How I Cook a Juicy and Flavorful Walmart Our Finest Spiral Ham

Cooking a tasty and moist Walmart Our Finest spiral ham for my family is one of my favorite holiday traditions. As a busy mom I love that this pre-cooked ham makes hosting elaborate holiday meals so easy. But simply throwing the ham in the oven isn’t enough to bring out its full flavor potential.

Through years of practice, I’ve dialed in a foolproof method for reheating spiral hams and crafting next-level glazes that keeps the meat ridiculously juicy while pumping up the flavor. In this article, I’ll walk you through my process for cooking a show-stopping Walmart Our Finest spiral ham.

Why Choose a Walmart Our Finest Spiral Ham

I’m obsessed with the Walmart Our Finest brand when it comes to buying my holiday hams Here’s why it’s my go-to

• Convenience – These hams come fully cooked so I don’t have to worry about the complexities of smoking or brining my own ham. I just have to focus on reheating.

• Consistency – Unlike some brands where quality fluctuates, the Walmart Our Finest hams deliver juicy, flavorful results every single time.

• Price – For the quality, these hams are very reasonably priced compared to other grocery store or artisanal options.

• Availability – With Walmart’s massive distribution network, I never have to worry about the hams selling out like I do at local butcher shops.

While you can use this cooking method on any brand of spiral ham, I highly recommend the Walmart Our Finest bone-in hams. The smoky flavor and juiciness is unbeatable.

Pro Tip for Maximizing Juiciness

The number one mistake people make when cooking spiral hams is overcooking them. Even though spiral hams come pre-cooked, it’s easy to dry them out by baking them for too long or at too high of a temperature.

My trick is to reheat the ham “low and slow” at 275°F for about 12-15 minutes per pound. This gentle reheating lets the center warm through without drying out the outer portions.

I also wrap the ham in foil while it’s baking to lock in moisture. Opening the foil and basting with pan juices halfway through helps, too. If you only remember one thing, it should be keep it low and slow!

Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking a Walmart Spiral Ham

Follow these simple steps for a flavorful and foolproof Walmart Our Finest spiral ham:

Prep the Ham

• Take the ham out of the refrigerator and unwrap it. Let it sit at room temperature for 1 hour before cooking.

• Preheat the oven to 275°F.

• Place the ham face down on a rack set inside a roasting pan. This exposes more surface area to the hot air for even cooking.

• Score the fatty top layer of the ham by making shallow diagonal cuts in a diamond pattern.

Bake the Ham

• Brush the ham all over with glaze. I’ll share my favorite recipe in a bit!

• Wrap the ham loosely in foil, leaving room for air circulation.

• Bake for approximately 12-15 minutes per pound. For example, an 8 lb ham bakes for 96-120 minutes.

• A meat thermometer inserted into the thickest portion should read 140°F when done.

Finish with Glaze

• Remove ham from oven, increase heat to 425°F and remove foil.

• Brush ham with another layer of glaze and return to oven for 10 minutes more.

• Let the ham rest for 15 minutes before carving.

My Signature Brown Sugar & Cherry Glaze

While the basic our finest hams are delicious on their own, I always take them over the top with a homemade glaze. The sweet and sticky coating caramelizes into the spiral cut grooves forming a candied, crunchy crust.

Here’s my go-to ham glaze recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1⁄2 cup cherry preserves or jelly
• 1⁄2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cloves
• Pinch cayenne pepper

Instructions:

• In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients.
• Heat over medium, stirring frequently, until sugar dissolves and mixture bubbles.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
• Brush glaze over ham before and halfway through baking.

The tart cherry jam or jelly gives great fruity flavor. The brown sugar, spices, and mustard add layers of warmth, tanginess, and subtle heat. Feel free to tweak the spices to your taste or use orange marmalade instead of cherry preserves.

Handy Tips for First-Time Ham Cooks

Cooking a spiral ham for the first time can seem daunting, but have no fear! Here are my top tips for ham rookies:

• Pick the right size: Plan for 1⁄2 lb of boneless ham per person. For bone-in, do 3⁄4 lb per person. Size up by a pound or two for leftovers.

• Carve properly: Slice across the grain for tender morsels of meat. Cut the spiral portion vertically into thin slices.

• Save those bones! Simmer bones with veggies to make a smoky ham stock for soups or beans.

• Embrace leftovers: Beyond sandwiches, use diced ham in omelets, pasta bakes, and potato casseroles.

• Learn glaze basics: The basic formula is fruit spread + brown sugar + spices. Customize flavors with bourbon, citrus, peppers, etc.

• Relax and enjoy! Pre-cooked hams make holiday hosting low-stress. Spend time with guests instead of slaving in the kitchen.

Our Favorite Ham Leftover Recipes

One of the best parts of cooking a big ham is enjoying leftovers for days after. Here are some of my family’s favorite ways to savor every last bit of that delicious ham:

Baked Potato Soup – Dice ham and add to creamy potato soup with cheddar cheese and scallions. Top with crumbled bacon.

Cheesy Ham & Broccoli Pasta – Toss diced ham and steamed broccoli florets with cavatappi pasta in a velvety cheese sauce.

Ham, Apple & Brie Panini – Layer sliced ham, apples, brie and honey mustard on ciabatta bread and grill until toasty.

Ham & Vegetable Hash – Sauté diced ham with potatoes, bell pepper, onion and spinach. Top with fried eggs.

Ham & Swiss Croissant Strata – Combine eggs, milk, ham and Swiss cheese. Pour over torn croissants and bake into a savory bread pudding.