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Who says you need to spend a fortune to enjoy a mouthwatering ham dinner? With just a few clever tricks and pantry staples, you can transform an inexpensive ham into a feast fit for a king (or queen!).

Whether you’re planning a cozy family dinner or simply want to impress your guests without busting your budget, this guide on how to make a cheap ham taste amazing is here to help. 

From delightful glazes to cooking hacks that enhance flavor and tenderness, you’ll learn how to make every bite count. Ready to unlock the secrets to a deliciously affordable meal? Let’s get cooking!

Making a Cheap Ham that Tastes Amazing

Elevate any cut of ham to an exceptional level of flavor with our foolproof recipe, no matter if it’s canned, whole, bone-in, or spiral-sliced. Choose what fits your budget, and prepare to enjoy the best-tasting ham you’ve ever eaten. 

The brilliance of this recipe is its simplicity, ensuring you can’t go wrong. Indeed, every preparation with this recipe results in a perfect, delectable ham every single time. So, take your ordinary ham from cheap to extraordinary easily and flawlessly!

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How Do You Cook a Pre-Cooked Ham?

A pre-cooked ham, which you’ll find either frozen or refrigerated, offers convenience, requiring just a quick heat-up in the oven. On the flip side, the uncooked ham requires a more careful approach as it necessitates being thoroughly cooked through, following precise package instructions. 

Nevertheless, regardless of the choice you make, this recipe is adaptable and fitting for pre-cooked hams but can be easily adjusted for an un-cooked option. Remember, no nibbling on uncooked hams!

Whichever you select, expect an end result of a perfectly cooked, tasteful ham that will dazzle your taste buds.

What is the Best Ham for Thanksgiving (or Easter or any holiday)?

Choosing the best ham for your holiday feast, whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, can elevate your meal to new heights. Let’s dive into some delicious options to help you pick the perfect centerpiece for your celebration.

Baked Ham: A classic choice, baked ham is renowned for its sweet, juicy meat and crispy skin. It’s a crowd-pleaser that often graces the holiday table. Most supermarkets offer pre-cooked hams with a glaze packet in their deli section, making it a convenient option for many families.

Spiral-Sliced Honey Baked Ham: This option is known for its ease of serving, thanks to the pre-sliced presentation. While the honey glaze adds a sweet touch, some find it a bit too sugary. However, it’s undeniably delicious and perfect for those who love a touch of sweetness.

Bone-In Natural or Maple Roasted Pork: Also known as pork shoulder, this cut offers a distinctive flavor. The bone-in variety tends to be more flavorful and can make a stunning presentation. Maple-roasted versions add a subtle sweetness that complements the savory meat.

Do You Have to Have Ham for Thanksgiving?

Nope, you don’t have to have ham for Thanksgiving! While ham is a popular choice for many, Thanksgiving is all about enjoying a meal with loved ones, and you can serve whatever you like, and even accomplish a whole Thanksgiving dinner on a budget.

Traditional options include turkey, but you can also go for roast beef, chicken, vegetarian dishes, or even something unconventional. Oh, and I also have a recipe to make your cheap turkey taste amazing. 

It’s all about what makes your celebration special and delicious for you and your guests! 

How Much Does Ham Cost?

The cost of ham can fluctuate significantly depending on the time of year, its quality, and where you are buying it from. For instance, in the United States, you could expect to pay about $5-$6 per pound from May to October, while the price hikes up to around $9-$10 per pound between November and April. However, these prices are inherently dependent on factors like location, the quality of the ham, and the season.

You may find an exception in the case of a holiday ham or a smoked ham on sale during festive events like Thanksgiving, Easter, or Christmas. These could be considerably cheaper, even dropping below $1 per pound especially when purchased frozen.

While this economical option may not guarantee you top-tier “slicing grade” meat, it often suffices for those who want to serve a pleasant meal without putting in excessive preparation efforts.

This is when our recipe steps in, transforming this affordable, festival-sale ham into a culinary delight.

What Size of Ham Do I Need?

Here’s a more specific guide:

Number of People	Bone-In Ham (lbs)	Boneless Ham (lbs)
4-6	4-5	3-4
7-10	7-8	5-6
11-15	10-12	8-9
16-20	13-15	10-12
21-25	16-18	13-15

Other Ham Variations You Can Make

With a few tweaks of the glaze, you can make a lot of different flavors, like:

• Brown Sugar Glaze
• Honey Glazed Ham
• Maple Glaze
• Mustard Ham Glaze
• Pineapple Glaze

What Do You Serve with Ham for a Holiday Meal?

• Mashed potatoes
• Pumpkin Pie
• Pecan Pie
• Cornbread Dressing

Ingredients to Make Your Cheap Ham Taste Amazing

1 Ham, fully cooked – The main character in this amazing recipe, ham brings a rich, meaty flavor that blends perfectly with the other ingredients. Make sure it’s fully cooked for a safer and more savory result.

