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

[mousestruck]

I've only made spiral hams a couple of times, and to be honest, I really don't remember which brand(s) I served. The Cooks is on sale at ShopRite, but I'm wondering if the more expensive brands might taste better. Or even the Wegmans or Costco brand hams. Any advice?

 

[drcmk]

We always get a ham from Heavenly Ham and they are delicious. We never have leftovers and the whole family raves about how great it is.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

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!

 

[hannahdrewmom]

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!

Spiral hams are pre-cooked hams that are already pre-sliced in a spiral shape. So the meat is still stuck to the bone but all you have to do is peel it off in pieces. They often come with a glaze and all you do is heat the precooked ham in the oven and apply the glaze to the top. They are SUPER easy and will make you never want to cook a turkey again.

We normally do the Costco ham because of the price. However, if you have extra cash the honey baked are AMAZING! I really wanted one for Christmas this year but I can't justify the price difference. 10lb ham at Costco was $28, 10lb ham at Honey baked was $70. They are good... but not that good!

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Spiral hams are pre-cooked hams that are already pre-sliced in a spiral shape. So the meat is still stuck to the bone but all you have to do is peel it off in pieces. They often come with a glaze and all you do is heat the precooked ham in the oven and apply the glaze to the top. They are SUPER easy and will make you never want to cook a turkey again.

We normally do the Costco ham because of the price. However, if you have extra cash the honey baked are AMAZING! I really wanted one for Christmas this year but I can't justify the price difference. 10lb ham at Costco was $28, 10lb ham at Honey baked was $70. They are good... but not that good!

Oh wow. Ok that sounds like exactly what I want to get then! Thanks!

 

[crazelion]

I buy Aidi's version of spiral ham.

 

[wide awake]

I like the grocery store or Costco spiral hams much better than the Honeybaked...my family does too. It has nothing to do w/ the cost, but I find the flavor of the cheaper ones not as processy...I know, not a word. Put the inexpensive ham on a lovely platter, arrange about a 1/3 in slices, garnish w/ some greens and maybe candied crabapples or whatever colorful appropriate thing you have on hand...lovely main course, w/o spending a ton of money.

 

[dbrn]

I've never had a Honeybaked Ham, so don't know about that one. My absolute favorite is the Aldi spiral-sliced ham. I really like the glaze that comes with it.

 

[ilovemk76]

I've only made spiral hams a couple of times, and to be honest, I really don't remember which brand(s) I served. The Cooks is on sale at ShopRite, but I'm wondering if the more expensive brands might taste better. Or even the Wegmans or Costco brand hams. Any advice?

Only Honey Baked Hams will do.



It really depend on your personal taste. I have heard that Costco makes a great spiral ham.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

I don't like ham but dh really likes the Smithfield spiral ham that we get from Wal-Mart

 

[rcraw45425]

I usually cook the Boars Head Sweet Slice hams but found I'm needing a larger ham to supplement our smoked turkey to feed 12. The Boars Head ones are $6.99 a pound on sale, a little cost prohibitive, not that I'm cheap. I bought the Smithfield spiral one at WalMart the other day, $1.79 a pound, not the one with the crunchy Paula Deen glaze. I use the Boars Head glaze that's mustard and brown sugar, plan on using that on this one. Hope it turns out good, am glad to hear from someone that they have cooked one with good results.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I have not really found much difference in the taste of different ones but have found that the name brand ones are more difficult to pull slices off but I am not huge on what it looks like so that is ok by me!

 

[auntmeme7577]

I buy Aidi's version of spiral ham.

This is our all time favorite ham

 

[motor58]

We love the applewood smoked ham that costco has around the holidays. It's only 10cents more a pound and really really good. We look forward to it each year. Can't go wrong with costco either way I think, but had to point out this really amazing ham! And so true about how easy they are and tasty, makes turkey not very desirable!

 

[mikehn]

In my opinion Heavenly Ham, Honeybaked ham are a bit overrated. Im happy with a grocery store spiral ham

 

[momxx5]

I remember my Grandma always cooking a ham.....pineapple slices pinned all over and some sort of glaze.

But for the most part I have always had a precooked ham, no heating involved...just bring to room temp..

We already recieved a Smithfield ham. I am thinking that we will also need to cook a turkey....probably a turkey breast so no fighting over the legs (if there are not any to fight over).

What sides are you serving?
Potatoes? how......scalloped, mashed???

 

[dumbocutie]

I vote for the Aldi spiral ham $1.69 a pound in our area. Soak it over night in sprite and brown sugar. Mmmmm! Delicious

 

[mousestruck]

Thanks for all the replies! I appreciate the advice. Maybe I'll make a trip to Costco tomorrow, since their hams seem to have a lot of fans. Happy holidays everyone!

 

[mousestruck]

I remember my Grandma always cooking a ham.....pineapple slices pinned all over and some sort of glaze.

But for the most part I have always had a precooked ham, no heating involved...just bring to room temp..

We already recieved a Smithfield ham. I am thinking that we will also need to cook a turkey....probably a turkey breast so no fighting over the legs (if there are not any to fight over).

What sides are you serving?
Potatoes? how......scalloped, mashed???

Yes, I'll be making a turkey breast along with the ham, too. As far as sides go, I'm serving mashed potatoes (my family's favorite), roasted root vegetables, calamari salad (saw a yummy recipe on Food Network), tossed salad, and fresh dinner rolls. And my first course will be bacon-wrapped shrimp. For dessert, it will be Christmas trifle and cookies. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it! (If only I didn't have to cook it all myself!!!)

 

[Pigeon]

In my opinion Heavenly Ham, Honeybaked ham are a bit overrated. Im happy with a grocery store spiral ham

Me, too. I don't think the more expensive ones are any better.