Ham is a classic holiday staple — and with Sam’s Choice spiral cut ham, it’s easy to create an elegant dinner without a lot of fuss. Fortunately, cooking a Sam’s Choice spiral cut ham is simple and straightforward. With a few ingredients, some quality cookware, and a little bit of patience, you can create a memorable dinner that everyone will enjoy.
Gather the Necessary Ingredients and Supplies
To get started, you’ll need to gather the necessary ingredients and supplies. In addition to your Sam’s Choice ham, you’ll need a shallow roasting pan and whatever glaze you plan to use. Popular glazes include maple syrup and brown sugar, dijon mustard and honey, or a mixture of apple juice or cider with honey or your favorite jam or jelly. You’ll also need an oven-safe meat thermometer.
You may also want to consider adding some herbs and spices to your glaze. Rosemary, thyme, and garlic are all great options for adding flavor to your ham. Additionally, you may want to consider adding some vegetables to the roasting pan. Potatoes, carrots, and onions are all great options for adding flavor and texture to your dish.
Preheat Oven and Prepare Ham
When you’re ready to cook, preheat your oven to 325°F. Next, remove your spiral cut ham from its packaging and discard any paper or plastic that was used to cover it. If your ham came with its own glaze, make sure to save it — it will come in handy later.
Place the ham in a roasting pan and cover it with aluminum foil. Make sure to leave some space between the foil and the ham so that the heat can circulate. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature of the ham reaches 140°F.
Place Ham in Roasting Pan
Once your oven is preheated, it’s time to place your ham in the shallow roasting pan. Make sure the fat cap (the layer of fat on top of the ham) is up. This will help to ensure that the fat melts and bastes the ham as it cooks. Once the ham is in the pan, take the saved glaze and spoon it over the top of the ham in an even layer.
Cover the roasting pan with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake the ham for the recommended amount of time, basting it with the glaze every 30 minutes. When the ham is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Bake Ham in Oven
Once the ham is fully glazed, place the roasting pan in the preheated oven. Bake the ham until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F — this should take approximately 25 minutes per pound of ham. Check the temperature with the oven-safe meat thermometer after 15 minutes or so to gauge how close you are to doneness.
When the ham is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the ham, resulting in a juicier and more flavorful dish. Serve the ham with your favorite sides and enjoy!
Check Temperature and Doneness of Ham
Once your ham has reached an internal temperature of 145°F, you can remove it from the oven. Check for doneness by inserting a fork into some of the thickest and middle sections of the ham — if it’s done, the fork will slide in easily. If not, return the ham to the oven for 5 minutes more.
Let Ham Rest Before Serving
Once your ham is cooked through, a crucial step of preparing it for serving is letting it rest. This allows the juices to be reabsorbed into the meat, making it moister and tastier. Let the ham rest for 10 minutes between taking it out of the oven and serving it.
Tips for Cooking Spiral Cut Ham
Here are some additional tips to bear in mind while cooking your Sam’s Choice spiral cut ham:
- Baste your ham with a mixture of melted butter and white wine or chicken stock every 20 minutes while roasting to keep it juicy.
- Add flavor by topping the ham with a layer of sliced onions before you put it in the oven.
- For an even more aromatic flavor, garnish with fresh parsley or thyme.
- If you don’t have a roasting pan, you can use a large baking dish instead.
Variations on Glazes for Spiral Cut Ham
When it comes to glazes for spiral cut ham, there are a nearly infinite number of options. From savory-sweet combinations like blackberry-balsamic or pineapple-sriracha to slightly smoky flavors like coffee-chipotle or honey-mustard-cayenne, experiment with different combinations of sweet and savory flavors to find a winning combination.
Cooking Sam’s Choice spiral cut ham couldn’t be easier. A few quality ingredients, tools, and steps will help guide you through to delicious results!
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