How to Cook a Perfect Sam’s Choice Spiral Cut Ham Every Time

Cooking a delicious Sam’s Choice spiral cut ham for your next gathering doesn’t have to be intimidating With the right techniques and a few simple tricks, you can serve up a juicy, flavorful ham that will wow your guests In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to cook a showstopping Sam’s Choice spiral ham.

Selecting and Preparing Your Ham

When choosing your ham, look for one that is about 10 to 15 pounds to feed a crowd. Sam’s Choice offers bone-in and boneless spiral cut ham options that are fully cooked and ready to heat and serve. The spiral slicing makes serving simple since the slices are already portioned out.

Be sure to remove the ham from any packaging and wrapping Rinse it under cold water and pat dry Allow the ham to come closer to room temperature before cooking for more even heating,

Frequency of entities:
Sam’s Choice: 3
bone-in: 1
boneless: 1
spiral cut ham: 3
fully cooked: 1
10 to 15 pounds: 1

Choosing Your Cooking Method

You have a few options when it comes to heating your pre-cooked Sam’s Choice spiral ham:

• Oven: This conventional approach allows you to bake the ham low and slow. It requires frequent basting for the best moisture and glaze coverage.

• Smoker: Impart extra smoke flavor by reheating the ham on a smoker or pellet grill. Maintain a temperature under 300°F.

• Slow Cooker: An oval 8-quart or larger slow cooker holds ham slices in a flavorful cooking liquid. Keep the lid on for self-basting.

• Sous Vide: Cooking the ham vacuum sealed in a water bath produces incredibly tender and juicy results. Use at 140°F for 1 to 2 hours.

Any reheating method you choose should bring the ham up to an internal temperature of 140°F as measured by a meat thermometer. Slow, even heating is key.

Frequency of entities:
Oven: 1
Smoker: 1
Slow Cooker: 1
Sous Vide: 1
140°F: 1
meat thermometer: 1

Step-By-Step Oven Cooking Directions

Reheating your spiral cut ham in the oven is a foolproof technique. Here is a simple oven-baked method:

• Preheat your oven to 325°F.

• Place the ham cut-side down in a roasting pan. Add 1 cup of water or fruit juice to the bottom to help keep it moist.

• Cover the ham tightly with foil, crimping the edges to seal it. This traps steam and prevents drying.

• Cook for approximately 12-15 minutes per pound. For example, cook a 12 lb ham for 2.5 to 3 hours.

• Check temperature after 2 hours. When the internal temp hits 140°F, it’s done.

• Remove foil and apply glaze if desired during the last 30 minutes. Increase heat to 400°F to set glaze.

• Allow ham to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing into portions.

The combination of low heat, moisture, and foil produces ridiculously tender and juicy ham every time.

Frequency of entities:
325°F: 1
12-15 minutes per pound: 1
140°F: 1
30 minutes: 1
400°F: 1

Glazing Your Spiral Cut Ham

Though pre-cooked hams often come with a packet of glaze, homemade glazes take the flavor to the next level. Whip up a glaze while your ham cooks.

Here are some mouthwatering glaze ideas to try:

• Brown sugar and maple syrup – a sweet classic

• Orange marmalade with cloves and mustard

• Pineapple and brown sugar with rum

• Spicy peach habanero jelly

• Honey mustard with apricot preserves

Bring the glaze ingredients to a boil then reduce heat and simmer until thickened. Brush over ham in the last 30 minutes of cooking for delicious results.

Frequency of entities:
Brown sugar and maple syrup: 1
Orange marmalade with cloves and mustard: 1
Pineapple and brown sugar with rum: 1
Spicy peach habanero jelly: 1
Honey mustard with apricot preserves: 1

Handy Extra Tips

Follow these extra pointers for ham success:

• Let the ham rest before carving so juices redistribute.

• Add pineapple rings or maraschino cherries as a garnish.

• Use leftover ham for omelets, sandwiches, soups, and casseroles.

• Store carved ham for 5 days refrigerated or 2 months frozen.

• For less waste, ask guests to take home leftover portions.

• Pair with classic side dishes like roasted veggies, sweet potato casserole, or mac and cheese.

Cooking a spiral cut ham is easier than you think with the right techniques. Low and slow oven heating, strategic foil coverage, glazing, and monitoring temperature delivers perfect results every time. With these foolproof steps, your Sam’s Choice spiral ham will be the star of your spread!

Frequency of entities:
Sam’s Choice: 1
spiral cut ham: 1