Spiral hams... are more expensive brands worth it?

[*Seanaci*]

We've had the Costco brand before...it's pretty good. But we now prefer a pre-cooked ham fro Schwans. And we prefer it cold rather than warmed up.

 

[jcemom]

My family prefers Honeybaked hams, but we've never tried Costco. We've had lots of other brands and keep going back to Honeybaked. They are really overpriced, but we only get them twice a year, so it's a treat.

 

[DebMcDonald]

Honey Baked hams are completely worth the extra cost, and it's not like you have to get one all the time, it's twice a year, Christmas and Easter.

I completely agree. There is definitely a taste difference and as far as I am concerned the cost is no different than buying an expensive roast. I'm picking mine up tomorrow.

 

[CowboyCO]

You can wrap the spiral ham in foil or even use an oven bag so that it stays moist.

I never thought of using an oven bag. That would probably help a lot. I always make a glaze that I can glaze with as well as have some extra that I reduce and thicken on the stove so people can drizzle it at the table.

Alas -- MIL came last weekend and brought a spiral ham for our early xmas with them, so we won't be getting one of my awesome fresh-baked hams. We're busy with Christmas Eve Performances and will do a Prime Rib for Christmas dinner this year... (Where is that licking-my-chops emoticon?)

 

[luvmy3]

I never thought of using an oven bag. That would probably help a lot. I always make a glaze that I can glaze with as well as have some extra that I reduce and thicken on the stove so people can drizzle it at the table.

Alas -- MIL came last weekend and brought a spiral ham for our early xmas with them, so we won't be getting one of my awesome fresh-baked hams. We're busy with Christmas Eve Performances and will do a Prime Rib for Christmas dinner this year... (Where is that licking-my-chops emoticon?)

I never thought of it either until someone posted in the CB about a ham glaze that they made and then cook the ham (not spiral cut) in a bag. It sounded good so I was googling ham recipes and found some where people do cook their spiral cut ham in a bag. I'm going to try one this year, hopefully it comes out good.

http://www.food.com/recipe/savory-spiral-cut-ham-108167

 

[mbf]

IDK if anyone has mentioned it yet but Aldi actually sells the best bone in Spiral Ham I have ever eaten! I think it is Sugardale Farms IIRC.

Lately though, I buy a Smithfield boneless spiral ham from BJ's because our Christmas Day crowd is not large enough to eat even a small bone in ham and a small turkey without having way too many leftovers. It is easier to just cut the boneless ham in half and then freeze half and serve the rest that day.

ETA: I see now that many people are fans of the Aldi ham lol. I am glad that it is so popular!

 

[finz2left]

Another Target Archer Farms family, and we WERE HoneyBaked snobs. Last Easter I needed a second ham because we had last minute adds to our dinner. HB was closed, so off to Target we went.

People loved the Target glaze as much as HoneyBaked, if not MORE!

 

[maggiew]

I have a follow up questions for the Ham experts. I have always bought a Cooks spiral cut ham at Shop Rite where you have to cook it for so long depending on the size and add the glaze for the last 15 mins. But this year we received a Honeybaked Ham as a gift and the instructions state that you should not cook it, just let it get to room temp. What is your experience with this?

Yes. That is how you prepare a Honeybaked Ham. No cooking involved. I leave it out a little longer than what it says on the package.

As a side note, did anyone get a Honeybaked for Thanksgiving? They wrote the instructions in gold lettering on the red background and it was nearly impossible to read!!

Maggie

 

[Mom2micayla]

The only hams my ILs will buy are the Honey Baked Ham Co hams. I personally don't care for them at all. Way too sweet & fatty for my preference.

When I'm hosting or buying just for my family, I always get the Kirkland brand (Costco) ham. It's more of a smokey ham. It's a very lean ham. I love the taste and the fact that it's about 1/3 the cost of HBH.

 

[Family Fun Mom]

I just picked up my Honey Baked Ham yesterday. I cant wait to tear into that bad boy! One more day to go!

 

[tavettava]

We used to be buy Smithfield or Krogers, but at Easter the only place here that had a good price was Aldi's. The Aldi's once are really good.

 

[Family Fun Mom]

Are the Aldis spiral hams precooked?

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Hey honey no one would laugh at you. We have ALL been in your shoes. So don't be afraid to ask us questions. Thats what we are here for!

ok I am sorry for my ignorance. I have only ever bought small hamsteaks... A spiral ham is one that is pre cut? My Dh is coming home (been deployed for 2 years) and I had bought a turkey thinking that is what he would like for Christmas dinner. I just spoke to him and he wants a ham. I have no idea where to start with on a big ham like that. I keep hearing spiral but I am not really sure what that is. Please don't laugh!

 

[QueenDoOver]

I see no one has posted about the absolutely wonderful, uncured ham that Trader Joe's sells. It is spiral cut and precooked. You just heat it at 250 for about an hour. Absolutely amazing. Just had our 4th one last night and everyone agreed it was again the best ham ever. Merry Christmas!

 

[StephMK]

Another Target Archer Farms family, and we WERE HoneyBaked snobs. Last Easter I needed a second ham because we had last minute adds to our dinner. HB was closed, so off to Target we went.

People loved the Target glaze as much as HoneyBaked, if not MORE!

Glad to hear it! I usually buy one at Baker's that my family loves but was at Target and decided to just buy it & be done. Can't wait to eat it tomorrow!

 

[North of Mouse]

Honey Baked Hams are THE best hands down. Yes, they are more expensive, but so worth it. They are very lean and so good. After the ham is used, I take the bone and make the greatest navy bean crockpot soup . The few times I tried to economize it was a disaster - very fatty, little flavor, so what few times we get them I bite the bullet and get a Honey Ham.

 

[Swimalie]

I see no one has posted about the absolutely wonderful, uncured ham that Trader Joe's sells. It is spiral cut and precooked. You just heat it at 250 for about an hour. Absolutely amazing. Just had our 4th one last night and everyone agreed it was again the best ham ever. Merry Christmas!

I agree!! I love their ham. I would love to have theirs tomorrow but my parents bought the ham and they only like Honey Baked.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Only Honey Baked Hams will do.

1) Absolutely.
2) Positively.
3) NoDoubtAboutIt.

 

[diznee25]

Another fan of Honey Baked Ham! We just picked up ours today, can't wait to eat it tomorrow!


diznee25

 

[Piecey]

After all the positive Aldi reviews I stopped in to get a ham today. They were $1.68/lb & "Take an additional $3 off per ham, up to 10 hams!"

Hoping we enjoy it as much as everyone else here. I bought 2 and picked up one for my parents too, $40!