Ham is perfect for an easy, yet elegant entrée any time. With its smoky, rich flavor and tender, juicy texture, ham is a year-round favorite. For special holiday dinners, a baked ham adorned with cloves and glistening with glaze makes a tantalizing main course.
What Kind to Buy
Ham can be boneless, partially boned or bone-in. While boneless ham is more convenient to prepare and serve, the bone-in variety is more flavorful though harder to slice.
How Much To Buy
When you know how many people you’ll be serving, use these formulas to estimate how much to buy (although you might want to buy a little extra for leftovers):
- 1/4 – 1/3 lb per serving of boneless ham
- 1/3 – 1/2 lb per serving of bone-in ham
Ham Cooking Basics
You should cook uncooked or partially cooked hams to an internal temperature of 160°F. You can either bake them at a temperature no lower than 325°F, microwave them or cook them on the stovetop until the proper temperature is reached.
Spiral-Cut Hams
Spiral-cut hams are the ultimate in convenience for an elegant holiday dinner. These fully-cooked bone-in hams come carved in perfect thin slices and can be served either cold or hot.
Garnishes for Cooked Hams
Dress up a baked ham with one of the following garnishes to add a festive, decorative touch to your dinner:
- Pineapple, orange or apple slices
- Cloves, raisins or dried cranberries
- Sprigs of fresh herbs
- Small whole fruits such as fresh cranberries, red and green grapes or other seasonal fruit
