How to Cook Schneider’s Ham to Perfection

Schneider’s ham is a delicious pre-cooked smoked ham that only requires heating to enjoy. With its smoky flavor and tender meat Schneider’s ham makes an easy and tasty entree for holidays parties or any time you want a no-fuss main dish.

Learning how to properly heat and serve Schneider’s ham ensures you bring out its best flavors and texture. With a few simple steps, you’ll have moist warm slices of ham that will wow your guests. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know to cook Schneider’s ham to perfection every time.

Selecting and Storing Your Schneider’s Ham

Schneider’s offers a variety of ham sizes and styles, like half hams, whole hams and spiral sliced hams. Pick a size that fits your needs. For a small gathering or meal, a half ham feeds 8-12 people. A whole ham serves 15-20.

Look for a Schneider’s ham within the sell-by date on the packaging. Store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook it. Keep it in its original packaging or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil. This prevents the ham from drying out.

An uncooked Schneider’s ham will last for 7-10 days in the fridge. Once heated, it will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

Readying Your Ham for the Oven

Take your ham out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before heating to allow it to come closer to room temperature. This helps it cook more evenly.

Leave the ham in its plastic wrap or foil while it sits out. Removing the packaging now allows the ham to dry out on the outside edges.

Preheat your oven to 350°F. While the oven heats, prepare a baking dish with 1 inch of water in the bottom. Choose a dish large enough to accommodate the size of your ham. The water prevents the ham from drying out as it heats.

Unwrap your Schneider’s ham and place it in the baking dish. The fat-side should face up. Pour 1 cup of pineapple juice, apple juice or ginger ale over the ham to add sweetness and moisture as it cooks.

Cover the baking dish tightly with foil. The foil traps steam to keep the ham moist.

Baking Your Ham to Perfection

Cooking times will vary based on the size of your Schneider’s ham. Here are general guidelines:

• Half ham (6-8 lbs): Bake for 60-90 minutes
• Whole ham (12-16 lbs): Bake for 90 minutes to 2 hours

To test for doneness, insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the thickest part of the ham, avoiding the bone. Schneider’s hams are fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 130-140°F.

If your ham is not yet up to temperature, re-cover it with foil and continue baking, checking the temperature every 15 minutes. Bringing a cold ham completely up to temperature could take up to 2 hours in the oven.

As it bakes, baste your ham every 30 minutes with the juices in the baking dish. This prevents the exterior from drying out. Carefully lift the foil to brush pan juices over the ham’s surface each time.

Once your Schneider’s ham reaches the proper internal temperature, remove it from the oven. Let it rest, tented with foil, for 15-20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to settle for moister meat.

Carving and Serving Your Cooked Ham

Carving a beautifully cooked Schneider’s ham is simple with the right technique. Follow these steps:

1. Place the cooked ham on a cutting board with the flat side facing up. Hold it steady with a carving fork inserted into the thickest part.

2. Using a sharp knife, cut vertically down the ham alongside the bone to create a thick center slice.

3. Make horizontal slices of your desired thickness from this center cut toward the outer edges. Cut at a slight angle and make sure to cut all the way through the ham’s glaze and fat cap.

4. Transfer slices to a serving platter as you work. Arrange them slightly overlapping for an attractive presentation.

5. Serve while warm alongside your favorite ham accompaniments like pineapple slices, scalloped potatoes or baked beans.

Slice only as much ham as needed at one time to prevent leftovers from drying out. Cover and refrigerate any uneaten ham after the meal.

Delicious Ways to Use Leftover Ham

With a Schneider’s ham, you’ll likely have delicious leftovers to enjoy for days. Get creative with ham leftovers in some easy recipes:

• Ham fried rice – Dice ham and sauté it with veggies, rice and soy sauce.

• Ham and bean soup – Simmer diced ham in tomato or white bean soup.

• Ham salad sandwiches – Chop ham and mix with mayo, mustard and celery for sandwiches.

• Ham omelets or quiches – Dice ham and add it to egg dishes for a protein boost.

• Ham hash – Fry diced ham with potatoes and onions for a hearty breakfast hash.

Proper refrigeration is important for enjoying leftovers safely. Store carved ham for 3-4 days max. Use leftover pieces within 4-6 months if frozen.

Get Perfectly Cooked Ham Every Time

Cooking Schneider’s pre-cooked ham is simple with a few easy guidelines. Preheat the oven, bake covered in juice at 350°F until heated through, rest and slice. Now you’re ready to serve this delicious entrée.

With its moist, tender meat and smoky ham flavor, Schneider’s ham deserves to be the centerpiece of your next meal. Follow these instructions for flavorful results your guests will love.

For added flavor or convenience, try Schneider’s spiral sliced or boneless hams. Their premium Black Forest ham is smoked over pine and beechwood for robust flavor. With Schneider’s, you can easily serve a juicy, memorable ham any night of the week.