Learn how to cook a whole, boneless ham with the best glaze. It’s an easy option for entertaining because they come pre-cooked. All you do is add flavor.
It’s funny to me that ham can seem daunting to make since it almost always comes pre-cooked. It doesn’t matter if you cook a whole ham with the bones in it or a boneless ham like this recipe calls for. All you’re really doing is heating the ham through and adding flavor.
That’s why ham is so great for entertaining. The meat is already cooked, so you don’t have to worry about whether it’s too rare or too well done. All you have to do is add the finishing touches.
Ossian hams are a beloved holiday tradition for many families. These high-quality spiral-sliced hams are smoked to perfection, resulting in juicy, flavorful meat. While Ossian hams come fully cooked the key is reheating them properly to bring out their best qualities.
This detailed guide includes advice on picking the right Ossian ham, getting it ready to cook, suggestions for glazing and seasoning, step-by-step oven instructions, serving ideas, and fun ways to use up leftovers. With almost 80 years of experience making ham, Ossian makes great products that are sure to impress your guests. If you cook an Ossian ham the way we say to, the meat will be moist and tender, and the outside will be deliciously caramelized.
Selecting Your Ossian Ham
Ossian offers bone-in and boneless smoked hams in a variety of sizes When choosing your ham, opt for one that’s approximately 1⁄3 to 1⁄2 pound per person. For example, a 15 to 20 lb ham would serve 30 to 40 guests. Also, select a fresh ham rather than frozen whenever possible, as frozen hams lose moisture during thawing. Finally, choose a ham with the bone intact for maximum flavor. The bone infuses the meat with a richer taste.
Preparing Your Ham
Proper preparation is key to delicious results Here’s how to get your Ossian ham ready for the oven
- If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours.
- Remove all packaging, netting, and strings.
- Score the ham by making shallow diagonal cuts across the surface. This helps the glaze penetrate.
- Place the ham in a roasting pan and add 1⁄2 – 1 inch of liquid like water, juice, or wine.
Glazing Your Ham
Glazing adds sweetness, color, and flavor to the ham. Whip up your glaze while the ham cooks:
- Mix 1 cup glaze per 10 lbs. of ham.
- Combine ingredients like brown sugar, honey, spices, and fruit juice/vinegar.
- Simmer glaze for 5-10 minutes until thickened.
- Brush ham with glaze during last 30 minutes of cooking.
Popular glaze flavor combos include brown sugar + orange juice + cloves or apple juice + cinnamon + ginger. Get creative with ingredients!
Step-By-Step Cooking Instructions
Cooking low and slow is key for an ultra-moist Ossian ham. Follow these simple oven steps:
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Place ham cut-side down in a roasting pan filled with 1⁄2 inch of liquid.
- Cover ham tightly with foil.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes per lb. For example, cook a 15 lb. ham for 4.5-5 hours.
- Uncover ham during last 30 minutes of cooking and brush with glaze.
- Heat until internal temperature reaches 140°F.
It might take more than 4 hours to cook the ham, but slow roasting makes sure the meat is juicy. Keep the oven temperature low and let that ham work its magic!.
Handy Serving Tips
You’ve cooked that beautiful Ossian ham. Now, learn how to serve it to perfection:
- Let ham rest for 15 minutes before carving so juices redistribute.
- Slice ham as thin as possible – aim for 1/8 inch slices.
- Pair ham with classic sides like scalloped potatoes, roasted veggies, and yeast rolls.
- Offer mustard, cranberry sauce, or extra glaze as condiments.
- Keep leftover ham stored in the fridge for 5-7 days.
Thin slices and complementary sides make your Ossian ham a mouthwatering meal to remember.
Creative Leftover Ham Ideas
Leftover ham provides ample opportunities for creativity in the kitchen. Try these fun recipes:
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Ham and cheese omelets – Dice ham and add to omelet alongside cheddar cheese.
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Ham salad sandwiches – Mix chopped ham with mayo, celery, pickle relish, and spices.
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Ham fried rice – Fry cold rice with ham cubes, peas, carrots, soy sauce, and eggs.
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Ham and bean soup – Simmer ham bone, beans, onions, carrots, celery, and chicken broth.
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Ham hash – Sauté potatoes, ham chunks, peppers and onions for flavorful hash.
With some imagination, you can reinvent those remaining slices into all sorts of dishes! Ossian hams check all the boxes for ease, convenience, and downright delicious flavor. We hope these tips help you cook an exceptional ham worthy of your holiday table.
Ways To Use Leftover Ham
A big part of the reason I bake a ham is so I can use the tasty meat in other recipes. Here are some of my favorite ham recipes that would be perfect for your leftovers:
Have a great day! -Christine xo
Why Do You Want To Make Boneless Ham?
These hams don’t have bones, so they cook faster and are easier to cut because they’re smaller and there isn’t a bone to work around. Even though spiral-slicing bone-in hams can make things easier, you still have to deal with that pesky ham hock.
So, if this is your first time hosting a holiday meal or if you consider yourself a beginner cook, choose a ham without bones. It’s much less hassle with plenty of meat to go around.
Easy Ham Recipe – How to Bake a Ham
FAQ
Are Ossian hams fully cooked?
How do you cook an Ossian smoked ham?
How to cook pre cooked country ham?
How do you cook an Ossian Ham?
Store your Ossian ham in the refrigerator until ready to use. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your Ossian ham in a baking dish. Optionally top it with pineapple slices and your favorite ham glaze. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit until a meat thermometer registers 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Is honey baked ham as good as regular ham?
The addition of honey will affect the calorie content of the food. One tablespoon of honey contributes to approximately 64 calories. In addition, the use of heat when making baked ham will reduce the quality of the honey.
How to order Ossian Ham?
Order Ossian hams for yourself or as gifts by calling the company or sending an email through its website. Preparing these high-quality hams is the same as preparing any spiral-sliced bone-in or boneless ham. As they have been cooked and smoked before packing, all you need to do is reheat the ham for your dinner.
Are Ossian hams smoked?
This ham is similar to the whole smoked hams sold by Ossian hams. Ossian hams are a regional staple for those near their Fort Wayne, Indiana, packing plant. The company offers cured, smoked spiral-sliced bone-in and boneless hams for the holidays.