How to Cook a Juicy, Flavorful Budaball Ham

As the holidays approach, budaball hams become a delicious centerpiece for festive meals and gatherings. These pre-cooked hams only require reheating, making them an easy option when you want to impress guests without spending all day in the kitchen. But to make the most of your budaball ham, it’s important to understand how to properly prepare, glaze, bake, and serve it. In this article, I’ll share my handy guide for cooking a mouthwatering budaball ham from start to finish. Let’s get cooking!

What is a Budaball Ham?

First let’s cover the basics. A budaball ham is a specific brand of pre-cooked bone-in ham made by Triple M Hams. It undergoes a special curing process that results in lower sodium content compared to many supermarket hams. Budaball hams also contain no MSG or gluten, and they come fully cooked so they just need reheating. Each ham has a handy pop-up timer that indicates when it’s done. Budaball offers shank and butt portions in various sizes from 4 to 18 pounds.

Selecting and Preparing the Ham

When choosing your budaball ham, opt for a size that fits your gathering, allowing about 1/3 to 1/2 pound per person. Go for a bone-in ham for the best texture and flavor. Also check the sell-by date to ensure freshness.

Once home, start prepping your ham:

• Remove from packaging and place in a roasting pan fat side up.

• Insert the pop-up timer if included.

• Cut the fat into diamond shapes so that the glaze can seep into the meat.

• Brush off any dried cure mix from the outside.

• Apply a light coat of oil or melted butter to prevent drying out.

• Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part if no pop-up timer.

Calculate Cook Times

The cooking time depends on the size of your budaball ham. Follow package guidelines or these general rules:

• 4 to 6 lbs: Bake for 90 minutes
• 6 to 8 lbs: Bake for 105 minutes
• 10 to 12 lbs: Bake for 120-150 minutes
• 14 to 16 lbs: Bake for 150-180 minutes

If your ham weighs more than 10 pounds, you might want to lower the oven temperature after the first hour to keep the outside from getting too brown. Shoot for an internal temperature of 140°F.

Make a Sweet Glaze

One of the joys of cooking a budaball ham is glazing it with a deliciously sweet mixture. Whip up a quick glaze while your ham bakes:

• In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, honey powder, spices and orange juice concentrate.

• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until bubbly.

• After thickening, brush over ham during last 30 minutes of baking.

• For a caramelized finish, switch oven to broil for the last 5-10 minutes.

Monitor Temperature

Keep a close eye on your ham’s internal temp, especially during the last half hour of estimated baking time. If using a pop-up timer, it will indicate when the center reaches 140°F by popping up. For hams without this feature, manually check the temperature every 20-30 minutes once it nears completion to prevent over or undercooking.

Let It Rest

Never slice into your budaball ham right out of the oven! Letting it rest is crucial. After baking, leave the ham untouched for at least 15-20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute evenly for a moist texture. Tent foil loosely over the ham while resting.

Carve and Serve

Now it’s finally time to carve your glorious glazed budaball ham! Use a sharp knife to slice pieces, cutting across the grain of the meat. Arrange slices on a serving platter alongside any roasted vegetables, scalloped potatoes, or other classic side dishes.

For a stunning presentation, garnish with fresh herb sprigs, pineapple rings, or maraschino cherries. Your budaball ham is ready to enjoy!

Store Leftovers Properly

Leftover ham stays fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days. To store, allow the ham to cool completely before tightly wrapping in foil or plastic wrap. Refrigerate leftover sliced ham in an airtight container. You can also freeze slices in a freezer bag for 1-2 months.

To reheat, place foil wrapped slices on a baking sheet in a 300°F oven until warmed through, 15-20 minutes. Or microwave individual slices for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

More Tips for Budaball Ham Perfection

• For added flavor, stud the ham with whole cloves before baking.

• Use warmed apricot jam instead of honey for a tangy glaze.

• For easier carving, opt for the shank end over the butt end.

• Layer leftover ham slices on sandwiches, in omelets, or dice for scrambled eggs.

• Use the bone to make flavorful bean, pea, or lentil soups.

With minimal effort, you can make an impressive budaball ham worthy of any special event. Experiment with different glazes and add your own flair. I hope these tips help you cook and serve a juicy, tender, and delicious budaball ham this holiday season. Let the feasting begin!