Y’all, I love ham. A nice big juicy ham is pretty much heaven on a plate if you ask me! And when it comes to quality ham, John Morrell is a tried and true brand that always delivers. But cooking up one of their hams can seem a little intimidating especially if you’ve never done it before. No worries, I’m here to walk you through exactly how to cook a John Morrell ham so it turns out perfect every time!
A Little About John Morrell
First things first let’s talk about why John Morrell hams are so darn delicious. This company has been crafting quality meats since the 1800s. They really know their stuff when it comes to curing and smoking pork to perfection.
John Morrell uses only premium cuts of pork and ages their hams slowly to develop maximum flavor. Then they smoke ’em using real hardwood chips – none of that liquid smoke nonsense This is old-fashioned, wood-smoked ham at its finest!
They make several different types of hams, including bone-in hams, boneless hams, and spiral cut hams. But don’t worry, the method for cooking them is pretty similar across the board. Now let’s get cookin’!
Get That Ham Ready
Obviously the first step is to pick out a nice John Morrell ham at the store. Go for one around 10-14 pounds to feed a crowd.
When you get home, pull it out of the packaging but leave the original plastic around the ham intact. You can trim off any extra fat or skin if you want. Then place it flat side down in a roasting pan and let it sit while you preheat the oven.
If yours didn’t come with a spice packet, you can make your own mixture of brown sugar, cloves, and black pepper to rub on the ham for extra flavor.
Pro Tip: For super juicy ham, I like to add beer, apple cider, pineapple juice or even cola to the bottom of the pan – about 1 inch deep. Trust me, it makes a difference!
Cook That Sucker Low and Slow
Now here comes the most important part – the cooking! To get tender, moist ham, you gotta take it nice and easy.
Preheat your oven to around 325°F. Place the ham flat side down in a roasting pan and cover it tightly with foil.
Cook it approximately 15-20 minutes per pound. For a 10 lb ham, that’s about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Resist the urge to crank up the oven temp! Slow and steady is key.
Pro Tip: For extra insurance, I like to use an oven-safe meat thermometer to monitor the internal temp. You want it to reach 140°F-145°F when done.
During cooking, baste the ham every 45 mins or so with any juices in the bottom of the pan. Carefully peel back the foil just enough to spoon the liquid over the ham, then re-cover it.
Glaze and Finish
Once your John Morrell ham has cooked through, it’s time to glaze it up and get it browned and pretty!
In a small bowl, mix some brown sugar, honey, maple syrup or pineapple juice. Carefully remove the foil and brush the glaze all over the ham.
Pop it back in the oven, but now uncovered, and crank up the heat to 400°F. Cook for about 10-15 minutes until the glaze bubbles and turns golden brown.
When the ham looks glossy and irresistible, remove it from the oven and let it rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This lets all the juices redistribute.
Then grab your sharpest knife and dig into that bad boy! Beautifully smoked John Morrell ham, cooked to juicy perfection. You’re gonna love it.
Serving Ideas for Your John Morrell Ham
A glistening hot ham fresh from the oven deserves some fixins worthy of its glory. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it up:
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On biscuits or rolls with a smear of mustard and pickle chips
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With macaroni and cheese or scalloped potatoes as the ultimate comfort food meal
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Diced up in twice baked potatoes for a loaded spud experience
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In omelets, quiches or stratas to start your day right
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On a sandwich with swiss cheese and crispy lettuce for a hot ham and cheese
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In a salad with greens, hard boiled eggs, and crunchy croutons
However you pair it, John Morrell ham is gonna make your table happy. Choose a bone-in ham for maximum flavor or opt for boneless for easier carving. Either way, you just can’t beat the taste of artisan hardwood smoked pork!
Easy Ham Recipe – How to Bake a Ham
FAQ
Are John Morrell hams precooked?
How do you cook a fully cooked packaged ham?
How do you heat up a precooked ham without drying it out?
Is John Morrell a good ham?
What are John Morrell ham cuts?
Cooked to perfection, John Morrell Ham Cuts are a tender taste experience that are complete with a delicious variety of flavors. Whether you select slices, strips, cubes or steaks, our ham cuts are easy to serve for any occasion.
Is honey baked ham as good as regular ham?
The addition of honey will affect the calorie content of the food. One tablespoon of honey contributes to approximately 64 calories. In addition, the use of heat when making baked ham will reduce the quality of the honey.
How do I get John Morrell ez cut SBO whole Ham delivered?
Get John Morrell EZ Cut Sbo Whole Ham delivered to you in as fast as 1 hour via Instacart or choose curbside or in-store pickup. Contactless delivery and your first delivery or pickup order is free! Start shopping online now with Instacart to get your favorite products on-demand.
How to cook a Ham in a roasting pan?
Place a 1/2 ham into the pan flat-side down. Cover the roasting pan with a lid or a large piece of foil; wrap the foil around the rim of the pan to create a secure seal. Cook the ham for 15 minutes per lb. Pour an included glaze mix in a saucepan and add 3 tbsp. of water. Bring the glaze to a boil over medium heat.