Help! Christmas Ham Recipe

I always host Christmas Day for about 12 people. I vary the menu each year.

This year, DH wants to make ham. Help!
I've never made ham, eaten a christmas ham, or even know where to begin.

Does anyone have a tried and true recipe?

Also, where do I buy it? What do I look for? What is this piece of meat called?

please help this ignorant immigrant

Thanks!!!

Help! Christmas Ham Recipe

You can buy a ham at any store. I personally like the ham from Hiney Haked Ham or Iavarone’s. You really just have to heat it up (they’re fully cooked) and put a glaze on them. All the instructions are on the wrapper. It’s the easiest thing to make!

Re: Help! Christmas Ham Recipe

Re: Help! Christmas Ham Recipe

If you want to keep it super easy, buy a spiral ham at BJ's or Costco. Just warm it up in the oven, cover it with the included glaze and serve. You can even make it in the Crock Pot too! I prefer cooking it that way actually.

Re: Help! Christmas Ham Recipe

I prefer fresh ham, that is what I make for the holidays if I am cooking.
Depending upon the number of people I am feeding, I buy either the whole ham (about 20 pounds, the entire hind leg) or a half ham. Butt (the upper part of the leg) is more tender, shank (the lower part of the leg) is a little bit tougher but has a lot more flavor. Definitely bone in, more flavor.

Roasting it is easy. I score the skin going just into the fat layer. Don't trim the fat, that is what keeps the ham from drying out and also seasons the meat as it cooks. The whole piece gets rubbed with dry herbs and spices, working the mixture into the crevices. Put it into a roasting pan with aromatic veggies, some water and white wine in the bottom and roast at 350 degrees for about 4 hours for the whole ham, 2-1/2 hours for a half ham. Baste occasionally. Loosely cover with foil if the ham is getting too dark.
Internal temp should be 155 degrees when done.

Re: Help! Christmas Ham Recipe

Re: Help! Christmas Ham Recipe

Re: Help! Christmas Ham Recipe

Re: Help! Christmas Ham Recipe

Re: Help! Christmas Ham Recipe

Posted by Hofstra26

Posted by tray831

Posted by Hofstra26

If you want to keep it super easy, buy a spiral ham at BJ's or Costco. Just warm it up in the oven, cover it with the included glaze and serve. You can even make it in the Crock Pot too! I prefer cooking it that way actually.

You are able to fit a bone-in ham in your crock pot? I think I have a 5 quart but this idea sounds so time saving and space saving.

If you wouldn't mind telling me the directions to do this? Add water? And timing?

And is this for a pre-cooked? I think that is all they sell, right? I have no clue what goes on....lol

Thanks.

Yep, it totally fits. I have a 6 qt oval Crock Pot though. Sometimes the lid is a touch loose so I secure it in place with bungee cords. Whatever works! If your Crock-Pot is a 5 qt just look for a smaller ham, there are usually many size options in the store.

To answer your question, this is for a pre-cooked spiral ham. I don't add any additional liquid to the pot because the ham itself will release SO much juice. I basically place it in the pot with the flat side down, cover and cook on low for 5-6 hrs depending on the size. I like my ham a little more dry and browned so I let it go a little on the longer side. Around the last hour or so of cooking, I remove the ham, drain the liquid, place it back into the pot, glaze and cover and then allow it to finish cooking.

It's really so easy and I think it tastes SO much better. I find spiral ham that is heated in the oven to be too "blubbery", I like the texture better in the Crock Pot. I have been making it in the Crock Pot for years, I love it this way. Plus it frees up my oven to cook other things while the ham bakes.

Re: Help! Christmas Ham Recipe

Awesome! I’ll just bring a tape measure with me when I buy the ham to be sure the height will fit. ha ha

Thanks so much Hofstra!!!!!

Re: Help! Christmas Ham Recipe

You're welcome.

Re: Help! Christmas Ham Recipe

Re: Help! Christmas Ham Recipe

Ham is really easy to make compared to other things like turkey.... I usually pick up a smithfield ham from BJ's.

Re: Help! Christmas Ham Recipe

Re: Help! Christmas Ham Recipe

Posted by Mags1227

Posted by Hofstra26

Posted by tray831

Posted by Hofstra26

If you want to keep it super easy, buy a spiral ham at BJ's or Costco. Just warm it up in the oven, cover it with the included glaze and serve. You can even make it in the Crock Pot too! I prefer cooking it that way actually.

You are able to fit a bone-in ham in your crock pot? I think I have a 5 quart but this idea sounds so time saving and space saving.

If you wouldn't mind telling me the directions to do this? Add water? And timing?

And is this for a pre-cooked? I think that is all they sell, right? I have no clue what goes on....lol

Thanks.

Yep, it totally fits. I have a 6 qt oval Crock Pot though. Sometimes the lid is a touch loose so I secure it in place with bungee cords. Whatever works! If your Crock-Pot is a 5 qt just look for a smaller ham, there are usually many size options in the store.

To answer your question, this is for a pre-cooked spiral ham. I don't add any additional liquid to the pot because the ham itself will release SO much juice. I basically place it in the pot with the flat side down, cover and cook on low for 5-6 hrs depending on the size. I like my ham a little more dry and browned so I let it go a little on the longer side. Around the last hour or so of cooking, I remove the ham, drain the liquid, place it back into the pot, glaze and cover and then allow it to finish cooking.

It's really so easy and I think it tastes SO much better. I find spiral ham that is heated in the oven to be too "blubbery", I like the texture better in the Crock Pot. I have been making it in the Crock Pot for years, I love it this way. Plus it frees up my oven to cook other things while the ham bakes.

Thank you!
I ave a tiny oven so this will be a life saver on christmas day!

Re: Help! Christmas Ham Recipe

Posted by Mags1227

Posted by Mags1227

Posted by Hofstra26

Posted by tray831

Posted by Hofstra26

If you want to keep it super easy, buy a spiral ham at BJ's or Costco. Just warm it up in the oven, cover it with the included glaze and serve. You can even make it in the Crock Pot too! I prefer cooking it that way actually.

You are able to fit a bone-in ham in your crock pot? I think I have a 5 quart but this idea sounds so time saving and space saving.

If you wouldn't mind telling me the directions to do this? Add water? And timing?

And is this for a pre-cooked? I think that is all they sell, right? I have no clue what goes on....lol

Thanks.

Yep, it totally fits. I have a 6 qt oval Crock Pot though. Sometimes the lid is a touch loose so I secure it in place with bungee cords. Whatever works! If your Crock-Pot is a 5 qt just look for a smaller ham, there are usually many size options in the store.

To answer your question, this is for a pre-cooked spiral ham. I don't add any additional liquid to the pot because the ham itself will release SO much juice. I basically place it in the pot with the flat side down, cover and cook on low for 5-6 hrs depending on the size. I like my ham a little more dry and browned so I let it go a little on the longer side. Around the last hour or so of cooking, I remove the ham, drain the liquid, place it back into the pot, glaze and cover and then allow it to finish cooking.

It's really so easy and I think it tastes SO much better. I find spiral ham that is heated in the oven to be too "blubbery", I like the texture better in the Crock Pot. I have been making it in the Crock Pot for years, I love it this way. Plus it frees up my oven to cook other things while the ham bakes.

Thank you!
I ave a tiny oven so this will be a life saver on christmas day!

Hofstra, just wanted to say thank you for the advice! got the ham from Costco, DS made an orange glaze, made it in the crockpot and everyone loved it!

Message edited 12/28/2019 11:23:37 AM.