With the beginnings of autumn upon us, it’s time to start thinking about what you’re going to serve over the holidays. If you have your heart set on whipping up a deliciously glazed oven-roasted ham this holiday season, you wouldn’t be the only one. However, many at-home chefs have been scorned by an overcooked ham’s dry, crumbly, chalky insides. To prep your pig just right, let’s look at how to keep your ham from drying out.
Most people tend to buy spiral ham because it’s pre-sliced and, therefore, much easier to carve. There’s nothing wrong with buying a spiral ham, and it can be just as delicious as a fresh cut from the butcher. However, the problem many home chefs run into is that they treat the ham like it’s raw, even though most spiral hams come precooked. You’re not really cooking the ham at all; you’re just reheating it. Keeping this in mind is the first step to not overcooking your ham and keeping it moist.
Tips for Making the Best Baked Ham Cook it cut-side down: Place the ham cut-side down in your pan to prevent it from drying out while baking. Cover it while cooking: Help the meat retain moisture by covering the ham or pan with aluminum foil before putting it in the oven.
Cover it in Foil
To cook ham, your first step should be to cover it in tinfoil and place it in a roasting pan. The foil traps steam and keeps the meat moist. You don’t have to wrap the aluminum foil tightly around the ham because you’ll want to be able to check on it later. Instead, simply cover the ham with the foil, tucking it under the lip of the roasting pan. If you want to make cleanup easier and don’t want to worry about all those drippings, line the pan with tinfoil as well.
Put Liquid in Your Pan
The best way to keep your ham from drying out is to utilize the drippings that come in the package. Pour the juice from the package onto the ham. If there isn’t a lot of juice in your package, you may want to add your own liquid. You don’t want to make a ham soup, so put just enough to coat the ham and cover the bottom of the pan. You can use water, but if you want to add more flavor, you should use wine or beef, chicken, or vegetable stock. Most of this liquid will cook off, but your tinfoil cover will help your meat absorb those juices.
Watch This Video if You NEVER Made a HOLIDAY HAM, CAN’T GET ANY EASIER THAN THIS, NOT DRY AT ALL!!!!
FAQ
What can I put on my ham so it doesn’t dry out?
What liquid keeps ham moist?
How do you cook a precooked ham without drying it out?
How do you add moisture to cooked ham?
How do you keep Ham from drying out?
Place the ham on the plate and cover it with a few layers of wet paper towels. They don’t have to be sopping wet but don’t wring them out completely either. You can use one damp paper towel, but a single layer won’t be as effective as several layers for retaining moisture better.
How long can ham be without refrigeration and still be safe?
Most food experts recommend that ham, should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. After that time, you should discard it.
How do you reheat a ham without drying it out?
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and check the temperature with a meat thermometer. It should read at least 140°F. Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Another way to reheat ham without drying it out is to use the microwave.
How do you cook a spiral ham without drying it out?
Preheat 325. Remove spiral ham from package, reserve the liquid. Put the spiral ham in pan with rack in the bottom and with the fat side UP. Pour package juices in the bottom of the pan to avoid drying it out. Cover spiral ham tightly with foil, no steam escapes. Place CENTER of oven. HOW LONG TO COOK SPIRAL HAM WITHOUT DRYING IT OUT?