How to Cook Spiral Ham (So Easy, it Might Not Technically Be a Recipe)

Here are the quick and easy steps and best tips for how to cook a moist, tender and flavorful pre-cooked spiral ham with your choice of glaze. This foolproof recipe is perfect for holidays and family dinners, and leftover ham is great to make more savory dishes!

Sommer’s Recipe Notes

Sweet, moist, and melt-in-your-mouth tender baked ham is a staple on holiday dinner tables! Sure, you could start with a completely raw ham and slooowly cook it for a few hours… Or, you can go the easy way and purchase a ready-to-heat precooked spiral ham. Maybe it’s just me, but I’m going to recommend you go with the latter when you’re trying to feed a family at chaotic special occasions or large gatherings!

We have several incredible spiced and glazed baked hams on the site that aren’t terribly complicated to make – like this simple baked ham with a honey mustard glaze and our recipe for ham with a cola glaze. However, if you want instructions to bake a simple no-fuss spiral ham, this is it!

Why You’ll Love This Guide For Cooking a Spiral Ham

• Foolproof “recipe” – A spiral cut ham is already cooked, so you are only warming it through, without removing moisture. Here, we’re sharing easy steps and best tips on how long to cook a spiral ham and at what temperature to prevent it from drying out.
• Choose your glaze – You can use the same method with our bourbon brown sugar glaze or any other recipe you like. Or just simply bake the ham and add the included glaze packet on top. So simple!
• One ham, many recipes – Baked spiral ham is scrumptious to enjoy for dinner with a variety of side dishes. And leftovers are great to use in other easy recipes like salads, casseroles, and more!

You definitely want to keep this handy guide nearby for your next special occasion or laid-back dinner party. Or make it on a regular weekday, enjoy some for supper, then use the meat in your meal prep plans for the week and/or freeze for later!

4 Things You Need

• Ham – Select a pre-cooked, bone-in spiral ham that weighs approximately 8-10 pounds.
• Glaze – Most spiral hams include a packet of glaze. You can use this, or try our fantastic homemade brandy and brown sugar glaze, sweet Coca-Cola ham glaze, or tangy honey mustard gaze.
• Roasting pan – Use a standard large roasting pan, or a deep 9×13 baking dish will work.
• Aluminum foil – You need enough foil to tightly wrap all the way over the top of the ham and crimp along the sides of the pan.

How to Cook a Pre-Cooked Spiral Ham

What Temperature to Cook a Spiraled Baked Ham – Generally, the oven temperature should be between 300-350°F. When you’re focusing on glazing and braising the ham to create a crusty exterior, it’s OK to go as high as 350°F. We do that several times here on the site.

However, if you want a fool-proof “no way you dry it out” ham with a caramelized crust… Bake at 300°F with a cooking time of 10 minutes per pound. This works for any size of ham, although most spiral-cut hams that include a bone are sold between 8 and 10 pounds.

Find the full How to Cook a Spiral Ham recipe with detailed instructions, storage tips, and a video tutorial in the printable form at the bottom of the post.

Storage Notes

• Storing Leftovers – Store leftover ham in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• Freezing – Slices of spiral ham are great to freeze! Stack slices together before wrapping tightly in a layer of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. For the most protection from freezer burn, I also recommend placing the wrapped ham in an airtight ziploc zipper bag. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw in the fridge overnight.
• Reheating – The best way to reheat ham so that it doesn’t dry out is in short 10-second bursts in the microwave at 50% power. Or you can heat a couple of slices at a time in a hot skillet on the stovetop.

Sweet and savory ham is a delicious main dish for Sunday family dinners and holidays, such as Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Spiral ham slices are wonderful alongside classic comfort food sides like fluffy mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes au gratin, classic Thanksgiving stuffing, and green bean casserole.

Planning a large gathering with southern flair? We suggest pairing the cooked ham with rustic cheesy squash casserole or cheesy hominy, corn spoon bread, and homemade mac and cheese. And you might consider bringing some veggies to the table as well, with zesty stewed okra with tomatoes, the very best baked beans, and marinated vegetable salad or a wilted lettuce salad.

Ways to Use Leftover Ham

Pre-cooked spiral ham is great to use for making all kinds of other fabulous dishes, like these easy recipes…

• Soups – Add chopped pieces of ham into cabbage soup, or to make a quick and easy navy bean soup.
• Sandwiches – Spiral ham slices are neither too thick nor too thin, but are heartier than slices of deli ham. So they’re perfect to “beef up” sandwiches like King’s Hawaiian sliders, pesto panini sandwiches, and low-carb bell pepper sandwiches.
• Salads – Use leftover pre-cooked ham to make the best old-fashioned ham salad, English pea salad, or simply add to a cobb salad or bowlful of fresh greens.
• Other Dishes – Chunks of ham are a delicious protein to include in a cheesy potato casserole, load into Italian Ground Beef and Potatoes, and make triple pork fried rice. (That’s right, triple!) You can also include them in side dish recipes like Mexican pinto beans and spicy southern collard greens.

Do you cook a spiral ham face down or on its side?

Set the ham on its side in the roasting pan, like in the photos here.

Does spiral ham dry out?

Yes, ham can become dry if it is overcooked. However, wrapping it with foil before baking helps retain moisture and makes the spiral ham juicy every time.