I tested 2 ways to cook a spiral cut ham and have you covered for any occasion. Two were cooked: one in the oven and one on the smoker. You can choose the method that works best for you.
It can be messy and scary to start with a raw or fresh ham, especially when there are other easy and tasty options available. Most spiral hams have already been smoked, so cooking them takes half as long as cooking a raw ham. The even come with a brown sugar glaze that you can use. If you’d rather make your own, I can show you how.
As the holidays approach, cooking a tasty and moist Walmart Our Finest spiral ham for my family has become one of my favorite traditions. As a busy mom, I love that this pre-cooked ham makes hosting elaborate holiday meals so easy. But simply throwing the ham in the oven isn’t enough to bring out its full flavor potential.
Through years of practice, I’ve honed a foolproof method for reheating spiral hams and crafting next-level glazes that keeps the meat ridiculously juicy while pumping up the flavor. In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through my process for cooking a show-stopping Walmart Our Finest bone-in spiral ham from start to finish
Why Choose a Walmart Our Finest Spiral Ham
I’m obsessed with the Walmart Our Finest brand when it comes to buying my holiday hams Here’s why it’s my go-to
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Convenience These hams come fully cooked so I don’t have to worry about the complexities of smoking or brining my own ham I just have to focus on reheating.
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Consistency: Unlike some brands where quality fluctuates, the Walmart Our Finest hams deliver juicy, flavorful results every single time.
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Price: For the quality, these hams are very reasonably priced compared to other grocery store or artisanal options.
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Availability: With Walmart’s massive distribution network, I never have to worry about the hams selling out like I do at local butcher shops.
While you can use this cooking method on any brand of spiral ham, I highly recommend the Walmart Our Finest bone-in hams. The smoky flavor and juiciness is unbeatable.
Pro Tip for Maximizing Juiciness
The number one mistake people make when cooking spiral hams is overcooking them. Even though spiral hams come pre-cooked, it’s easy to dry them out by baking them for too long or at too high of a temperature.
My trick is to reheat the ham “low and slow” at 275°F for about 12-15 minutes per pound. This gentle reheating lets the center warm through without drying out the outer portions.
I also wrap the ham in foil while it’s baking to lock in moisture. Opening the foil and basting with pan juices halfway through helps, too. If you only remember one thing, it should be keep it low and slow!
Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking a Walmart Spiral Ham
Follow these simple steps for a flavorful and foolproof Walmart Our Finest spiral ham:
Prep the Ham
- Take the ham out of the refrigerator and unwrap it. Let it sit at room temperature for 1 hour before cooking.
- Preheat the oven to 275°F.
- Place the ham face down on a rack set inside a roasting pan. This exposes more surface area to the hot air for even cooking.
- Score the fatty top layer of the ham by making shallow diagonal cuts in a diamond pattern.
Bake the Ham
- Brush the ham all over with glaze. I’ll share my favorite recipe in a bit!
- Wrap the ham loosely in foil, leaving room for air circulation.
- Bake for approximately 12-15 minutes per pound. For example, an 8 lb ham bakes for 96-120 minutes.
- A meat thermometer inserted into the thickest portion should read 140°F when done.
Finish with Glaze
- Remove ham from oven, increase heat to 425°F and remove foil.
- Brush ham with another layer of glaze and return to oven for 10 minutes more.
- Let the ham rest for 15 minutes before carving.
My Signature Brown Sugar & Cherry Glaze
While the basic Our Finest hams are delicious on their own, I always take them over the top with a homemade glaze. The sweet and sticky coating caramelizes into the spiral cut grooves forming a candied, crunchy crust.
Here’s my go-to ham glaze recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1⁄2 cup cherry preserves or jelly
- 1⁄2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1⁄4 teaspoon cloves
- Pinch cayenne pepper
Instructions:
- In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients.
- Heat over medium, stirring frequently, until sugar dissolves and mixture bubbles.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Brush glaze over ham before and halfway through baking.
