Aldi is a great place to get a ham for your holiday dinner. The discount store sells different kinds, like a spiral-sliced double-glazed ham that we’ve already talked about, an antibiotic-free ham, and a spiral-sliced hickory-smoked honey ham. Every year for Easter, I buy Aldi’s double-glazed spiral ham, but this year I chose to try the honey ham instead.
Appleton Farms Spiral Sliced Hickory Smoked Honey Ham cost $1. 99 per lb at the time of publication. I paid $19. 74 for a 9. 92-lb. ham. You can only buy this at Aldi as a Seasonal Favorite or an Aldi Find. It’s not sold in stores all year. Hams like this one usually show up at Aldi in November and December, as well as just in time for Easter.
The ham is fully cooked and gluten free. The package comes with the ham and a packet containing a powdered glaze mix.
Appleton Farms Spiral Sliced Hickory Smoked Honey Ham, when served with the glaze, has 150 calories per 3-oz. (84-gram) serving. One serving with glaze also has 8 grams of total fat (12% DV), 2. 5% of the daily value for saturated fat, 89% of the daily value for sodium, 7% of the daily value for total carbohydrates, 6% of the daily value for sugars, and 2014 grams of protein.
The ham is cured with water, honey, and 2% or less of sodium lactate, potassium lactate, glucose, sodium phosphates, sodium diacetate, sodium erythorbate, and sodium nitrite.
If you plan to serve the ham within seven days of buying it, the package says to keep it in the fridge. For longer storage it’s recommended to freeze the ham and use within three months.
A ham can take several hours to heat, so plan accordingly. To heat this ham, preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Remove all packaging materials and place the ham face down directly into a baking dish or roasting pan. Cover the ham tightly with a lid or with foil. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes per pound. That would take at least 120 minutes, or two hours, for my almost 10-pound ham. Plan to take the ham out of the oven about 30 minutes before it’s done cooking if you want to glaze it.
About 35 minutes before the ham is done cooking, mix 2 tablespoons of water and the glaze packet’s contents in a saucepan to make the glaze. Bring to a boil over high heat while stirring constantly. To glaze the ham, take it out of the oven about 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time that was suggested above. Apply the glaze evenly over the surface of the warm ham. Some of the glaze gets between the ham slices, too. I use a big spoon or a basting brush. ) Return the glazed ham to the oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve.
Cut a knife around the center bone of the ham to get as many slices off of it as you want. Then, cut along the slices’ natural seams to take off parts of those slices that you’ve already taken off the center bone.
After letting my ham defrost for a week in the fridge, I heated it for 12 minutes per pound. However, near the bone, it was still a little cold when it was done cooking. The directions say that the ham should be cooked for between 12 and 15 minutes per pound. Our ham would have been better if it had been cooked for about 15 minutes per pound. The cooking temperature given in the directions may be too low, which could explain why the middle of our ham was still cold. This is something I’ve noticed when heating other hams in the past. Other spiral hams I’ve bought from Aldi are cooked at 325 degrees, but this honey ham is cooked at 250 degrees, which is 75 degrees less.
There is no set temperature for serving a spiral ham because it has already been fully cooked and is just being warmed up. I’ve been to many events where the ham was served cold straight from the fridge.
I served our ham for Easter alongside mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, salad, and plenty of chocolates and sweets. The glazed hams I usually buy have a stronger honey flavor than this one. But the difference in flavor was pretty small, and everyone in my family liked the ham. It seems like you really can’t go wrong with any of Aldi’s hams.
Don’t throw away the bone; it freezes well and can be used later to make ham and beans or broccoli, ham, and cheddar soup. The best part of ham is all the leftovers, right?.
Appleton Farms Spiral Sliced Hickory Smoked Honey Ham is one of several ham options at Aldi. It’s fully cooked and tastes great, and the meat slices easily cut off the center bone. The directions say to heat this ham at a lower oven temperature than other hams I’ve heated, so you might need to add more cooking time to your meal plan, since it takes a while to warm this ham all the way through if you follow the directions.
Some of the best and tastiest hams on the market are made by Appleton Farms. Their bone-in and boneless hams are favorites for holidays and special occasions. But it can be scary for home cooks to cook a ham, especially a big one.
In this complete guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to cook an Appleton Farms ham perfectly whether it’s spiral sliced smoked, or glazed. With these tips and techniques, you’ll have moist, flavorful ham the whole family will love.
