By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to make a spiral ham that is juicy, moist, and full of flavor. With just our honey glaze and a few of your favorite sides, you can make a simple and tasty holiday dinner.
Cooking a savory glazed ham is a fantastic centerpiece for any festive occasion. However, many home cooks wonder if it’s safe and effective to cook a ham in a glass baking pan. The good news is that using a glass pan to cook your holiday ham can lead to incredibly moist, tender and flavorful results. In this comprehensive guide we will cover everything you need to know to cook a perfect glazed ham in a glass pan.
Why Choose Glass Over Metal for Cooking Ham?
Glass baking pans have several advantages over traditional metal pans when it comes to cooking ham:
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Even heating: Glass pans heat evenly, preventing hot or cold spots that can lead to uneven cooking. The ham will cook through gently and thoroughly.
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Better browning The smooth glass surface promotes excellent browning and caramelization as the ham glaze cooks, enhancing flavor and aesthetics
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Locks in moisture: Glass retains heat well, keeping the ham juicy and tender by preventing moisture loss during cooking.
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Easy to monitor: The transparency of glass pans allows you to visually monitor the doneness of the ham easily.
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Enhances flavor: Some experts claim the inert glass material interacts with foods to boost and intensify flavors.
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Non-reactive: Glass won’t react with acidic ham glazes, preventing off-flavors or discoloration.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Cooking Ham in a Glass Pan
Follow these simple steps for foolproof ham cooked in a glass pan:
1. Choose an Appropriate Glass Pan
Select a glass baking pan that can comfortably fit the size of your ham and is oven safe. A 9×13 inch or 8×12 inch pan works well for a 6-10 lb bone-in ham. Opt for tempered glass pans like Pyrex for thermal stability.
2. Prepare Your Ham
Start with a quality bone-in, uncooked smoked ham, ideally spiral cut for easy glazing. Remove any netting or packaging. Score the ham fat cap in a diamond pattern to allow the glaze to penetrate.
3. Make a Glaze
A sweet and sticky glaze adds incredible flavor. Try brown sugar, honey, oranges, cloves, pineapples or cherries. Heat the glaze to a thick yet pourable consistency before applying.
4. Preheat Oven and Pan
Preheat the oven to 325°F. Place the empty glass pan inside while preheating so it heats gradually and evenly. Prevent thermal shock.
5. Bake Your Ham
Place your scored ham in the preheated glass pan. Carefully brush with some glaze. Bake for 18-24 minutes per pound, until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Reapply glaze every 45 minutes.
6. Rest, Slice and Serve
Once cooked through, remove the ham from the oven and allow it to rest for 15 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute so they don’t run out when you carve it. Finally, serve your beautiful glazed ham in succulent slices. Enjoy!
Handy Tips for Hassle-Free Ham in a Glass Pan
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Place the ham fat side up so the fat can baste the meat as it renders.
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Add 1 cup of water or fruit juice to the pan to help retain moisture.
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Tent loosely with foil at first for tender, moist ham then remove for the last 30-60 minutes to brown the glaze.
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Use a roasting rack in the glass pan to elevate the ham for even cooking.
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Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest section to accurately check the internal doneness temperature.
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Allow 10-15 minutes of resting time before carving so juices redistribute for a juicy ham.
Common Questions About Cooking Ham in Glass Bakeware
Is it safe to cook ham in a glass pan?
Yes, it is perfectly safe to cook ham in a glass baking pan as long as you use appropriate oven-safe tempered glass bakeware. Do not use thin cheap glass.
What size glass pan do I need for a 10 lb ham?
A 10 lb bone-in ham would need a 9×13 inch or larger glass baking pan. Allow 2-3 inches of space around the ham for optimal cooking.
How long does it take to cook ham in a glass pan?
Cooking time depends on the size of your ham. Plan on 18-24 minutes per pound at 325°F. A 10 lb ham takes about 3-4 hours total.
Can I use a glass casserole dish to cook ham?
Yes, a glass casserole dish or roasting pan works well, provided it can withstand oven temperatures up to 325°F. Use a dish large enough to accommodate the size of your ham.
