Cooking a ham might seem like a big job, but once you know the rules, it’s really simple. A ham is a beautiful centerpiece for a Sunday lunch or a useful way to prepare meals ahead of time.
If you follow our Good Housekeeping tips, you’ll be able to make a perfect ham that will make your guests want seconds…
You’re getting ready to cook up a delicious ham but notice it’s wrapped in netting. Should you remove the netting before cooking or leave it on? This question puzzles many home cooks. The answer depends on a few factors. Keep reading to find out when you should remove ham netting and when it’s best to leave it in place.
What is Ham Netting?
First, let’s look at what the netting is and why it’s used in the first place. Netting is a mesh material usually made from cotton string that covers the exterior of some hams. Distributors apply the netting to help the ham
- Retain its shape during cooking
- Keep the meat intact and prevent it from falling apart
- Make carving easier after cooking
- Give the ham a nice uniform, oval shape for aesthetic appeal
The netting is most common on boneless hams since it helps the meat hold together without bones. It also helps round out bone-in hams and contains the meat for easier portioning.
Should You Remove Ham Netting Before Cooking?
Whether or not to remove the netting before cooking comes down to a few factors:
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Boneless vs. Bone-In – Boneless hams benefit more from leaving the netting on to hold the meat together. For bone-in hams, removing it may allow better seasoning and browning.
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Carving Whole vs. Shredding – If you’ll carve the ham into slices, leave netting on for stability. If shredding meat, netting doesn’t matter.
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Plastic Net Bags – Plastic net bags should always be removed pre-cooking. Cotton netting can stay on or be removed.
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Preventing Dryness – Leaving netting may help retain moisture and prevent outer meat layers from drying out.
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Uniform Shape – Netting contains the meat to maintain an even, oval shape which can be more visually appealing.
How to Remove Ham Netting
If you decide to remove the netting, follow these tips:
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Use clean kitchen shears or a sharp knife to cut away netting.
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Take care not to cut the meat itself when snipping away the strings.
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Go slowly and make clean cuts rather than tearing at the netting.
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If needed, use twine to re-tie ham and maintain shape after removing netting.
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Remove just before cooking so ham doesn’t dry out.
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Pat ham dry and rub with oil, herbs, and spices to add flavor and encourage browning.
When You Should Leave the Netting On
There are instances where you’ll want to keep the netting in place:
Carving Whole Ham
Leaving the netting on helps hold boneless hams together for clean, even slicing.
Spiral Sliced Ham
The netting contains slices to prevent them falling apart when cooking a spiral cut ham.
Achieving a Uniform Shape
Netting gives the meat a consistent shape which can allow for better presentation when serving.
Retaining Moisture
The netting can help retain natural juices and prevent the exterior from drying out as the ham cooks.
Tips for Cooking Ham With or Without Netting
Follow these tips for cooked ham success:
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Score the ham with shallow cuts before cooking for better flavor distribution.
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Use a meat thermometer to ensure the ham reaches safe internal temperatures.
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Let the ham rest at least 10-15 minutes before removing netting and carving.
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For hams without netting, tie with twine if needed to maintain shape.
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Glaze or baste ham frequently while cooking to keep the exterior moist.
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Cook ham on a rack in a roasting pan to allow air circulation.
What kind of ham should I buy?
Gammon comes in many shapes and sizes, so the choice depends on the event you’re cooking the ham for.
Choose a small boneless joint that weighs about 1 kg if you want an easy-to-cook ham that you can cool and slice for everyday lunches or if you’re cooking for four people and serving it with other foods.
A larger gammon on the bone will feed a crowd (with leftovers) and look suitable for a celebration, whether you’re having a big party or it’s the star of the dinner table. Bone-in gammon isn’t as easy to find as its smaller, boneless counterpart, so you should place an advance order with a butcher.
What do I do with the ham once it’s cooked?
Once cooked, you’ve got a few options. You can cut the cooked ham into thin slices and serve it hot, glaze it and bake it (see below), or let it cool and then cut it into thin slices and serve it cold.
Should you boil a ham before baking?
FAQ
Do you remove netting from ham before baking?
Do you cook a ham with the netting on?
Why is a ham wrapped in netting?
Do you remove meat netting before cooking?
How do you remove netting from a ham?
1. Loosen the netting: As soon as you unwrap the ham, loosen the netting by gently pulling it away from the meat. This will help prevent the netting from sticking to the meat during cooking. 2. Use kitchen shears: Carefully snip the netting away from the ham using a pair of kitchen shears.
Should a ham be netted before cooking?
For example, if your ham comes in a plastic net bag, you should remove it before cooking. On the other hand, if your ham comes in a cotton string net bag, you can leave it on or remove it depending on your preference. Why Is Netting Used On Hams? Netting is used on hams to help the meat retain its shape during the cooking process.
Should you leave netting on a boneless ham?
If you have a boneless ham or a bone-in ham that you want to keep intact during cooking, leaving the netting on can be helpful. The netting will help the meat hold its shape and prevent it from falling apart as it cooks. This is especially important if you plan on carving the ham for a special occasion or dinner party.
Can you stuff a ham with netting?
To stuff the ham: If you plan on stuffing your ham with herbs, fruits, or other ingredients, you will need to remove the netting first in order to do so. Once the ham is stuffed, you can tie it back up with kitchen twine before cooking.