Ham Dinner 2024: The Ham Journey
We started this conversation as we often do: "Well, this is how my mom did it" or "This is the pot we always used," drawing on the traditional, staple dishes we grew up with. The Ham Dinner was one of them. But things have changed. Ham has changed! Let's dive deep into the journey of a Ham Dinner in 2024. Plus, you'll get four delicious recipes, including the must-have Scalloped Potatoes!
Purchasing The Ham
First things first, you need to buy a ham. Easier said than done! These days, bone-in smoked picnic hams have skyrocketed in price. On our trip, we found small 3-4 lb hams at $4.99/lb. We grabbed two, tied them together, and created an 8 lb ham—enough for all the extra recipes we’ll get from this journey!
Cooking The Ham
We’re not just roasting the ham—we’re steaming it for that tender, fall-off-the-bone goodness. Use a large, heavy pot with a lid. Add onions and water for flavor, and cook at 350°F for 2 hours. I used my Le Creuset Dutch Oven, but any heavy pot will do!
Glazing The Ham
Remember when grandma would glaze her ham with brown sugar and mustard? This time, I used apple butter and mustard to create a unique, sweet-but-savory glaze. Mixing together about 1/2 cup of apple butter with 2 tablespoons of yellow mustard was perfect. I used about 1/2 of this to glaze the ham, then when it was time to serve the ham I whisked in about 1 cup of the hot ham liquid at the bottom of the pot to the remaining glaze. Drizzling this over the sliced ham on a platter was amazing! Want to skip the glaze? No problem! Glazing is optional, especially if you're planning to use the ham for multiple recipes, like soups or sandwiches.
Finishing The Ham
After 2 hours in the oven, glaze your ham, then give it another 30 minutes to brown. The meat should be tender, juicy, and falling off the bone.
Remove from your pot to a carving board and slice (and see above for sauce inspiration!)
Don’t toss the broth—it will be crucial for our next recipes!
Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes
No ham dinner is complete without scalloped potatoes. While your ham finishes in the oven, make these rich and creamy potatoes.
What to Do With Leftover Ham
There’s no such thing as leftover ham—only ingredients for the next delicious meal! From ham soup to fried rice, your ham journey is just beginning. Try some of our favorite recipes:
