My Foolproof Method for Cooking Juicy Sugardale Prestige Smoked Ham

As a busy mom who loves hosting holiday meals, Sugardale Prestige smoked ham is one of my go-to main dishes. The delicious smoky flavor and juicy pre-cooked ham means I don’t have to slave away in the kitchen for hours. But simply throwing the ham in the oven isn’t enough to bring out its fullpotential.

Through years of trial-and-error I’ve honed my technique for reheating spiral hams while keeping them ridiculously moist and packed with flavor. In this article I’ll share my secrets for cooking perfect Sugardale Prestige smoked ham every time.

Why I Love Sugardale Prestige Bone-In Smoked Ham

Let me start by explaining why Sugardale Prestige hams have become my brand of choice:

• Tender and juicy – Their slow smoking method keeps the meat ridiculously moist compared to some hams I’ve tried

• Bold smoky flavor – You can really taste the authentic hardwood smoke in every bite.

• Gluten and allergen free – I have family members with food sensitivities so I appreciate Sugardale’s commitment to allergen free products.

• Value priced – For the delicious taste and quality, these hams are very reasonably priced compared to artisanal or imported options.

While my technique works great for any bone-in smoked ham, the Sugardale Prestige hams consistently deliver outstanding results. The savory hickory smoked flavor is out of this world!

My #1 Tip for Keeping Hams Crazy Juicy

In my experience, the number one pitfall when cooking pre-cooked hams is overbaking them into dried out hockey pucks. The key is using a low gentle heat to simply warm the ham through without tightening and drying out the meat.

My trick is to reheat the ham at a low 275°F for approximately 12-15 minutes per pound. This ‘low and slow’ method allows the center to come up to temperature without parching the outer portions.

I also tent the ham in foil while it’s baking to lock in natural moisture. Basting occasionally with the pan juices gives it an extra juicy boost. Follow this simple tip and you’re guaranteed a tender, succulent ham.

Step-by-Step Guide to Reheating Sugardale Smoked Ham

Here’s a walkthrough of my foolproof process for reheating and glazing a show-stopping Sugardale Prestige smoked ham:

Prep the Ham

• Remove ham from fridge and unwrap. Let sit at room temp for 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 275°F.
• Place ham face down on a rack set in a roasting pan.
• Score the fat cap by making shallow X’s.

Bake the Ham

• Liberally brush ham all over with glaze (recipe below!).
• Lightly tent ham with foil, leaving some air flow.
• Bake approximately 12-15 minutes per pound.
• Temp should reach 140°F internally when done.

Glaze and Finish

• Remove ham from oven, increase heat to 425°F.
• Brush with another layer of glaze.
• Return to oven and bake 10 minutes more to caramelize glaze.
• Let rest 15 minutes before slicing.

It really couldn’t be easier! Now let’s talk about taking the flavor up a notch with glazes.

My Go-To Brown Sugar & Cherry Glaze

While a basic Sugardale Prestige ham is delicious on its own, I always kick things up a notch by adding my homemade glaze. The sweet, sticky mixture forms an almost candy-like crust that adds insane flavor contrast and texture against the supple, smoky meat.

Here’s my easy go-to ham glaze recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1⁄2 cup cherry preserves
• 1⁄2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves
• Pinch of cayenne pepper

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until bubbly.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
• Brush over ham before and halfway through baking.

The tart cherry preserves provide a pleasantly sweet and fruity base. The spices and mustard give it a subtle heat and zing. Feel free to tweak flavors to your taste by using different jams, adding citrus zest, swapping out spices, or even splashing in some bourbon!

Handy Tips for First-Timers

If you’re new to cooking smoked ham, here are some pointers to help ensure success:

• Pick the right size – Plan for around 1/2 lb of meat per person. Size up for leftovers.

• Let it rest before slicing – Waiting 15 minutes allows juices to redistribute so your ham stays nice and moist.

• Save those bones! – Use them to make smoky bean soup, lentils or ham stock for risotto.

• Experiment with glazes – The basic formula is fruit spread + brown sugar + spices.

• Don’t fret mistakes – Even an overcooked ham can be redeemed bychopping it up for casseroles and soups!

• Relax and enjoy! – Focus on your guests, not the kitchen. Let theham do the work for you.

Cooking the perfect smoked ham takes a bit of practice, but have fun with it! Before you know it, you’ll have this down pat. Now get out there and start enjoying more meals featuring succulent Sugardale Prestige ham.