How to Cut a Spiral Ham – Learn the best way to cut a spiral ham so that you can enjoy every delicious slice.
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Prepping the Ham
A whole, spiral-cut ham is a beautiful thing, with its even, ruby-red slices and perfect, curls of meat. But before you can get to the slicing and serving, you need to do some prep work. Here’s how to get your ham ready for the oven.
Remove the ham from the packaging
To begin, remove the ham from the packaging and set it on a cutting board If there is a plastic or foil wrapping around the ham, you can remove that now. Trim off any excess fat from the ham. You can do this with a sharp knife or kitchen scissors. Once the excess fat is removed, you should be able to see the spiral cut marks on the ham.
Soak the ham in water
Soak the ham in water for about 30 minutes before you start cutting it. This will help to keep the ham moist and juicy while ’re cutting it. To soak the ham, simply place it in a large bowl or pot of water and let it sit for 30 minutes.
Cut off the skin of the ham
Cut off the skin of the ham, if desired. Place the ham on the cutting board flat side down. Using a sharp knife cut along the edge of the skin, following the curve of the ham. Once the skin is removed, you will be able to see the spiral cuts that were made in the ham before it was cooked.
Cutting the Ham
To begin, you will need a sharp knife. A serrated knife will work best. You will also need a cutting board and a plate to catch the spiral slices. First, you need to find the end of the ham. The easiest way to do this is to look for the end that has the least amount of meat.
Score the ham
Cutting a spiral ham is easy to do and only requires a few simple steps.
The first thing you need to do is score the ham. This simply means making shallow cuts in the surface of the ham so that the glaze will have something to adhere to. Use a sharp knife and make diagonal cuts that are about 1-inch apart. Be sure not to cut too deeply – you don’t want to cut into the meat of the ham.
Once you have scored the ham, you can begin cutting it into slices. Again, use a sharp knife and start at the thick end of the ham. Cut downward in a spiral motion, making sure to keep your cuts close together. As you get closer to the thin end of the ham, you may need to switch to a sawing motion in order to get through all of the meat.
Once you have sliced all of the meat off of the bone, you can go back and trim any pieces that are too thick or too thin. If there are any ragged edges, you can use a paring knife to tidy them up. And that’s it! You now have perfectly sliced spiral ham that is ready to be served.
Cut the ham into slices
Unwrap the ham and set it on the cutting board, flat side down. Use a sharp knife to make lengthwise cuts along one side of the ham, angling your knife so that the slices are about ¼-inch thick. Try to cut even slices, but don’t worry if they’re not perfect.
Next, turn the ham so that it’s standing on an end that you haven’t cut into yet. Make lengthwise cuts along this side of the ham, angling your knife so that the slices are about ¼-inch thick. Again, try to cut even slices, but don’t worry if they’re not perfect.
Now, turn the ham so that it’s flat side up on the cutting board. Use a sharp knife to make crosswise cuts¼-inch thick, working your way from one end of the ham to the other. Once again, try to cut even slices, but don’t worry if they’re not perfect.
Serving the Ham
Spiral ham is a pre-cooked ham that is available in most grocery stores. You can find them in the refrigerated section near the other pre-cooked meats. They come in a variety of sizes, so you can choose one that will fit your needs. Most spiral hams come with a glaze packet, so all you need to do is apply the glaze and bake the ham according to the instructions.
Place the ham on a serving platter
Here are step-by-step carving instructions for a spiral-sliced ham.
1. Place the ham on a serving platter. If you like, surround the ham with crisp green salad leaves or seasonal fruits.
2. To carve, start at one end of the ham and cut lengthwise slices through the meat and fat to the opposite end of the ham, making sure to follow the spiral pattern of the slices. As you carve, arrange the slices on the serving platter so that they fan out in a attractive pattern.
3. Once all of the meat has been carved, you can garnish the platter with whole cloves or pineapple rings if desired. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Garnish the ham with pineapple and cherries
Spiral-cut hams are pre-sliced for your convenience, so all you have to do is heat and serve. But if you want to dress up your ham before serving, there are a few things you can do.
One option is to garnish the ham with pineapple and cherries. This is a simple way to add a festive touch to your holiday table. First, cut the pineapple into thin slices. Then use a small knife to cut around the outside of each cherry, being careful not to cut into the flesh of the fruit. Finally, arrange the pineapple and cherries on top of the ham.
If you want something a little more elegant, you can make a glaze for your ham. There are many different recipes for ham glazes, but they typically include honey, brown sugar, mustard, and spices such as cloves or nutmeg. Simply brush the glaze on the ham before serving.
No matter how you choose to serve it, spiral-cut ham is sure to be a hit at your next holiday gathering!