1 to 2 cups Pineapple Juice – This adds a sweet and tangy twist that complements the salty flavor of the ham. Pineapple juice also helps tenderize the meat for a soft and succulent finish.

1/2 cup Brown Sugar – Enhance the sweetness of your dish with brown sugar. It adds a caramel touch and helps create a beautiful glaze on the ham.

1 Beer, bottle or can – Beer infuses into the ham, giving it a deep and robust flavor. It also aids in tenderizing the ham, helping it to absorb the flavors of the other ingredients.

Cloves, whole – Cloves add a warm, sweet, and aromatic spice that complements the rich flavor of ham perfectly. They add depth and complexity to the overall taste of the dish.

Roasting Pan – Although not an ingredient, a good roasting pan is essential for this ham recipe. It ensures even cooking and can conveniently catch any juices that are released, preventing messes and preserving flavors for gravy or sauces.

How to Prepare a Cheap Ham that Tastes Amazing

Now that you have all the ingredients needed, let’s dive into the process of making this irresistible ham recipe. It’s so easy to make, even if you’re cooking a ham for the first time.

1. Begin by setting your oven to preheat at 325⁰.
2. Unwrap the ham and place it on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to make shallow cuts and form a cross-hatch pattern. If your ham has a layer of fat, cut through that but refrain from cutting into the meat.
3. Now, insert a clove into each square created by your cross-hatching.
4. Take your roasting pan and place the ham into it. Here comes the exciting part: pour a bottle or can of beer over the ham.
5. It’s time to cook your ham: place it in the oven, uncovered, and bake for about 30 minutes.
6. While your ham is sizzling and absorbing the beer flavors, mix the pineapple juice and brown sugar together.
7. After 30 minutes, it’s time to remove the ham from the oven. Pour off and discard the beer and juice, then pour between half to three-quarters of your pineapple juice and brown sugar mixture over the ham.
8. Place the ham back into the oven, and continue to bake it. The rule of thumb is approximately 15 minutes per pound.
9. When you’re down to the last 45 minutes of baking time, increase the oven temperature to 425⁰, and then baste the ham every 15 minutes with the remaining glaze. Make sure the roasting pan is not dry, if it appears to be, add some water.
10. After baking, take the ham from the oven and discard all the cloves.
11. Finally, slice your beautifully cooked ham, serve it up, and enjoy the hearty, flavorful feast you’ve just created.

Tips for Making This Recipe

1. Use a sharp knife: The key to making perfect cross-hatch cuts on your ham is to use a sharp knife. This will ensure clean and even cuts.
2. Select the right beer: While any beer can work, consider using a type that complements the flavors of your ham. A maltier beer can add a nice sweetness, while a hoppy beer can add a touch of bitterness for balance.
3. Don’t rush the glaze: The Pineapple Juice and Brown Sugar mixture form a glaze that gives the ham a sweet, tangy crust. Be sure to let it cook properly to achieve the best flavor.
4. Basting is essential: To keep your ham juicy and flavorful, make sure to baste it every 15 minutes in the last 45 minutes of baking with the remaining glaze.
5. Watch your roasting pan: The roasting pan should never get dry during the cooking process. If you notice it becoming dry, simply add some water to prevent the ham from burning.
6. Remove the cloves before serving: The cloves add a wonderful flavor, but they can be unpleasant to bite into. Don’t forget to remove and discard them before you start slicing the ham.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use canned pineapple juice?

Yes, you can use canned pineapple juice. The important thing is to mix it well with the brown sugar before applying the glaze.

How do I know if my ham is fully cooked?

Ham should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. You can check this with a meat thermometer.

Is it necessary to discard the beer and juice after baking the ham initially?

Yes, the recipe calls for discarding the beer and juice after the initial baking. This is to prepare for the next step, which involves applying the pineapple juice and brown sugar glaze.

Why do I need to increase the oven temperature during the last 45 minutes of baking?

This is to caramelize the pineapple juice and brown sugar glaze, which gives the ham its golden color and enhances its flavor.

What if I run out of glaze during baking?

If you run out of glaze, you can add some water to the roasting pan. This will keep the ham moist and prevent it from drying out.

Conclusion

And voila! Your perfectly glazed, succulent ham is ready to serve. Savor each bite, knowing that the magic you’ve worked will delight your guests, and perhaps even make you the star of the night. We’d love to see your successful cooking endeavors, so don’t forget to snap a picture of your culinary creation and share it with us! 

And, if you’ve enjoyed this recipe, be sure to rate it. Your feedback is always appreciated and helps us create more delicious dishes for you to try. So go ahead, tuck in, and enjoy your homemade masterpiece!

Here are Some Ideas For Your Leftover Ham:

Ham Salad

Ham, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Burritos

Ham Fried Rice

Thank you for sharing!