Steve’s Maple-Glazed Spiral Ham: A Holiday Showstopper Recipe

This recipe for Steve’s Maple-Glazed Spiral Ham is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for holiday gatherings, family dinners, or any special occasion. The combination of the smoky ham, the sweet maple glaze, and the hint of spice creates a flavor profile that is both comforting and sophisticated. This recipe provides detailed, easy-to-follow instructions so you can achieve a perfectly cooked and beautifully glazed ham every time. We’ll break down each step, from preparing the ham to creating the delicious glaze and ensuring even cooking.

## Why This Recipe Works

* **Spiral-Cut Convenience:** Using a spiral-cut ham simplifies the process. The ham is already pre-sliced, allowing the glaze to penetrate deeply and ensuring even cooking.
* **Maple Glaze Magic:** The maple glaze isn’t just sweet; it’s a complex blend of flavors. Maple syrup provides the sweetness, while Dijon mustard adds tang, brown sugar enhances the caramelization, and spices like cinnamon and cloves provide warmth.
* **Even Cooking:** Proper cooking techniques, including using a roasting rack and covering the ham initially, help to ensure that the ham stays moist and cooks evenly.
* **Simple Ingredients:** The ingredients are readily available in most supermarkets, making this recipe accessible to everyone.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **1 (8-10 pound) spiral-cut ham:** Choose a ham that fits comfortably in your roasting pan and is of good quality. Look for a ham with good marbling for the best flavor.
* **1 cup pure maple syrup:** Use *real* maple syrup, not pancake syrup, for the best flavor. The difference is significant.
* **1/2 cup Dijon mustard:** Dijon mustard adds a tangy counterpoint to the sweetness of the maple syrup. You can experiment with other mustards, but Dijon provides the most balanced flavor.
* **1/2 cup packed light brown sugar:** Brown sugar adds a deeper caramel-like sweetness and helps the glaze to thicken.
* **1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar:** A touch of acidity brightens the glaze and balances the sweetness. You can substitute with white vinegar in a pinch, but apple cider vinegar is preferred.
* **1 teaspoon ground cinnamon:** Cinnamon adds a warm, comforting spice.
* **1/2 teaspoon ground cloves:** Cloves provide a pungent and aromatic spice that complements the maple and ham flavors.
* **1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (optional):** Ground ginger adds a subtle warmth and complexity to the glaze. Use sparingly as it can be overpowering.
* **1/4 teaspoon black pepper:** Freshly ground black pepper adds a little bit of kick.
* **1/2 cup pineapple juice (optional):** Pineapple juice will add sweetness and moisture to the ham and also assist the ham in caramelizing properly.

## Equipment

* **Large roasting pan:** Make sure the pan is large enough to accommodate the ham comfortably with some space around it.
* **Roasting rack:** A roasting rack elevates the ham, allowing for even heat circulation. If you don’t have a roasting rack, you can use chopped vegetables (carrots, celery, onion) as a makeshift rack.
* **Aluminum foil:** Used to cover the ham during the initial cooking period to prevent it from drying out.
* **Small saucepan:** For making the maple glaze.
* **Basting brush:** For applying the glaze to the ham.
* **Meat thermometer:** Essential for ensuring the ham is cooked to the correct internal temperature.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

### Step 1: Prepare the Ham

1. **Remove the ham from the refrigerator:** Take the ham out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before you plan to cook it. This allows it to come to room temperature slightly, which will help it cook more evenly.
2. **Preheat the oven:** Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Ensure your oven rack is in the lower middle position.
3. **Prepare the roasting pan:** Place the roasting rack inside the roasting pan. If you don’t have a rack, coarsely chop some carrots, celery, and onion and spread them on the bottom of the pan. This will act as a natural rack and add flavor to the pan drippings. It also prevents the bottom of the ham from burning.
4. **Place the ham in the pan:** Place the ham, cut-side down, on the roasting rack in the prepared pan. This helps to keep the ham moist and allows the glaze to pool in the slices.
5. **Add water or broth (optional):** Pour about 1 cup of water, apple juice, or chicken broth into the bottom of the roasting pan. This will create steam, which helps to keep the ham moist. Be careful not to pour the liquid over the ham.
6. **Cover with foil:** Tightly cover the roasting pan with aluminum foil. This will trap moisture and prevent the ham from drying out during the initial cooking period.

### Step 2: Make the Maple Glaze

1. **Combine ingredients:** In a small saucepan, combine the maple syrup, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, ginger (if using), and black pepper.
2. **Simmer the glaze:** Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer for about 5-7 minutes, or until the glaze has slightly thickened. Be careful not to burn the glaze.
3. **Taste and adjust:** Taste the glaze and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may want to add a pinch more cinnamon or cloves, or a little more brown sugar for sweetness.
4. **Remove from heat:** Once the glaze has reached the desired consistency, remove it from the heat and set it aside.

