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!.
There is a great selection of pre-cooked spiral cut hams at Walmart that are easy to use, tasty, and affordable. You can cook a Walmart spiral ham at home until it’s soft and juicy with just a few simple steps.
You can choose the best Walmart spiral ham, figure out cook times, prepare the meat, glaze it, find the best internal temperature, let it rest, carve it, and more by reading this full guide. You’ll have a beautiful centerpiece ham with incredible flavor in no time.
Benefits of Cooking a Walmart Spiral Ham
There are many benefits to cooking a spiral sliced ham from Walmart:
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Convenience – Walmart hams are fully cooked so they just need reheating. Easy for holiday meals or anytime.
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Budget-friendly – Walmart spiral hams offer great quality and flavor at affordable prices.
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Less waste – The spiral cut shape means more edible meat and less bone
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Eye-catching – The spiral cut presentation looks impressive on a serving platter
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Flavorful – Walmart hams are carefully cured and smoked for delicious taste.
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Juicy – The spiral cut aids moisture retention for tender and juicy meat.
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Time-saving – No lengthy prep or baking time needed. Just quickly reheat and serve.
Choosing the Best Walmart Spiral Ham
Walmart offers a variety of spiral cut ham options:
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Bone-in – More flavorful, classic presentation
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Boneless – Easier to carve and serve
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Half ham – For smaller gatherings, around 6-8 people
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Whole ham – Feeds a crowd, around 15 people
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Glazed – Sweet glaze adds flavor
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Unglazed – Allows seasoning or glaze customization
Bone-in, whole hams make beautiful centerpieces. Opt for a half ham for easier handling. Glazed hams offer delicious flavor, or get an unglazed ham to create your own signature taste.
Calculating Cook Time for a Walmart Spiral Ham
Walmart spiral hams are fully cooked so they just require reheating to an internal temperature of 140°F.
Cook times depend on two factors:
1. Ham weight
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Plan for 12-15 minutes per pound
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For example, an 8 lb ham cooks for 96-120 minutes
2. Bone-in or boneless
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Bone-in hams take a little longer
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Reduce time for boneless; cook 10-12 minutes per lb
Use a meat thermometer to check inner temp rather than relying solely on cook times for doneness. Reheating brings out the best juicy texture and flavor.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Follow these simple steps for fantastic Walmart spiral ham results:
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Prep ham – Unwrap ham and place cut-side down in roasting pan. Reserve packet juices/glaze.
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Bake uncovered at 275°F for 10-15 min per lb until 140°F internal temp.
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Make glaze – Heat packet glaze per instructions. Or make your own glaze.
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Brush with glaze – 20-30 mins before done, coat ham with glaze.
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Broil to caramelize (optional) – Broil glazed ham 3-5 mins to caramelize.
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Rest – Let ham sit about 15 mins before slicing for juicy results.
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Carve and serve – Slice along the spiral pattern. Enjoy!
Glazing Your Walmart Spiral Ham
For added flavor and a beautiful presentation, glaze your Walmart spiral ham. Options include:
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Use included glaze packet – Heat and brush on per instructions.
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Make your own – Craft a signature glaze with brown sugar, honey, fruit preserves, spices, etc.
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Apply glaze last 20-30 mins of cook time once ham is nearly done.
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Broil 3-5 mins to caramelize glaze. Watch closely to avoid burning.
Get creative with your own glaze flavors! A sweet and sticky glazed ham is hard to beat.
Internal Temperature for Perfect Doneness
It’s important to heat spiral hams to a safe minimum internal temperature to eliminate bacteria.
According to USDA guidelines, reheated hams should reach:
- 140°F minimum for safety
- 160°F for optimal texture
Use an instant-read thermometer to check inner ham temp. Insert into thickest part without touching bone.
If undercooked, continue baking and verify doneness with thermometer before serving. Reaching 160°F internal temp yields the best juicy and tender outcome.
Let Ham Rest Before Carving
An important step is letting the ham rest after baking and before slicing. Resting allows juices to redistribute through the meat for a juicier texture.
After removing ham from oven:
- Tent loosely with foil
- Let rest 15-20 mins
- Temperature equalizes during rest time
- Prevents juice loss when slicing
The short rest makes a big difference in juiciness! For best results, resist immediately slicing into the hot ham.
Carving Walmart Spiral Sliced Ham
Carving a spiral cut ham is quick and easy. Follow the pre-cut slices:
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Place ham flat side down on cutting board.
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Cut down along spiral pattern and lift off slices.
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Work from large to small end removing meat.
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Cut vertically to release slices.
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Cut slices to desired thickness.
The handy spiral cuts make perfectly portioned slices with little effort. Enjoy the eye-catching pattern on your serving platter.
Serving and Storing Leftover Ham
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Serve warm or cold. Refrigerate leftovers.
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Add to omelets, baked potatoes, sandwiches, salads, and more.
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Slice and freeze leftovers in freezer bags for up to 2-3 months.
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Use the bone to make beans or soup stock.
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Ham keeps 3-5 days refrigerated; slice as needed.
Spiral hams make wonderful leftovers. Get creative with recipes and enjoy the convenience of pre-cooked ham.
Common Questions about Cooking Walmart Spiral Ham
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Can you cook a frozen spiral ham? Yes, just increase bake time. Thaw first for more even cooking.
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What if my ham is too salty? Soak in water before cooking to reduce saltiness.
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Can I cook an uncooked spiral ham? No, only cook fully cooked spiral hams. Uncooked hams require special preparation.
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What if my ham is still pink inside? This is normal with a pre-cooked ham. The color does not indicate doneness. Rely on the internal temperature.
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What side dishes go well with spiral ham? Try glazed carrots, scalloped potatoes, mac and cheese, roasted Brussels sprouts, rolls.
Make Delicious Walmart Spiral Ham for Your Next Meal
Walmart offers quality convenient pre-cooked spiral hams perfect for feeding a crowd without spending hours in the kitchen. Follow the easy tips in this guide for spectacularly juicy, flavorsome results every time. With minimal preparation, let the oven do the work while you relax until it’s time to slice into tender, mouthwatering ham perfection.
How much ham per person?
When you’re serving a spiral sliced ham, plan on approximately 1/2 lb per person if it’s boneless. A bone-in ham will be about 3/4 lb per person. That means you’d need at least a 6 lb boneless ham or a 9 lb bone-in ham to feed 12 people. I always add a couple of pounds just to be safe and so we have extra food.
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.
