Cooking up a delicious spiral cut ham for your holiday dinner or special event can seem intimidating. However with some simple instructions, you can easily prepare a mouthwatering ham from Aldi. Aldi offers high-quality spiral hams like the Appleton Farms Spiral Sliced Hickory Smoked Honey Ham that are sure to be a hit.
Selecting Your Spiral Ham
When choosing your ham at Aldi, you have a few options like the double glazed spiral ham, antibiotic-free ham, or hickory smoked honey ham The Appleton Farms Spiral Sliced Hickory Smoked Honey Ham is fully cooked, ready to eat, and gluten-free. It comes in around $199 per pound and features a sweet honey glaze packet. This ham is only available during the holiday season and Easter.
Other factors to consider when selecting your ham include:
- Weight – Choose based on the number of guests. Allow for leftovers.
- Spiral sliced – Makes serving simple.
- Bone-in or boneless – Bone-in has more flavor. Boneless slices easier.
- Smoked or unsmoked – Smoked has a richer flavor.
- Glazed or unglazed – Glazed is shiny and sweet. Unglazed allows you to add your own glaze.
No matter which spiral ham you choose, Aldi provides high-quality options at affordable prices.
Proper Storage
Freshness is key to maximizing the flavor of your spiral ham. Proper storage before cooking is essential:
- Store ham in original packaging. Do not rinse before cooking.
- Place ham in refrigerator if cooking within 7 days of purchasing.
- For longer storage, freeze ham up to 3 months in freezer bag.
- Thaw frozen ham 24-48 hours in refrigerator before cooking.
Following safe storage limits the risk of bacteria growth.
Oven Preparation
Preheating your oven is an important first step when cooking your spiral ham:
- Preheat oven to 250°F. This low temperature gently reheats ham.
- Higher temperatures around 325°F can cause the edges to dry out.
- Be sure to remove all packaging before placing ham in oven.
- Use a large roasting pan or baking dish to allow air flow. This prevents the bottom from becoming soggy.
Baking Instructions
Cooking times vary based on weight, but some general guidelines are:
- Heat ham for 12-15 minutes per pound.
- For example, a 10 lb ham bakes for 2-2.5 hours.
- Tent ham loosely with foil to retain moisture.
- Use meat thermometer to confirm internal temp reaches 140°F.
- Bone-in hams take longer than boneless.
- Rotate pan halfway through for even cooking. Let ham rest 10-15 minutes before slicing.
Glazing Your Ham
For added flavor and a pretty presentation, glaze your ham:
- Make glaze while ham bakes by simmering packet ingredients.
- Brush glaze over ham during last 30 minutes of baking.
- For caramelized glaze, broil ham 2-3 minutes after applying.
- Or glaze once ham is sliced to allow glaze to soak into meat.
The sweet glaze provides a delicious finishing touch.
Carving and Serving
When your spiral ham has finished baking, it’s time to carve and serve this holiday centerpiece:
- Allow ham to rest 10-15 minutes before slicing.
- Carefully cut around bone to release whole slices.
- Cut along slice seams to portion perfect pieces.
- Serve warm or chilled. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Savor the juicy, meaty ham slices alone or in favorite recipes like sandwiches, omelets, or soup.
Storing Leftovers
One of the best parts of cooking a spiral ham is enjoying the leftovers for days to come:
- Allow ham to cool completely before storing.
- Refrigerate sliced ham for 3-4 days.
- Freeze leftover ham up to 2 months.
- Use ham in casseroles, pasta dishes, soups, etc.
With proper storage, you can stretch your spiral ham for additional easy meals.
Cooking a delicious and inexpensive spiral ham from Aldi for your holiday table is simple. With a few tips on selecting, prepping, and baking your ham, you can present an impressive entrée. Savor the memorable flavor of juicy slices topped with a glistening glaze. Let your beautiful Aldi spiral ham become a new family tradition.
Unlocking the Secret to a Perfectly Cooked Appleton Farms Boneless Spiral Ham
Grab your friends who love food, because today we’re going to learn how to cook an Appleton Farms Boneless Spiral Ham. Many people love this ham because it tastes great and is soft, making it a great choice for holidays and special occasions. The tips below will help you cook this ham perfectly, no matter how experienced you are as a chef or how much you want to learn how to cook at home.
