Cooking a delicious ham can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not familiar with the process.
But fear not, because we’ve got you covered!
In this article, we’ll be sharing with you a step-by-step guide on how to cook a Walmart spiral ham to perfection. Whether you’re hosting a family gathering or simply craving some juicy ham, this guide will help you achieve a mouth-watering result.
So grab your apron and let’s get started!
How To Cook A Walmart Spiral Ham?
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Before you start cooking your Walmart spiral ham, preheat your oven to 325°F.
Step 2: Prepare Your Ham
Remove the ham from its packaging and place it face side down in a roasting pan or on a rack in a half sheet pan. Cover the ham tightly with foil or a lid.
Step 3: Bake Your Ham
Bake your ham until it is heated through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the ham reads 160°F. This should take approximately 30 minutes per kilogram of ham.
Step 4: Glaze Your Ham (Optional)
If you want to add some extra flavor to your ham, you can glaze it. To do this, remove the ham from the oven 10 minutes before the recommended heating time is up. Increase the oven temperature to 425°F.
Empty the contents of the glaze packet into a small saucepan and add two tablespoons of warm water. Mix well and heat on medium flame, stirring slightly with a wooden spoon or spatula, until the glaze begins to boil. Immediately remove from heat and using a brush, apply it to the surface and slices of ham.
Return the glazed ham to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes.
Step 5: Rest Your Ham
Remove your glazed ham from the oven and let it stand for five minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more flavorful and tender ham.
Preparing The Ham
To prepare your Walmart spiral ham for cooking, begin by removing it from its packaging and any netting or strings. Place the ham face side down in a roasting pan or on a rack in a half sheet pan. If desired, you can score the ham with diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch deep in a diamond pattern using a sharp knife. This will allow the glaze to penetrate the meat more easily.
If you are using the glaze packet that came with your ham, follow the instructions on the packet to prepare it. Alternatively, you can make your own glaze by combining ingredients such as brown sugar, honey, mustard, and spices in a small saucepan and heating until the mixture is smooth and bubbly.
Once you have prepared your glaze, pour it over the ham, making sure to cover all exposed areas. If you have scored the ham, be sure to get the glaze into the cuts as well.
Cover the ham tightly with foil or a lid and place it in your preheated oven. Bake until the ham is heated through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the ham reads 160°F. This should take approximately 30 minutes per kilogram of ham.
If you want to glaze your ham, remove it from the oven 10 minutes before the recommended heating time is up. Increase the oven temperature to 425°F and apply the glaze as described in Step 4 above.
Once your ham is fully cooked and glazed (if desired), remove it from the oven and let it rest for five minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more flavorful and tender ham.
Preheating The Oven
Preheating your oven is an important first step in cooking a Walmart spiral ham. This ensures that the oven reaches the desired temperature before you place the ham inside, which helps to ensure even cooking and a juicy, flavorful ham.
To preheat your oven, turn it on and set the temperature to 325°F. It’s important to preheat your oven for at least 15-20 minutes before you plan to cook your ham. This gives the oven enough time to reach the desired temperature and stabilize, which helps to ensure even cooking.
While your oven is preheating, you can prepare your Walmart spiral ham by removing it from its packaging and placing it in a roasting pan or on a rack in a half sheet pan. Cover the ham tightly with foil or a lid to help seal in moisture.
Once your oven is preheated, place the roasting pan or half sheet pan with the covered ham inside. Bake your ham until it is heated through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the ham reads 160°F. This should take approximately 30 minutes per kilogram of ham.
If you want to glaze your ham, remove it from the oven 10 minutes before the recommended heating time is up. Increase the oven temperature to 425°F and apply the glaze as described above.
After baking, let your Walmart spiral ham rest for five minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more flavorful and tender ham.
Glazing The Ham
Glazing your Walmart spiral ham is an optional step, but it can add a delicious flavor to the meat. Here’s how to glaze your ham:
Step 1: Prepare the Glaze
Empty the contents of the glaze packet into a small saucepan and add 1 1/2 tablespoons of warm water. Mix well and heat on medium flame, stirring often, until the glaze begins to boil. Immediately remove from heat.
Step 2: Apply the Glaze
Remove the ham from the oven 10 minutes before the recommended heating time is up. Increase the oven temperature to 425°F.
