Cooking a Broadbent Country Ham is a great way to enjoy the distinct smoky, salty flavor these specialty hams are known for. Before cooking, it’s important to pre-soak the ham in water for at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours.
This helps reduce the saltiness and, if done correctly, will make all the difference in the flavor. After soaking, preheat oven to 250 degrees. Rinse ham off and pat dry. Place the ham in a shallow baking pan, the fatter side up, add 1” of warm water to the pan and cover the ham with foil.
Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the ham, without touching bone, and place in the oven. Bake at 250 degrees for roughly 10-15 minutes per pound. The ham is done when the internal temperature of the ham is at 160 degrees.
Let the ham rest for 15 to 20 minutes once removed from the oven before serving. Enjoy your Broadbent Country Ham!.
How long does country ham need to cook?
The exact cooking time for country ham will depend on the size of the ham, but in general, it should take between 30 and 40 minutes per pound to cook. For instance, a 5-pound country ham should take between 2 ½ to 3 ½ hours to cook.
To properly cook country ham, pre-heat the oven to 250° F and place the ham on a roasting rack in a shallow roasting pan. Add about 1 ½ cups of water or broth to the pan. Cover the pan loosely with aluminum foil and bake.
Baste the ham occasionally during cooking with the pan juices. To check if the ham is done, use a meat thermometer; the ham should reach an internal temperature of 160° F when it is done. Allow the ham to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
When soaking a country ham does it need to be refrigerated?
Yes, when soaking a country ham it does need to be refrigerated. Before soaking, you should also ensure the ham is securely wrapped to protect it from contamination and other unwanted flavors or odors.
The ideal temperature to refrigerate the ham should be between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, as anything below or above this range could damage the ham quality. When soaking the country ham, you should let it soak for at least 24 hours.
Make sure the entire ham is submerged in cold, salted water while soaking. To maintain the temperature, keep the ham covered and change the water every 12 hours. After soaking, the ham should also immediately be placed back in the refrigerator.
Do you cook a precooked ham covered or uncovered?
When it comes to pre-cooked hams, it is generally recommended that you cook them covered. Cooking the ham covered helps ensure that the ham remains moist and flavorful. When the ham is covered, it helps keep the heat and moisture inside the oven so the ham doesn’t dry out.
If you’re cooking a smaller pre-cooked ham, it can take as little as 30 minutes to heat through. If you’re working with a larger ham, you may need up to 90 minutes of cook time. When it comes to pre-cooked hams, it’s important to make sure that you follow the package instructions carefully.
Pre-cooked hams are usually ready to eat, and you don’t want to risk under-cooking or over-cooking the ham. If you’re using a thermometer to check for doneness, make sure the internal temperature of the ham registers at 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Finally, keep an eye on the ham as it cooks and add a bit of liquid like water, white wine, or chicken broth to the roasting pan if it looks like the ham is drying out.
How long do I put a precooked ham in the oven for?
If you are reheating a precooked ham, it is recommended that you place it in the oven at 325°F and heat it until it is hot throughout (typically around 10 minutes per pound). To ensure the ham is cooked, you should use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature has reached 145°F, which is the safe minimum temperature required by the USDA.
Additionally, you should tent the ham with foil to prevent it from drying out. It’s important to also check the ham occasionally during the reheating process and baste it with pan juices or your own basting mixture to help keep it moist.
How long does it take to cook a precooked ham?
Overall, it takes about 15-20 minutes to cook a precooked ham. This will depend on the size of the ham and the method chosen. Pouring a cup of water in the bottom of the roasting pan and loosely covering the ham with foil before placing in a preheated 350 degree oven is the recommended method.
A precooked ham will heat more evenly in a moderate oven. If the ham is large, like an 8 pound bone-in shank or butt portion, expect to heat it for about 15-20 minutes per pound. Keep in mind that an instant-read thermometer is the best way to ensure proper heating.
The ham should reach an internal temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember to allow the ham to rest for 10 minutes after removing it from the oven before carving or serving.
Why is country ham shelf stable?
Country ham is shelf stable primarily due to the curing process that it undergoes. This curing process consists of a combination of salt, sugar, and nitrates which helps to preserve the ham and prevents the growth of bacteria, allowing it to remain safe for consumption for an extended period of time.
Additionally, the inclusion of sugar in the brine and sometimes following a dry-rub helps to caramelize the outer layer of the ham, further protecting it from any potential contaminants. In the end, the curing process helps to ensure a shelf-stable product that can be enjoyed safely for months, or even years, without the need for refrigeration.
Does ham spoil if not refrigerated?
Yes, ham can spoil if it is not refrigerated. As with any other type of meat, raw or cured, if left unrefrigerated, microbial activity can cause spoilage. Without the cold temperatures of a refrigerator, bacteria such as E.
coli, Salmonella and other foodborne pathogens can multiply quickly, leading to food poisoning and other health hazards. In the case of ham, the high sodium content in the curing process acts as a preservative, but not as a replacement for refrigeration.
