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 to pull the ham from the oven just as it reaches the perfect temperature, and then letting it rest for at least 15 minutes, are the non-negotiable keys that will guarantee an incredibly juicy and tender result.

Q2: What kind of ham is best for this recipe?

A fully-cooked, bone-in, spiral-cut ham is the absolute best choice for the most flavor, a super juicy result, and the easiest carving.

Q3: Can I use a different kind of jam or preserves for the glaze?

Yes, absolutely! This recipe would also be fantastic with a sweet and tangy orange marmalade, a classic pineapple preserve, or a spicy-sweet pepper jelly.

Q4: Can I make the glaze ahead of time?

Yes, absolutely! The apricot glaze can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You may need to gently warm it on the stovetop to loosen it up before you glaze the ham.

Q5: What is a beurre manié?

A beurre manié is a classic French technique for thickening sauces.2 It is simply a paste made from equal parts softened butter and flour. Whisking this paste into a simmering sauce is a brilliant and foolproof way to create a smooth, glossy, and perfectly thickened gravy with no lumps.

Juicy Glazed Spiral-Cut Ham (An Easy Holiday Recipe!)

An easy and elegant recipe for a glazed spiral-cut ham, perfect for a holiday centerpiece. The pre-cooked ham is gently heated in the oven and then repeatedly brushed with a sweet and tangy glaze made from apricot preserves, Dijon mustard, molasses, and warm spices. After the ham is cooked, a simple, flavorful pan sauce is made from the pan drippings, thickened with a butter and flour paste, to serve alongside the sliced ham.

Author: Evelyn

Ingredients

One 4- to 5-pound spiral-cut ham
1 large onion, quartered
3/4 cup apricot preserves
3 tablespoons yellow mustard
2 teaspoons molasses
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
Pinch of ground cloves
8 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves stripped
4 tablespoons cider vinegar, divided
1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet or a large roasting pan with foil.
Place the ham cut-side down on the foil and scatter the onion pieces around it. Cover the ham loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Make the Glaze: While the ham is in the oven, whisk together the apricot preserves, mustard, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, allspice, cloves, thyme leaves, 3 tablespoons of the vinegar, and 1/4 cup of water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking, for about 4 minutes until the glaze is smooth.
Glaze the Ham: After 30 minutes of baking, remove the foil from the ham. Continue to bake for about 1 hour more, brushing the ham with the prepared glaze every 15 minutes.
Once the ham is nicely glazed and heated through, transfer it to a serving platter and tent it with foil to rest.
Make the Pan Sauce: Pour the pan juices into a medium skillet. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil over high heat.
In a small bowl, mash the butter and flour together to form a paste (a beurre manié). Whisk this paste into the pan juices and let the sauce simmer until it has thickened like gravy.
Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of vinegar and season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve the ham warm with the pan sauce on the side.

Notes

This recipe is a showstopper main course, perfect for holidays like Christmas or Easter.
Using a pre-cooked spiral-cut ham is a major time-saving shortcut for a holiday meal.
The multi-stage glazing process during the final hour of cooking builds up a thick, caramelized, and flavorful crust on the ham.
Letting the ham rest before carving is an important step to ensure the meat remains juicy.

Find it online: https://cookupjoy.com/juicy-glazed-spiral-cut-ham/