Spiral Cut Ham is always perfect for holiday meals because they are so easy! This orange bourbon glazed ham is a delicious choice anytime.
We make a ham for at least one winter holiday meal, whether it be Christmas or New Year’s. This year will be no exception.
Cooking spiral cut ham is so easy. An orange bourbon glaze makes this recipe a mouthwatering favorite!
Why Make Spiral Cut Ham
There are many things I like about preparing and serving ham.
The spiral cut ham is already cooked so ‘cooking’ it really is to add some extra flavor with a glaze and to warm it up.
It’s an easy main dish task especially if preparing a large meal, entertaining guests or when too busy for a more time consuming meal
Types of Ham
There are a few varieties of ham to choose from. This guide about ham gives more detail about the three main types of ham most people buy are:
Boneless: ham which has been removed from the bone and compressed back together. It is easy to slice though some believe it lacks flavor as compared to those with bones due to the flavor imparted from the bone.
Bone-In Ham: ham which remains on the bone, believed to be some of the most flavorful though requires carving around the bone.
Bone-In Spiral-cut Ham: the same as a Bone-In ham however it has been pre-sliced making for easy removal of slices after warming.
Why Make a Bone-In Spiral Cut Ham
A bone-in ham is the less processed and has deeper in flavor.
Though a boneless ham sounds easier to carve, when buying a spiral-cut ham, the carving work is already done for you.
Once cooked the slices are a breeze to remove for serving.
How to Cook this Bone-In Spiral Cut Ham
The method of cooking the ham I’m sharing today is a low temperature method which ensures the meat stays moist and tender.
It’s very easy too. The spiral cut ham is placed sliced side down on a cooking rack in a baking pan.
It is glazed before going into the oven and then every 15-20 minutes while it cooks until the glaze is used up.
Orange Bourbon Glaze
The glaze itself is also simple to make and full of flavor. The ingredients are simple and few:
- Bourbon whiskey
- Orange marmalade
- fresh Orange Juice (from 1 orange)
- Dark Brown Sugar
- Cinnamon Stick
For those concerned about having liquor in the glaze, the alcohol evaporates during cooking so all that remains is the telltale flavor of bourbon which is a wonderful compliment to the orange flavors.
Tip for Glazing the Spiral Cut Ham
When glazing poultry or meat with a glaze containing sugar, they can brown unattractively at higher temperatures.
Because the ham cooks at 325 degrees, the glaze creates a glossy, rich mahogany sheen on the ham with no burning or charring.
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Recipe
Orange-Bourbon Glazed Bone-In Spiral Cut Ham
Ingredients
- 1 8-10 pound Bone-In Spiral Cut Ham , room temperature
Glaze
- 2/3 cups Bourbon
- ¼ cup Orange Marmalade
- 1 cup Dark Brown Sugar
- Juice of 1 large Orange
- 1 3- inch Cinnamon Stick
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Fit a large baking sheet (with sides) or baking dish with a sturdy flat rack (not a V roasting rack). Place the ham, cut side down, onto the rack. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Combine all glaze ingredients together in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and allow to boil for 4 minutes. Remove from heat and discard cinnamon stick.
- Brush the ham with the glaze (it won’t be thick yet but will thicken as it cools). Allow to sit for 5 minutes and brush with glaze again.
- Place ham in the oven and bake until it reaches 120 degrees internal temperature measured in the thickest part away from the bone (approximately 1 hour to 1 ½ hours depending on the size of the ham). Brush with glaze approximately every 15-20 minutes until the glaze is gone; brush between the slices of ham to if possible. Allow to rest 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Originally published: December 18, 2016
Crystal says
We typically just order a ham for holidays, but you make it sound so easy with your delicious glaze. I need to try this recipe.
Aimee Smith says
This sounds amazing. My husband loves ham and I am always looking for new ways to cook it!
Diana says
That ham looks so beautiful! I like that your ingredient list is short – I have never cooked my own ham but I might have to try this year.
Toni Dash says
I’m all about short ingredient and instruction lists Diana LOL! Especially around the holidays. Hams are already cooked so you are really just heating it through. This method does that and keeps the meat tender and moist too (I’m sure you’ve had dried out ham before). It’s an easy thing to prepare for the holidays or anytime.
Beeb Ashcroft says
Wow, I might actually save this recipe and make it this way. It sounds like it would be something we would enjoy.
Toni Dash says
Well I hope you do Beeb! It’s really good and easy to make (but no one needs to know that last part).
Sheena Tatum says
This absolutely looks delicious. We usually try to do one ham around this season as well although we’ve been leaning away from meat recently.
Toni Dash says
You can always freeze ham so you could make it and freeze the rest so you don’t feel you need to eat it all at once (sticking with your ‘less meat’ approach).
Kita Bryant says
I agree that cooking ham is fairly easy so long as you don’t dry it out. This version sounds amazing!
Alicia says
This ham looks delicious and is making me hungry 🙂 Love the glaze you put on it!
Nancy @ whispered inspirations says
That is one good looking ham! Great tips and recipe! Looks so tender and juicy!
Toni Dash says
It really is! We are still eating it and it’s as moist and juicy as the day I cooked it.
Felicia says
I am definitely trying this one. It sounds absolutely amazing!
Claudia Krusch says
I love to try different glazes for Ham. I have never tried a Orange-Bourbon glaze. This will be a must try for the Holidays.