Ah the holidays. A time for family friends, and of course, delicious food. But let’s be honest, cooking a big holiday meal can be stressful. Between the planning, the prepping, and the cooking itself, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
But fear not, my fellow holiday cooks! There’s a secret weapon in your arsenal that can make your life a whole lot easier: Reynolds Kitchens® Large Oven Bags. Yes, you read that right. Oven bags aren’t just for turkeys anymore. They can also be used to cook a juicy, flavorful ham that will impress your guests and leave you with more time to enjoy the festivities.
So, can you cook a ham in a turkey bag?
The answer is a resounding yes! In fact, using an oven bag to cook your ham is a great way to ensure that it comes out perfectly cooked, every single time. Here’s why:
- Even cooking: Oven bags create a sealed environment that traps heat and moisture, resulting in a ham that is cooked evenly throughout. No more dry edges or undercooked centers!
- Flavorful: The bag helps to trap the natural juices of the ham, resulting in a more flavorful and tender finished product.
- Easy cleanup: No more scrubbing greasy roasting pans! The bag catches all the drippings, making cleanup a breeze.
How to cook a ham in a turkey bag:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F.
- Shake a tablespoon of flour in a Reynolds Kitchens® Large Oven Bag. This helps to prevent sticking.
- Place the bag in a roasting pan that is at least 2 inches deep.
- Trim the skin and fat from your ham, leaving a thin layer of fat. Lightly score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern and insert cloves.
- Place the ham in the oven bag.
- Close the oven bag with the nylon tie and cut six 1/2-inch slits in the top.
- Insert a meat thermometer through a slit in the bag into the thickest part of the ham, not touching the bone. Tuck the ends of the bag in the pan.
- Bake for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or until the meat thermometer reads 140°F. Let the ham stand in the oven bag for 15 minutes before carving.
Tips for cooking a ham in a turkey bag:
- Use a fully-cooked ham. This will ensure that the ham is cooked through and safe to eat.
- Don’t overfill the bag. Leave some room for the ham to expand as it cooks.
- Don’t add any liquid to the bag. The ham will release its own juices as it cooks.
- Let the ham rest before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender ham.
So, there you have it!** A stress-free way to cook a delicious ham for your next holiday gathering. With Reynolds Kitchens® Large Oven Bags, you can relax and enjoy the festivities while your ham cooks to perfection.
P.S. If you’re looking for a delicious recipe to try, check out the Holiday Ham Recipe on the Reynolds Kitchens website. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to impress your guests.
What is Brown Bag Baked Ham?
The recipe for Brown Bag Baked Ham is exactly what its name suggests: simply place a ham inside a brown paper bag and bake. HA! For decades, my mother and her mother before her have been preparing our holiday hams using this technique, which results in the tastiest, most juicy ham you’ve ever cut into.
Plus, like I said, it’s a no-brainer: bag + ham + bake. No glazing, no broiling, no brushing – just ham in all its juicy, porky glory. Amen.
I know that preparing a large piece of meat can be intimidating, and up until my mother taught me her paper bag baking techniques, I was in the same situation. If you’re also nervous about big, meaty meats, baking a fully cooked smoked ham is a great way to start because all you’re doing is warming it up. For example, you don’t have the stress of making sure a whole turkey is cooked through—you just get the joy of taking a perfectly cooked ham out of the oven!
How to Make Brown Bag Baked Ham
Start with a bone-in smoked ham. Amana hams are made in Amana, Iowa, and my family has always used them because they are delicious. Aim for 1/2 pound of ham per person, which may seem like a lot, but that includes the weight of the bone and any fat that will be removed.
Next, cut the handles off a brown paper grocery bag. Then, wait for it….
Put the ham in the bag. Told you it was easy! If you don’t care to use a recycled bag with ink, again, you can use an “oven ready” baking bag.
Press the bag down around the ham after folding the top down and placing it on a cooling rack over a 9 x 13-inch baking pan.
Place the ham inside and bake it for 18 minutes per pound at 325 degrees by moving the oven racks to the very top and very bottom of the oven (you can remove the top rack completely if you have a place to store it).
So, for example, you will bake a 2lb ham for 36 minutes. Be sure the bag isn’t touching the racks, back of the oven, or oven door.
As soon as you press the ham, the juices start flowing. Truly, the brown bag baking method makes The. Best. Ham. EVER. You’ve got to try it!.
Slice the ham then serve it up with your choice of sides. As previously mentioned, we typically serve party potatoes and green bean casserole, but this time, the ham will steal the show.
Don’t forget to save the ham bone to include in Ham and Bean Soup!
From our family to yours – enjoy!
How to bake a Ham in an Oven Bag | Easy Glazed Ham Recipe
FAQ
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