Have You Got Your Easter Ham Recipe Yet? Here Are 21 Delicious Ideas (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular ham for Easter? ›

What most American cooks procure for Easter dinner is a wet-cured, lightly smoked, prebaked ham, what neighborhood butchers called a city ham, when there were still neighborhood butchers. There is nothing particularly urban about city ham, the meat expert Bruce Aidells said, but the name took hold as shorthand.

Ham was a practical alternative to lamb because it was more affordable and could be purchased in a larger serving size. Not only were hogs cheaper to raise than sheep, but the farmers could slaughter the hogs in the fall and let the meat cure throughout the cold winter months.

The tradition of eating ham on Easter is deeply rooted in the agricultural calendar. Before the advent of modern refrigeration, pigs were often slaughtered in the fall, and the meat was preserved through the winter months using salt and smoke.

These days, it's generally not necessary to soak gammon (uncooked ham) to make it less salty before cooking.

The story of Jamón Ibérico ham is steeped in mystery and romance. The ancient oak pastures of Spain, the noble black Ibérico pig, the mountain air which caresses each ham as it magically is transformed into one of the world's most exquisite foods - all play a part in this uniquely Spanish phenomenon.

The shank end (or leg portion) sports that classic ham profile, so it's a good choice for a picture-perfect table. The meat tends to be leaner and it has one long bone, which makes carving easier. The butt end (the top half of the ham) has more tender, fattier meat, lending a richer flavor.

Although Christianity is also an Abrahamic religion, most of its adherents do not follow these aspects of Mosaic law and do consume its meat. However, Seventh-day Adventists consider pork taboo, along with other foods forbidden by Jewish law.

Ham is often served at the Easter table, which may seem odd since Jesus was Jewish and wouldn't have eaten pork. It seems that this holiday food comes more from the timing of Easter rather than a religious meaning.

Ham on Easter is another one. ... The reason ham is traditionally eaten at Easter is actually that it's in season! Historically, pigs were usually slaughtered in the fall, when it's chilly outside and the cold could keep the meat fresh during the several days it would take to break down and prepare the hog.

Obviously ham is out of the question, but she notes that lamb is popular for both Easter and Passover, and that salmon and halibut are also appropriate for both. Still, remember that if your Jewish guest is keeping strict kosher, that means that you can't have dairy and meat as part of the same meal.

What day do you not eat meat at Easter? ›

Abstaining from meat on Good Friday is a tradition steeped in history serving as a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and a call for personal reflection. Christians don't just observe the Friday fast at Easter, throughout Lent it is observed.

A summary of current practice: On Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays of Lent: Everyone of age 14 and up must abstain from consuming meat. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday: Everyone of age 18 to 59 must fast, unless exempt due to usually a medical reason.

A little sweetness balances the smoky savoriness of ham. But think beyond gloppy, sugary-sweet glazes and get a little more adventurous. Peach preserves, hot pepper jelly, and maple syrup work as sweet bases for glazes that add sheen as well as distinct flavor.

Depending on how the ham was cured, it will most probably be necessary to soak the ham for 24 hours before baking it. This step isn't necessary when boiling a ham as the boiling process automatically removes any excess salt, but it is a foolish errand to bake a salt cured ham without soaking..

Tips for Making the Best Baked Ham

Cook it cut-side down: Place the ham cut-side down in your pan to prevent it from drying out while baking. Cover it while cooking: Help the meat retain moisture by covering the ham or pan with aluminum foil before putting it in the oven.

Ham sells both boneless and bone-in. (Remember to keep the hambone to flavor soups, stews, and greens.) The three most common cuts of ham are the butt end, ham shank, and center slice.

Ham is the most traditional Easter meat.

There's no question lamb is front and centre at the Easter table - and for good reason - but there are plenty of alternatives to choose from. This is our list of some of the best meats to have for your Easter dinner: Easter Lamb.

Whole hams have the advantage of being less prone to drying out when cooking, but to be honest, if you're careful about the way you cook it, a spiral-sliced ham will be just fine. I usually opt for spiral-cut hams.