Spiral Ham Cooking: Master the Art with These Tips and Tricks!

Looking to wow your guests with a delicious, juicy spiral ham? Look no further! Whether for a festive holiday gathering, a summer BBQ with friends, or any occasion in between, a spiral ham is a crowd-pleaser that practically cooks itself.

Pair your ham with classic sides like mashed potatoes or scalloped potatoes, and don't forget the turkey. You can find spiral hams at any time of year, and they come fully cooked. Simply heat and serve!

How to Heat a Spiral Ham

Spiral hams typically weigh between 8 and 11 pounds and come fully cooked, so your goal is to heat the meat through without overcooking or drying it out. To avoid drying, cook on low heat. Using a meat thermometer is a crucial part of the process - aim to reach 140°F and remove the ham at 135°F to ensure you don't overcook it.

If you cover your ham with foil, it will take slightly less time to cook than if it is uncovered. If you do choose to cover, remove the foil once the glaze is added for the last 20 minutes of cooking. The shape of your ham can also factor into cooking time.

Glazing Your Spiral Ham

Sweet glaze is the perfect crowning touch to a savory spiral ham, but be sure to add it toward the end of the cooking process to prevent burning. Make sure to use a homemade glaze for the most delicious results!

If you prefer, you can also make your spiral ham in a slow cooker. Brush your ham with your glaze of choice and cook on the lowest setting, adding a little water or apple juice. Remember - your ham is already cooked, and you're just reheating it and infusing it with flavor.

Trust us, your guests will go crazy over this delicious main dish!

The Art of Preparing Spiral Hams

When it comes to spiral hams, the process of slicing them is effortless due to their continuous cut design, and they can be served either hot or cold. Typically, a serving size of six ounces per person is ideal, which means that a ham weighing around eight pounds should provide approximately 20 servings. However, can anyone stop at one slice?

Explore More Delicious Recipes

Have you ever thought of incorporating spiral ham as part of your breakfast menu? Fry up a few slices to go with your toast, or add a slice or two with mustard to a lunchtime sandwich. Spiral cut ham is versatile and straightforward to prepare and serve, making it an ideal meal to enjoy throughout the year.

Rated 4.99 out of 168 votes, Spiral ham is perfect for those special occasions or Christmas dinner.

Preheat the oven to 325°F then take out the spiral ham from its packaging. If it contains a small plastic disc underneath the bone, remove it and throw it away. Place the ham on a shallow tray with the cut side facing downwards. Cover the ham with foil. Bake the ham for 12 to 15 minutes per pound or until the internal temperature of the ham reaches 140°F*. If glazing the ham, add it during the last 20 minutes of cooking. Brush the ham with glaze, and leave it uncovered to finish baking. Once completed cooking, take the ham out of the oven and let it rest for at least 15 minutes before cutting. Feel free to spoon over the juices while serving if desired. While cooking spiral ham, consider whether you want a coated or uncoated exterior. The non-covered method provides a marginally crispy exterior while requiring more cooking time. In contrast, the covered procedure needs less cooking time while maintaining a softer exterior. Keep in mind that spiral hams are primarily pre-cooked, requiring heating only.

In case you add foil while cooking, remove the cover when adding the glaze in the last 20 minutes.

Remember, when it comes to cooking spiral hams, their shape can also cast an influence on cooking times. Rounder and larger ham requires a more extended cooking process than flat-shaped ones.

To make the glaze, combine 2/3 cup of brown sugar, 1/4 cup of your preferred fruit juice (orange or pineapple work well), and 2 tablespoons of dijon mustard with your choice of warm spices.

The nutritional facts presented are for a 4oz serving of ham without the glaze.

Originally, the recipe dictated cooking the ham slowly over low heat. However, after hearing feedback from readers regarding inconsistent results and extra cooking time, we at Spend With Pennies are committed to perfecting every recipe. Therefore, we have retested and refined this recipe for superior outcome.

The estimated nutritional values for one serving are as follows: calories 275, protein 24g, fat 19g, saturated fat 6g, cholesterol 70mg, sodium 1346mg, potassium 324mg, calcium 8mg, and iron 1mg. These amounts may vary depending on cooking techniques and the brands of ingredients selected.

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