Preparing a spiral ham in an electric roaster oven is a game changer for reducing holiday cooking stress. It is incredibly convenient, freeing up your main oven for all the other delicious dishes on your menu.
Hosting a big meal during the holidays requires lots of juggling. The oven is constantly booked, side dishes pile up, and who has time to babysit a ham? With an electric roaster oven, you can get perfectly cooked, juicy ham with almost no effort.
This recipe is a game-changer for busy holiday cooks like myself. For Christmas, New Year’s, Easter—you name it—this spiral ham in the electric roaster is the answer.
It frees up the oven for all those fantastic side dishes and desserts my family devours. Because, let’s be honest, pies usually beat ham! This way, I can focus on creating a delicious and festive spread with less kitchen stress. Now that’s something to celebrate!
Keep reading for step-by-step directions on how to make ham in an electric roaster oven. I’ll also throw in my best tips and tricks and answers to your questions.
🥘Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Ham: For this recipe, I like to use a spiral ham of about 10 pounds. Spiral hams are pre-sliced, which makes serving so much easier, which is what I want on a holiday. Plus, they’re usually precooked, so all you need to do is heat them through and add some delicious glaze.
- Glaze: You can use a store-bought glaze packet or make your own. Try my mango jalapeno ham glaze if you want something sweet and spicy!
🥣How to Make Ham in a Roaster Pan
- Preheat your roaster oven to 325 degrees F.
- Add 2 cups of water to the roaster oven. This will create steam and keep your ham moist during the cooking process.
- Use a sharp knife to score the ham diagonally, about ½ inch deep. The cuts allow the glaze to penetrate the meat and add a beautiful presentation to your finished ham.
- Wrap the ham in foil, leaving the top open.
- Place the ham on the rack in the preheated roaster oven. Set the timer for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- After the initial cooking time, brush half of the glaze over the ham. Wrap it up again and continue roasting for another hour. The glaze will caramelize and create a gorgeous, sticky coating on the outside of the ham.
- For the final touch, add the remaining glaze, increase the heat to 425°F, and roast for 15 minutes. The ham is done when it has a beautiful glossy finish and has reached an internal temperature of 140 degrees F on a meat thermometer.
- Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making every bite incredibly juicy and flavorful.
🍴Serving Ideas
Serve your ham alongside traditional side dishes like mashed potatoes, green beans, and dinner rolls. This tried-and-true combination never fails to satisfy, whether it is for Christmas dinner, Easter, or just a random weekday.
💭How to Store
Wrap any leftover ham tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight container. Store the ham in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
If you don’t think you’ll finish it within that time frame, you can freeze it for up to 2 months. Just be sure to wrap it extra tightly to prevent freezer burn.
🍔Ways to Use Leftover Ham
I love leftover ham! It is a great way to get more mileage from your holiday food. Here are some ideas:
- Breakfast: Who says ham is just for dinner? Slice up some leftover ham and serve it with scrambled eggs, hash browns, and fresh fruit for a hearty breakfast that’ll keep you fueled up all morning.
- Sandwiches: Thinly sliced ham makes for a fantastic sandwich filling. Try it on a soft, fluffy bun with a smear of Dijon mustard, a slice of Swiss cheese, and a few crisp lettuce leaves. Yum!
- Salads: To boost protein and flavor, add diced ham to your favorite salad. It pairs particularly well with a spinach salad with hard-boiled eggs, mushrooms, and a tangy vinaigrette.
- Ham Steaks: For an easy meal, serve your ham a second time by air-frying some ham steaks with pineapple.
🍖What Else Can You Use Your Roaster Oven For?
An electric roaster oven is like a large slow cooker. You can roast other things in it, like prime rib at Christmas or turkey at Thanksgiving. But you can do other things besides roast meat.
It is convenient any time you want to make a lot of something. Some things I have made in mine are chili, beef stew, and applesauce. The roaster oven is very helpful if you cook for a crowd.
📝Reader Questions
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