Why Glazing Ham May Be Best Left To The Pros

Almost nothing beats the combination of a savory, salty ham and a perfectly sweet, caramelized glaze. A classic dinner centerpiece for ringing in the New Year with some luck, family celebrations, and countless other gatherings, glazed hams are undeniably iconic. Sometimes, the bravest and most curious of chefs will take on the task of glazing their own hams in pursuit of sweet and savory deliciousness.

Yet could you be taking on more than you can reasonably handle? Tim Ziga, Culinary Expert with The Honey Baked Ham Company, has insight into why glazing ham may be best left to the professionals. "As anyone who's tried to knows, glazing a ham is not for the weak of heart. It's a messy process and a lot can go wrong," Ziga says. If you decide to go ahead with glazing anyway, there are multiple factors to keep in mind during the glazing process. Perfecting the consistency and flavors of the glaze itself before it is layered onto the ham takes practice and care. Additionally, balancing the heat level of your oven and cooking time while glazing the ham — about 30 minutes before cooking is done — is key to avoiding the dreaded burnt glaze.

According to Ziga, in a process wherein many things can go wrong, one thing is clear: "Some things are best left to the professionals." Just as many intergenerational chefs draw on the experiences and expertise of those who have cooked before them, many glazed ham producers rely on methods and processes perfected over years of being in the industry. Per Ziga, the Honey Baked Ham Company is an example of just such a situation. "We actually hand glaze each individual ham (and turkey) to ensure each one has the perfect coat of that delicious glaze we're known for. It's a process we have been perfecting for over 65 years," he explains.

By not glazing your own ham, you could be better able to devote time and energy to other culinary endeavors, such as setting the menu by picking the best wines to pair with the ham or perfecting the delicious side dishes and desserts that will accompany the ham. The best way to enjoy this red meat — yes ham is widely considered a red meat – and avoid the risks of a burnt exterior or a subpar glaze flavor is to simply choose a pre-glazed ham for your dinner table.