As the holidays approach, I start craving the flavors of classic holiday meals – roasted turkey, mashed potatoes stuffing and of course, a juicy glazed ham as the centerpiece. For me, there’s no better ham than the Dearborn spiral sliced ham. This premium ham is perfectly cured, smoked, and sliced, making it delicious, easy to serve, and impressive looking on any holiday table.
In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to cook a Dearborn spiral sliced ham so it comes out tender, juicy, and full of flavor every time. You’ll learn:
- How to select the right size Dearborn spiral ham for your gathering
- Prep tips like removing packaging and scoring the ham
- What temperature and time to cook the ham for maximum juiciness
- When and how often to glaze your ham for best results
- How to test doneness using a meat thermometer
- Letting the ham rest before carving for added juiciness
- Serving suggestions and ideas for leftovers
With my easy step-by-step cooking methods your Dearborn spiral ham will be the star of your holiday feast!
Dearborn Brand has been producing quality hams, bacon, sausages, and deli meats since 1924. Located in Michigan, they slow smoke their hams over real hardwood chips for up to 24 hours. This gentle cooking infuses the meat with delicious smoky flavor.
The hams are then spiral sliced, which makes them extra convenient for serving The slices remain intact but separate easily when cut. Dearborn offers bone-in and boneless spiral sliced hams in full, half, or quarter sizes
I recommend getting a full, bone-in sliced ham for special occasions. The bone adds extra flavor during cooking. Plus the intact ham makes for an impressive table centerpiece.
Step 1 – Select Your Dearborn Spiral Ham
Dearborn spiral hams are available in a variety of sizes from 4 lbs to over 20 lbs. Here are some tips for selecting the right size:
- For 8 guests or a small gathering, choose a 4-7 lb half ham.
- For 10-16 guests, select a 10-12 lb whole ham.
- For a large crowd of 18-24, pick a 15-18 lb ham.
- Allow about 1/3 to 1/2 pound of cooked ham per person.
Keep in mind hams are often the centerpiece of a holiday meal, so it’s better to have leftovers than not enough.
Once you know the correct size, pick up your Dearborn spiral ham from your local grocery store. Many major chains carry the Dearborn Brand.
Step 2 – Prepare the Ham for Cooking
Before cooking your Dearborn spiral sliced ham, you’ll want to get it ready with these simple preparation tips:
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Remove packaging: Take the ham out of the box, netting, plastic wrap and anything else covering it. This allows heat to access and penetrate the meat.
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Trim excess fat: Use a sharp knife to cut away any thick sections of fat. This prevents greasy spots.
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Score the surface: Lightly score the ham by making diagonal cuts across the top. This helps the glaze stick better.
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Stud with cloves (optional): For fancy occasions, you can stud the ham’s surface with whole cloves. They add a decorative touch and pleasant flavor.
Now your Dearborn spiral sliced ham is prepped and ready for cooking!
Step 3 – Calculate Cook Time
Cooking time depends on the size of your Dearborn spiral ham. Here are general guidelines:
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Bone-in whole ham: Cook for approximately 18-20 minutes per pound at 325°F.
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Boneless half ham: Cook for about 12-15 minutes per pound at 325°F.
A whole 15 lb bone-in ham would take about 5 hours to cook fully. Remember hams are already pre-cooked so they just need to be warmed to about 140°F internally.
If your ham came with a cooking time chart, follow that for the most precise timing. Monitor temperature with a meat thermometer for doneness.
Step 4 – Preheat Oven and Bake Ham
Preheat your oven to 325°F. Place the ham cut side down on a rack in a roasting pan. Add 1 cup water or apple juice to the bottom to keep it moist.
Insert an oven-safe meat thermometer into the thickest part of the ham, but don’t hit the bone.
Roast the ham, uncovered, until the thermometer reaches 130-140°F. If the outside starts to brown too fast, tent it loosely with foil.
