If you’ve ever enjoyed an exquisite piece of smoked ham, then you know nothing else truly stacks up.
It’s hearty, savory, and delicious — and we love to eat it.
But did you know that there’s another kind of ham out there?
One that isn’t sliced up into thin pieces, but instead is scored in various patterns with a knife.
And while this type of ham may not be as popular as traditional ham, it’s still delicious!
So whether you’re looking for a way to impress your friends and family at a party, or just want to try something new, consider trying scored ham for your next meal.
We have plenty of ideas for how to prepare it, so let’s jump right in and find out what makes scored ham different from regular ham.
How do you score ham?
Score a ham across the grain (horizontal direction)
Score a ham lengthwise (vertical direction)
Score a ham cross-grain and lengthwise (diagonal direction)
Score a ham vertically and horizontally (diagonal direction)
Score a ham diagonally and lengthwise (cross-grain diagonal direction)
Score a ham lengthwise and diagonally (vertical cross-grain diagonal direction)
Score a ham lengthwise and vertically (vertical cross-grain vertical direction)
What is the best way to score ham?
Ham is often scored before it’s cooked.
This allows the meat to soak up more of the seasoning flavors.
If you plan on cooking ham, however, you should score it after it’s been cooked.
This will allow the seasoning flavors to penetrate more deeply into the meat and give you a more flavorful end product.
How do you cook scored ham?
We recommend using a slow cooker to help distribute heat evenly throughout the ham.
You can also use an oven, but be sure to keep the temperature low enough to prevent the ham from drying out too much.
The key is to cook the ham slowly over time.
You can score a ham at any stage during its processing, but if you decide to score it after it’s already been fully processed, you’ll need a sharp knife.
Be careful not to accidentally cut through the bone.
The best way to score ham is by first cutting along the inside edge of the bone.
Then, with the blade facing away from you, make a few cuts down the center of the ham to create two long, parallel lines.
Continue making these cuts until you reach the opposite side of the ham, forming four long, parallel lines.
Now turn the knife and continue cutting down the length of the ham, following the same pattern as before, except now only one line will remain.
What is the best way to cook scored ham?
Now that you’ve scored the ham, it’s time to cook it.
To achieve the most flavor, we recommend letting the ham sit overnight in the fridge to completely absorb the salt and seasonings.
Once you’re ready to eat, simply reheat the ham on the stovetop or in a pan.
You can also pop it in the microwave for a quick warm-up.
What is the difference between scored and unscored ham?
When you buy a whole ham, chances are you won’t notice that it was scored, since the scoring process usually happens after the ham has been processed.
But if you buy a ham slice, you might wonder what makes it different from a normal slice of ham.
Well, scoring helps to retain moisture within the ham so that it doesn’t dry out while it’s being cooked.
Scoring also helps to ensure that the meat cooks evenly, preventing some parts of the ham from becoming too dry while others stay moist.
How do you know when ham is cooked?
A good rule of thumb is to insert a fork into the middle of the ham.
If it comes out clean, the ham is cooked.
However, if you feel resistance, you’ll know that the ham needs to be turned.
When you turn the ham, the hot juices will run out of the sides and onto the plate.
If you don’t want to risk burning yourself, you can always place a large serving spoon next to the ham to catch the juices.
What is the best way to serve scored ham?
To serve scored ham, you have a lot of options.
You can serve the ham on its own as part of a meal, or you can slice it and add it to sandwiches or salads.
Just remember to remove the string before eating.
What are some other ways to cook ham?
While ham is typically served hot, you can also cook it cold.
Simply wrap the ham tightly in plastic wrap, put it in a container, and refrigerate it overnight.
The next day, unwrap the ham and slice it thinly.
You can also marinate the ham in liquid overnight before slicing and cooking it the next day.
And if you’d rather eat the ham immediately, that’s fine too.
All you need to do is slice the ham, place it on a baking sheet, and bake it at 350°F for 30 minutes.
The ham will become slightly crispier than usual, but it’s still delicious!
What are some other ways to score ham?
There are many ways to score ham, but here are three of our favorites:
Score a ham lengthwise and diagonally (horizontally across the grain)
Score a ham lengthwise and vertically (vertically across the grain)
Score a ham diagonally and lengthwise (lengthwise across the grain)
How can you make scored ham even better?
Once you’ve scored your ham, you can always improve upon it.
For example, if you’re going to serve the ham cold, you can add chopped pecans, dried cranberries, or sunflower seeds to the ham.
These ingredients will provide extra crunch and texture, while adding additional flavor to the ham.
You can also add herbs and spices.
While the ham is sitting in the fridge overnight, you can rub it with a
mixture of garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, red pepper flakes,
onion powder, and salt.
Then, once you’re ready to serve it, sprinkle the seasoned ham with fresh parsley, thyme, rosemary, and sage.
Honey Glazed Ham
Equipment
- 1 oven
Ingredients
- 5 pound ham ready-to-eat
- ¼ cup cloves whole
- ¼ cup dark corn syrup
- 2 cups honey
- ⅔ cup butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165 degrees C).
- Score the ham and stud with whole cloves. Place the ham in a foil-lined baking pan.
- Warm the corn syrup, honey, and butter in the top half of a double boiler. While the ham is baking, keep the glaze warm.
- Brush glaze over ham and bake in a preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Baste the ham with the honey glaze every 10 to 15 minutes. Turn on the broiler for the last 4 to 5 minutes of baking to caramelize the glaze. Remove from oven and set aside for several minutes before serving.
Video
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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