How to Cook a Fred Meyer Flame Crafted Ham

Flame crafted hams from Fred Meyer are a popular choice for holiday meals and year-round eating. These hams are smoked over a wood fire, giving them a delicious smoky flavor. While flame crafted hams are fully cooked when purchased, they still need to be heated through before serving. With a few simple steps, you can have a juicy and flavorful Fred Meyer flame crafted ham on your table.

What is a Flame Crafted Ham?

A flame crafted ham starts with a high quality fresh ham that is cured with salt and smoke. The curing process draws out moisture and infuses flavor. Once cured, the ham is smoked slowly over a fire, often using fragrant woods like hickory or applewood. This is what gives flame crafted hams their distinctive smoky taste. The ham is cooked at a low temperature to break down connective tissues and ensure tenderness.

Fred Meyer flame crafted hams are made with no artificial ingredients, They contain no nitrites or nitrates except for those naturally occurring in sea salt and celery powder, The hams are smoked for up to 24 hours to fully develop the smoky flavor, Flame crafted hams are sold fully cooked so they just need to be heated before serving

Benefits of Flame Crafted Hams

There are several benefits that make flame crafted hams a great choice:

• Big bold flavor – The long slow smoking over a wood fire gives the ham a deep smoky taste. This sets it apart from other types of ham

• Tender and juicy – The low temperature cooking ensures the ham stays tender and moist.

• Convenient – Since flame crafted hams are fully cooked, they only need to be warmed before eating. This makes them quick and easy for holiday meals.

• No artificial ingredients – Flame crafted hams contain no added nitrites/nitrates beyond what naturally occurs in celery powder

How to Cook a Fred Meyer Flame Crafted Ham

Flame crafted hams can be cooked using either the oven or a smoker. Here are simple step-by-step instructions for both methods:

Oven Method

Cooking the ham in the oven is quick and easy. Here’s how:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F – This moderately low temperature will gently heat the ham without drying it out.

2. Place ham in roasting pan – Choose a roasting pan that is slightly larger than the ham to allow heat circulation.

3. Bake for 15 minutes per pound – So for a 10 lb ham, bake for about 2.5 hours.

4. Let rest 15 minutes before slicing – This allows juices to re-absorb for moist, tender meat.

5. Serve warm or at room temperature – Flame crafted ham can be served right out of the oven or at room temp.

Smoker Method

For the truest smoky flavor, cooking the ham in a smoker is ideal. Here’s how:

1. Prepare smoker & preheat to 225°F – Soak smoking chips in water for 30 minutes prior.

2. Place ham directly on smoker grates – No need for a pan which can prevent smoke absorption.

3. Smoke for about 1.5 hours per pound – For a 10 lb ham, total smoke time is around 15 hours.

4. Maintain temp at 225°F – Occasionally add soaked smoking chips to keep smoke steady.

5. Rest ham 15 minutes before slicing – Letting meat rest allows juices to redistribute.

6. Serve warm or at room temp – The natural smoke flavor shines when served right out of smoker.

Handy Tips for Cooking Flame Crafted Ham

• Always cook to an internal temperature of 140°F for food safety.

• Use a meat thermometer to check doneness rather than relying on cook times.

• Add a disposable foil pan underneath to catch any drippings for making gravy later.

• If the ham starts to brown too much, tent it loosely with foil.

• The bone side often cooks faster, so rotate periodically for even cooking.

• Let the rested ham stand 10-15 mins before removing skin/netting for cleaner slicing.

Serving Your Cooked Fred Meyer Flame Crafted Ham

Once your ham is cooked, you can serve it warm or chilled. Here are some serving suggestions:

• Sliced ham – Carve into thin slices to highlight the tender texture.

• Ham platter – Arrange slices around a garnish like pineapple rings or cherry compote.

• Ham biscuits – Pile sliced ham on flaky biscuits for an easy appetizer.

• Omelets or stratas – Dice ham to mix into egg dishes like omelets and stratas.

• Beans or greens – Add ham pieces to dishes like slow cooker beans or collard greens.

• Sandwiches – Stack sliced ham on rolls or bread for classic hot ham sandwiches.

• Salads – Toss diced ham into pasta, potato, or leafy green salads.

• Soups – Use ham bone and pieces to flavor bean, pea, or potato soups.

What to Serve with Your Fred Meyer Flame Crafted Ham

Flame crafted ham makes a beautiful centerpiece for your table. Complement it with these traditional side dishes:

• Baked or mashed potatoes
• Sweet potato casserole
• Macaroni and cheese
• Corn pudding
• Collard greens or roasted vegetables
• Biscuits, rolls, or cornbread
• Fruit salad or baked apples

And don’t forget the condiments! Honey mustard, cranberry sauce, and spicy barbecue sauce are all great ham accompaniments.

Storing Leftover Ham

Like any cooked meat, leftover flame crafted ham needs to be stored properly for food safety. Here are some storage tips:

• Allow ham to cool completely before refrigerating.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil.
• Store in coldest part of refrigerator for 3-5 days.
• Use freezer for longer storage up to 2-3 months.
• Reheat thoroughly to 165°F before serving again.

Our Favorite Fred Meyer Flame Crafted Ham Recipes

Looking for delicious ways to use up your leftover ham? Try these tasty recipes:

• Ham and Potato Soup – Diced ham, potatoes, onions, carrots and cream create a hearty, comforting soup.

• Ham Salad Sandwiches – Mix chopped ham with mayo, mustard, celery, and onion for an easy lunch.

• Ham and Cheese Strata – Layer ham, cheese, bread cubes, and egg mixture for a savory breakfast casserole.

• Ham Fried Rice – Toss diced ham into rice with veggies and soy sauce for a quick skillet meal.

• Ham and Pea Pasta – Combine ham, peas, and pasta shapes like rotini or farfalle. Toss with a creamy sauce.

• Ham Quesadillas – Fill tortillas with ham, cheese, and peppers for a quick weeknight dinner.

We hope these tips help you cook a perfect Fred Meyer flame crafted ham for your next special meal. The savory smoky flavor is hard to beat. Let us know your favorite way to serve flame crafted ham!