Baste the ham every 30 minutes with the juices from the bottom of the pan. This keeps it moist and adds flavor.
Step 5 – Glaze Ham for Added Flavor
For delicious flavor and a shiny presentation, I recommend glazing your Dearborn spiral ham multiple times during roasting.
Most glaze recipes include a sweet element like brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup plus spices. Brush on glaze during the last 30-60 minutes of cooking so it caramelizes into a lovely crust.
If the glaze starts to burn, cover ham tightly with foil until done. The foil can be removed at the end for glaze color. Apply glaze every 10-15 minutes for best results.
Step 6 – Test for Doneness
To accurately test doneness, check the internal temperature of the ham using an instant-read meat thermometer.
Insert the thermometer into the thickest section without touching any bone. It should register between 130-140°F when done.
If underdone, continue roasting and checking the temperature every 20-30 minutes until it reaches the target temp.
As you near doneness, brush on final coats of glaze so it sets into a shiny, caramelized crust while the ham finishes.
Step 7 – Let Ham Rest Before Carving
Never skip letting your ham rest! Resting for 15-30 minutes allows juices to redistribute so they don’t spill out when carved.
Once your Dearborn spiral sliced ham reaches the proper internal temperature, remove it from the oven. Lightly tent foil over it and let it rest on the counter.
During this time, the meat reabsorbs any released moisture, resulting in a juicier texture. Now you’re ready to carve and serve your spectacular ham!
Step 8 – Carving and Serving Your Dearborn Spiral Ham
Thanks to the built-in spiral slicing, carving your Dearborn ham is quick and easy. Here are some tips:
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Place ham cut side down on a cutting board. Remove any skin or excess fat.
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Using a sharp knife, cut around bone and then underneath to release whole slices.
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Arrange carved slices on a serving platter, slightly overlapping. Spoon any glaze or pan drippings over the ham.
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Serve warm or at room temperature. Pair with classic sides like scalloped potatoes, sweet potatoes, or green bean casserole.
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For appetizers, dice up leftover ham and add to biscuits, croissants, or puff pastry bites.
Your beautifully glazed Dearborn spiral sliced ham makes for an elegant, tasty centerpiece meal. Enjoy!
Storing and Reheating Leftover Ham
Leftover Dearborn spiral ham keeps well for 3-4 days refrigerated. Here are some storage tips:
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Allow ham to cool completely before storing. Refrigerate in an airtight container.
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Wrap chunks of leftover ham tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months.
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Add diced ham to fried rice, omelets, pasta salads, or soups.
To reheat, place ham slices on a baking sheet and warm at 325°F for 10-15 minutes until hot. Microwave individual slices for 30 seconds to 1 minute as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about cooking Dearborn spiral sliced hams? Here are some common FAQs:
What’s the easiest way to glaze the ham?
Mix glaze ingredients like brown sugar and mustard in a bowl then brush it on. No need to cook glazes for hams!
Do I need to soak the ham before cooking?
No, Dearborn hams come fully cured and smoked. There’s no need to soak them.
Can I freeze a whole Dearborn spiral ham?
You can freeze it for 1-2 months if properly wrapped. Thaw in the fridge before cooking.
Is it done if the juices run clear?
Don’t rely on the juices! Always check internal temp with a meat thermometer for safety.
Can I bake the ham the night before?
It’s best to bake the ham the same day you plan to serve it for maximum freshness and flavor.
Enjoy Your Delicious Dearborn Spiral Ham Feast!
There’s nothing better than a gorgeous, juicy Dearborn spiral sliced ham as the centerpiece of your next holiday meal. Now that you know how to cook it to absolute perfection, you can look forward to compliments from family and friends on your impressive ham!
Use this easy step-by-step guide for cooking times, temperatures, glazing techniques, and more. Your ham will come out moist, tender and full of succulent flavor every time, no matter what the occasion. Turn your next dinner into a memorable feast with a Dearborn spiral sliced ham. Enjoy!