Cooking a Juicy Sam’s Choice Spiral Cut Ham for the Holidays

Serving an impressive spiral cut ham is a great way to feed a crowd during the busy holiday season. While it may seem daunting Sam’s Choice spiral hams from Walmart are fully cooked and ready to heat and enjoy with minimal fuss. With a few simple preparation tips you’ll have tender, flavorful ham the whole family will love.

Selecting and Preparing Your Sam’s Choice Spiral Ham

If you want to feed a medium-sized to large group, choose a bone-in Sam’s Choice spiral ham that weighs about 10 to 15 pounds. Look for one with ample marbling throughout for moisture and flavor. The signature spiral cut makes it easy to serve once cooked.

Before cooking day, remove the frozen ham from packaging and let thaw completely in the refrigerator This takes about 24 hours for a 10 pound ham. Thawing allows any ice crystals to melt so the meat stays juicy

Once thawed, rinse the ham under cool water and pat dry. It will taste better if you make cuts in the top layer of fat to make studs. Insert whole cloves into the cuts. Not cutting into the meat below, score the fat cap in a diamond shape.

Determining Cook Time

Sam’s Choice hams are already fully cooked so they just need to be heated through. The best method is in the oven. Plan for approximately 15 minutes per pound at 275°F.

Allow about 2 and a half hours to roast a 10-pound ham. If you want to glaze the ham, reduce oven time by 10 minutes.

Step-by-Step Cooking Method

Follow these easy steps for oven roasting spiral ham success:

• Preheat oven to 275°F.

• Place ham fat side up in a roasting pan and add 1 cup of water or apple juice.

• Insert an oven-safe meat thermometer deep into the thickest part without touching bone.

• Roast ham for determined time based on size, until thermometer reads 130°F – 140°F.

• During last 10 minutes of oven time, brush ham with your favorite glaze.

• Once ham reaches temperature, remove from oven and let rest 15 minutes before slicing to serve.

Glazing Your Spiral Ham

For added festive flavor and eye appeal, glaze your ham during the last 10 minutes of cook time. You can make your own glaze or use a store bought option.

To make maple brown sugar glaze:

• Mix 1 cup brown sugar, 1⁄4 cup maple syrup, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard and 2 tbsp apple juice concentrate.

• Heat until blended and brush over ham.

To make fruit glaze:

• Simmer 1 cup peach, pineapple, cherry or apricot preserves with 2 tbsp lemon juice and 1⁄4 tsp allspice.

• Brush over ham once thickened slightly.

Step-by-Step Carving and Serving

Follow these tips for impressive ham service:

• Transfer ham to a cutting board and slice across the grain into thin slices.

• Arrange slices on a platter in a spiral pattern with pineapple rings, maraschino cherries and fresh parsley.

• Offer horseradish sauce, mustard and biscuits on the side.

• Keep ham slices warm in oven set to lowest temp if not serving buffet style.

Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and enjoy on sandwiches, with eggs or in casseroles.

Handy Ham Cooking Tips

• Add a disposable foil pan underneath to catch drips for an easy cleanup.

• Use a cooking bag for extra moisture – follow same oven temp and time.

• If ham seems to be browning too fast, tent loosely with foil.

• Reheat leftovers in the oven or skillet, adding a little liquid to prevent drying out.

• Take advantage of holiday sales to stock up on extra hams for meals throughout the year.

Get Creative With Leftovers

Don’t resign leftover spiral ham to boring old sandwiches. You can give it new life in so many dishes:

• Quiches – Dice ham and add to egg custard mixture. Bake in a prepared pie crust.

• Soup – Add diced ham and veggies to potato, bean or pea soup.

• Breakfast burrito – Dice ham and eggs, cheese, salsa and wrap in a tortilla.

• Pasta salad – Toss cooked pasta with ham cubes, shredded carrots, peas and vinaigrette dressing.

• Pizza – Top prepared crust with ham chunks, pineapple, peppers and cheese.

With proper roasting technique and a sweet glaze, your Sam’s Choice spiral ham will be a shining star at any holiday spread. The heavenly aroma while it cooks will have everyone eager for a taste!