It’s important to make sure your Appleton Farms Boneless Spiral Ham is fully thawed before you start cooking. Allow it to thaw in the refrigerator for approximately 24 hours per 5 pounds of ham. Once thawed, remove the packaging and place the ham on a baking rack in a roasting pan. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) to get ready for the next steps.
Flavorful Glazing and Seasoning
Now comes the fun part: giving your ham a burst of flavor! To make a tasty glaze, mix your chosen ingredients in a bowl, such as honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of cloves or other spices. Spread the glaze all over the ham with a basting brush, making sure to cover every nook and cranny.
To enhance the flavor profile further, you can even press cloves into the ham for an aromatic touch. This step is optional but highly recommended for those seeking an extra layer of deliciousness.
Place the roasting pan with the prepared Appleton Farms Boneless Spiral Ham in the preheated oven. The general rule of thumb is to cook the ham for approximately 15-18 minutes per pound. Although follow the package instructions, as each brand may have slight variations in cooking times.
For added tenderness, you may choose to cover the ham with aluminum foil during the initial cooking time. This will help retain moisture and ensure the ham remains juicy and flavorful.
After the cooking time is up, take the Appleton Farms Boneless Spiral Ham out of the oven and let it rest for at least 10 to 15 minutes before cutting it. This resting time is very important because it lets the juices move around inside the ham, making it more tender and flavorful.
It’s time to enjoy your Appleton Farms Boneless Spiral Ham now that it’s done cooking. Carve the ham into thin, even slices and arrange them beautifully on a serving platter. This ham goes well with traditional sides like mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a bright green salad. Don’t forget the dinner rolls or freshly baked bread to mop up any remaining deliciousness!.
So there you have it – a complete guide to cooking the Appleton Farms Boneless Spiral Ham. With some planning, a tasty glaze, and careful roasting, you can make a ham that will steal the show and make your taste buds sing. This ham is sure to impress at any event, from a holiday party to a Sunday family feast. It will help you make memories that will last a lifetime. Happy cooking!.
Cooking an Appleton Farms Boneless Spiral Ham can be an easy and rewarding experience. For those looking to try something sweet and tangy, the Pineapple-Glazed Spiral Ham is a great option. If you want something savory, the Maple-Dijon Spiral Ham is a great choice. For a touch of holiday spirit, the Cranberry-Glazed Spiral Ham brings festive cheer to your table. For those who like to try new things, the Bourbon-Glazed Spiral Ham has a rich, deep flavor that goes well with the inherent sweetness of the ham. Finally, for a fruity and fresh choice, the Apricot-Glazed Spiral Ham provides a light, summery taste. All of these recipes use the tips in the book to make your ham taste its best, so every home cook should try them. Want to share your thoughts and experiences about cooking your Appleton Farms Boneless Spiral Ham? Share them in the
My aldi ham hack
FAQ
How to heat Aldi spiral ham?
How long to cook an appleton spiral ham?
What is the best way to cook a precooked spiral ham?
Are Aldi spiral hams fully cooked?
How to cook a spiral ham?
One of the best tips that I can give you on how to cook a spiral ham so that it stays moist is to tightly cover the roasting pan. If the pan has a lid and it can be tight and secure over top of the ham you can use it. However, a simple cover of aluminum foil will work just as well.
Is honey baked ham as good as regular ham?
The addition of honey will affect the calorie content of the food. One tablespoon of honey contributes to approximately 64 calories. In addition, the use of heat when making baked ham will reduce the quality of the honey.
How long do you cook a boneless spiral ham?
Place the roasting pan with the prepared Appleton Farms Boneless Spiral Ham in the preheated oven. The general rule of thumb is to cook the ham for approximately 15-18 minutes per pound. Although follow the package instructions, as each brand may have slight variations in cooking times.
Can you make a spiral ham in a slow cooker?
If you’d like to make a spiral ham in a slow cooker it is easy to do so, as long as the ham fits down inside, with the lid on. Follow the same steps and cook on low for about 4 hours. Be sure to baste the ham with the juices after 2 hours of cooking. Then baste every hour after.