The holiday season is upon us and that means it's time to start planning for the most delicious feast of the year - Thanksgiving dinner. While turkey may be the star of the show, ham is also a popular and tasty option for the main course. If you want to impress your guests with the best ham Thanksgiving recipe, look no further. We've got a professional and well-organized introduction to help you create the most mouth-watering ham dish for your holiday table.
Why Choose Ham for Thanksgiving?
A Delicious Alternative to Turkey
While turkey is the traditional Thanksgiving centerpiece,
ham offers a delicious alternative for those who may not be fans of the bird or are looking for something different. It's juicy, flavorful, and easy to prepare, making it a great option for busy holiday cooks.
Easy to Prepare and Serve
Unlike turkey, which can be a bit intimidating to cook, ham is relatively easy to prepare and serve. It can be cooked in the oven or slow cooker, leaving you with more time to focus on side dishes and spending time with your loved ones. Plus,
ham is already pre-cooked, so it just needs to be heated through, making it a hassle-free option for your Thanksgiving meal.
Perfect for Feeding a Crowd
If you're hosting a large gathering for Thanksgiving,
ham is a great choice for feeding a crowd. A single ham can serve anywhere from 10-15 people, depending on the size, making it a cost-effective option compared to cooking multiple turkeys. Plus, leftovers can be used for sandwiches, soups, and other dishes, making it a practical choice for those looking to minimize food waste.
The Best Ham Thanksgiving Recipe
Now that you know why
ham is a great option for Thanksgiving, let's get to the main event - the recipe. This
ham recipe is sure to impress your guests and have them coming back for seconds. It's simple, yet flavorful, and can be easily adjusted to suit your taste preferences.
Ingredients:
- 1 (10-12 pound) fully cooked spiral-cut ham
- 1 cup honey
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F.
- Remove the ham from its packaging and place it in a large roasting pan.
- In a small saucepan, combine the honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, pineapple juice, and ground cloves. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Brush the glaze over the ham, making sure to get in between the slices. Reserve some of the glaze for basting.
- Cover the ham loosely with foil and bake for 1 hour.
- Baste the ham with the remaining glaze and bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F.
- Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before carving and serving.
Convert to HTML Code:
<h2>Why Choose Ham for Thanksgiving?</h2>
<h3>A Delicious Alternative to Turkey</h3>
While turkey is the traditional Thanksgiving centerpiece, ham offers a delicious alternative for those who may not be fans of the bird or are looking for something different. It's juicy, flavorful, and easy to prepare, making it a great option for busy holiday cooks.
<h3>Easy to Prepare and Serve</h3>
Unlike turkey, which can be a bit intimidating to cook, ham is relatively easy to prepare and serve. It can be cooked in the oven or slow cooker, leaving you with more time to focus on side dishes and spending time with your loved ones. Plus, ham is already pre-cooked, so it just needs to be heated through, making it a hassle-free option for your Thanksgiving meal.
<h3>Perfect for Feeding a Crowd</h3>
If you're hosting a large gathering for Thanksgiving, ham is a great choice for feeding a crowd. A single ham can serve anywhere from 10-15 people, depending on the size, making it a cost-effective option compared to cooking multiple turkeys. Plus, leftovers can be used for sandwiches, soups, and other dishes, making it a practical choice for those looking to minimize food waste.
<h2>The Best Ham Thanksgiving Recipe</h2>
Now that you know why ham is a great option for Thanksgiving, let's get to the main event - the recipe. This ham recipe is sure to impress your guests and have them coming back for seconds. It's simple, yet flavorful, and can be easily adjusted to suit your taste preferences.
<h3>Ingredients:</h3>
<ul>
<li>1 (10-12 pound) fully cooked spiral-cut ham</li>
<li>1 cup <b>honey</b></li>
<li>1 cup brown sugar</li>
<li>1/2 cup <b>Dijon mustard</b></li>
<li>1/4 cup apple cider vinegar</li>
<li>1/4 cup pineapple juice</li>
<li>1 teaspoon <b>ground cloves</b></li>
</ul>
<h3>Directions:</h3>
<ol>
<li>Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F.</li>
<li>Remove the ham from its packaging and place it in a large roasting pan.</li>
<li>In a small saucepan, combine the <b>honey</b>, brown sugar, <b>Dijon mustard</b>, apple cider vinegar, pineapple juice, and <b>ground cloves</b>. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.</li>
<li>Brush the glaze over the ham, making sure to get in between the slices. Reserve some of the glaze for basting.</li>
<li>Cover the ham loosely with foil and bake for 1 hour.</li>
<li>Baste the ham with the remaining glaze and bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F.</li>
<li>Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before carving and serving.</li>
</ol>