A spiral ham is a great choice for a meal that offers both great taste and a beautiful presentation. If you know how to pick the right ham, these are great for holidays like Christmas and Easter, as well as family shindigs and parties.
However, since spiral hams are pre-cooked, you may be a little confused about how to heat them. We will talk about everything you need to know to cook a tasty and juicy uncured bone-in spiral ham. Table of Contents.
Dearborn spiral sliced ham is a holiday favorite thanks to its convenient pre-sliced shape and signature blend of savory, smoky, and sweet flavors. However, reheating it properly is key to bringing out its best texture and taste. Below are tips on safely and deliciously heating up a Dearborn spiral ham.
Thaw Fully Before Heating
For food safety, it’s important to thaw frozen Dearborn spiral hams thoroughly before reheating. Thawing should be done gradually in the refrigerator over 24-36 hours. This prevents bacterial growth. Room temperature thawing is not recommended as the outer areas could enter the danger zone of 40-140°F.
Once thawed completely, the ham is ready for gentle reheating to serving temperature.
Preheat the Oven
One of the easiest and most effective ways to reheat a whole Dearborn spiral ham is in the oven. Simply preheat your oven to 325°F. As it heats up, prepare the ham.
Remove all packaging and place the ham in an oven-safe pan or dish. Cover the entire surface with aluminum foil. The foil helps retain moisture as it reheats.
Cook Low and Slow
When reheating any fully cooked ham like a Dearborn spiral, low, gradual oven heat is key. Cooking too hot or fast can dry out the meat.
Place the foiled ham in the preheated 325°F oven. Cook approximately 10 minutes per pound. For example an 8 lb ham would need about 80 minutes. Check periodically and re-foil if needed.
Cook until the internal temperature reaches 140°F. Use an instant-read thermometer to check. Once warmed through, remove from the oven.
Microwave Individual Slices
If you just need to reheat a portion or a few slices of Dearborn spiral ham, the microwave provides a quick option
Place ham slices on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a paper towel or clean, damp paper napkin. The moisture prevents drying.
Microwave on HIGH in 30 second increments just until warmed through, about 30-60 seconds per slice. Check for hot spots and re-cover between batches.
Sear Slices in a Skillet
Looking to add some crispy, browned edges to your Dearborn ham? Use the stovetop.
Heat a skillet over medium high. Add 1 tsp oil or butter then place ham slices in the pan. sear 1-2 minutes per side until lightly crisped and heated through.
Just watch closely to avoid over browning or drying out the meat when pan frying.
Glaze and Broil for CaramelizedFlavor
You can take that Dearborn spiral ham up a notch by adding glaze and broiling.
Brush slices with your favorite glaze like honey, brown sugar or preserves. Place under the broiler 2-3 minutes until the glaze bubbles and caramelizes slightly.
Rotate slices partway for even coverage. Keep a close eye to prevent burning.
Maintain Moisture
Reheating any fully cooked ham risks drying out the meat. Here are some moisture-adding tips for Dearborn spiral ham:
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Spritz slices with lemon juice as they reheat.
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Coat the foil on oven-heated hams with broth or apple juice.
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Microwave slices layered between damp paper towels.
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Finish reheating by steaming briefly over a skillet of water.
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Brush ham with glaze just before serving for a juicy boost.
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Let ham rest 5 minutes after reheating so juices redistribute.
Add New Flavors
You can give leftover Dearborn spiral ham new life with creative flavors. Try rubbing slices with:
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Spice rubs like brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger or nutmeg.
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Grainy mustard, pesto or chutney.
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Savory sauces like teriyaki, barbecue or garlic herb.
Get creative mixing sweet and savory flavors to liven up your ham!
Handle Leftovers Properly
Like any cooked meat, properly storing Dearborn spiral ham leftovers is important.
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Allow to cool completely, then refrigerate within 2 hours in shallow airtight containers.
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Use refrigerated leftovers within 3-5 days.
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Freeze extras up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
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Reheat thoroughly to 165°F. Discard if left at room temperature over 2 hours.
With proper TLC, you can enjoy delicious Dearborn spiral ham for days after the initial cooking.
Reheating a Dearborn spiral ham is easy with low, gradual oven warming or quick skillet and microwave techniques. With these simple tips, you can serve this holiday classic at its very best.
Slow Cooker Spiral Ham
There is another way to cook your spiral ham if you don’t have room in the oven or want to try something new.
Set your crockpot to low and place the ham at the bottom. You can also use sugar and spices to cover the ham or a marinade. You should cook your ham for four to six hours, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 145º, whether you don’t change anything about it or add spices.
Choose Your Cooking Method
The first step to heating your spiral ham is to choose your cooking method. A slow cooker can also be used to heat your ham. The oven is the most traditional and well-known way to do it.
Pick your method, but don’t forget to take the ham out of the fridge about an hour before cooking. If your ham is frozen, it’s best to allow it to slowly thaw in the refrigerator. You’ll need to plan ahead, though, because it takes 4 to 6 hours for each pound of frozen ham to thaw. Putting your sealed ham in cold water can speed up the defrosting process if you’re in a hurry. Change the water every 30 minutes, and plan for 30 minutes per pound of ham.
Since the ham is already cooked, your goal is to thoroughly heat it without drying it out. That means you’ll want to opt for low and slow cooking rather than high and fast heat.
That being said, there isn’t just one right temperature for your oven. Anywhere from 250ºF to 350ºF will do. But keep in mind that lower temperatures mean longer cooking times. If your guests are coming an hour earlier than planned, you may want to choose the higher temperatures.
As your oven is preheating, place a baking rack inside a shallow roasting pan. Next, put the ham on top of the rack. To help keep the moisture inside, cover the pan with aluminum foil. Next, place the pan on a rack centered in the middle of the oven.
Bake your ham until the internal temperature reaches 140ºF at the thickest part. Total cook time will depend on both the size of the ham as well as the oven temperature. However, you can expect an average-sized ham to take 1. 5 to 2. 5 hours.
Take the ham out of the oven 15 minutes before it’s supposed to be done and brush the outside with a glaze. Coleman Natural’s bone-in spiral hams come with a glaze packet, so you don’t have to look for a recipe and make the glaze yourself.
Leave uncovered and return to the oven until the interior of the ham reaches 140º.
How to Reheat a Fully Cooked Spiral Ham | Step by Step
FAQ
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