Should I cook the ham covered or uncovered?
Cook covered with foil at first, then uncover for the last 30-60 minutes. This allows the fat to render and glaze to caramelize for added flavor and browning at the end once the ham is nearly cooked through.
Satisfying Ham Pairings and Serving Suggestions
A beautifully glazed ham is delicious on its own but can also be served with various savory sides and sauces:
- Scalloped or mashed potatoes
- Honey-glazed carrots or roasted vegetables
- Biscuits, rolls or cornbread
- Fruit chutney or cranberry sauce
- Spicy mustard or horseradish
- Pineapple slices or cherries
- Herb mayonnaise or Hollandaise sauce
Slice your ham and serve it hot alongside your favorite accompaniments for a mouthwatering meal. Leftover ham also makes wonderful sandwiches, omelets, pizza, soups, and more!
Conclusion
Cooking an impressive bone-in ham in a glass baking pan may seem daunting but is actually quite simple. The glass pan provides safe, even heating that reliably produces a moist and decadent ham with a glistening glaze. Follow the step-by-step instructions and handy tips outlined above for perfect results. Soon you will be wowing your guests with your own delicious oven-baked glazed ham straight from a glass pan. Enjoy this sensational centerpiece at your next holiday feast or Sunday dinner.
How long to Cook a Spiral Sliced Ham
Spiral sliced ham is a thing of beauty. Since it’s already pre-cooked, most of the work is done for you when you purchase it. All you are really doing is adding your favorite glaze and warming it up.
Here are all the steps you need to follow to make our favorite honey glaze for spiral ham. We’ve also included answers to the questions you’ve asked most often and ideas for what to do with any leftover ham. You will love this honey baked ham recipe, whether you make it for Easter, Christmas, or a special Sunday dinner.
Also, if you’re having a lot of people over for dinner or the holidays, you might want to try an Prime Rib Roast, a Turkey, or the Perfect Pot Roast.
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Cook a Spiral Ham
- Prepare the ham. Before you cook a spiral ham, take it out of all of its packaging, including the plastic disk that’s on the bottom of it. Put the spiral ham that has been baked in a 9″ x 13″ glass baking dish or a similar shallow roasting pan. Use foil or a lid to cover it tightly.
- Add to a preheated oven. Put in an oven that is already hot and cook for 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes, or 10 minutes per pound of ham.
- Make your glaze. Put the orange juice, brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg in a medium-sized saucepan and set it over medium-low heat. Bring to a quick boil while stirring, and boil for about 5 minutes.
- Glaze the ham about 20 minutes before it is done. Take the sauce off the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. About 20 minutes before the ham is done cooking, brush or drizzle the glaze over it.
- Return to the oven to finish. After glazing, put the ham back in the oven without the lid and bake for another 20 minutes, or until the glaze is a little crispy and the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F.
- Remove from the oven. When the ham’s thickest part reaches 140 degrees F on the inside, take it out of the oven.
- Let it rest. Let the ham rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing.
- Serve. Spoon the juices over the ham just before serving. Enjoy! .
Your spiral ham cooking time will depend on how large it is. It will take about 10 minutes per pound if you cook it at 275 degrees, which is what our recipe says to do. To find out how long it will take to cook an 8-pound spiral ham, multiply 80 by 20. Once the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees, take it out of the oven right away so it doesn’t dry out or get tough around the edges.
Keep an eye on the temperature inside to make sure you don’t cook it too much! Remember that spiral hams are already cooked, so all you’re doing is warming them up. You can also warm it up in a baking dish covered with foil wrap. While it’s heating up, baste the ham every so often to spread the juices around.
Yes! Just apply the honey glaze, then cook on low for about 4 hours. In the middle, you might want to check on the ham and baste it with the juices from the bottom of the crockpot.
For hams without bones, we recommend giving adults about ½ pound of ham and kids about ¼ pound. For bone-in ham, add more ham—about ¾ pound for every adult—to account for the bone’s weight. Keep in mind that you should add one or two pounds to the total just to be safe.
