How to Cook Swiss Colony Ham to Perfection

Swiss Colony is known for their premium, gourmet hams that are perfectly cured, smoked, and ready to eat Their signature Masterpiece and Brown Sugar Glazed hams are staples for the holidays and special occasions But if you’ve never cooked Swiss Colony ham before, you may be wondering – how exactly do you prepare it?

In this guide we’ll cover everything you need to know to cook Swiss Colony ham from thawing and glazing to reheating and carving. With these simple instructions, you’ll have impressively delicious ham ready for your next gathering.

Overview of Swiss Colony Hams

First, let’s look at the two main types of precooked ham offered by Swiss Colony:

Masterpiece Baked Ham – Their premium boneless ham, slow baked with real Vermont maple syrup for rich, sophisticated flavor. The boneless shape makes it easy to carve and serve.

Spiral Sliced Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze – A classic bone-in smoked ham with proprietary seasoning and brown sugar glaze. It’s spiral sliced for fast reheating and serving.

Both hams arrive fully cooked, smoked, and ready to heat, glaze, and devour. They are cured using Swiss Colony’s signature process and real Vermont maple syrup. This results in unparalleled texture and flavor you won’t find with ordinary hams.

Thawing

Swiss Colony hams arrive frozen to maintain freshness. For the best results, thaw your ham fully before cooking.

There are a few safe ways to thaw:

In the refrigerator: Unwrap ham and place in a rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan. Thaw for 24-48 hours.
In cold water: Use a resealable food bag. Submerge bagged ham in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes. Takes 5-8 hours.
In the microwave: Follow microwave directions, taking care not to begin cooking ham. Allow additional time for large hams over 5 lbs.

Once thawed, your ham is ready to prep and cook to perfection!

Pre-Glazing (Optional)

For added sweetness and moisture, Swiss Colony recommends pre-glazing their hams before cooking. This helps seal in flavor and juice.

If your ham didn’t come pre-glazed, simply coat with light corn syrup, honey, or preserves. Slide a half-cup of glaze under the ham’s skin or netting if possible. Roast or bake ham right away so the glaze permeates the meat.

Baking & Serving Suggestions

Here are foolproof methods to bake both Swiss Colony’s Masterpiece and Brown Sugar Glazed hams:

Masterpiece Baked Ham

Preheat oven to 325°F. Place thawed ham in a foil-lined baking pan.
Bake 15-20 minutes per pound. For example, bake a 10 lb ham for 2.5-3 hours.
Baste occasionally with pan drippings for extra moisture and flavor.
Heat to 140°F internal temperature. Insert meat thermometer to check.
Carve into slices and serve warm. Delicious on its own or with traditional ham sides!

Brown Sugar Glazed Ham

Preheat oven to 325°F. Place thawed ham cut-side down in a baking dish.
Cover ham with foil and bake 18-24 minutes per pound. Check temperature.
Uncover, brush generously with brown sugar glaze. Bake 15 minutes more.
Bake until internal temperature reaches 140°F. Check with meat thermometer.
Remove from oven, tent with foil, and let rest 15 minutes before slicing to serve.

Step-by-Step Carving Instructions

To serve your Swiss Colony ham’s signature slices, follow these carving tips:

Place cooked ham flat side down on a cutting board. Remove netting or skin.
Insert a carving fork at the ham’s thickest part to hold it steady.
With a long, sharp knife, slice vertically down the ham along the bone. Make slices about 1/4 inch thick.
Rotate the ham and continue slicing to get the maximum number of servings from your ham.
Serve warm slices with glaze drizzled over the top. Enjoy!

Quick Reheating for Leftovers

Leftover Swiss Colony ham keeps for 3-4 days refrigerated. To reheat, simply place thick ham slices on a baking sheet in a 325°F oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through. Or microwave individual slices for 30 seconds each.

Savor the Signature Flavor

Swiss Colony hams offer incredible quality, flavor, and convenience. Follow these easy cooking tips and soon you’ll be impressing your guests with gourmet ham slices at your next meal or event. The secret is starting with the best – Swiss Colony’s Masterpiece and Brown Sugar Glazed hams.

From thawing to glazing, baking to carving, you now have all the instructions you need for ham success. So relax and let the incredible flavor of Swiss Colony ham wow your lucky guests. Just heat, slice, and serve this gourmet delight!

Let’s Cook- Merry Christmas- Swiss Colony Ham with Pineapple

FAQ

How do you heat up a precooked ham without drying it out?

Reheating ham via skillet is an easy way to get a few slices nice and hot in a flash. To reheat ham slices on the stove, add a few slices at a time to a skillet over medium-high heat. Add up to ½ cup of chicken broth to keep the meat moist or opt for a couple of tablespoons of butter or oil to give the ham a nice sear.

Do you cook a ham at 325 or 350?

Cooking Temperature and Time If the ham is a half ham weighing five to seven pounds, it should heat at 325°F for 22-25 minutes per pound. If it is a whole ham weighing between 10 to 14 pounds, heat the ham at 325°F for 18-20 minutes per pound. The internal temperature should be 140°F.

How do you cook a precooked ham?

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Place the ham on a rack in a large baking pan and add about 1/4- to 1/2 inch of water to the pan. If the ham is labeled “fully cooked” (does not require heating), heat it in the oven for about 10 minutes per pound, or to an internal temperature of 140 F.

Do you cook a bone-in ham covered or uncovered?

Heat oven to 325ºF. Remove all packaging materials and place ham on its side, fat side up, on rack in shallow roasting pan; cover loosely with aluminum foil. Heat approximately 15 to 20 minutes per pound until heated through. Remove ham from oven and let stand, covered, 20 minutes before serving.