Even though it may take longer for it to spoil, leaving it unrefrigerated will still result in spoilage and should be avoided for safety reasons. If a ham is left at room temperature for more than two hours, it should be discarded as a safety precaution.
Can you eat uncooked country ham?
Uncooked country ham can be unsafe to eat because it requires extensive curing over a period of time, which kills off dangerous bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. The curing process for country ham generally involves the use of salt, sometimes sugar, and sometimes nitrates, which help to preserve and flavor it.
Since the curing process makes it safe and shelf-stable, it is not necessary to cook it before consuming it and some people enjoy it as part of a charcuterie platter with cheese and crackers. However, it is important to be aware that it is salty and has a strong flavor, so some may not be used to the taste.
If you want to eat uncooked country ham, make sure to purchase it from a reliable source and store it according to the package instructions.
How do you store ham without a refrigerator?
Storing ham without a refrigerator is possible, but it is important to remember that it comes with the risk of spoilage, so you should only do this if absolutely necessary.
The best way to store ham without a refrigerator is to cure it. To do this, you will need to remove the skin and fat from the ham and rub it with salt, sugar, and spices. You can then cover it with a cloth or cheesecloth and store it in an air-tight container.
This will help preserve the ham for weeks or even months.
You can also keep ham in a cold area like a cellar or basement. If you choose this method, opt for a smoked and fully cooked ham, as it will last longer. Wrap it tightly in a cloth and change the cloth daily to keep it from molding.
If you’re in a pinch, you can also briefly freeze a ham. This method doesn’t work with uncured ham, but you can freeze a fully cooked and cured ham for up to two months. To do this, wrap the ham tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil or freezer paper and keep it in the coldest part of your freezer.
Defrost it in the refrigerator before eating.
How long does vacuum-sealed ham last out of the fridge?
If vacuum-sealed ham is stored at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, it can last up to 2 weeks unrefrigerated. After opening the packaging, the ham will need to be consumed within a few days. If temperatures are consistently higher than 40 degrees Fahrenheit, it is recommended to consume the ham within 1 week.
It is important to store the ham in a cool, dry place and make sure humidity stays below 65%. Once cooked the ham will last up to 4 days unrefrigerated.
How long does unopened ham last?
Unopened, fully cooked vacuum-sealed ham will typically last for up to two weeks when stored at or below 40°F. An unopened, shelf-stable, canned ham will last for 3-5 years, however it is highly recommended that you consume it within 1-2 years for optimal quality.
Refrigerated, cooked ham may only last for up to 5 days when stored in the fridge at a temperature below 40°F. This is dependent on the freshness of the ham before it was cooked and the temperature at which it was stored.
For the maximum shelf-life, you should always store your ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
How long can a spiral ham be left out?
Cooked or uncooked, a spiral ham should not be left out for longer than 2 hours. This applies if the temperature is above 90°F or lower than 40°F. Leaving it out for longer at these temperatures could pose a risk to health.
Furthermore, if the temperature of the environment is between 40-90°F, it is considered the “danger zone” where bacteria can grow faster, so it should not be left out for more than 1 hour. If a spiral ham is left out for too long, it can spoil and become unsafe to eat.
It is best to refrigerate the ham soon after it has been cooked.
What is the difference between ham and country ham?
The major difference between ham and country ham is the level of salt and the way they are cured. Ham is generally cured in a brine solution with added seasonings and cooked prior to packaging, while country ham is cured in a salt-curing process, resulting in a much saltier cured meat.
Country ham is then smoked and aged, resulting in a stronger taste. In terms of flavor, ham is more mild and sweet while country ham is more savory and salty. In terms of preparation, ham is generally cooked fully so it can be enjoyed warm or cold.
Country ham is traditionally not cooked fully – instead it is known as a Cured Ham and must be soaked in water for several hours, simmered for a few hours, then glazed and baked before serving.
What makes a ham a country ham?
A country ham is a type of dry cured ham that has been dry-cured with salt, and typically smoked or aged for up to a year. To be considered a country ham, the ham must be cut from the hind leg of a hog, rather than the shoulder or side of the pig.
After being cured, the ham is hung in a cool, dry spot, such as a smokehouse, where it is left to age and mellow over time.
Country hams come from locations all over the United States, including Appalachia, the rural South, and small towns throughout the country. As the hams age, their flavor deepens, with the rich, deep saltiness of the curing taking over.
The smokiness of the hams also enhances their flavor, as it’s a great way to add more depth and complexity to the flavor.
Country hams can be served in a variety of ways, such as thinly sliced, pan seared, or as a component in a casserole or soup. Because of its intense saltiness and smokiness, it must be cooked thoroughly before it is eaten.