How to Make a Perfect Spiral Ham: Tips and Tricks

Spiral hams are an excellent holiday staple, but many people are intimidated by the process of cooking them. Fortunately, making a spiral ham is relatively easy and requires only a few basic steps. With the right ingredients and techniques, you can achieve a delicious, juicy ham that your guests will love.

Before you start cooking, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients and equipment. A spiral ham typically requires a glaze, which can be made from a variety of ingredients such as honey, brown sugar, mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Additionally, you will need a roasting pan, a meat thermometer, and some aluminum foil to cover the ham as it cooks. Once you have everything you need, it’s time to get started on cooking the perfect spiral ham!

Making a succulent, juicy spiral ham is easier than you think. With the right ingredients, preparation, and cooking instructions, you can serve a holiday meal that will be the centerpiece of your feast. Here, we’ll show you how to make a spiral ham with ten easy-to-follow steps.

Gather the Ingredients and Tools

Before you begin to cook your spiral ham, you will need to gather all the ingredients and tools necessary to prepare and season it. Here is a list of the things you will need:

• 8-10 pound spiral cut ham
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup mustard
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• Roasting pan with a rack
• Meat thermometer
• Basting brush

Remove the Ham from the Fridge

Before you start to prepare the ham, you need to take it out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 30-45 minutes. This will help the ham cook evenly in the oven.

Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).

Prepare the Glaze

In a mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, ground cloves, and ground cinnamon. Mix together until it forms a smooth, thick sauce.

Score the Ham

Using a sharp knife, score the ham in a crisscross pattern. Make sure the cuts are not too deep, just enough to create a diamond-shaped pattern.

Apply the Glaze and Bake

Place the ham in the roasting pan with the rack. Use a basting brush to apply the glaze generously to the entire surface of the ham. Make sure the glaze gets into the cuts you made earlier. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 1.5-2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).

Baste the Ham

Once the ham has been cooking for about an hour, start basting it every 15-20 minutes with the juices that have collected in the roasting pan. This will enhance the flavor and keep the ham moist.

Check the Internal Temperature

After an hour and a half, start checking the internal temperature of the ham with a meat thermometer. Make sure to insert the thermometer in the center of the meat, avoiding the bone. The ham is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).

Let the Ham Rest

Once the ham is fully cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the ham to be more flavorful and tender.

Serve and Enjoy

Once the ham has rested, slice it and serve it with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, or a salad. Enjoy your delicious spiral ham!

Preparing the Spiral Ham

Once you have decided to cook a spiral ham, it is essential to prepare it properly to get the best flavor. Here are ten crucial steps to follow:

Selecting the Right Ham

When buying a spiral ham, opt for one with the bone-in as it produces more flavors than the boneless ham. Ensure to check the expiration date and packaging label before you buy the ham. Also, consider the weight of the ham, depending on the number of people you’ll be serving.

Remove the Packaging

When you’re ready to cook the ham, remove the packaging and take the ham out of the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for about an hour. This allows the ham to reach room temperature and cook evenly.

Choosing the Right Pan

Use a large roasting pan with sides that are at least three inches high has a fitted light cover. The pan should be large enough to fit the ham comfortably.

Preheating the Oven

Preheat the oven to 325°F. While the oven heats up, place the ham flat side down in the baking pan and cover it with a layer of foil.

Basting the Ham

Basing the ham is an excellent way of adding moisture and flavor to the ham. To do this, use a pastry brush and baste the ham with a sauce of your choice. Repeat every 30 minutes until the ham is done.

Adding Flavors

Adding flavors to your ham is easy and creates a unique taste. A popular flavoring is to make a glaze by mixing brown sugar, mustard, honey, and cider vinegar or pineapple juice. Brush the glaze on the ham and let it cook.

Using a Meat Thermometer

Check the internal temperature of the ham occasionally with a meat thermometer. The ham should reach an internal temperature of 145°F. This prevents overcooking, drying out the meat, and allows you to serve it at a safe temperature.

Resting the Ham

Once the ham is done, remove it from the oven and cover it with foil. Let the ham rest for between ten to twenty minutes. During this time, the juices inside the meat will redistribute throughout.

Cutting the Ham

Using a sharp knife, remove any skin or fat from the top of the ham. Begin slicing the ham using thin slices, starting from the bottom of the ham and working towards the top.

Serving the Ham

Serve the ham immediately while it’s still warm. Make sure to serve it with your favorite sides and enjoy your delicious spiral ham!

Choosing and Preparing the Ham

Once you’ve decided to make a spiral ham, the first step is choosing the right ham and preparing it for cooking. In this section, we’ll cover everything you need to know about selecting a ham and getting it ready for the oven.

Choosing the Ham

When it comes to choosing a ham, you have a few options. Spiral-cut hams are a popular choice because they’re pre-sliced and easy to serve. However, you can also purchase an unsliced ham and create your own spiral cuts at home. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a ham:

Preparing the Ham

Once you’ve chosen your ham, it’s time to prepare it for cooking. Follow these steps to get your ham ready for the oven:

1. Remove any packaging from the ham and discard.

2. Rinse the ham under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.

3. Place the ham in a large roasting pan, cut-side down.

4. You can add any glazes or seasonings at this point, if desired. However, it’s important not to add salt as the ham is already typically quite salty.

5. Cover the ham with foil and place it in the oven to cook.

Cooking the Ham

Cooking a spiral ham is relatively easy and doesn’t require too much attention. Follow these general guidelines when cooking your ham and adjust cooking times as necessary based on the size and type of ham you have:

– Preheat the oven to 325°F.

– Place the ham in a roasting pan, cut-side down.

– Cover the ham with foil and place it in the oven.

– Cook for approximately 15-20 minutes per pound or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F for pre-cooked hams or 145°F for uncooked hams.

– During the last 20 minutes of cooking, you can remove the foil and brush on any remaining glaze or seasoning to create a nice caramelized exterior.

Resting the Ham

Once your ham is fully cooked, it’s important to let it rest before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures a more moist and flavorful ham. Follow these steps for resting your ham:

1. Remove the ham from the oven and tent it loosely with foil.

2. Let the ham rest for at least 15-20 minutes before slicing.

3. Carve the ham using a sharp knife, following the spiral cuts as much as possible to create even slices.

Serving the Ham

Now that your ham is cooked and carved, it’s time to serve it up! Here are a few tips for serving your ham:

– Place the sliced ham on a platter or serving dish.

– Serve with mustard, honey, or other condiments on the side.

– Serve with your favorite sides like scalloped potatoes, green beans, or mashed sweet potatoes.

Hopefully, this section has provided you with all the information you need to choose and prepare a delicious spiral ham. In the next section, we’ll cover some tips and tricks for creating the perfect glaze.

Enjoy Your Delicious Spiral Ham!

Now that you know how to make a spiral ham, it’s time to get cooking! Don’t worry if you mess up the first time – practice makes perfect. Remember to baste your ham with the glaze every so often to add flavor and moisture. We hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article and feel confident in creating a succulent spiral ham. Thanks for being with us, and we hope you visit again for our next cooking tips and tricks. Happy Eating!