The Best Kind of Ham to Buy for Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving dinner just wouldn’t be complete without a juicy, flavorful ham as the centerpiece But with so many options at the grocery store, how do you choose the right ham to serve a crowd? Here are tips on the best type of ham to buy for Thanksgiving and how to cook it to perfection.

Fully Cooked Bone-In Ham is Best

The most common and easiest to prepare ham for Thanksgiving is a fully cooked, bone-in ham. Also called city ham, this type comes already cured, smoked, and ready to heat and serve. The bone adds extra flavor to the meat as it cooks. Opt for a name brand bone-in ham from your grocery store deli over generic or “water added” versions for the best taste.

Skip the Spiral Cut

While the spiral cut ham seems convenient since the slices are pre-cut it actually has a few disadvantages for Thanksgiving

The spiral cut size may be too small. Most are 7-10 pounds and you need about 1 pound per person.
The slices can dry out since more surface area is exposed.
You miss out on the presentation of a whole carved ham.

Get a classic unsliced city ham in the 16-20 pound range to feed a crowd.

Select a Shape to Fit Your Cookware

City hams come in a few shapes:

Half ham: Shank end only with round shape; usually 8-12 pounds.
Butt end: Oval shape with the meatier portion; usually 10-16 pounds.
Whole ham: Full leg including both shank and butt; 16-24 pounds.

Make sure to pick a size and shape that fits your roasting pan. You want a snug fit with minimal extra space.

Choose Bone-In Over Boneless

While boneless ham seems easier since there’s no carving, the bone adds moisture and flavor as the ham cooks. Plan to spend 10-15 minutes carving the bone-in ham and the payoff of juicier meat is worth it.

Get Thicker Slices When Buying Deli Ham

If supplementing with sliced deli ham for sandwiches or snacks, opt for 1/4-inch thick slices versus thin lunchmeat cuts. Go for quality name brand ham over generic.

Prepare Your Cookware

Be sure to use a roasting pan large enough to comfortably fit your ham. To save cleanup, line the pan with heavy foil before placing the ham inside. The foil catches any drips for an easy post-meal cleanup.

Cook Low and Slow

Cooking the ham low and slow is key to the juiciest results. Place in a 300°F oven for approximately 15-18 minutes per pound so a 16-pound ham bakes for 4-5 hours. Let it rest for 15-30 minutes before carving.

Glaze Near the End

Stud ham all over with whole cloves for classic flavor. Brush with your favorite glaze only during the last hour so the exterior doesn’t burn. Opt for an easy store-bought glaze or make your own.

Carve the Ham Before Serving

Part of the appeal of a whole ham is the dramatic presentation when carved at the table. Use a sharp carving knife to cutvertical slices across the whole ham. Cut as much as needed for your initial round of servings, then carve more as guests go back for seconds.

Save the Bone for Soup Stock

Be sure to stash the ham bone in the freezer after carving off all the meat. Simmer it in water to make a smoky, savory ham stock perfect for soups like split pea, bean, or potato down the road.

With a top quality bone-in fully cooked ham, savory clove studding, and sweet glaze, you’re sure to have the star centerpiece dish for your Thanksgiving feast. Follow these tips for finding the perfect ham, prepping it properly, and cooking it beautifully.

what kind of ham is good for thanksgiving

The Competition

Goldbelly Hams PIT SMOKED BBQ HAM From The Shed BBQ It was disappointing and a little gross that half of the meat was just fat. But the barbecue sauce that came with it tasted great (smoky, sweet, and sour).
Harry and David Spiral-Sliced Ham 7. 5-8. 5 lbs: This was a good ham all around, but the flavor was a bit flat; it kind of tasted like roasted pork loin. The glaze, which smelled strongly of spices with a hint of apple cider, didn’t go all the way through the ham. It also arrived thawed out, which was a little concerning.
Rastelli’s Boneless Carving Ham With Glaze: This ham looked more like a brisket than a ham, and it tasted bad because it was crunchy, chewy, and grainy. Still, the glaze was very tasty. It had a good mix of sweet and spicy flavors.
Mangalitsa Bone-In Smoked Ham from Holy Grail Steak Co.: I liked the simple, porky taste of this ham, but I didn’t like how much fat was running through it. It had so much fat in it that it formed icebergs in the water bath, and eating it made me feel a little sick. Its also quite pricey.

The Tests

what kind of ham is good for thanksgiving

Shipping Check: I looked at each box to see if the ham was frozen or chilled when it got there and to see how well it was insulated.
Preparation Test: To prepare each ham, I followed the directions (which were in the package or online) and wrote down whether they were hard to follow.
Taste Test: Two to four people tried each ham and wrote down their thoughts on its flavor, texture, and how easy it was to cut and serve.

Honey Glazed Ham – The Perfect Thanksgiving Feast

FAQ

What is the best ham for Thanksgiving?

Bone-in ham The bone provides the meat with better flavor and texture. As a bonus, the leftover bone is great for making soups and stews, like this Old-Fashioned Split Pea Soup. Bone-in hams are sold as half hams.

Is spiral or boneless ham better?

It really depends on what you like and how many people you’re serving! We liked both whole and spiral-cut hams and didn’t have a preference for bone-in or boneless.

Are Costco spiral hams good?

I will say, the ham turned out pretty delicious—and my family members agreed. It was extremely moist, tender and flavorful. The glaze added a nice sweetness and a little texture.

What is the best Ham for Thanksgiving?

A spiral cut ham or a bone in ham or smoked picnic ham is the best ham for Thanksgiving. You’ll need to plan on about ⅓ to ½ pound per person you plan to invite PLUS a pound to account for the bone and fat. So, for 8 people you’ll want to buy a 5 lb (about) ham.

Is honey baked ham as good as regular ham?

The addition of honey will affect the calorie content of the food. One tablespoon of honey contributes to approximately 64 calories. In addition, the use of heat when making baked ham will reduce the quality of the honey.

How to cook a ham for Thanksgiving?

Slice the ham carefully, following the scored cuts for easy serving. Arrange the slices on a platter and garnish with fresh herbs, such as rosemary or thyme, for an elegant touch. Now that you know how to cook a delicious ham for Thanksgiving, it’s time to gather your ingredients and get cooking!

What makes a good holiday ham?

The best holiday ham should have a good bite, and not be too stringy or tough. Furthermore, slices should be carved to the perfect thickness and their flavor should have the right balance of salt, smoke, sweetness, and spice. You ideally want to buy something that is labeled ‘ham’.