Baking a delicious ham can be intimidating, whether it's your first or tenth time. Here’s an easy recipe to guide you through the process and ensure a perfect holiday ham!
Jump to RecipeWho Doesn't Love a Good Ham?
Baked ham is a dish I always look forward to during the holidays, whether it's Christmas or Easter. Its versatility pairs beautifully with any side and offers endless possibilities for leftovers.
I’m here to help both beginners and those wanting to elevate their holiday ham. This easy-to-follow recipe provides clear directions for cooking a specific cut of ham, along with tips and tricks to make serving it a breeze. You can confidently create a beautiful main course!
What Ham Is Best?
There are different types of ham, each affecting cooking time and flavor. The most common are boneless, bone-in, and spiral ham, with spiral being the most popular. However, it is very beneficial to learn about the others.
Boneless ham is sealed in salt water for easy cooking but can be processed, less flavorful, and drier without the bone.
Bone-in ham retains moisture and rich flavor due to the bone, though it can be challenging to cut. Despite this, there are tips to slice it effectively.
The Best of Both Worlds!
Spiral ham is a bone-in ham cut in a spiral for easy serving. It’s flavorful but can dry out more easily; a good glaze can prevent this while adding depth and a crispy exterior. Plus, its presentation is visually appealing!
Setting Up For A Perfect Ham
I recommend using a half spiral ham, which serves six to eight people and is easy to cook. I recommend this ham. If you choose a different ham, ensure it’s unglazed or skip the glaze if it comes packaged. Most bone-in spiral hams are precooked, so heat them until the internal temperature reaches 140°F. Here is the thermometer that I like to use.
Cook bone-in ham for 15 minutes per pound and boneless ham for 12 minutes per pound, typically between 325-375°F. Use a good meat thermometer and a wire rack to bake the ham without mess. Here is a link to my favorite wire rack!
Wrapping the ham in foil is essential—it keeps it moist, prevents drying out, and simplifies the cooking process.
Let's Cook This Ham!
Start by removing the ham from its packaging and allowing it to come to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 325°F, grease the roasting rack, and lay a sheet of aluminum foil on top. Place sliced orange and fresh rosemary on the foil to infuse flavor, then position the ham flat side down.
Season the ham with salt and pepper, wrap it in foil, and pour a cup of water into the roasting pan to keep it moist. Cook the ham for 15 minutes per pound—about an hour and a half for an eight-pound ham or just under two hours for a ten-pound ham.
After this initial cooking, remove the ham (it shouldn’t be at 140°F yet) and increase the oven temperature to 400°F. In the next step, we’ll make the glaze to brush over the ham before returning it to the oven until it reaches 140°F, allowing the glaze to create a crispy, flavorful exterior.
Making Your Glaze
Start by whisking maple syrup and brown sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Once combined, stir in Dijon mustard to balance the sweetness. Then, add a mix of nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and salt for depth of flavor. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
After simmering, remove from heat and let it cool slightly, reserving 3-4 tablespoons of the glaze. Brush the remaining glaze over the ham, ensuring it covers the sides and slices. Return the ham to the oven uncovered for 20-30 minutes, checking the internal temperature. When the edges are golden and caramelized, remove the ham, brush with the reserved glaze, and let it rest for 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
How to Slice a Spiral Ham
Start by placing the ham on its bottom. Using a sharp chef's knife, cut around the bone to loosen the meat; some pieces may fall away naturally. Follow the clear lines or natural breaks in the meat for smooth, beautiful cuts.
What Do I Do With The Bone?
After carving your ham, don’t toss the bone! It can enhance many delicious recipes and is a more sustainable choice. The ham bone adds great flavor to soups, like split pea soup, and can also be used in stocks.
What To Do With Leftovers
One of the best parts of making a holiday ham is the leftovers! Here are some creative ways to use them:
- Croque Monsieur Breakfast Bake: A hearty, cheesy breakfast dish that’s easy to heat and lasts several meals.
- Walnut and Pea Pesto Pasta Salad: A light, gluten-free pasta salad that’s easy to assemble and perfect for spring.
- Gluten-Free Ham Carbonara Pasta: A quick, flavorful dinner option that delivers restaurant-quality taste at home.
What To Serve With Your Ham
Now that you’ve prepared your holiday ham, what should you serve with it? Here are some great side dish options to complement your ham, whether you prefer minimal or maximum effort. There's something for everyone!
Thanksgiving Options
Christmas Options
Easter Options
No matter the holiday, these sides will beautifully complement your ham!
How To Bake The Best Holiday Ham
Course: MainDifficulty: Easy30
minutes40
minutesImpress your guests this holiday season with the most delcious and flavorful baked ham!
Ingredients
- Ingredients for the Ham
8-12 pound bone in, spiral ham (unglazed)
1 cup water
1 orange, sliced
5-7 rosemary sprigs
1 teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon salt
- Ingredients for the Glaze
½ cup maple glaze
⅓ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon cloves
½ teaspoon ginger
½ teaspoon salt
Directions
- Instructions for the Ham
- Remove all the packaging from the ham. Allow to come to room temperature.
- Then, preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and cover a large roasting pan and rack with foil.
- Pour the water into the bottom of the rack. Slice the orange and place on the bottom of the foil with the rosemary. Then, place the ham on top. Make sure it is placed with the flat side facing down.
- Wrap in the foil to cover and place in the oven. You're going to cook the ham for 15 minutes per pound. So, if you have an eight pound ham you'll cook it for about an hour and a half for this first step. Or if you have a ten pound ham, cook it for a little under two hours. Note that the ham should NOT be 140 degrees Fahrenheit when removed from the oven as it will continue to cook after we add the glaze.
- Remove from the oven and increase the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Instructions for the Glaze
- Add the maple syrup and brown sugar to a medium saucepan and whisk together over medium heat.
- Stir in the dijon mustard. Then, combine the seasonings in a small bowl and sprinkle into the pan before whisking together.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce and allow to simmer on low heat for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the glaze from burning.
- Remove the foil from the ham and brush the glaze over the ham. Make sure to brush down the sides and in between the slices. Reserve some glaze for later.
- Place the ham back in the oven, uncovered, and cook for another 30 minutes. After this time, the edges should be golden and caramelized.
- Remove the ham and brush with the remaining glaze.
- Rest for 15 more minutes before serving. Then enjoy!
Notes
- Cover and store in an air tight container up to one week or freeze up to four months.
[…] How to Make Gluten-Free Pumpkin Lasagna Rolls How To Bake The Best Holiday Ham […]