Precooked ham, sometimes called “fully cooked ham”, refers to ham that has already been cooked and smoked during the curing process, meaning it can be eaten as-is without further cooking. This allows precooked ham to be conveniently and quickly prepared by heating, glazing, simmering or even lightly frying without overcooking the meat. But can you actually fry precooked ham to give it a crispy, browned exterior while keeping the interior sufficiently heated through? Let’s take a closer look at the possibilities for frying precooked ham.
What is precooked ham?
Precooked ham is ham that has been fully cooked during processing, usually using a combination of smoking and wet or dry heat. Here are some key facts about precooked ham:
- It has been cured, smoked, and fully cooked before packaging.
- Brands include spiral cut ham, black forest ham, honey baked ham, etc.
- It can be eaten cold straight from the packaging or heated to serve.
- Heating is only required to warm through, not to cook raw meat.
- It has a savory, smoky, salty flavor from curing and smoking.
The curing, smoking and pre-cooking process gives precooked ham a ready-to-eat quality that distinguishes it from raw pork or uncured ham. This allows the ham to be safely consumed and enjoyed in a wider variety of quick-cooking applications.
Is it possible to fry precooked ham?
Yes, it is absolutely possible to pan-fry precooked ham to give it a crispy exterior and warmed, but not overcooked interior. Here are some key points on frying precooked ham:
- Frying adds texture – the heat and fat create a crispy, browned outside.
- Interior stays moist from the curing and smoking.
- No risk of undercooked meat since ham is already fully cooked.
- Frying time is brief to just heat through and brown exterior.
- Ideal for quick snacks, appetizers, breakfast side dishes, etc.
The low risk of over or undercooking makes frying an ideal quick cooking method for imparting crispy texture to precooked ham without drying it out. The ham’s smoky, salty flavor also pairs beautifully with the caramelization and fat from frying.
How to fry precooked ham
Frying precooked ham is a simple process, but there are some tips that can help maximize browning and flavor:
1. Choose an appropriate fat for frying
Good options include:
- Butter
- Bacon fat
- Olive oil or vegetable oil
- Lard
The fat should have a high smoke point to avoid burning. Butter provides great flavor, as does bacon fat. Olive or vegetable oil are more neutral tasting.
2. Cut the ham into smaller pieces or slices
This increases the surface area for crisping the exterior. Think bite-sized pieces or thin slices.
3. Get the pan and fat hot before adding ham
Preheat the pan over medium-high heat and melt the fat. Test the temperature by sprinkling a few drops of water – it should sizzle on contact when pan is ready.
4. Fry the ham pieces in batches
Avoid overcrowding the pan which steams the ham. Give each batch space to brown.
5. Brown the ham on both sides
Flip the ham halfway through frying to brown and crisp both sides. About 2-3 minutes per batch.
6. Optionally glaze the ham while frying
For added flavor and color, brush with a sweet glaze a minute or two before removing ham.
7. Drain fried ham on paper towel
Let excess fat drain off for crispiest texture. Sprinkle with salt if desired.
Following these tips will give you perfectly fried precooked ham with a crunchy crust and warm, juicy center in less than 10 minutes active cooking time.
What ingredients and kitchen tools do you need?
Frying precooked ham is simple, requiring just a few basic kitchen tools and ingredients:
Tools:
- Heavy skillet or frying pan
- Spatula
- Tongs
- Paper towels
- Mixing bowl (for glaze)
Ingredients:
- Precooked sliced ham
- Frying fat (butter, bacon drippings, oil, etc)
- Optional glaze (brown sugar, honey, jam, etc)
- Salt and pepper to season
As long as you have a good heavy pan, some fat for frying, and sliced precooked ham, you can make delicious fried ham in minutes. Feel free to get creative with different glazes too!
Helpful table showing basic tools and ingredients:
| Tools | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Skillet or frying pan | Precooked ham slices |
| Spatula | Frying fat like butter or oil |
| Tongs | Optional glaze |
| Paper towels | Salt and pepper |
| Mixing bowl |
This outlines the core items needed to successfully fry precooked ham at home. Having these basic tools and ingredients on hand allows you to quickly fry ham for a delicious hot snack or meal accompaniment.
What types of precooked ham work best for frying?
You have options when choosing a precooked ham to fry, but some types hold up better than others. Good choices include:
Sliced Ham
Pre-sliced hams fry up nicely into individual portions. Look for about 1/4 inch thick slices. Thicker slices may need longer frying times. Popular options are black forest ham or honey baked ham slices.
Diced Ham
Diced precooked ham provides more surface area for browning and crisping during frying. The small pieces cook quickly. Great in ham hash or scrambled eggs.
Ham Steak
A ham steak is a thick slice of ham on the bone. It can be fried as one large piece or cut into smaller individual steaks. Provides nice ham flavor to pan drippings.
Ham Hocks
Hocks are flavorful cuts from the lower leg portion of the ham. They can be fried as-is or cut into smaller pieces to crisp the outside. Great in soups.
