitute, or even their white granulated sweetener, which is acceptable.  It just will not have the same depth of flavor.

Another delicious brown sugar substitute is Surkin Gold

You could also use the stevia- and erythritol-based brand Truvia Sweet Complete Brown Sweetener with the Stevia Leaf if you prefer to use a stevia-based sweetener.

In my opinion, Truvia tends to be overly sweet, which is why I recommend half the amount called for in this recipe. This may, however, skew the recipe, not giving you enough glaze since you will need half the recipe.

My glaze also uses Allulose. I find that using some allulose prevents the glaze from crystallizing quickly. It may still crystallize once refrigerated, but will not do so while the ham is warm. 

Ingredients Needed For A Sugar-Free Spicy Glazed Ham

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

The following are the ingredients needed: Note that the full printable recipe card is at the bottom of the page.

• Fully cooked ham (shank portion), although you can also use a spiral-cut ham
• Water 
• Cinnamon powder (spices will season the water)
• Nutmeg powder 
• Ginger powder
• Allspice

Sugar-Free Glaze Ingredients

• Brown sugar substitute
• Allulose this sweetener is key
• Unsalted butter
• Brown mustard or Dijon mustard
• Dry mustard powder
• Cinnamon powder
• Nutmeg powder
• Ginger powder
• Allspice
• Chipotle pepper powder to taste
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes, to taste
• Salt

Do You Need To Remove The Skin And Fat Layer Of A Ham?

I recommend you remove the rind, or "skin layer," from your ham while still leaving as much of the fat layer intact. The skin is tough and has an unpleasant chewy texture once cooked, so I removed it.

You will just waste the delicious sweet and spicy glaze that makes this sugar-free ham a star!

The fat adds moisture to the ham keeping it juicy and helps the keto ham glaze to adhere nicely to the ham as it bakes. The fat also naturally bastes your ham as it cooks. So keep your fat layer and ensure your ham is cooked perfectly.

How To Remove Rind And Score Your Ham

1. Trim away the rind (skin), being sure to leave all the fat. Using a sharp knife, cut a line through the skin around the shank's end. Carefully insert the knife between the rind of the ham and the fat, and run the knife through to separate the layers. Using your fingers, gently pull the rind from the fat. Remove the rind from the ham and discard it.
2. Using a sharp knife, score a 1-inch-wide diamond pattern about ¼ inch deep.
3. Avoid slicing into the meat and concentrate on only scoring the fat of the ham. Going too deep risks the ham drying out as the fat shrinks during the cooking process.
4. Do this over the entire surface of the ham.

Can I Use a Spiral Ham?

Yes. A fully cooked spiral ham can also be used for this keto glazed ham. Because spiral hams are already trimmed and sliced, you do not need to remove the rind or score the ham as you would with the shank portion used in my original recipe.

Be especially careful not to overheat a spiral ham since the precut slices can dry more quickly. Follow the heating directions included with your ham and use a meat thermometer rather than relying only on cooking time.

How To Make A Keto Sweet And Spicy Glazed Ham

Making a keto-friendly ham starts the same as any fully cooked, smoked, or cured ham. Start by removing the tough skin layer while preserving the fat.

Then, place your ham, cut side down, in a roasting pan large enough to accommodate it easily in a preheated 325-degree oven.  I like placing my ham on a small baking rack so that it doesn't touch the bottom of the pan.

This ensures that the bottom of the ham does not overcook.

You could also use a layer of crumpled aluminum foil instead of a baking rack.  You'll also add a ½ cup of water seasoned with allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, ¼ teaspoon of each.

Adding water helps the ham bake evenly and create steam as it cooks, and the spices add more flavor to the ham.

Cover your ham with aluminum foil and bake at 325 degrees for 12-14 minutes per pound. A fully cooked ham must be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees until heated through. 

I cooked this 9-pound ham for 2 ¼ hours. Keep in mind that the cooking time will vary depending on the size of your ham.

During the last 20 minutes, you will baste the ham with the sugar-free glaze.

Storage Tips

Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to five days or frozen for up to three weeks.

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Be sure to check out our keto cauliflower mac and cheese and our keto green bean casserole for the perfect addition to this ham recipe. 

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