Cottage roll ham is a delicious and affordable cut of meat that is perfect for feeding a crowd. The cured, boneless pork shoulder is packed with flavor but does require some special handling to turn out juicy, tender and full of flavor.
As a food blogger who loves hosting gatherings, I’ve honed my techniques over the years for oven-roasting cottage roll ham. Follow my tips below for selecting preparing and cooking cottage roll ham, plus get my top flavoring ideas. With the right methods you can have an impressive and mouthwatering centerpiece ham ready for your next celebration.
Picking the Best Cottage Roll Ham
Cottage roll ham can be found prepackaged at most supermarkets. Look for a piece that is:
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Boneless – It should be cut from the pork shoulder or butt
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Cured – Cottage roll ham is wet cured in a brine solution giving it a corned beef-like flavor.
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Good marbling – This keeps the meat moist during cooking.
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Light spice – Flavoring should be corned beef spices, not smoky like a traditional ham.
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Around 4-7 lbs – Pick a size to suit your gathering. Err larger rather than smaller.
Pre-Cooking Prep
Before the cottage roll ham hits the oven, it helps to do a little prep:
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Unwrap completely and rinse well to remove excess salt from curing.
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Pat very dry with paper towels.
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Place in a roasting pan or baking dish, fat side up.
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Score the fat in a diamond pattern which allows the fat to render and crisp up.
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Add aromatic veggies like onions, garlic, carrots and celery to the pan.
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Season the outside of the ham with black pepper or other spices.
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Cover ham tightly with foil to seal in moisture.
Baking Methods
There are two easy options for baking cottage roll ham – low and slow or quick hot roast:
Slow oven method:
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Preheat oven to 275°F
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Bake covered ham for about 18-20 minutes per pound
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Uncover last 30 minutes to brown exterior
Hot oven method:
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Preheat oven to 375°F
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Bake covered ham for 10-12 minutes per pound
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Uncover last 15 minutes to brown crust
For both methods, use a meat thermometer to confirm the ham reaches an internal temperature of at least 160°F when done. Let it rest 15 minutes before carving.
Flavor Ideas
Plain roasted cottage roll ham is tasty, but glazes and rubs can take it up a notch:
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Maple mustard glaze – Maple syrup, mustard, brown sugar, vinegar
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Fruity glaze – Orange marmalade, pineapple juice, brown sugar
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Spice rub – Brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, mustard
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Herb crust – Dried rosemary, thyme, sage, garlic, olive oil
Brush glazes on during the last 30 minutes of baking. For rubs, coat the outside of the ham before roasting. Get creative with flavors!
Carving and Serving
To wow your guests, artfully carve and display the ham:
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Carve across the grain into thin slices.
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Arrange slices and cut pieces on a nice platter or charcuterie board.
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Garnish with fresh herbs, edible flowers or tangy fruit salsa.
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Serve with artisan mustards, pickles, biscuits, and honey butter.
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Pair with scalloped potatoes, roasted veggies, salad, cornbread and other sides.
With proper prep and cooking, you can serve an incredibly moist and delicious cottage roll ham that will be the star of your buffet table.
Handy Cottage Roll Ham FAQs
Got ham questions? Here are some commonly asked queries about cooking cottage roll ham in the oven:
What temperature is best to bake a cottage roll ham?
- Slow oven at 275°F or quick hot oven between 350-375°F.
How long does it take to bake cottage roll ham?
- Around 15-20 minutes per pound. A 5 lb ham bakes for 75-100 minutes.
What is the minimum safe internal temperature?
- Cottage roll ham should reach 160°F internally before removing from oven.
To wrap in foil or not?
- Wrapping ham in foil traps in moisture but uncover at end for browning.
To glaze or not to glaze?
- Glazing adds flavor and color but is optional. Apply glaze in last 30 minutes if using.
Can you cook cottage roll ham from frozen?
- It’s better to thaw ham for 1-2 days in the fridge before baking but you can bake frozen by adding more time.
How long does baked cottage roll ham last?
- Leftover baked ham keeps 3-4 days refrigerated. Freeze for longer storage.
Enjoy Leftover Ham in Creative Ways
Leftover baked cottage roll ham can be reinvented in all types of dishes:
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Breakfast – Omelets, breakfast tacos, hash, biscuits
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Lunch – Ham salad, sandwiches, paninis, flatbread pizza
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Dinner – Fried rice, pasta, soup, quiche
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Snacks – Deviled eggs, ham roll-ups
Get creative with seasonings and sauces to give leftover ham new life after the holidays. It also freezes well for longer storage. With proper care and cooking, a cured cottage roll ham can provide you with days of diverse meals ready to enjoy.