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.
Publix honey cured spiral sliced ham is a delicious pre-cooked ham that makes an easy and impressive centerpiece for holiday meals or any special occasion. With its sweet honey glaze and uniform slices, this ham takes the guesswork out of serving while still delivering incredibly moist flavorful meat.
If you’ve picked up one of these hams from your local Publix deli or meat department, you may be wondering how to cook it just right. Have no fear – we’ve put together this simple guide to help you prepare Publix honey cured spiral sliced ham perfectly every time
Getting Started
When you first bring your Publix honey cured spiral sliced ham home, leave it wrapped and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook it. This helps lock in moisture and freshness.
About an hour before you plan to cook the ham, take it out of the fridge and let it come closer to room temperature This helps it heat more evenly later on.
Preheat your oven to 275°F. While the oven heats, unwrap the ham and place it flat in a roasting pan, cut-side down. Pour any juices from the packaging into the bottom of the pan – this will help keep the ham moist as it cooks.
<div class=”tip”> <b>Pro Tip:</b> For especially large or awkwardly shaped hams, you can cut the ham in half before cooking. Just be sure to place both halves cut-side down in the pan.</div>
Calculating Cooking Time
A general rule of thumb for cooking pre-cooked hams like the Publix spiral sliced variety is 10 minutes per pound.
So for a 7 lb ham, you would cook it for about 70 minutes total. An 11 lb ham would need around 110 minutes in the oven.
To be sure your ham reaches a safe internal temperature, use a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the ham, avoiding the bone. The ham is done when the thermometer reads 130°F.
Halfway Bastin’ Time
About halfway through the calculated cooking time, you’ll want to bast the ham to keep it extra moist.
Make a batch of basting liquid by combining:
- 1 cup ginger ale
- 1⁄4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Use a baster or large spoon to coat the top of the ham with this mixture. Repeat once or twice more during the remaining cooking time. The sugar will caramelize and the ham will develop an irresistible glaze.
Resting and Slicing
Once the ham has reached 130°F on a meat thermometer, remove it from the oven. Let it rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing – this allows the juices to reabsorb back into the meat.
Use a sharp knife to cut the ham across the grain into slices. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Going Above and Beyond with Glazes
While the basic basting mixture of ginger ale, honey, and brown sugar creates a delicious coating, you can take your ham to the next level with a from-scratch glaze.
Try one of these options 30 minutes before the ham is finished cooking:
Brown Sugar & Pineapple Glaze
- 1⁄2 cup pineapple juice
- 1⁄4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Simmer until slightly thickened and brush over ham.
Cherry Coke Glaze
- 12 oz Cherry Coke
- 1⁄4 cup cherry preserves
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Simmer to reduce by half and glaze ham.
Orange Marmalade & Bourbon
- 1 cup orange marmalade
- 1⁄4 cup bourbon
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
Heat until blended and spoon over ham.
Get creative and come up with your own signature glaze! The options are endless.
Serving Suggestions
A honey cured spiral sliced ham makes the perfect centerpiece for a holiday table or any special meal. Here are some tips for serving it in style:
- Let guests slice their own portions from the whole ham for a interactive mealtime.
- Serve with classic side dishes like scalloped potatoes, roasted veggies, and yeast rolls.
- Pile slices on buns for an easy ham sandwich bar.
- Dice up leftovers to toss in eggs, soups, or casseroles later in the week.
- Pair with fruit chutneys, mustard, or horseradish for added flavor.
- Top with pineapple rings or maraschino cherries for a festive touch.
Storing Leftovers
Like any cooked meat, leftover ham should be refrigerated within 2 hours of serving. Store carved ham in shallow airtight containers or re-wrap large hunks in foil. Use within 3-5 days for best quality.
Frozen ham will keep for 2-3 months. Allow the ham to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat leftover ham slices or pieces in the oven, microwave, or skillet until hot and sizzling – about 5 minutes per pound. Glaze again just before serving if desired.
The Takeaway
With this simple guide, you can now cook Publix honey cured spiral sliced ham to absolute perfection. The keys are starting with room temperature ham, calculating the right cooking time, basting to add moisture and flavor, and letting the meat properly rest before slicing.
Impress your guests by taking the ham up a notch with homemade glazes or fun serving ideas. And be sure to store leftovers properly for delicious ham meals all week long.
The next time you need an easy, elegant entrée for a crowd, look no further than Publix’s honey cured spiral sliced ham. You’ll wow them with your cooking skills!
When should I glaze a ham?
The ham should be glazed towards the end of the cook. Whether you bake the ham in the oven or smoke it twice on the smoker, you should add the glaze at the end. If you glaze your ham too early, the sugars could burn from the heat.
For the oven-baked method, the package says to turn up the heat to high for the last 10 minutes to glaze and let it set. When I’m smoking a ham, I generally raise to medium heat and glaze for the last 30 minutes.
How long does it take to reheat a spiral cut ham?
According to most package instructions it takes 12-15 minutes per pound at 275°F. Allow an extra 10 minutes for the glaze to set at 425°F if you are glazing the ham. The USDA recommends cooking a pre smoked ham to an internal temperature of 140°F.
How to Cook Spiral Sliced Ham – Today’s Delight
FAQ
How to cook Publix spiral ham?
How do you heat a fully cooked spiral-sliced honey ham?
Is Publix spiral ham already cooked?
How do you cook a spiral sliced ham at Publix?
To add more flavor to your Publix spiral sliced ham, try glazing it. Preheat your oven to 350F and place the ham in a roasting pan. Bake uncovered for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest portion registers 140°F, basting every 30 minutes with your chosen glaze.
How do you make a ham glaze at Publix?
Instructions: 1. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and ground cloves until well combined. 2. Place your Publix spiral sliced ham in a roasting pan and brush the glaze over the ham. 3.
How long do you cook a spiral sliced ham in the oven?
For a more flavorful option, try glazing your Publix spiral sliced ham. Preheat your oven to 350F and place the ham in a roasting pan. Bake uncovered for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest portion registers 140°F, basting every 30 minutes with your chosen glaze.
Can You reheat Publix spiral sliced ham?
If you’re short on time, you can reheat your Publix spiral sliced ham in the microwave or oven. To reheat in the oven, wrap tightly in aluminum foil and heat for 30 minutes at 350F. To reheat in the microwave, remove the aluminum foil and cover with plastic wrap.