Kroger spiral sliced brown sugar ham is a delicious and easy entree for family dinners, holidays, and special occasions. The sweet, salty, and savory brown sugar glaze pairs perfectly with the smoky, juicy ham to create a mouthwatering centerpiece dish. Cooking Kroger spiral sliced ham is simple with these helpful tips and tricks.
Ingredients
- 1 Kroger or Private Selection spiral sliced brown sugar ham (approx. 7-10 pounds)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- 1/4 cup apple juice or cider
Instructions
Thaw the Ham
Kroger spiral sliced hams come fully cooked so they just need to be thawed and warmed before serving For safety, thaw frozen ham in the refrigerator, allowing 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds. You can speed up thawing by submerging the vacuum-sealed ham in a sink or tub of cool water, changing the water every 30 minutes until thawed Avoid thawing at room temperature.
Prepare the Brown Sugar Glaze
While the ham thaws make the glaze. In a small saucepan combine the brown sugar, honey, mustard, and apple juice/cider. Warm over medium heat, whisking frequently, until blended and smooth. Set aside and let cool.
Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a large roasting pan with foil for easy cleanup.
Score the Ham
Unwrap the thawed ham and place fat side up in the prepared pan. With a sharp knife, score the ham by making light crisscross cuts across the top. This helps the glaze soak into the meat.
Brush with Glaze
Use a silicone brush to coat the ham all over with the brown sugar glaze. Reserve any extra glaze.
Bake Uncovered
Bake the ham uncovered for 10-15 minutes per pound. For example, bake a 10 lb ham for 150 minutes. Baste the ham with the reserved glaze every 30 minutes while baking.
Increase Heat for Browning
After baking for the recommended time, increase the oven temperature to 400°F. Bake for 10-15 more minutes until the ham is browned and caramelized.
Test for Doneness
Use a meat thermometer to check doneness, inserting into the thickest part of ham without touching the bone. The internal temperature should reach 140°F.
Let Rest and Slice
Remove the ham from the oven, tent with foil, and let rest 15-20 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to re-absorb into the meat. Use an electric knife to carve thin slices across the spiral cut pattern.
Serving Suggestions
Kroger brown sugar spiral sliced ham pairs wonderfully with scalloped potatoes, roasted vegetables, homemade rolls, and a fresh salad. Garnish the platter with pineapple slices, maraschino cherries, or parsley. Drizzle leftover glaze over individual slices.
Leftover ham makes amazing sandwiches, omelets, pizza, pasta, soups, and more. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze for longer storage.
With this easy recipe, you can impress your family with a beautiful Kroger spiral sliced brown sugar ham. The sweet glaze and naturally smoky flavor create a mouthwatering main dish. Enjoy this classic holiday ham all year long for special meals.
Cooking Tips for Perfect Kroger Spiral Ham
Cooking your Kroger brown sugar glazed spiral ham to juicy, tender perfection is easy with these helpful hints:
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Always thaw ham fully: Partially frozen ham won’t cook evenly. Thaw in the fridge 1 day per 4-5 pounds.
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Bake low and slow: Cooking ham at 325°F allows the interior to gently heat without drying out.
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Baste frequently: Brushing with glaze every 30 minutes infuses flavor and moistness.
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Rest before slicing: Letting the ham sit after baking allows juices to absorb so they don’t run out when sliced.
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Use sharp knives: Electric knives glide through ham cleanly while regular knives crush the tender meat.
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Save that glaze! Leftover glaze can be boiled into a sauce or used to flavor ham sandwiches, eggs, beans, and more.
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Embrace the leftovers: Ham stays good for 3-4 days in the fridge and freezes beautifully for longer storage.
With my handy tips, you’ll be serving professional-quality Kroger brown sugar glazed spiral ham to rave reviews from your lucky dinner guests!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Kroger Spiral Ham
Here are answers to some common questions about preparing a delicious Kroger spiral sliced brown sugar ham:
What size Kroger ham should I buy?
Plan on 0.75 pound of uncooked ham per person. An 8-10 pound ham feeds 10-14 people. Buy a whole ham since the end pieces contain the most glaze.
Should I bake it directly from frozen?
Never bake frozen ham! Always thaw fully in the fridge 1 day per 4-5 pounds. Thawing at room temp can cause bacterial growth.
Can I use my own glaze recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to get creative with orange, pineapple, bourbon, or maple glazes on your spiral sliced ham.
What if my ham is too salty?
Soak slices in milk for 30 minutes before eating to reduce saltiness. Also, use glazes with some sweetness to balance the salt.
How long is leftover ham good for?
Leftover cooked ham stays fresh 3-4 days in the fridge. Slice and freeze portions in freezer bags for 1-2 months.
Can I reheat leftover ham?
Yes, ham reheats beautifully! Slice and wrap pieces in foil or plastic then reheat in a 300°F oven until warmed through, 15-20 minutes.
What sides go well with brown sugar glazed ham?
Buttery mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, roasted veggies, homemade rolls, and salad.
With these handy answers, you can serve Kroger brown sugar glazed spiral ham with confidence!
Get Creative with Leftover Kroger Spiral Ham
Don’t toss that leftover ham – get creative with it! Here are delicious recipes to transform your leftover Kroger spiral sliced brown sugar glazed ham into enticing new dishes:
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Ham and Cheese Omelets – Dice ham and sauté with onions and peppers. Add to whisked eggs then cook omelet-style and top with cheese.
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Ham and Potato Soup – Simmer diced ham, potatoes, onion, celery, chicken broth and cream. Finish with parsley.
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Ham Salad Sandwiches – Chop ham, mix with mayo, mustard, celery, onions and stuff into sandwiches.
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Ham, Tomato and Mozzarella Pizza – Top prepared crust with sliced ham, tomatoes, basil and mozzarella. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
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Ham and Egg Breakfast Burritos – Scramble eggs with ham, peppers, onions, cheese and salsa. Wrap in tortillas.
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Ham Fried Rice – Make classic fried rice with eggs, peas, carrots and onions. Stir in diced ham.
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Ham and Pineapple Kabobs – Thread cubed ham and pineapple chunks onto skewers. Grill 3-5 minutes until golden.
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Ham and Bean Soup – Sauté ham, onions, carrots and celery. Add broth, beans and seasonings. Simmer.
Don’t waste a scrap of that delicious Kroger spiral sliced brown sugar glazed ham! With these creative recipes, you can reinvent those leftovers into amazing new dishes.