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Juicy, glistening, glazed spiral sliced ham served on a white platter, garnished with parsley and orange slices.
Print Recipe
5 from 35 votes

How to Cook A Spiral Ham

This easy oven method shows you how to cook a spiral ham so it stays juicy and tender from edge to center, with an optional orange glaze for a bright, citrusy finish.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time2 hours 15 minutes
Total Time2 hours 20 minutes
Course: Holiday, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Servings: 15 servings
Calories: 548kcal
Author: Traci

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 7 pound Spiral Ham bone-in or boneless
  • ½ cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 large Naval Orange zested and juiced (about ¼ cup juice)
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon Paprika
  • ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt

Instructions

  • Prep the Ham. Preheat the oven to 325°F and center the oven rack. Remove all packaging, including the plastic disc, and place the HAM flat-side down in a foil-lined 9 x 13 pan. Cover the ham tightly with foil.
    A square baking dish covered with aluminum foil with a blue linen nearby.
  • Heat the Ham. Bake 10–12 minutes per pound for boneless ham or about 15 minutes per pound for bone-in ham, until heated through.
    A cooked spiral ham rests in a foil-lined baking tray, with a meat thermometer and bowl of sauce placed nearby on a gray surface.
  • Make the Glaze. While the ham bakes, heat the BROWN SUGAR, ORANGE ZEST AND JUICE, DIJON MUSTARD, APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, PAPRIKA, GARLIC POWDER, and SEA SALT in a saucepan over medium heat, whisking until smooth and slightly thickened. Set aside.
    A saucepan filled with ham glaze and a white silicone basting brush resting inside on a gray surface.
  • Glaze and Finish. Remove the HAM from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 400°F. Uncover the ham, ladle off the pan juices, and brush the glaze evenly over the HAM. Return it to the oven, uncovered, for about 20 minutes, or until the glaze has set.
    Note: Spiral ham is fully cooked, so you’re just reheating it for this recipe. An instant-read thermometer, if used, should read 140°F in the center to ensure it’s warm throughout with no cold spots.
    glaze is brushed over spiral ham in foil-lined roasting pan
  • Rest and Serve. Transfer the HAM to a serving platter and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
    Juicy, glistening, glazed spiral sliced ham served on a white platter, garnished with parsley and orange slices.

Video

Notes

Buying Spiral Ham. If your spiral ham includes a glaze packet, feel free to skip it and use the delectable orange glaze in this recipe for more control over sweetness and flavor.
Pre-Cooking Tip. I like to let the ham sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour before baking. It heats more evenly and helps prevent cold spots in the center.
Fully Cooked Ham Temperature. Spiral hams are fully cookedb, so the goal is simply to heat them through. An internal temperature of 140°F on a meat thermometer ensures the ham is warm throughout, without worrying about cold spots when serving.
Do I Need to Add Water? Adding water to the pan isn’t necessary. Spiral ham releases enough moisture on its own. Keeping it covered and avoiding overcooking is what prevents it from drying out.
Storage and Reheating Store leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 90 days. Reheat gently in the oven, on the stovetop, in the microwave, or in an air fryer in short intervals to prevent drying out.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.33lbs | Calories: 548kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 131mg | Sodium: 2576mg | Potassium: 637mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 54IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 2mg