### Step 3: Bake the Ham

1. **Calculate cooking time:** The general rule of thumb for cooking a spiral-cut ham is approximately 10-15 minutes per pound. However, since the ham is already cooked, you’re mainly just reheating it and infusing it with flavor. A good estimate is to cook the ham for about 1.5-2 hours, depending on the size.
2. **Bake covered:** Place the covered roasting pan in the preheated oven and bake for the calculated time. For an 8-pound ham, this would be about 1 hour and 20 minutes to 1 hour and 40 minutes.
3. **Remove foil and glaze:** After the initial baking time, remove the roasting pan from the oven and carefully remove the foil. The ham will have released some of its juices, which you can use to baste it later.
4. **Baste with glaze:** Using a basting brush, generously brush the ham with about half of the maple glaze. Make sure to get the glaze in between the slices.
5. **Return to oven:** Return the ham to the oven, uncovered, and continue to bake for another 30-45 minutes, basting with the remaining glaze every 10-15 minutes. The ham should be beautifully glazed and slightly caramelized. The internal temperature should reach 140°F (60°C).
6. **Check internal temperature:** Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the ham. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the ham, avoiding the bone. The ham is done when it reaches 140°F (60°C).

### Step 4: Rest and Serve

1. **Rest the ham:** Once the ham is cooked through, remove it from the oven and transfer it to a cutting board. Tent it loosely with aluminum foil and let it rest for at least 15-20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more moist and flavorful ham. Leaving the ham rest is very important.
2. **Carve the ham:** Spiral-cut hams are already sliced, so carving is relatively easy. Simply run a knife along the bone to release the slices. Arrange the slices on a platter and garnish with fresh herbs, if desired. Alternatively, you can carefully cut around the bone and remove the ham in one large piece, then slice it on the cutting board.
3. **Serve and enjoy:** Serve the maple-glazed spiral ham warm with your favorite side dishes. Some popular choices include mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, roasted vegetables, and dinner rolls.

## Tips for Success

* **Don’t overcook:** Overcooking the ham will result in a dry and tough product. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches the correct internal temperature. Remember that the ham will continue to cook slightly as it rests.
* **Use real maple syrup:** The flavor of real maple syrup is far superior to pancake syrup. It’s worth the investment for the best results.
* **Baste frequently:** Basting the ham with the glaze every 10-15 minutes during the final baking period will create a beautiful, glossy, and flavorful crust.
* **Let the ham rest:** Resting the ham after cooking is crucial for retaining moisture. Don’t skip this step!
* **Save the bone:** After carving the ham, save the bone to make soup. Ham bone soup is a delicious and economical way to use up the leftovers.
* **Adjust the Glaze:** Taste the glaze before you start applying it to the ham. Adjust the seasoning to suit your personal tastes, such as adding more brown sugar for additional sweetness.

## Variations and Additions

* **Add a kick:** For a spicy glaze, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the maple glaze.
* **Use different spices:** Experiment with other spices, such as smoked paprika, garlic powder, or onion powder.
* **Add fruit:** Stud the ham with pineapple rings or cherries before glazing for a festive look and added sweetness. Canned peaches or apricots may be good as well.
* **Bourbon Glaze:** Add a tablespoon or two of bourbon to the glaze for a more sophisticated flavor.
* **Honey Glaze:** Substitute honey for part of the maple syrup for a slightly different flavor profile. You can mix half maple syrup and half honey, it works great.
* **Brown Sugar Glaze:** For a richer, more intense sweetness, increase the amount of brown sugar in the glaze.

## Serving Suggestions

Steve’s Maple-Glazed Spiral Ham is the star of any meal. Here are some serving suggestions to complete your feast:

* **Classic Sides:** Mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and dinner rolls.
* **Vegetable Sides:** Roasted asparagus, Brussels sprouts, glazed carrots, or a simple green salad.
* **Desserts:** Pumpkin pie, apple pie, pecan pie, or a chocolate cake.
* **Drinks:** Wine (such as Pinot Noir or Riesling), beer, sparkling cider, or iced tea.

## Storage and Reheating

* **Storage:** Store leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze leftover ham for up to 2-3 months. Wrap the ham tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil before freezing.
* **Reheating:** To reheat leftover ham, preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Place the ham in a baking dish with a little bit of water or broth to keep it moist. Cover the dish with foil and bake for about 15-20 minutes per pound, or until heated through. You can also reheat ham slices in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving)

* Calories: 350-450
* Protein: 30-40g
* Fat: 15-25g
* Carbohydrates: 20-30g

*Note: Nutritional information may vary depending on the specific ingredients used and portion sizes.*

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

* **Can I use a different type of ham?** While a spiral-cut ham is recommended for its convenience and even cooking, you can use a whole ham. However, you may need to adjust the cooking time and score the surface of the ham to allow the glaze to penetrate. Scoring involves making shallow cuts in a diamond pattern across the surface of the ham. This helps with flavor penetration and allows the fat to render properly.
* **Can I make the glaze ahead of time?** Yes, you can make the maple glaze ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat the glaze gently before using.
* **What if my ham is already fully cooked?** Most spiral-cut hams are already fully cooked. You’re mainly just reheating it and infusing it with flavor. Follow the cooking times provided in the recipe, and be sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure the ham is heated through to 140°F (60°C).
* **Can I freeze the glazed ham?** Yes, you can freeze the glazed ham. Allow it to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw the ham in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
* **What to do with leftovers?** Ham is great for sandwiches, soups, salads, omelets, and more. Get creative and use up those leftovers!

## Conclusion

Steve’s Maple-Glazed Spiral Ham is a stunning centerpiece for any holiday meal or special occasion. The combination of smoky ham, sweet maple glaze, and warm spices creates a truly unforgettable flavor experience. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to impress your guests with this delicious and impressive dish!