Master the Art of Cooking Juicy, Flavorful Ham in a Nesco Roaster Oven

Cooking ham in a Nesco roaster oven results in deliciously moist and tender meat infused with smoky, savory flavors. With the right techniques, you can achieve restaurant-quality ham made conveniently at home. Whether glazing a holiday ham or reheating leftovers, a Nesco makes it easy to prepare this versatile meat to perfection.

As an avid home cook and Nesco enthusiast, I’ve discovered the secrets to unlocking the full potential of this handy kitchen appliance. Follow my tips below for cooking ham in a Nesco that your family and friends will rave about.

Choosing the Right Ham for Roasting

When selecting a ham for roasting in the Nesco, consider the following:

• Bone-in or Boneless Bone-in hams retain moisture well during roasting boneless cuts cook faster Choose based on your recipe.

• Smoked or Fresh Smoked ham has a lovely caramelized outer layer infused with wood smoke flavor Fresh ham has a milder taste.

• Whole, Half, or Portion: Get a size that fits your Nesco and allows room for airflow. Whole bone-in hams can be 8-15 lbs.

• Spiral Cut: These hams are partially sliced beforehand so glazes penetrate deeper into the meat. Great for Nesco roasting.

• Cured or Uncured: Cured ham is brined or smoked for preservation and flavor. Uncured is less processed but needs more seasoning.

Prepping Ham for the Nesco

Proper prep ensures your ham cooks evenly and absorbs maximum flavor. Here’s how I like to prep hams before roasting:

• If frozen, thaw in the fridge 1-2 days before cooking. Rushing causes uneven cooking.
• Trim excess fat and skin, leaving a thin layer for moisture.
• Score the fat in a diamond pattern so seasoning and glaze penetrate better.
• Stud with whole cloves for an aromatic flavor boost.
• Coat with brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup to help form a delicious caramelized crust while cooking.

Roasting Times and Temperatures

Cooking ham in a Nesco is easy once you know the optimal time and temperature:

• Preheat the Nesco to 325°F. This moderately low temp prevents drying out.

• Cook approximately 20-25 minutes per pound for bone-in ham, 15 minutes per pound for boneless.

• For a spiral cut ham, cook 18-20 minutes per pound since it’s thinner.

• Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness, not just time. Ham should reach 145°F.

• Let the ham rest 10-15 minutes before carving so juices redistribute.

Roasting Techniques and Tips

Follow these techniques in your Nesco for deliciously juicy, flavorful ham:

• Place ham on a rack in a roasting pan. This allows air circulation for even cooking.

• Baste frequently with pan juices, stock, cider, or other flavorful liquids. Keeps the meat super moist.

• Glaze ham in the last 30 minutes to avoid burning the sugars. Brush on your favorite glaze multiple times.

• Use the Nesco’s convection setting for faster, more even cooking. Just reduce temperature 25 degrees.

• Insert a probe thermometer so you can monitor internal temp without continually opening the cooker.

• If the top browns too fast, tent loosely with foil to slow cooking. Remove for the last 15-30 minutes for glazing.

• Let the ham rest before carving so juices redistribute. Then slice across the grain for tender, flavorful results.

Ideal Side Dishes and Leftover Ideas

A beautiful Nesco-roasted ham deserves equally delicious accompaniments like:

• Roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes
• Scalloped potatoes or potato gratin
• Glazed carrots and parsnips
• Baked mac and cheese
• Cornbread, rolls, or biscuits
• Fresh cranberry sauce

Leftover ham is also incredibly versatile. Get creative with these ideas:

• Ham and cheese omelets or quiche
• Ham fried rice or pasta carbonara
• Ham, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwiches
• Hearty ham and bean soup
• Ham salad sandwiches with pickles
• Ham and pineapple pizza

Tips for Reheating Leftover Ham

One of the joys of ham is savoring the leftovers. Here’s how I like to reheat ham in the Nesco:

• Slice ham and wrap tightly in foil, or place in a covered dish.

• Add a splash of stock, juice, or water so it doesn’t dry out.

• Preheat Nesco to 300°F. Heat foil-wrapped slices 15-20 minutes, larger portions 30-40 minutes.

• Check internal temperature to ensure it reaches 140°F.

• For glazed hams, reserve extra glaze and brush on just before serving.