How to Cook Juicy, Flavorful Wellshire Ham Nuggets

Wellshire ham nuggets are a delicious fully cooked ham product that makes an easy and tasty addition to meals. With their lean protein, smoked flavor and convenience Wellshire ham nuggets have become a go-to choice for quick dinners, appetizers, sandwiches and more.

As someone who frequently cooks up these handy ham nuggets, I’ve learned the best techniques for preparing them so they come out moist, tender and packed with flavor every time. In this article I’ll share my tips on the best way to cook Wellshire ham nuggets from thawing and reheating to glazing and serving.

What Are Wellshire Ham Nuggets?

For those unfamiliar, here’s a quick look at what exactly Wellshire ham nuggets are:

• Fully cooked, ready to eat ham slices
• Made from premium pork and real hardwood smoked
• Shaped into round “nuggets” for easy eating
• Available flavors include honey-smoked and Cajun seasoned
• Gluten-free and pre-sliced for convenience

Wellshire ham nuggets are a healthy choice because they only have 16 grams of protein per serving and no fat of any kind, These little ham nuggets have become a favorite snack in my house because they taste great and are made with real meat

Thawing Frozen Wellshire Ham Nuggets

Since Wellshire ham nuggets are sold frozen the first thing you need to do is let them thaw completely before cooking. Here are a couple safe thawing methods

Refrigerator Thawing

Place frozen nuggets in the refrigerator for 16-24 hours until completely thawed. This is the slowest but safest method.

Cold Water Thaw

Seal the nuggets in a plastic bag and submerge in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Nuggets will thaw in 1-2 hours.

Once thawed, pat the ham nuggets dry with paper towels before reheating.

Cooking Wellshire Ham Nuggets on the Stove

One of my favorite easy weeknight meals is seared ham nuggets in a skillet. Here’s a simple stovetop cooking method:

• Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add ham nuggets in a single layer and cook 3-4 minutes per side, until lightly browned.
• Reduce heat to medium and cook another 1-2 minutes to heat through.
• Season with a dash of pepper or spice blend. I love using a Cajun seasoning.

And that’s it – easy peasy pan-seared ham nuggets ready to eat in about 10 minutes!

Baking Wellshire Ham Nuggets in the Oven

For larger batches, baking ham nuggets in the oven is convenient:

• Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
• Arrange nuggets on the baking sheet. Tip: Leave space between each one.
• Bake 10-12 minutes until heated through. Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer if desired.

Optional Glazing

During last 2-3 minutes of baking, brush with your favorite glaze. I like using a sweet and savory brown sugar Dijon glaze on oven-baked ham nuggets.

Delicious Glaze Options for Ham Nuggets

While perfectly delicious plain, glazing the ham nuggets during reheating adds next-level flavor. Some of my favorite glaze ideas:

• Brown sugar Dijon – brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple juice
• Sweet chili – chili sauce, brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger
• Honey mustard – honey, Dijon mustard, lemon juice
• Orange ginger – orange marmalade, fresh ginger, soy sauce

Simply brush the glaze over the ham nuggets several times during the last few minutes of cooking until it becomes sticky and lacquered. Yum!

Serving Suggestions for Wellshire Ham Nuggets

The fun thing about Wellshire ham nuggets is they work in a variety of dishes. Some of my favorite ways to serve them up:

• Appetizers – Serve baked ham nuggets with tangy mustard for dipping.
• Breakfast – Fry an egg and top with ham nuggets for a protein-packed breakfast.
• Lunch – Make ham nugget sandwiches on Hawaiian rolls with cheese and pickles.
• Salads – Toss cubed ham nuggets into leafy green or grain-based salads.
• Snacks – Enjoy ham nuggets straight from the pack for a high-protein snack.

With so many possibilities, Wellshire ham nuggets really do make an easy anytime meal or snack. I always keep a bag in my freezer!

Storing and Reheating Leftover Ham Nuggets

Like any fully cooked meat, Wellshire ham nuggets are best when fresh. But you can safely store and reheat leftovers:

• Store opened package in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 7 days.
• Reheat leftovers in a skillet or bake at 375°F until warmed through.
• To freeze, spread in a single layer on a plate and freeze 1-2 hours until hard. Transfer to a freezer bag.
• Thaw frozen nuggets overnight in the fridge before reheating.

With proper storage, you can enjoy Wellshire ham nuggets for quick meals all week long.

Tips for Moist, Flavorful Ham Nuggets

Over the years, I’ve honed my techniques for cooking up moist and delicious Wellshire ham nuggets every time. Here are my top tips:

• Choose thicker, meatier nuggets when buying for more texture.
• Avoid overcooking and dryness by using a meat thermometer if unsure.
• Sear stovetop or broil at end for crispy, browned edges.
• Glaze during cooking for juiciness, flavor, and eye appeal.
• Let baked nuggets rest 2-3 minutes before serving to redistribute juices.

With these handy tricks, you’ll be a Wellshire ham nugget pro in no time!

Wellshire ham nuggets have become a dinnertime staple in my home for their convenient protein and addictive smoky flavor. I hope these cooking tips help you prepare these yummy ham nuggets easily for your next meal. Get ready to enjoy juicy, crave-worthy ham goodness anytime.