Q1: What is the absolute, number one secret to a juicy, not dry, holiday ham?

The two most important secrets are to not overcook it and to let it rest. Since you are starting with a fully-cooked ham, you are essentially just reheating it. Using an instant-read thermometer and then letting the ham rest are the non-negotiable keys that will guarantee an incredibly juicy and tender result.

Q2: Can I make the glaze ahead of time?

Yes, absolutely! All three of these glazes can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You may need to gently warm them on the stovetop to loosen them up before you glaze the ham.

Q3: Can I use a boneless ham?

You can, but a bone-in ham is highly recommended for the best, most flavorful and juicy result. If you do use a boneless ham, you will need to significantly reduce the roasting time. Always rely on your meat thermometer to tell you when it has reached 140°F.

Q4: What if I can't find cane syrup for the Sage-and-Cider glaze?

A fantastic substitute for cane syrup would be an equal amount of dark corn syrup, molasses, or even pure maple syrup.

Q5: Why did my glaze burn?

A sugary glaze can burn if the oven is too hot or if it's applied too early in the cooking process. This recipe's method of applying the glaze only during the final, 30 minutes of cooking is the key that prevents the sugars from burning over the long initial bake.

Glazed Spiral-Cut Ham (with 3 Easy Glaze Recipes!)

A classic and easy recipe for a showstopper Glazed Spiral-Cut Ham, perfect as the centerpiece for a holiday meal. This dish uses a fully-cooked, bone-in ham that is gently slow-roasted cut-side down, basted with its own pan drippings. During the final 30 minutes of cooking, it is repeatedly basted with a homemade glaze, creating a beautiful, sizzling, and caramelized crust. The article provides three distinct from-scratch glaze recipes to choose from: a Fig-and-Thyme Glaze, a Sage-and-Cider Glaze, or a Ginger-Clove Glaze.

Author: Evelyn

Ingredients

1 (7- to 10-lb.) fully cooked bone-in spiral-cut half ham
3 cups water
Desired glaze (recipes below)
Fig-and-Thyme Glaze:
1 cup fig preserves
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup honey
1 Tbsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. black pepper
Sage-and-Cider Glaze:
3/4 cup cane syrup
1/2 cup spiced apple cider
1 Tbsp. cracked pepper
1 Tbsp. ground sage
3 fresh sage leaves
Ginger-Clove Glaze:
3/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/3 cup nonalcoholic ginger beer
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp. grated fresh ginger
2 tsp. whole cloves
2 fresh bay leaves

Instructions

Let the ham stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F with the oven rack in the lower third position.
Line a roasting pan with aluminum foil and place a rack inside. Pour 3 cups of water into the bottom of the pan. Place the ham, cut-side down, on the rack.
Bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes, basting the ham with the pan drippings every 30 minutes. Add more water to the pan if it evaporates.
While the ham bakes, prepare your desired glaze by combining its ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes, until thickened and reduced by half.
After 1.5 hours of baking, brush the ham all over with half of your prepared glaze. Bake for an additional 15 minutes.
Brush the ham all over with the remaining glaze. Bake for about 15 more minutes, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest portion of the ham registers 140°F.
Remove the ham from the oven, transfer it to a serving platter, and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving and serving.

Notes

This is a showstopper main course, perfect for holidays like Christmas or Easter.
Letting the ham come to room temperature before roasting helps it to cook more evenly.
The multi-stage glazing process at the end of cooking builds up a thick, caramelized, and flavorful crust.
Resting the ham before carving is a crucial step to ensure the meat remains juicy and tender.
The recipe provides three distinct glaze options, allowing you to customize the flavor profile of your ham.

Find it online: https://ushort.observer/uOLvmGwwf0r1/glazed-spiral-cut-ham/