^{This post has been sponsored by Coleman All Natural Meats. All opinions expressed are my own.}

I still remember the first spiral ham that I ever prepared for myself. I remember the moist deliciousness of the slices, the sweet-yet-smoky flavor, and I remember adoring the leftovers. Leftovers served as bacon alongside eggs, as meat for sandwiches, and later as the meat for fried rice. All delicious. All blissfully simple to achieve.

Part of this memory is how it has served to reinforce a lesson that I learned only recently, "Simplicity is a value unto itself." The simpler the better, and the grander the result the more value the simplicity by which that result was achieved possesses. This is doubly true when that simplicity can save you time - and make you look good.

Deliciousness, visual appeal, aromatic delight - are all fine and good, but when you can possess all of that with delightful ease, that's when real magic happens.

Naturally, I'm talking about the star of Coleman All Natural Meats - the Applewood Smoked Uncured Bone-In Spiral Ham, and all of the delicious sides that go with it. In 2025, Coleman will be celebrating 150 years of excellence, and their Applewood Smoked Uncured Bone-In Spiral Ham perfectly encapsulates their dedication to quality.

Ingredient Checklist - Sublime Simplicity - Prepping the Ham

All right, so we've only got one main ingredient to talk about today, so let's be thorough. Okay, we've got 'two' ingredients if you count the glaze. Or three… if you count the optional add-ins. Either way, we're talking about Cooking a Coleman All Natural Bone-In Spiral Ham, and prepping this thing couldn't be easier.

Here's our step-by-step guide to perfectly preparing your ham:

Preheat Your Oven
- Preheat your oven to a balmy 325°F. We want a gentle, consistent heat. This ensures that the ham warms through evenly without drying out. Dry ham is sad ham. And if the ham is sad, so am I.
Prepare the Ham
- While the oven is heating, we remove the ham from its packaging and place it flat-side down in a large roasting pan. As with any large piece of meat, we want plenty of space around the ham.
- Then it's time to glaze the ham. Simply brush the provided glaze over the ham, being as thorough as you can. Get it in all those nice nooks and crannies.
Cover with Foil
- To ensure maximal moisture (and moisture means juiciness), we cover the ham with provided gold foil (you can of course use your own aluminum foil if preferred).
- Be sure that you've covered the pan tightly, so as to trap steam. The ham will leak juices during heating, and we want those juices absorbing back into the ham as steam, or reaccumulating in the bottom of the pan.
- For added juiciness you can add a bit of pineapple juice or apple juice to the bottom of the pan - but no more than half a cup. Feel free to get creative here with different flavors. Pineapple-Rum ham? Go for it.
Heat the Ham
- Once that's done, it's in the oven. Set the covered ham in the oven and warm it for 10-12 minutes per pound. For an average spiral ham weighing between 7-10 pounds, this will take between 1 hour and 10 minutes to 2 hours. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 140°F.
Rest and Serve
- Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This allows the juices to be redistributed, ensuring every slice is tender and juicy.
- Carve along the pre-sliced spiral cuts for easy serving.
Optional Enhancements
- Add a sprinkle of fresh herbs, like parsley or thyme, for a pop of color before serving.

Perfect Pairings - Elevating the Moment

While Applewood Smoked Uncured Bone-In Spiral Ham offers visual delight on its own as a centerpiece, the right accompaniments can elevate the meal to something truly special. Whether you're hosting a weekend dinner party, preparing a weekday meal for your family, or a festive holiday spread, the right pairings make all the difference.

Here are some of my favorites:

Grilled Vegetables

Grilled vegetables pair well with any meaty entrée, and that includes a spiral ham. Whether grilled in a cast iron pan or on the griddle, those smoky sear marks, and just a hint of char, are what you're looking for. This particular pairing is all about the ham's salty-sweet glaze and the applewood notes.

Recommended Pairings: Carrots, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, assorted root vegetables, and parsnips. I'd start them off dry with a pinch of sugar, and then add in a dash of olive oil, and maybe some thyme or rosemary for some earthy notes.
Pro Tip: Add some halved shallots or pearl onions to the mix for extra depth.

Creamy Potatoes

Meat and potatoes. Come on, you had to see this one coming.

Recommended Pairings: Scalloped potatoes, cheesy potato gratin, or you can keep things simple with buttery mashed potatoes.
Pro Tip: If opting for mashed potatoes, roast some garlic either in the oven in tin foil or char it in a cast iron pan - in the skin. Then mash that up, and toss it into the potatoes for sweet-garlicy notes.