The tart cherry jam or jelly gives great fruity flavor. The brown sugar, spices, and mustard add layers of warmth, tanginess, and subtle heat. Feel free to tweak the spices to your taste or use orange marmalade instead of cherry preserves.
Handy Tips for First-Time Ham Cooks
Cooking a spiral ham for the first time can seem daunting, but have no fear! Here are my top tips for ham rookies:
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Pick the right size: Plan for 1⁄2 lb of boneless ham per person. For bone-in, do 3⁄4 lb per person. Size up by a pound or two for leftovers.
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Carve properly: Slice across the grain for tender morsels of meat. Cut the spiral portion vertically into thin slices.
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Save those bones! Simmer bones with veggies to make a smoky ham stock for soups or beans.
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Embrace leftovers: Beyond sandwiches, use diced ham in omelets, pasta bakes, and potato casseroles.
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Learn glaze basics: The basic formula is fruit spread + brown sugar + spices. Customize flavors with bourbon, citrus, peppers, etc.
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Relax and enjoy! Pre-cooked hams make holiday hosting low-stress. Spend time with guests instead of slaving in the kitchen.
Our Favorite Ham Leftover Recipes
One of the best parts of cooking a big ham is enjoying leftovers for days after. Here are some of my family’s favorite ways to savor every last bit of that delicious ham:
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Baked Potato Soup – Dice ham and add to creamy potato soup with cheddar cheese and scallions. Top with crumbled bacon.
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Cheesy Ham & Broccoli Pasta – Toss diced ham and steamed broccoli florets with cavatappi pasta in a velvety cheese sauce.
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Ham, Apple & Brie Panini – Layer sliced ham, apples, brie and honey mustard on ciabatta bread and grill until toasty.
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Ham & Vegetable Hash – Sauté diced ham with potatoes, bell pepper, onion and spinach. Top with fried eggs.
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Ham & Swiss Croissant Strata – Combine eggs, milk, ham and Swiss cheese. Pour over torn croissants and bake into a savory bread pudding.
Preparing a picture-perfect Walmart Our Finest spiral ham is easier than you think. With the proper technique of low, slow reheating and a flavor-packed homemade glaze, you’ll have a juicy, delicious holiday ham ready to wow your guests. Added tips for first-time ham cooks takes the guesswork out of getting it just right.
Should you season pre cooked hams?
Technically you don’t have to season a pre-cooked ham. They are already pretty flavorful and are great straight out of the package. I do like to lightly season mine with a BBQ rub, though, just to get the flavors going. I use my own BBQ dry rub but you can use any of your favorite store bought ones.
How much do hams usually weigh?
Most hams weigh about 8-12 pounds. The weight depends on if it’s a bone-in ham, a whole ham, or half ham. Most of the spiral cut hams are bone in and are a half portion. You can easily feed 10-15 people with a half spiral cut ham.
How do you cook a spiral ham without drying it out?
FAQ
What is the best way to heat a precooked spiral ham?
Which side of spiral ham goes down?
How do you use the glaze packet that comes with the ham?
How long does it take to cook a fully cooked spiral ham?
How do you cook a spiral ham?
To cook a spiral ham from the store, you can start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. For a bone-in spiral ham, allow approximately 15 minutes of cooking time per pound. Place the ham in a roasting pan and cover it with foil. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do you eat a spiral ham at Walmart?
Slice the ham along the spiral cuts and serve with your choice of side dishes, such as sweet potato casserole, corn, green beans, and dinner rolls. Enjoy your delicious Walmart Spiral Ham! Quick Tips and Facts: 1.
How do you reheat a spiral cut Ham?
In order to prevent the meat from drying out, place the ham face side down in the roasting pan. This will allow the folds of the spiral cut ham to remain tight during the reheating process. As the ham bakes, the meat will remain moist because the juices can’t easily escape. Make sure to cook the ham facing down. This will help keep the meat moist.
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.