How to Cook a Cumberland Gap Semi Boneless Ham to Perfection

Cumberland Gap semi boneless hams are a delicious and convenient choice for holiday meals Sunday dinners and anytime you’re looking for a tasty centerpiece. Made from fresh Smithfield pork and naturally hardwood smoked, these hams offer incredible old fashioned flavor in an easy to cook package.

But to get the most out of your Cumberland Gap ham it’s crucial to cook it properly so it turns out juicy and full of flavor. In this comprehensive guide we’ll cover everything you need to know to cook a semi boneless ham to perfection.

Whether you opt for oven baking, slow cooking, grilling, or glazing, we’ve got you covered with tips, timing, temperature guidelines, and foolproof techniques. Let’s get started!

Benefits of Cumberland Gap Semi Boneless Hams

Before we dive into cooking methods, let’s look at why Cumberland Gap hams are such a fantastic choice in the first place:

• Premium Pork – Made from fresh, high quality pork raised by Smithfield farmers.

• Ideal Size – Around 8-12 lbs, perfect for feeding gatherings of 8-15 people.

• Semi-Boneless – The major leg bone is removed for easier carving and no wasted meat.

• Naturally Hardwood Smoked – Real smoky hickory flavor, never artificial liquid smoke.

• Trimming – Excess fat is trimmed off while retaining moisture and flavor.

• Minimally Processed – No artificial ingredients; just pork, salt, sugar, and spices.

When you start with such an excellent artisanal ham packed with old fashioned goodness, even basic cooking yields amazing results. Now let’s look at foolproof ways to unlock this ham’s full potential.

Oven Baked Cumberland Gap Ham

The classic way to cook a ham is in the oven. The dry, ambient heat helps develop a beautiful mahogany glaze on the exterior while fully cooking the interior. Here’s how to bake a Cumberland Gap semi boneless ham to juicy perfection:

Ingredients:

• 1 Semi Boneless Cumberland Gap Ham (8-12 lbs)
• 1 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Honey
• 1/4 Cup Maple Syrup or Orange Juice
• 1 Tsp Ground Cloves
• 1 Tsp Dry Mustard

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Remove ham from packaging and discard plastic wrap.

2. Place ham in a foil lined roasting pan. Score the ham by making 1/4 inch deep cuts in a diamond pattern.

3. In a small bowl, combine glaze ingredients. Brush or rub half the glaze over scored ham.

4. Bake for 10-15 minutes per pound, until internal temperature reaches 140°F. Reapply glaze halfway through.

5. Once ham reaches desired internal temp, remove from oven and cover loosely with foil for 15 minutes before slicing to let juices redistribute.

6. Carve into slices and serve warm with extra glaze on the side for dipping or drizzling over the top.

Pro Tip: For added flavor, try inserting whole cloves into the scored diamonds right before baking.

Slow Cooker Semi Boneless Ham

For the ultimate hands-off approach, a slow cooker makes cooking a ham a breeze. Here’s how:

Ingredients:

• 1 Semi Boneless Cumberland Gap Ham
• 1 Cup Chicken or Vegetable Broth
• 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
• 2 Tbsp Honey
• 1 Tsp Dry Mustard

Instructions:

1. Place ham in an extra large slow cooker and add broth.

2. In a small bowl, combine sugar, honey, and mustard. Brush glaze all over ham.

3. Cook on LOW for 7-8 hours until ham is heated through. Reapply glaze and cook 1 more hour.

4. Once finished, transfer ham to a cutting board and tent with foil for 15 minutes before slicing.

5. Carve ham and serve with pan juices for drizzling over the top.

The slow cooker does all the work for flawlessly cooked, fall-apart tender ham with minimal effort.

Grilled Semi Boneless Ham

Want to add delicious charred flavor to your ham? Grilling is the way to go. Follow these steps:

Ingredients:

• 1 Semi Boneless Cumberland Gap Ham
• 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1/4 Cup Honey
• 1 Tbsp Smoked Paprika
• 1 Tbsp Chili Powder
• 1 Tsp Black Pepper

Instructions:

1. Prepare a hot grill for indirect cooking. If using charcoal, bank lit coals on one side.

2. In a small bowl, combine sugar, honey, paprika, chili powder and pepper. Apply rub on ham.

3. Place ham over unlit side of grill. Cover and grill for 25-30 minutes per pound, rotating occasionally.

4. Once ham reaches 140°F internal temp, move over direct heat and grill until nicely caramelized, 5-10 minutes per side.

5. Let rest 15 minutes before slicing. Serve with extra rub on the side.

The live fire adds incredible depth of flavor and crispy edges to this show-stopping grilled ham.

Helpful Hints and Pro Tips

Now that you’re familiar with the basic techniques, here are some additional pointers for ham success:

• Always let ham rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing for juicier results.

• Use an instant read thermometer to check doneness; target 140°F.

• Add pineapple slices or maraschino cherries on top for the last 30 minutes of baking for a decorative garnish.

• Experiment with different glazes like brown sugar, honey, jellies, maple syrup, orange juice or pineapple juice.

• For juicier meat, avoid overcooking. Use lower heat and monitor temperature.

• Carve across the grain in thin slices for tender, easy to chew pieces.

• Serve ham with classics like cornbread, biscuits, potato salad, or mac and cheese.

• Leftovers make fantastic sandwiches, omelets, casseroles, soups, or ham salad.

Troubleshooting Common Ham Problems

Mistakes happen. If your ham turns out less than ideal, here are some common issues and how to prevent them next time:

Dry or tough ham: Cook at too high of heat. Use lower temp (300°F-325°F) for moistness.

Undercooked ham: Double check internal temp with a meat thermometer. Cook to 140°F.

Bland flavor: Use a glaze and seasonings like brown sugar, cloves, and mustard to boost flavor.

Burnt exterior: Avoid very high heat. Cover ham with foil if browning too quickly.

Tough to carve: Let ham rest 15 minutes before slicing so juices redistribute. Always carve across the grain.

Enjoy Your Perfectly Cooked Cumberland Gap Ham!

We hope these step-by-step instructions demystify cooking an incredible semi boneless ham. With proper technique, your Cumberland Gap ham will turn out juicy, tender, and packed with traditionally smoky flavor.

Experiment with different cooking methods and glazes until you find your favorite. Share delicious ham meals with family and friends or savor leftovers all week long. Let us know if you have any other great tips for preparing Cumberland Gap hams! Happy ham season from our kitchen to yours.