This Maple Bourbon Injected Ham is easy and delicious. By injecting a Maple Bourbon into the ham, you actually get the maple and Bourbon throughout the ham as opposed to simply on the outside. It is simple to do and only takes 3 ingredients so try this interesting and delicious way of preparing your next ham.
I was shocked and surprised at how good this ham turned out.
Not because I thought it would not taste good but I didn't realize how AMAZING ham is when you actually inject it instead of just heating it up.
Delightfully flavourful and so easy to do, try this simple injected ham recipe and see if you too are convinced that injecting ham is the best way of preparing ham ever.
Why should you inject a ham?
- it helps to keep the ham moist and juicy
- it helps to deliver the flavours throughout the ham
- it adds flavour to the meat for those of us who don't eat the outer casing of the ham
- it allows you to be creative and add a nice twist to create a variety of flavours
What do you need to create this Maple Bourbon Injected Ham
- maple syrup (I used Lakanto Maple Syrup)
- bourbon
- butter
- ham
What type of ham can I use?
Any type of ham will work. I used nitrate-free bone-in ham for this recipe. Since they have started to research the possible link of certain types of cancers with an increased intake of nitrates, I try as much as possible to avoid nitrates in my food.
You can also use a boneless ham as well as a spiral cut ham. Hams sold in the United States and Canada are already cooked so if you living in another country, make sure your ham has already been fully cooked.
How do you make the marinated needed to inject this Maple Bourbon Ham?
- In a small bowl, combine the bourbon, maple syrup and butter
- Heat it quickly in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to liquefy the solution just a little
How do you inject a ham?
- Fill the injector with the marinade
- Carefully pierce the ham with the needle
- Inject the marinade as you slowly remove the needle from the ham
- Repeat the process leaving about 2 inches between injection sites
Tips and Tricks
- BE CAREFUL WITH INJECTING TOO MUCH MARINADE IN ONE SPOT! I did this and the marinade came shooting out at me from a different location then the injection site
- If you don't like bourbon, you can use rum instead or omit the alcohol altogether
- Feel free to use honey instead of the maple syrup
- I used Lakanto Maple Syrup which is sugar-free
- If possible, inject the ham the day before baking and allow the ham to rest uncovered in the fridge. This allows the outside of the ham to dry and creates a nice crisp skin
- If possible, allow the ham to sit untouched for 15-20 minutes before carving. This helps to lock in the juices
- If you are not going to be able to eat all the ham within 5 days, freeze the remaining ham for up to 3 months
- Bake ham covered at first to keep it moist and then uncovered for the last part of baking to allow the skin to crisp
How do you bake this Maple Bourbon Injected Ham?
- Put the ham, flat-side down, on a rack in a roasting pan
- Pour ¼ inch water into the bottom of the pan.
- Transfer to the oven and roast until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham registers 130 degrees F
How long does it take to bake a ham?
Here is what I found on Epicurious:
- 10- to 15-pound ham, allow 18 to 20 minutes per pound
- 5 to 7 pounds--about 20 minutes per pound
- for a shank or butt portion weighing 3 to 4 pounds, about 35 minutes per pound.
Serve this Maple Bourbon Injected Ham with the following:
- Curry Sweet Potato Fries (Whole30)
- Beautiful Potato Bacon Roses (Whole30)
- Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts and Onion Skewers (Whole30, Low Carb)
- Spicy Harissa Carrot Salad (Whole30, Low Carb, Paleo)
- Quick and Easy Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
- Caramelized Oven Roasted Carrots (Whole30)
Maple Bourbon Injected Ham
This Maple Bourbon Injected Ham is easy and delicious. By injecting a Maple Bourbon into the ham, you actually get the maple and Bourbon throughout the ham as opposed to simply on the outside. It is simple to do and only takes 3 ingredients so try this interesting and delicious way of preparing your next ham.
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 3-4 lbs bone-in ham, nitrate-free (if possible)
- ⅓ cup Bourbon
- ⅓ cup Maple Syrup
- ⅓ cup butter
Instructions
- In a glass measuring cup, add butter and maple syrup. Microwave for 30 seconds or until butter has melted. Stir in the bourbon.
- Inject the ham in about 1 inch increments. Allow ham to rest overnight uncovered if possible.
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Put the ham, flat-side down, on a rack in a roasting pan
- Pour ¼ inch water into the bottom of the pan.
- Transfer to the oven and roast until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham registers 145 degrees F
- Allow ham to rest for 15 minutes before carving.
Notes
- SEE POST for tips and tricks
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Main Meals
- Cuisine: Keto, Low Carb, Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 oz
- Calories: 160
- Fat: 4 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Protein: 29 g
Leave a Reply