A glazed spiral ham is an impressive centerpiece at any holiday dinner, and nailing it is way easier than you’d think. Our top keys to success? Keep it moist while it’s baking, and slather it in a tangy-sweet glaze. We used a homemade bourbon glaze made from staple pantry ingredients in this recipe to transform this holiday dish into an irresistible centerpiece fit to be surrounded by your favorite holiday sides dishes. Read on for more tips on perfecting this classic dish.
Make your own glaze.
Making your own glaze is super easy, and so much more delicious than a store-bought packet. Our recipe below uses only a handful of pantry ingredients and a mixing bowl. We think it’s bomb, but if you’re not a fan of bourbon, try thisclassic brown sugar glaze instead.
Keep it covered!
Since spiral hams are already cooked, you’re really just warming it through, infusing it with flavor, and crisping the edges. To avoid drying it out, add water to the bottom of your roasting pan, place the ham on a baking rack above the water, and cover it with foil. Bake only until it’s 140° in the center (this should take 10 to 12 minutes per pound). Uncover it in the last 30 minutes when you’re glazing it, so those edges get caramelized. Another way to ensure your ham stays moist is to cook it in a slow cooker. Simply cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, basting with the marinade every 45 minutes.
How do I slice it?
It might sound tough to cut into a bone-in ham, but it’s actually very easy. Just turn the ham on its bottom and cut around the bone. The ham on the outside will fall away in slices. Check out our guide on how to carve a ham for step-by-step instructions!
Got leftovers?
Leftover ham is basically refrigerator gold. Try making a legit croque madame for your next brunch, use it to amp up a batch of crescent rolls, or chop it up and throw it in your next batch of scalloped potatoes. And save that bone! It’s great for flavoring broths, soups, or a big pot of cooked greens. Still hungry? Here’s our favorite leftover ham recipes.
Have you made this yet? Let us know how it went in the comments below!