Spiral ham is a star at holiday dinners, family gatherings, and special occasions. Its pre-sliced design makes serving easy, and with the right cooking method, it turns out juicy, flavorful, and beautifully glazed. If you’ve ever wondered, how do you cook spiral ham? – this guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from prepping to glazing and carving.
What Is Spiral Ham?
Spiral ham is a fully cooked, pre-sliced ham that is cut in a continuous spiral around the bone. This makes it easy to serve thin, even slices without the hassle of carving each piece individually. Since it’s already cooked, your job is mainly to heat it through and add a delicious glaze to enhance its flavor.
How to Cook Spiral Ham: Step-by-Step
1. Preheat Your Oven
Set your oven to 325°F (165°C). This temperature is ideal for warming the ham evenly without drying it out.
2. Prepare the Ham
– Remove all packaging and discard any plastic disks or buttons on the bone.
– Place the ham cut-side down in a shallow roasting pan. This helps keep the meat juicy as it cooks.
– Add about ½ inch of water to the bottom of the pan to create steam and prevent drying.
– Cover the ham tightly with aluminum foil.
3. Heat the Ham
– Bake the ham for about 12 to 15 minutes per pound. For example, a 10-pound ham will take roughly 2 to 2.5 hours.
– Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The ham is ready when it reaches 140°F (60°C).
4. Glaze the Ham
While the ham is warming, prepare a glaze. A classic glaze combines sweet and tangy flavors, such as brown sugar, honey, mustard, and fruit juice.
Simple Glaze Ingredients:
– 1 cup brown sugar
– ½ cup honey or maple syrup
– ¼ cup pineapple or orange juice
– 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
– Optional spices: cinnamon, cloves, or ground ginger
How to Glaze:
– Mix the glaze ingredients in a saucepan and simmer until thickened (about 5-10 minutes).
– When the ham reaches 140°F, remove the foil and brush the glaze generously over the ham, making sure to get it between the spiral slices.
– Increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) and bake the ham uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes. This caramelizes the glaze and adds a beautiful golden finish.
5. Rest and Serve
– Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest covered for at least 15 minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat moist.
– Serve the ham on a platter with any extra glaze on the side.
Tips for the Best Spiral Ham
– Bring the ham to room temperature before cooking by taking it out of the fridge about an hour early. This helps it heat evenly.
– Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. Spiral ham is already cooked, so you only want to warm it through.
– Place the ham cut-side down in the pan to keep it juicy.
– Baste with glaze multiple times during the last stage to build layers of flavor.
– Save leftovers by wrapping tightly in foil and refrigerating for up to 5 days or freezing for up to 2 months.
– Reheat leftovers gently in the oven at 325°F with a bit of water to keep them moist.
Delicious Glaze Variations to Try
– Brown Sugar & Mustard Glaze: Brown sugar, Dijon mustard, orange juice, honey, cinnamon, and cloves.
– Pineapple & Honey Glaze: Pineapple juice, honey, brown sugar, garlic powder, and a pinch of paprika.
– Maple & Bourbon Glaze: Maple syrup, bourbon, brown sugar, and a touch of mustard.
Each glaze adds a unique twist to your spiral ham, so feel free to experiment!
How to Carve Spiral Ham
One of the best things about spiral ham is that it’s already sliced for you. To serve:
– Remove the skin and any thick fat layer.
– Starting at the thickest part, gently pull slices away from the bone along the spiral cut.
– Arrange slices on a platter with some glaze drizzled on top.
Spiral ham is a crowd-pleaser that’s surprisingly easy to prepare. With these simple steps, you’ll have a juicy, flavorful centerpiece ready to impress your guests.
Enjoy your delicious spiral ham feast!