If you’ve ever wondered how to cook a spiral ham (I love the Kirkland brand), look no further. You only need a few tips and tricks to make sure your holiday ham stays juicy and tender. You can use the glaze packet that comes with it or make your own. Once you try this easy way to cook it, you won’t cook it any other way.
I always get a few emails from readers asking how to cook a spiral ham around Easter and Christmas.
They really want to know, “How do I keep my ham from drying out after it’s already been cooked and sliced?” I love cooking a fresh ham because the flavor is unbeatable, but sometimes it’s nice to just put one in the oven and know I only have to heat it up and eat it.
I usually pick up the Kirkland hams from Costco but this method will work with any spiral-sliced ham. Choose a Kirkland ham or another ham that comes with its own glaze. You can use that glaze instead of the recipe in this post. Do use the directions provided at the bottom of this post for heating it though, as it’s foolproof!.
It might seem hard to cook a private selection spiral cut ham for your holiday dinner, but it doesn’t have to be! With a few simple tips and tricks, you can bring out the best in your ham.
Selecting and Preparing Your Ham
When choosing your private selection spiral ham, look for one that is about 10 to 15 pounds to feed a medium to large gathering. Make sure the ham has a nice layer of fat on it for extra moisture and flavor. The spiral slicing makes the ham easy to serve once cooked.
Take the ham out of its packaging and run it under cool water before cooking. Pat it dry with paper towels. Diamond-shape the fat cap on top, being careful not to cut into the meat. This helps the fat render and the glaze adhere.
Determining Cook Time
Private selection hams are fully cooked but they still need to be heated through The best way is to use the oven Plan for 15 minutes per pound at 275°F. So a 10 pound ham will take about 2 1⁄2 hours.
If you want to glaze the ham, cook it for the determined time minus 10 minutes. Then glaze and return to the oven uncovered for 10 more minutes
Oven Roasting Your Spiral Ham
To roast your ham:
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Preheat the oven to 275°F
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Place the ham fat side up in a roasting pan. Add 1 cup of water to the bottom to keep it moist.
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Insert an oven-safe meat thermometer into the thickest part without touching bone.
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Roast until the thermometer reads 130°F to 140°F.
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During the last 10 minutes of cooking, score the fat again and brush on your favorite glaze.
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Once the ham reaches temperature, remove it from the oven and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
Glazing Your Ham
A sweet glaze adds flavor and eye appeal to your spiral ham. You can buy pre-made glazes or make your own. Here are some easy glaze ideas:
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Brown sugar – Mix 1 cup brown sugar with 1⁄4 cup honey, 1⁄4 cup maple syrup, and 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard.
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Fruit preserves – Heat 1 cup apricot, peach, pineapple, or cherry preserves and brush over ham.
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Spicy – Mix 3⁄4 cup brown sugar, 1⁄4 cup honey, and 1 teaspoon each dry mustard and black pepper.
Whisk glaze ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat until blended and warm. Cool slightly before brushing over ham.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfect private selection spiral ham:
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Preheat oven to 275°F.
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Place ham fat side up in roasting pan and add 1 cup water.
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Insert meat thermometer without touching bone.
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Roast approximately 15 minutes per pound.
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When internal temp reaches 130°F to 140°F, remove from oven.
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Score fat and brush with glaze. Return to oven for 10 minutes.
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Remove ham and let rest 15 minutes before slicing.
Serving Your Ham
Once your spiral ham is cooked, it’s time to impress your guests! Transfer the ham to a cutting board and slice across the grain into thin slices. Arrange artfully on a platter surrounded with fresh pineapple rings, maraschino cherries, and parsley for a beautiful presentation.
Offer a selection of mustards, horseradish sauce, cranberry sauce and biscuits on the side.
Refrigerate any leftover ham in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Use for sandwiches, omelets, pizza, salads, and more!
Ham Cooking FAQs
Got ham cooking questions? Here are answers to some common queries:
How long does an uncooked ham take? An uncooked ham needs more time, about 18-20 minutes per pound at 325°F until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Can I use a cooking bag? Yes, you can place the ham in a oven cooking bag. Follow the same cooking instructions.
Should I baste the ham while cooking? Basting is not necessary but you can brush with glaze periodically if desired.
Can I cook the ham the day before? Definitely. Cooked hams can be safely held at room temperature for 2 hours or refrigerated up to 5 days.
How do I reheat leftovers? Slice ham and place in a baking dish with a little water or apple juice. Cover in foil and reheat at 325°F until warmed through, about 8-10 minutes.
Get Creative with Leftover Ham
Don’t resign leftover holiday ham to boring old sandwiches. You can incorporate it into all kinds of delicious dishes:
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Omelets – Dice ham and add to egg mixture before cooking. Sprinkle with cheese.
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Quiches – Stir chopped ham into egg custard and bake in a pie crust.
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Pizza – Top baked pizza crust with ham chunks, pineapple and mozzarella.
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Pasta salad – Toss cooked pasta with ham cubes, veggies, Italian dressing.
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Soup – Add ham pieces and veggies to chicken or bean soup.
With proper selection, preparation, cooking technique and a little creativity, you can serve an impressive private selection spiral ham this holiday season. Your guests will be raving about it!
How long to cook a spiral ham without drying it out
Another way to keep your spiral sliced ham from drying out is to reheat it “low and slow”. Your ham will be moist and tender if you keep it in the oven at 275°F for 12 to 15 minutes per pound and baste it every so often with any juices that collect. It is best to heat your ham slowly so that the outside slices don’t get dry before the middle is warm.
| Method | Approximate Bake Time | Cooking Temperature |
| Ham Only | 12-15 minutes per pound (454 g) Approximately 2 hours | 275°F (covered) / 135°C |
| Ham with Glaze | Step 1: 12-15 minutes per pound (454 g)Step 2: Add Glaze – 8-10 minutes (if needed) Approximately 2 hours, 10 minutes | 275°F (covered) / 135°C 425°F (covered) / 220°C |
An 8-pound spiral-sliced glazed ham is called for in this recipe. It needs to be in the oven for about 2 hours and 10 minutes. That may seem like a long time, but you can make the rest of your meal in that time since the prep time is less than 5 minutes.
If your ham is larger or smaller than 8 lbs, not to worry. Reheating a spiral-sliced ham should take about 12 to 15 minutes per pound, so just add or take away times based on that. If glazed, add about 10 minutes.
Use a digital meat thermometer and heat to an internal temperature of 140°F.
How to cook a spiral ham in the crockpot
If you want to use a crockpot, you can skip the foil and just put the ham in the pot after putting on the glaze. Cover and cook on low for four hours. Halfway through the cooking time, baste the ham with any juices that have collected, and do it again thirty minutes before the end of the time.
Make sure the ham you buy fits in your crockpot. If it doesn’t, you can use foil to cover the pot and then put the lid on top. This isn’t ideal but it’s definitely doable.