Fresh and Zesty Salad

Any bright, citrusy salad will pair nicely. The key to this pairing is letting the acidity cut through the ham's richness, which brings out some nice refreshing contrast.

Recommended Pairings: Mixed greens with orange segments, pomegranate, toasted almonds, and a nice citrusy vinaigrette would do nicely.
Pro Tip: You know what also pairs nicely with a citrus-forward salad? Goat cheese. Try it, and thank me later.

Sweet and Tangy Sauces

Basically, think kicked-up cranberry sauce, chutney, or other fruit-based sauces.

Recommended Pairings: Cranberry-orange relish, pineapple chutney, or a tart cherry sauce.
Pro Tip: Get as creative as you can with this pairing. For inspiration, start with my Cranberry Sauce here on Living the Gourmet.

Classic Dinner Rolls

No meaty entrée is complete without warm, fluffy dinner rolls or biscuits to soak up the juices.

Recommended Pairings: Giant, hardy biscuits would be my go-to, but my second go-to would be my Artisan Boule Free Form Loaf.
Pro Tip: Serve with whipped honey butter or herb-infused butter for extra flair.

Festive Drinks

Pair the meal with beverages that complement the ham's flavors.

Recommended Pairings: A crisp Riesling or sparkling cider for sweetness, or a light Pinot Noir for a savory balance.
Pro Tip: For non-alcoholic options, offer a sparkling cranberry punch or fresh-brewed iced tea with lemon.

Leftovers - Beyond the Main Meal

There's no need to let even a single slice of your Coleman All Natural Bone-In Spiral Ham go to waste, but eating leftovers doesn't mean eating the same meal twice. Instead, leftovers are a great way to get creative and extend the deliciousness beyond the main meal.

With that in mind, here are a few ideas to make the most of your leftover ham:

Breakfast Ideas

Honestly, breakfast is my favorite way to use up leftover spiral ham.

Ham and Cheese Omelette: This one's super simple. Just dice up some leftover ham, heat it up as you prep the eggs, and then fold it into the omelet with cheese. My preference is Swiss, but cheddar or mozzarella both work.
Ham and Potato Hash: I've got a delicious recipe for hash that works perfectly with ham. It's as simple as sautéing diced ham with potatoes, onions, and bell peppers. Then top with fried eggs with a side of toast, and you are golden.
Breakfast Casserole: Layer leftover ham with cubed bread, eggs, milk, and your favorite cheese. Bake until golden for a crowd-pleasing morning dish.

Soups and Stews

Split Pea Soup: A thick split pea soup with ham, carrots, celery, and onions is one of my cold-weather favorites.
Ham and Potato Chowder: Chowder goes well beyond clams. Simply combine diced ham with potatoes, cream, and some thyme, and you've got a delicious soup… or is it a stew? Feel free to debate in the comments.
Lentil Soup with Ham: While the go-to for lentil soup is either sausage or hotdogs, diced ham works great as well. Just add the diced ham to a pot of lentils with tomatoes and mixed veggies, and who's better than you?

Hearty Sandwiches and Wraps

Ham and Swiss Panini: You had to have seen this one coming. If not, think layers of Swiss with ham on sourdough, and then grilled between two cast iron pans until the cheese is oozing out the sides and the bread is golden. Bonus points for griddle marks.
Hawaiian Ham Sliders: A summer must-have in my house, pile on the ham with pineapple rings and melted provolone in a soft potato roll, then brush with a butter glaze and bake until toast.
Ham and Veggie Wrap: Roll sliced ham, lettuce, shredded carrots, and a drizzle of ranch or honey mustard in a tortilla for a quick lunch.

Ham-Packed Pastas

Ham and Cheese Macaroni: This one's as simple as it is decadent. Prep your favorite mac and cheese recipe, then warm up some diced ham in a skillet before folding it in. Come on now, who doesn't love this?
Carbonara with Ham: While I love bacon as much as the next person, sliced ham makes a delicious substitute. So, swap out the bacon for some diced ham in a creamy carbonara, and you've got a delicious weeknight meal. Or use Coleman's Hickory Smoked Uncured Bacon.
Ham and Spinach Alfredo: Toss leftover ham with pasta, sautéed spinach, and a creamy Alfredo sauce for a simple yet elegant meal.

Creative Appetizers

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels: Spread cream cheese on a tortilla, layer with ham and shredded cheese, then roll and slice into bite-sized pieces.
Ham-Stuffed Mushrooms: Mix diced ham with cream cheese and breadcrumbs, then stuff into mushroom caps and bake.
Ham and Cheddar Puffs: Fill puff pastry with ham and cheese, then bake until golden for a flaky, savory treat.