The preference for frozen hams has been steadily increasing over time.
They’re convenient and easy to prepare, making them perfect for busy families.
But how long should you keep your frozen ham before preparing it?
And what kind of preparation techniques can you use when you decide to eat that frozen ham?
What are the benefits of cooking a frozen ham?
- You don’t need to defrost the ham first.
- It’s cheaper than buying fresh meat.
- The ham stays edible after freezing.
- They’re more portable than refrigerated hams.
What are the drawbacks of cooking a frozen ham?
- It takes longer to cook than a fresh ham.
- If you bake or grill it too much, it will dry out.
- Most frozen hams are not as juicy as fresh ones.
- Some brands may be filled with preservatives.
How do you cook a frozen ham?
Before you start cooking a frozen ham, make sure to check its expiration date.
If it has expired, there’s no point in wasting time and energy on preparing this dish.
The FDA recommends that only frozen meats marked “sell by” should be used because they’re still safe to consume.
To cook a frozen ham, remove it from the freezer and place it in the fridge overnight so that it defrosts completely.
Then, rinse away any excess ice crystals using cold water.
Next, pat the ham dry with paper towels and rub it all over with olive oil.
This step is important so that the ham doesn’t stick together during cooking.
Next, place the ham on a rack set inside a roasting pan.
You want to ensure that the ham is not touching the bottom of the pan.
If that happens, the fat will drip onto the ham below and make it soggy.
If you’re going to roast the ham in an oven, place the pan in the oven and preheat it at 375 F (190 C) for 15 minutes.
If you plan to grill the ham, place the pan on a grill rack and heat it up directly over medium-high heat for 10 to 15 minutes.
Once the ham is hot enough, brush it with more olive oil and season it with salt and pepper.
Cook the ham for about 20 minutes per pound.
To test if the ham is done, insert a thermometer into the thickest part of the ham.
When the internal temperature reaches 145 F (63 C), the ham is ready to serve.
What is the best way to cook a frozen ham?
Roast it in the oven at 375 F (190 C) for 25 minutes per pound.
You can also grill it for about 20 minutes per pound.
Baking or grilling it makes it juicier and gives it a nice crispy exterior.
However, if you choose to grill it, remember that it will lose moisture during cooking.
How long does it take to cook a frozen ham?
If you’re planning to roast the ham in an oven, it will take between 30 and 35 minutes per pound.
If you’re baking it on a rack set inside a roasting pan, expect it to take 45 minutes to 1 hour per pound.
For a ham weighing five pounds, it’ll take about 2 hours and 40 minutes to cook.
What is the nutritional value of a frozen ham?
A frozen ham contains less fat than a fresh one.
It also has less sodium and calories.
As a result, it’s a healthier option than a fresh ham that’s been cooked at home.
For example, a fresh ham weighs around seven pounds.
It contains about 8 ounces (227 grams) of fat. On the other hand, a frozen ham weighs four pounds.
It contains just 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of fat.
If you’re looking for a lower-fat alternative to a fresh ham, try a boneless pork loin instead.
What are some recipes for cooking a frozen ham?
There are two ways you can enjoy a frozen ham.
First, you can slice it thinly and cook it like a steak.
Second, you can wrap it in foil and bake it like a turkey breast.
Here are some examples of both methods:
Baked ham
Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 g) frozen ham
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried thyme leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil spray
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Spray a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish with olive oil.
- Slice the ham into thin slices and arrange the slices in the prepared baking dish. Pour the milk over the ham and let it soak for 5 minutes.
- Mix the mustard and thyme in a small bowl and spread the mixture evenly over the ham slices.
- Sprinkle the ham with salt and pepper.
- Arrange the ham slices in a single layer in the baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes.
- Top each slice with a sprinkle of cheese and return the dish to the oven for another five minutes.
- Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Grilled ham Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 g) frozen ham
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) honey
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil spray
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) beef stock
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) onion powder
Preheat the grill to high heat.
Brush the grill rack with olive oil.
- Place the ham on the grill rack and cook for 25 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix the honey, mustard, salt and pepper.
- Brush the ham with the honey and mustard mixture and then grill for another five minutes.
- While the ham is grilling, combine the balsamic vinegar, beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder and onion powder in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer it for 5 minutes.
- Pour the liquid over the grilled ham and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
Cottage Ham and Eggs from a Toaster Oven:
To make this recipe, you’ll need:
- 6 deli ham without holes thin slices
- 6 tbsp Тех-Мех blend or Cheddar cheese grated
- 6 tbsp tomato salsa
- 6 eggs
- salt
- black pepper
- 3 English muffins split
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Lightly grease a 6-cup muffin pan. Line each cup with a ham slice.
- Spoon in 1 tbsp (15 mL) cheese and 1 tbsp (15 mL) salsa. Carefully break an egg into each cup. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Bake in preheated 400 °F (200 °С) toaster oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until eggs reach desired doneness.
- Remove muffin pan from oven and immediately toast muffin halves.
- Using a narrow silicone spatula, gently remove ham and eggs from the pan and serve on toasted muffins.
- At last, add some parsley or dill for decoration and enjoy your meal! Bon appetite!
How do you thaw a frozen ham?
If you bought a frozen ham, you should leave it in the refrigerator overnight.
Once the ham is fully defrosted, it should be good to go.
However, if you’ve purchased a fresh ham, you won’t need to defrost it.
Just follow these simple steps to thaw it out:
Wrap the ham tightly in aluminum foil and put it in a bowl of warm water.
Change the water every 30 minutes.
After three hours, unwrap the ham and cut off any parts of the rind
that were stuck to it.
Allow the ham to sit uncovered for 12 hours.
Cottage Ham and Eggs from a Toaster Oven
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 deli ham without holes
- 6 tbsp Tex-Mex blend or Cheddar Cheese
- 6 tbsp tomato salsa
- 6 eggs
- salt
- black pepper
- 3 English Muffins
Instructions
- Lightly grease a 6-cup muffin pan. Line each cup with a ham slice. Spoon in 1 tbsp (15 mL) cheese and 1 tbsp (15 mL) salsa. Carefully break an egg into each cup. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Bake in preheated 400 °F (200 °С) toaster oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until eggs reach desired doneness.
- Remove muffin pan from oven and immediately toast muffin halves. Using a narrow silicone spatula, gently remove ham and eggs from pan and serve on toasted muffins.
Nutrition
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