A celebration ham is the perfect centerpiece for any festive occasion. This impressive, flavorful dish can feed a crowd and brings a spirit of joy and togetherness to any holiday table. But what exactly makes a ham a “celebration” ham? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about this special meal.
What Defines A Celebration Ham
A celebration ham is generally defined by the following characteristics:
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Large in size – These hams are usually 10 pounds or larger, allowing them to serve a large gathering. The hefty size makes them ideal for celebrations.
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Bone-in – Most celebration hams will have the bone left in, which adds more flavor as the meat cooks. The bone also makes for an attractive presentation.
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Spiral sliced – Many celebration hams come spiral cut so they are easy to serve The slices remain attached at one end for simple portioning,
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Glazed or seasoned – A celebration ham is usually coated in some type of glaze, crust, or seasoning that gives it a delicious flavor. Popular options include honey glaze, brown sugar glaze, mustard crust, and warm spices.
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Long cooking time – These large hams need ample time in the oven to become tender and develop their signature flavor. Cooking time is generally 15-20 minutes per pound.
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Served as the main event – At holiday meals the celebration ham takes center stage. It is the crowned jewel of the table, surrounded by complementary side dishes.
Different Types of Hams for Celebrations
There are a few specific types of hams that are particularly well-suited for festive occasions:
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Spiral sliced city hams – These hams come pre-cut in neat, uniform slices for beautiful presentation and easy serving. They are cured with a wet brine.
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Bone-in smoked hams – Smoking gives these hams a delicious depth of flavor The bone adds extra flavor and moisture during cooking
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Cured or country hams – Dry cured over months, these hams offer rich, concentrated pork flavor. They may be uncooked or pre-cooked.
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Honey baked hams – Coated in a sweet glaze, these hams are a crowd-pleasing classic. The honey glaze provides a touch of decadence.
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Brown sugar or pineapple glazed hams – For a slightly different flavor, these hams are coated in a glaze using brown sugar, pineapple juice, cloves, and other warm spices.
Step-By-Step Guide to Preparing a Celebration Ham
Follow these simple steps for a perfect celebration ham every time:
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Start with a 10 lb or larger raw ham, preferably bone-in for best flavor. Rinse ham under cool water and pat dry.
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Score the ham by making light diagonal cuts in a diamond pattern. This allows the glaze to penetrate the meat.
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Apply glaze or seasoning as desired. For glazes, brush on gently to coat ham. Insert cloves if using.
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Place ham fat side up on a rack in a roasting pan. The rack elevates it to prevent soggy bottom. Add 1 cup water to pan to prevent drippings from burning.
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Cover ham loosely with foil. This keeps it moist as it cooks.
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Bake at 325°F, allowing 15-20 minutes per pound. For a 10 lb ham, bake for 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
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Remove foil last 30 minutes to brown the outside. Brush with more glaze if using.
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Test for doneness by taking internal temp with a meat thermometer. Target temp is 140°F.
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Let ham rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing for juicy results! Dig in and enjoy!
Tantalizing Sides and Sauces for Your Celebration Ham
A spectacular ham demands some spectacular side dishes and sauces to complement it. Here are some options that will take your holiday meal to the next level:
Classic Sides
- Fluffy mashed potatoes
- Rich scalloped potatoes
- Sweet maple glazed carrots
- Buttery roasted Brussels sprouts
- Traditional green bean casserole
- Cornbread stuffing
- Dinner rolls or biscuits
Unique Sides
- Loaded baked potato casserole
- Fresh cranberry relish
- Roasted root vegetables
- Quinoa salad with nuts and dried fruit
- Roasted broccoli with garlic
Sauces and Toppings
- Cherry apple chutney
- Tangy mustard sauce
- Sweet and spicy barbecue sauce
- Warm maple butter
- Spiced peach or pineapple glaze
- Bourbon molasses glaze
- Brown sugar ginger glaze
- Whole grain mustard sauce
Creative Ways to Use Up Leftover Celebration Ham
Put that leftover holiday ham to delicious use! Here are some inventive ideas:
- Ham and cheese omelets or stratas for brunch
- Hearty ham and bean soup
- Ham fried rice with vegetables and eggs
- Tacos with ham, pineapple, and melted cheese
- Ham, apple, and brie panini sandwiches
- Ham and swiss croissant sandwiches
- Eggs benedict topped with sliced ham
- Ham, onion, and potato hash
- Ham and cheese stuffed peppers
- Creamy ham and pea pasta salad
- Ham and tomato flatbread pizza
With proper preparation, festive sides, and creative leftovers, a celebration ham can be the crowning jewel of any holiday spread. This impressive roast invites people together in celebration and style.
Wegmans Celebration Ham
FAQ
What are the ingredients in the Wegmans celebration ham?
What temperature is a celebration ham done?
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Type of Ham
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Oven Temp.
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Internal Temp.
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Pre-Cooked, Boneless (6 to 12 lbs.)
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325°F
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140°F
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Uncooked, Bone-In (Half Ham—5 to 8 lbs.)
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325°F
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145°F
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Uncooked, Bone-In (Whole Ham—12 to 16 lbs.)
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325°F
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145°F
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Uncooked, Boneless (Should Roll Cut—2 to 4 lbs.)
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325°F
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145°F
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What is a Pennsylvania Ham?
Supplied by family farms in Pennsylvania, this impressive ham comes from pork raised without antibiotics or added hormones. This ham is natural hardwood-smoked, brined, and spice-cured for an incredible depth of flavor. And because it’s prepared with the skin on and a layer of fat intact, it’s juicier and more tender than any ham we’ve ever found.
What is a ham?
Before diving into the finer details, let’s start with a little foundational education and explore what ham actually is. When we say “ham,” we’re typically talking about a specific cut of pork, and most of the time, it’s taken from the leg.
What is a fresh ham?
You may come across what’s considered “fresh ham” that’s uncooked and completely uncured —which is extremely rare to come by in most grocery stores. Some consumers prefer fresh hams to control the entire curing and cooking process, but of course, it’s more time-consuming to prepare and serve.
What is heritage Ham?
Heritage ham is a collection of pig breeds that were common before large-scale commercial pig farming became the norm. These breeds are typically raised on small farms and sold on-site, at farmers markets or online. Smoked ham is a fairly common way to add lots of rich flavor to a cured ham.