Master the Perfect Christmas Ham Recipe: Discover Its Secret Ingredients Here!
This comprehensive step-by-step guide on the perfect Christmas ham recipe will have you impressing your holiday guests with ease. But the real question is, what secret ingredients make this ham recipe stand out from the rest?
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The tradition of serving ham during Christmas dates back to medieval times when farmers would slaughter their pigs in the winter months and cure the meat to last throughout the year. As Christianity spread across Europe, this tradition coincided with the celebration of the birth of Jesus, making the ham a popular holiday dish.
Today, we can find various methods and recipes for preparing a Christmas ham, but none quite compares to our Step-by-Step Christmas Ham Guide. Our recipe combines the perfect blend of sweet and savory with a touch of spice to create a mouthwatering glaze that compliments the salty smokiness of the ham. And the best part is, it’s easy to prepare!
But don’t let the simplicity of the recipe fool you. This ham will steal the show at your holiday gathering, leaving your guests asking for the recipe. And if you’re hosting a larger crowd, you can easily double or even triple the recipe to feed the masses.
Whether it’s a time-honored tradition or a new addition to your holiday menu, our Step-by-Step Christmas Ham Guide is sure to impress. So fire up the oven and get ready to create a holiday masterpiece!
Ask the Chef: Pro Tips for making Step-by-Step Christmas Ham Guide
Choosing the right ham
For this recipe, it’s best to choose a fully cooked Whole Smoked Ham, which can often be found pre-packaged at your local grocery store or meat market. Be sure to read the label carefully and choose one that fits the weight requirement for the recipe.
Cutting the ham
Be sure to use a sharp knife to cut your ham. Use short, slicing motions instead of pushing down hard to avoid compressing the meat and making it tough.
Levels of sweetness and Spiciness
If you prefer a sweeter ham, you can add extra brown sugar, and if you prefer a spicier ham, you can add more mustard or the spiced ingredient you prefer.
Be mindful while basting
It’s important to baste your ham frequently to ensure that it stays moist and flavorful throughout the cooking process. However, be mindful when you are basting and try to work quickly without opening the oven too many times to avoid losing heat or lowering the temperature too much.
Thoroughly heating the ham
To ensure that the ham is fully cooked and safe to eat, be sure to check its internal temperature with a meat thermometer before serving. The internal temperature should reach 140°F, which takes approximately 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
Customizing the recipe
To make this recipe your own, you can select from a variety of sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup if you prefer over brown sugar. Similarly, you can use various types of vinegar to make the glaze according to your liking.
Saving leftovers
Store leftover ham in an airtight container for about a week in the fridge. Make sure to reheat the ham properly to 165°F to enjoy the rest of it for some tasty sandwiches or breakfast dishes.
How Many Calories are in Step-by-Step Christmas Ham Guide?
Nutrition Facts
10-12 Servings per Recipe
Calories: 520
- Total Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
- Sodium: 1700mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 39g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 37g
- Added Sugars: 37g
- Protein: 66g
What Drinks Pair Best with Step-by-Step Christmas Ham Guide?
Wine pairing: A Pinot Noir or a Syrah would pair well with this sweet and spiced Christmas ham. The red fruit and spice notes of these wines will complement the flavors of the ham and the sweetness of the glaze.
Beer pairing: A Belgian Dubbel or a German Bock would be great beer pairings for this ham recipe as these beers complement the sweet, spiced flavors of the dish and balance the fattiness of the ham with their malty and slightly sweet notes.
Cocktail pairing: A suitable cocktail pairing for this recipe would be a classic Old Fashioned made with bourbon, Angostura bitters, and a sugar cube. The warm spices used in the ham recipe will complement the flavors in the cocktail, making for a perfect holiday pairing.
How to Make Step-by-Step Christmas Ham Guide
Ingredients
- 1 (14-16lb) Whole Smoked Ham
- 2 Cups Apple Cider
- 2 Cups Brown Sugar
- 1/2 Cup Grainy Mustard
- 1 Tbsp Cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp Ground Allspice
- 1 Tbsp Ground Ginger
- 1 Tbsp Nutmeg
- 1 Tbsp Ground Cloves
- 1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Remove the ham from its packaging and remove any excess skin.
- Score the ham with shallow cuts in a diamond pattern and place it in a roasting pan.
- Pour 1 cup of apple cider over the ham.
- In a bowl, mix together brown sugar, grainy mustard, cinnamon, ground allspice, ground ginger, nutmeg, and ground cloves.
- Rub the mixture on the ham, making sure to get it in between the cuts.
- Cover the ham with aluminum foil and bake for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, basting every 30 minutes with the remaining apple cider.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the ham reaches 140°F.
- Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for at least 10-15 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar and the drippings from the roasting pan to make a glaze.
- Brush the glaze over the ham and return it to the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the glaze is golden brown.
- Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for another 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
- Enjoy your Perfect Christmas Ham!
