Stress-Free Roasting: Wireless Thermometer Hacks for the Perfect Holiday Ham

Every holiday table needs a show-stopping main dish, and there is nothing better than a holiday ham to wow your family and guests. If you choose ham as the star of your feast, you should learn how to cook it to perfection! If it is your first time roasting ham, understandably it can be intimidating, especially when it is for a special occasion, such as Christmas or Thanksgiving. Make your meal memorable with these stress-free roasting tips that will impress your guests!

Different Types of Ham

There are two cuts used for making ham: the butt and the shank. The shank is leaner and packs more flavor. Meanwhile, the butt is fattier but richer.

Aside from choosing which part is used for making ham, you can also find more ham options based on their method of preparation.

The city ham is the most common and widely available type of ham. It is brined and fully cooked and you can find it in smoked or unsmoked varieties. It is the most common type of ham for glazing, and most of these hams are sold sliced for easy serving.

Country ham is another type of ham you can use for roasting, but it is harder to find compared to city ham. Country-style ham is cured with a dry rub instead of being brined. This type of ham is typically sold raw and boasts a more intense flavor, more like a prosciutto. 

Fresh hams are specialty cuts that you will find in the butcher’s shop. They are uncured and uncooked and in most cases, they still have the skin on. Cooking fresh ham produces a tender and juicy pork roast. Choose this type of ham if you want to serve it with a crispy skin.

Finally, there is boneless ham. This ham is made up of meat pressed into an oval shape to make carving a breeze. The texture of boneless ham is similar to a deli meat. Choose this type of ham if you want a juicier and more flavorful holiday ham. 

Holiday Ham Ingredients

To roast the perfect holiday ham, you need the following ingredients:

For the ham: 

• 1 14-16 lb smoked ham
• ½ cup whole cloves
• 1 tbsp cinnamon 
• 1 tbsp allspice

For the glaze: 

• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup honey
• ½ cup Dijon mustard
• 1 Orange juice
• ½ lemon juice
• ¼ cup ginger ale

What You Need to Roast a Holiday Ham

• Large Roasting Pan with Handles – This roasting pan makes it a breeze to transfer your ham once it is fully cooked.
• Saucepan – You will need this to make the ham glaze.
• Thermometer – You need the thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of the ham while roasting. 
• Basting Brush – This brush helps you apply the glaze to the ham. 

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2: Score the exterior layer of fat of the ham. Coat it with the whole cloves all over, placing them an inch apart.

Step 3: Mix the cinnamon and allspice in a bowl. Use this spice mixture to coat the ham all over. 

Step 4: Use aluminum foil to coat the ham while cooking. Place it into the oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes.

Step 5: Heat a small saucepan and combine the Dijon mustard, brown sugar and honey. Whisk these ingredients together. Once the sugar has melted, add the orange and lemon juices and the ginger ale to thin the mixture out. Do this until the consistency of the glaze  makes it easy to spread over the ham.

Step 6: Take the ham out of the oven and let it rest. Coat the ham with the glaze mixture. 

Step 7: Put the glazed ham back into the oven. Do not cover it with foil  this time around. Keep adding the glaze every 20-30 minutes until the internal temperature of the ham reaches 130 degrees. 

How to Cook the Perfect Holiday Ham: Temperature Guide and Roasting Hacks

Aside from picking the right ham and cut, there are other tips you should have if you want to pull off a flawless meal with a holiday ham as the main dish.

When to Marinate

If you’re buying fresh, uncooked ham, you can add a marinade to enhance the flavor of the ham. But if you are buying the pre-cooked ham in the grocery to make your holiday prep easier, you shouldn’t marinate it. It will ruin the pre-existing flavor of the ham. Adding a simple brine at the bottom of the roasting pan will do. Plus, it helps keep the ham moist and tender as it cooks.

Score the Skin

Scoring the skin with a sharp knife is an important step when roasting holiday ham. Make sure to cut through the skin and layer of fat to create a diamond pattern. It allows the glaze that you baste onto the ham to penetrate into the meat. It also does not hurt that this diamond pattern adds an extra wow factor when you serve the ham at the table.

Glaze, Glaze, Glaze

No matter what type of ham you are roasting, glazing is an important step you should never skip. 

You can create a homemade glaze using the recipe below, or you can buy a pre-bottled glaze. Either way, brushing the ham with glaze every few minutes boosts the flavor and gives it gorgeous results when you serve the ham at the holiday table.

Cover it with Foil While it Cooks

Covering the ham with aluminium foil as it roasts in the oven helps to prevent having a dry ham. Glazing also helps to keep the meat moist.

Let the Ham Rest

Like any roasted meat, you should let the ham rest before serving or slicing it. Let it rest for at least 15 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute back into the meat.

Preheat the Oven

Preheating the oven is an essential step before placing the ham in the oven, to ensure that the ham is cooked at the right temperature. This prevents overcooking or undercooking the ham. 

Cooking Time Varies According to the Size & Weight of Ham

The ideal roasting temperature for ham is 325 degrees. However, cooking time varies depending on the size and weight of the ham. Use a wireless thermometer to check the internal temperature of the ham regularly and adjust the cooking time as required.