Getting Started with Your Appleton Farms Ham
The first step is choosing which Appleton Farms ham is right for you. Here are the main types:
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Spiral sliced – These boneless hams come pre-sliced in a spiral pattern to make serving easy They are fully cooked
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Bone-in: These come in shank or butt portions and have the bone in them. They need to be cooked for longer.
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Smoked – Hickory or applewood smoked hams have deep, smoky flavor. May be boneless or bone-in.
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Glazed – Comes with a sweet glaze packet to coat the ham for added flavor.
Once you have your ham, read the packaging carefully for size, fully cooked vs. not, and any specific instructions. Also check the sell-by or use-by date to ensure freshness.
Then gather these supplies:
- Roasting pan
- Aluminum foil
- Meat thermometer
- Basting brush
- Glaze or marinade ingredients (if desired)
Now you’re ready to start cooking!
Step 1 – Thaw the Ham
For hams that were frozen, proper thawing is key. Place the ham in the refrigerator 1-2 days before cooking. Keep it in its original packaging or wrap in plastic to prevent drying out.
If short on time, use the microwave’s defrost setting according to package directions. Defrost in the packaging to avoid dry spots.
Step 2 – Prep the Ham and Pan
Unwrap the ham and place it fat side up in a roasting pan. For bone-in hams, find a pan large enough to accommodate it.
Cover the exposed areas of the ham tightly with foil to prevent drying out. Tuck the foil around seams and edges.
For added flavor and moisture, scored hams can be studded with whole cloves before cooking.
Step 3 – Calculate the Cook Time
Refer to the ham’s packaging for the minimum cook time. Then use these general guidelines:
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Fully cooked boneless ham – Cook for 10-15 minutes per pound at 325°F
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Cook-before-eating bone-in ham – Cook approximately 18-22 minutes per pound at 325°F until internal temp reaches 145°F
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Fully cooked bone-in ham – Heat through at 250°F for about 10-15 minutes per pound
For example, an 8 lb fully cooked bone-in ham would need 80-120 minutes total cook time.
Step 4 – Preheat the Oven and Cook
Preheat your oven to the temperature specified above based on the type of ham.
Place the foil-covered roasting pan with ham directly in the center of the oven. Check halfway and baste with glaze if desired.
Bone-in hams may need tented loosely with foil to avoid over-browning.
Step 5 – Test for Doneness
The best way to ensure your Appleton Farms ham is cooked through is to use a meat thermometer.
For bone-in hams, insert it into the thickest muscle area without touching the bone. It should reach 145°F.
For boneless, aim for 140°F in the thickest part. The ham should be nicely browned on the outside when done.
Step 6 – Make the Glaze (Optional)
While the ham rests, you can prepare the glaze if using. Whisk together ingredients like:
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1⁄4 cup honey
- 1⁄4 cup apple juice or cider
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1⁄2 tsp ground cloves
Heat in a saucepan until thickened. You can also use a prepared glaze packet.
Step 7 – Finish and Rest the Ham
Once the ham has reached optimal internal temperature, brush all over with your glaze.
Tent with foil and allow to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This lets juices redistribute.
The ham is now ready to wow your guests! Dig in and enjoy.
Serving and Storing Leftovers
Carve thin slices across the natural grain of the meat. Serve with classic sides like scalloped potatoes, roasted veggies, biscuits, etc.
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours, stored in shallow containers. Use within 3-5 days. Slice and freeze portions for longer storage.
Reheat leftovers in the oven at 325°F until warmed through. Baked ham also makes fantastic sandwiches, omelets, pizza, and more!
Common Questions and Tips
Cooking a ham seems simple but there are some finer points that ensure perfect results every time. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Should I baste the ham while cooking?
- Yes! Regular basting adds moisture and flavor. Use apple juice, ginger ale, broth, pineapple juice or your glaze.
Can I use an oven cooking bag?
- Cooking bags help retain moisture and require less basting. Follow package instructions.
At what temperature should I reheat leftovers?
- Heat ham leftovers to 140°F. Use the oven, microwave, or stovetop per package instructions.
Can I freeze cooked ham?
- Yes, freeze slices or chunks of leftovers in airtight containers or bags for 1-2 months.
What if my ham is too salty?
- Soak it in water for 1 hour before cooking to reduce saltiness. Rinse well and pat dry.
With these handy tips, tricks, and step-by-step instructions, you can master cooking an Appleton Farms ham with confidence. From thawing to glazing to storing leftovers, we’ve got you covered. Happy ham cooking! Let us know if you have any other questions.
