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!.
Kroger’s brown sugar glazed spiral sliced ham is a holiday favorite for its convenience, affordability, and undeniably delicious flavor The brown sugar and honey glaze gives the ham a sweet yet slightly spicy flavor that perfectly complements the savory smoked pork But to get the best results when cooking this ready-to-eat ham, there are some simple tricks you need to know.
In this guide, I’ll explain how to bake Kroger’s spiral cut brown sugar glazed ham to crispy, caramelized perfection every time. You’ll learn tips on prepping the ham, cooking temps and times, making a flavorful glaze, and how to obtain ideal doneness. Let’s get started!
Select the Right Size Ham
Kroger offers their brown sugar glazed spiral ham in a variety of sizes from 4 lbs up to 15 lbs. Choose the size that best suits your gathering. Plan for about 1/3 to 1/2 pound of ham per person. For easy slicing, select a ham that’s been presliced along the bone.
Prepare the Pan
Choose a shallow roasting pan just large enough to fit the ham flat. Avoid cramping it, as air circulation is key for even cooking. Line the pan with foil for easy cleanup You can also place the ham directly on a foil-lined sheet pan.
Cook Low and Slow
The key to tender, juicy ham is cooking it slowly at a lower oven temp. This allows the fat to render and flavors to develop without overdrying. Preheat your oven to only 325°F. Place the ham cut side down in the prepared pan.
Determine Cook Times
Kroger hams come fully cooked, so they just need to be warmed all the way through. Plan on cooking for 10-12 minutes per pound. A 7 lb ham would take 70-85 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to confirm it reaches 140°F at the thickest part.
Make a Simple Brown Sugar Glaze
For deeper flavor, make a brown sugar glaze to brush on the ham while it bakes. Combine 1 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup orange juice and 2 teaspoons dry mustard. Brush half the glaze over the ham before baking.
Baste Frequently
Brush the ham with the glaze once halfway through cooking. Then again 15 minutes before finished. Frequently basting helps the sugars caramelize and gives a lacquered shine. If the ham browns too fast, tent it with foil.
Let It Rest Before Slicing
Allow the cooked ham to rest 15-20 minutes before slicing. This allows juices to redistribute so they don’t run out when you carve it. The ham will retain more moisture for a tender texture.
Carve Properly to Avoid Drying Out
Always slice ham across the grain, which runs the length of the muscle fibers. This results in shorter muscle fibers for more tenderness when chewing. Cut ham into thin slices to prevent it from drying out after cooking.
Make a Unique Glaze
Customize your glaze by using pineapple juice, ginger ale, jalapeño jelly or other fun flavors instead of plain orange juice. Get creative with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves or chipotle powder too.
Sear the Cut End
For added flavor and texture contrast, you can sear the exposed spiral cut end of the ham before roasting. Just heat oil in a skillet and quickly brown all sides until caramelized.
With these helpful tips, Kroger’s brown sugar glazed spiral sliced ham will turn out perfect every time. Juicy, sweet and salty with a crispy glaze, it’s sure satisfy the crowd.
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
First, you might want to put a ham glaze on both the outside and the inside of your ham. This will make it taste even better. I usually just wing it, and it usually has jam and adobo sauce in it—I can’t get enough of that spicy-sweet mix, even on ham. But I made you a simple ham glaze recipe in case you need one.
You don’t really cook a spiral ham, you simply reheat it. When it comes to “cooking” your ham, wrap it lightly with foil while it’s baking. This will keep the juices in and prevent them from evaporating while your ham is in the oven. Sometimes you can open the foil and baste the ham with the juices, which will help it stay moist.
People who cook will sometimes put water, juice, or even 7-UP on the bottom of the pan to help keep the oven as moist as possible. I’ve found that it’s not necessary, as the tinfoil does a great job of keeping the moisture in. Feel free to add that step if you like though, as it won’t hurt anything to add it.
Kroger® Spiral Sliced Brown Sugar Half Ham, 1 lb – Kroger
FAQ
How long does it take to cook a Kroger spiral sliced ham?
How do you heat up a pre cooked spiral sliced ham?
How long do you cook a Smithfield brown sugar spiral ham?
How to cook a spiral ham so it doesn’t dry out?
How do you cook a Kroger spiral sliced ham?
Preparing Kroger spiral sliced ham is a breeze, and it can be done in a variety of ways. Here are some steps to follow: 1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Take the ham out of its packaging and place it on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. 3. Cover the ham with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. 4.
How do you glaze a Kroger spiral sliced honey ham?
To enhance the flavors of your Kroger spiral sliced honey ham, you can brush it with a glaze made from a combination of honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and a touch of ground cloves before roasting. Kroger Spiral Sliced Honey Ham is the perfect choice for your holiday meals.
How do you reheat a Kroger spiral sliced honey ham?
If you happen to have leftovers from your holiday feast, reheating the Kroger Spiral Sliced Honey Ham is easy. Simply preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit, wrap the ham in aluminum foil, and place it in a baking dish. Heat the ham for approximately 10 minutes per pound until it reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Is Kroger spiral ham fully cooked?
Yes, Kroger spiral ham is fully cooked and ready to be served. This convenient option eliminates the need for extensive preparation as it is already cooked to perfection. Just ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 120 degrees when warming it up.