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Tips for Making the Ideal Christmas Ham
Looking to impress your diners this Christmas with a meal they’ll remember? Take a break from serving turkey in favor of a big, beautiful Christmas ham! This traditional dish remains a popular fixture in many households, and you can serve it too! Follow these tips to make your Christmas ham as delicious as possible!
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Which Christmas ham is best for me?
Hams come in a variety of forms, so it’s best to determine your needs before you commit to bringing home a holiday ham. In addition to taste and texture, hams feature a variety of options. To know which ham is right for you, here are some of the selections you can make:
Bone-In
Traditionalists enjoy bone-in ham for its rich flavor. However, the downside to this variety is a higher degree of difficulty when it comes to carving the meat. Bone-in hams come in halves, of which there are two to choose from: shank end, and butt end. A shank-end ham contains the bottom portion of the leg. It features the classic look that has made it so familiar in popular culture. As it contains a single, long bone, it is the easier option for bone-in hams when it comes to carving. A butt-end ham is known for being a more tender cut that contains fattier meat with a richer flavor. However, because this cut comes from the top portion of the leg, it is much more difficult to cut.Boneless
This cut of ham avoids the hassle of bone-in hams. This boneless cut of meat is pressed together and, with the help of salt and the curing process, is reformed as a new, solid shape. For convenience, nothing beats a boneless ham.Spiral Cut
This variety of ham occupies a middle ground between bone-in and boneless hams. Invented in the 1940s, the spiral-cut ham is a pre-cut product in which thin cuts are made around the bone. The result is a uniform, thin slice of ham that can be easily cut and served. This cut is a favorite for traditionalists who enjoy flavor and convenience.How do I carve a ham?
Part of the enjoyment of serving ham is in the way you present it. Before serving to your guests, the ham first needs to be carved into manageable slices. With all eyes on the carver, this type of performance may be nerve-wracking for the first-time Christmas ham maker, so here are some easy tips to help you out.
First, you’ll need these tools to properly carve a ham:
- A large cutting board
- A carving set (knife & fork), or an electric carving knife
- A platter or large serving plate
For bone-in ham: Using your non-dominant hand, firmly insert the fork into the center of the ham, and use your dominant hand to slice off the largest chunk possible by cutting as close to the bone as you can. Then, slice this piece vertically into thinner pieces.
For the remaining portion, cut down directly towards the bone, then cut lengthwise along it.
For boneless ham: Basically, cut the ham like a loaf of bread. If it is too large, first cut it in half.
For spiral-cut ham: Cut the slices away from the bone in a downward motion.
Bonus Tips
- Before cooking, let the ham sit at room temperature for 1–2 hours. This will bring this large piece of meat to room temperature, and more easily allow you to cook it all the way through without drying or overcooking.
- Whether cooking or carving, be sure to place the ham flat-side down. This will help prevent dryness while baking as well as slippage during cutting.
- Cover the entire pan with aluminum foil to keep your ham moist during cooking.
- Only apply the glaze 15–20 minutes before the end of the cooking process, otherwise, it will likely burn.
- To avoid overcooking, measure your progress by internal temperature instead of elapsed time. Once your ham has achieved an internal temperature of 135°F–140°F, you’ll know it’s done. To monitor temperatures throughout the cooking process, try using a probe thermometer like the TP27 or TP829.
- To achieve a dark, crispy exterior, turn up the heat to broil near the end. Conversely, try using a kitchen blowtorch.
- Wait 15 minutes after removing your ham from the oven before serving. This will allow its juices to be reabsorbed, making for a tastier dish.
Final Thoughts
A Christmas ham is an impressive dish to serve during your holiday get-together that will surely bring a smile to your guests. This type of marquee dish is sure to get compliments when you serve it at your dinner table. Be sure to take your time with this seasonal dish, and have fun!
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