Can you eat smithfield ham without cooking?

In this brief article, we will answer the question,”Can you eat Smithfield ham without cooking?” We will look at the nutritional value of smithfield ham and the health benefits of consuming it. We will also explain some risks of consuming ham and how to cook smithfield raw hams.

Can you eat smithfield ham without cooking?

It depends on the type of Smithfield ham you have purchased. Smithfield has both cooked and uncooked ham. For example the Spiral Sliced Hams are fully cooked and can be consumed without any further cooking, it just requires to be reheated. 

To reheat them, remove them from their packaging and preheat the oven to 275 degrees. Place the ham with the cut-side down on a large sheet of foil in a skillet. 

Drizzle the reserved liquid over your ham and use the aluminum foil to wrap completely. Reheat your ham in the oven for about 10 to 12 mins for every pound. Take care not to overheat.

On the other hand, Smithfield also has Genuine Smithfield and Country Hams which are uncooked and require to be cooked so that they are safe for consumption. Let us take a look on how to cook the Smithfield uncooked hams.

What is the nutritional value of Smithfield ham?

The nutritional value of a 57 grams serving which is equivalent to 2 ounces is as below:

Calories122
Carbs0 grams
Proteins14.25 grams
Fat7 grams
Sugar0 grams
Sodium46% DV

What are the health benefits of consuming ham?

Can help maintain muscle mass

Ham is a good source of high quality protein since it contains many amino acids. If you incorporate ham regularly in your diet, it can assist in maintaining muscle mass and strength. Ham is also a good source of a protein building block known as carnosine.

Carnosine can help improve exercise performance. 

May support weight loss

Ham has a low calorie density and regularly consuming such foods may assist in weight loss because you end up feeling fuller for longer. Calorie density is defined as a measure of the amount of calorie in a food relative to its weight or volume.

It is rich in beneficial nutrients

Ham is a good source of essential nutrients such as minerals and proteins that play vital functions in the body. Some of the nutrients which are contained in ham are:

Selenium, carnosine, choline and Coenzyme Q10.

What are the risks of consuming ham?

May increase the risk of cancer

The curing and smoking processes usually result in the production of carcinogens such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs). 

These carcinogenic products are usually produced more when high temperature cooking methods such as grilling, bbq and pan-frying are used.

Consumption of high levels of sodium

Ham usually contains high levels of sodium that can result in increased risk of conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and kidney failure.

How do you cook Smithfield raw hams?

There are two methods that you can use to cook your Smithfield hams and they are; Oven cooking and Water cooking.

Oven-Cooking

When cooking your ham in the oven, you will first require to wrap it in a heavy duty aluminum foil and form a vessel with the bottom layer. Then add around four to five cups of water within the foil and place in the oven with a tray or pan underneath for support.

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees and once the temperature is met, bake your ham for about three hours or 20 minutes for every pound. Using a thermometer, check if the internal temperature has reached 163 degrees in the thickest part of the ham.

Take your ham out of the oven when the correct internal temperature is reached. Let the ham cool to room temperature for an hour. 

You can remove the skin and fats as desired. If you require a sweet coating, sprinkle the fatty side with some brown sugar and bread crumbs and bake in an oven at temperatures of 400 degrees until brown. This should take approximately 15 minutes.

Water-Cooking

If you require water- cook your ham. Put your ham in a large roasting pan with the part with the skin facing down and cover with cool water. Bring the water to about 190 degrees and cook to an internal temperature of 163 degrees or 25 minutes for every pound. 

Add some water to cover the ham and remove the ham from the pan while it is still warm. Proceed to remove the skin and the fat as desired. 

If you need to put a sweet coating, sprinkle some brown sugar on the side with the fat and some bread crumbs and bake at a temperature of 400 degrees until it is brown; this should take around 15 minutes.

Other FAQs about Ham that you may be interested in.

Can you cook jamon?

Can you cook a ham in an air fryer?

Can you cook hamburgers in an air fryer?

Conclusion

In this brief article, we have answered the question,”Can you eat Smithfield ham without cooking?” We have looked at the nutritional value of smithfield ham and the health benefits of consuming it. We have also explained some risks of consuming ham and how to cook smithfield raw hams.

Citations

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-ham-healthy#downsides

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