Using a brush, apply the glaze evenly over the surface and slices of the warm ham. For a thicker coating, allow the glaze to cool for 4-5 minutes before applying it to the ham.
Step 3: Bake the Glazed Ham
Return the glazed ham to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes at 425°F. This will caramelize the glaze and give it a shiny appearance.
Step 4: Rest Your Ham
Remove your glazed ham from the oven and let it stand for five minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more flavorful and tender ham.
With these simple steps, you can easily glaze your Walmart spiral ham and impress your guests with its delicious flavor.
Cooking The Ham
Cooking the Walmart spiral ham is a simple process that can be done in just a few easy steps. Once you have preheated your oven and prepared your ham, it’s time to start cooking.
First, place your ham face side down in a roasting pan or on a rack in a half sheet pan. Cover the ham tightly with foil or a lid to ensure that it stays moist and juicy while it cooks.
Next, bake your ham until it is heated through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the ham reads 160°F. This should take approximately 30 minutes per kilogram of ham.
If you want to add some extra flavor to your ham, you can glaze it. To do this, remove the ham from the oven 10 minutes before the recommended heating time is up. Increase the oven temperature to 425°F.
Empty the contents of the glaze packet into a small saucepan and add two tablespoons of warm water. Mix well and heat on medium flame, stirring slightly with a wooden spoon or spatula, until the glaze begins to boil. Immediately remove from heat and using a brush, apply it to the surface and slices of ham.
Return the glazed ham to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes.
Once your ham is fully cooked, remove it from the oven and let it stand for five minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more flavorful and tender ham.
By following these simple steps, you can cook a delicious Walmart spiral ham that is sure to impress your family and friends.
Checking For Doneness
Checking for doneness is a crucial step in cooking a Walmart spiral ham. There are several methods that can be used to ensure that the ham is cooked to perfection.
The most accurate method for testing doneness is by using a meat thermometer. A regular meat thermometer should be inserted before placing the ham in the oven or exposing it to the heat source that will be used. It remains there throughout the cooking time. An instant-read thermometer is used to check for the proper temperature once the ham has been cooked. The ham should be taken away from the heat source, and the instant-read thermometer should be immediately inserted into the thickest part of the ham, and it will give a temperature reading in approximately 15 seconds.
When inserting a thermometer, care must be taken that it is not touching a bone or area of fat to ensure an accurate reading. Ham slices, because of their thickness, are more difficult to check for doneness using a thermometer. If the slice is thick enough, it can be inserted from the side into the middle of the slice to get an internal reading.
When using a regular meat thermometer, check the temperature when it is getting towards the end of the cooking time. Remove the ham from the heat source when it reaches an internal temperature that is 5 degrees lower than the desired doneness temperature. If using an instant-read thermometer, remove the ham from the heat source when it is getting close to the end of the cooking time and check the temperature. If it is within 5 degrees of the desired internal temperature, do not return it to the heat source. If it is not within 5 degrees, return it to the heat source, wait 10 minutes, and then check the temperature again. Repeat this process until the ham is 5 degrees or less from the desired internal temperature.
The ham should be left standing for 10 to 15 minutes before carving. During this standing time, it will continue to cook, and the temperature should rise to the appropriate internal temperature. This will ensure that the ham will not be overcooked. Ham slices can be left to stand for a shorter period of time, approximately 5 minutes.
Another method for testing doneness is to pierce the ham with a meat fork or tip of a knife. The meat should show little resistance by easily sliding in and out of the ham if it is done properly.
Finally, bone-in hams can be checked for doneness by visually looking at them as they are being cooked. The meat will begin to separate from the bones, and large bones will move easily as the ham gets done.
Letting The Ham Rest
After your Walmart spiral ham has finished cooking, it is important to let it rest before carving. This allows the juices to settle and redistribute throughout the meat, making it more tender and flavorful.
To let your ham rest, remove it from the oven and place it on a cutting board or serving platter. Cover it loosely with foil and allow it to rest for at least 10-15 minutes before carving.
During this time, you can prepare any sides or dishes you plan to serve alongside your ham. Once the ham has rested, use a sharp knife to carve it into slices of your desired thickness.
Remember to spoon any juices that have accumulated over the ham before serving for added flavor. By following these steps, you can ensure that your Walmart spiral ham is cooked to perfection and ready to be enjoyed by all.