Avoid Very Thin Slices
Wafer thin lunchmeat ham can overcook and dry out very quickly during frying. Stick to 1/4 inch or thicker ham cuts for the best results.
Going with a thicker, meatier precooked ham product will provide you with the best fried ham experience and avoid dried out leathery pieces.
Frying Precooked Ham Safety Tips
While frying precooked ham comes with little risk of undercooking, there are still a few safety considerations to keep in mind:
- Wash hands, utensils, surfaces before and after contact with raw ham.
- Precooked ham can still harbor bacteria so store properly after opening.
- Cook ham thoroughly until heated through.
- Do not leave fried ham sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Refrigerate leftover fried ham within 2 hours.
- Reheat fried ham to 165°F before serving again.
Properly handling and storing ham is important even with precooked products. Following basic food safety guidelines will keep fried ham safe to enjoy anytime.
Serving Ideas for Fried Precooked Ham
Beyond just eating fried precooked ham on its own, there are lots of delicious ways to serve and pair it:
Breakfast
- With eggs, hashbrowns and pancakes
- In an egg sandwich or breakfast burrito
- On biscuits or toast
- With gravy or sausage
Lunch/Dinner
- On salad or soup
- In fried rice or pasta
- On pizza
- In sandwiches or tacos
Appetizers
- On skewers or toothpicks
- In fried ham roll ups
- On crackers
- In deviled eggs
Side Dishes
- With vegetables or potatoes
- In macaroni and cheese
- On cheese boards
- In casseroles or pasta salads
The saltiness and subtle smoky flavors of fried ham pair well in both sweet and savory dishes. Get creative with how you incorporate it into your favorite recipes or stand-alone snacks.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Fried Ham
Have some leftover fried precooked ham? Here are some storage and reheating tips:
Storing
- Allow fried ham to cool completely before storing.
- Store in a sealed container in the fridge.
- Use within 3-5 days for best quality.
- Can freeze for longer storage (2-3 months).
Reheating
- In a skillet over medium heat on the stovetop.
- In the oven at 300°F until warmed through.
- Microwave in 30 second intervals, checking frequently.
- In the toaster oven at 300°F until hot.
The cooked ham will maintain its texture better than reheating from raw. Fried ham makes excellent quick meals and snacks for days by saving and reheating the leftovers safely.
Fried Precooked Ham Recipe Ideas
Ready to fry up some precooked ham at home? Here are 3 delicious recipe ideas to try:
1. Brown Sugar Glazed Ham
– 1 lb precooked ham steak, cut into strips
– 2 tbsp brown sugar
– 1 tbsp butter
– 1 tsp mustard
– 1⁄4 tsp cinnamon
1. Fry ham strips in hot butter 2-3 minutes per side until browned.
2. Mix glaze ingredients and brush onto ham last 1-2 minutes frying.
2. Ham and Cheese Stuffed Peppers
– 1 cup fried diced ham
– 1⁄2 cup shredded cheddar
– 3 large bell peppers, halved and seeded
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– Salt and pepper
1. Fry diced ham in hot oil for 2-3 minutes until crispy.
2. Fill pepper halves with fried ham and cheese.
3. Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes until peppers are tender.
3. Southwest Breakfast Hash
– 2 cups cubed fried ham
– 2 potatoes, diced and fried
– 1 onion, diced and fried
– 2 tomatoes, diced
– 1 avocado, sliced
– Hot sauce and cilantro (garnish)
1. Fry ham, potatoes, and onion separately.
2. Mix together with tomato and avocado.
3. Season with salt, cumin, hot sauce.
4. Top with fresh cilantro before serving.
Get creative with frying up seasoned, glazed, or plain precooked ham to enjoy in easy breakfast hashes, stuffed veggies, appetizers, and more!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about frying precooked ham:
Is it safe to eat fried precooked ham?
Yes, frying precooked ham is completely safe since the ham is already fully cooked during processing. Frying just heats it through while adding texture.
Does frying dry out the ham?
Frying should not dry out precooked ham if done properly using moderate heat. Avoid overcooking to keep the interior moist while crisping the exterior.
Can you fry ham cold from the fridge?
It’s best to fry ham at room temperature for even cooking. Frying cold ham may result in uneven browning and texture.
How long does fried ham last in the fridge?
Cooked fried ham stored properly in the fridge should last 3 to 5 days before quality starts to decline. Freeze for longer storage.
What’s the best oil for frying ham?
Good frying oils for ham include olive, vegetable, avocado or peanut oil. Lard or rendered bacon fat also add great flavor.
Conclusion
Frying precooked ham is a quick and easy cooking method that results in a hot, crispy and delicious meat perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacking. With just a few basic tools and ingredients, you can pan fry ham slices, pieces or steaks until warmed through and browned. Fried precooked ham pairs well in endless recipes from sandwiches to hashes to appetizers. Just remember proper food safety and storage, and enjoy the variety of flavors and textures that frying brings out in convenient fully cooked ham products.