New Year’s Eve Celebration: Serving Up the Best Ham Dishes

The holiday season often feels like a marathon, moving from the detailed planning of Thanksgiving to the festive rush of Christmas. As the calendar turns toward the final countdown, the New Year’s Eve celebration calls for a different kind of gathering. It demands a centerpiece that feels both celebratory and manageable, a dish that is impressive without requiring the same multi-day orchestration as a Thanksgiving turkey.

This is where the holiday ham finds its moment. A beautifully glazed ham serves as a magnificent anchor for a New Year’s feast, offering rich flavor, generous servings, and a sense of abundance. 

Why is Ham a New Year’s Tradition?

Serving ham for the New Year is a tradition rooted in history and symbolism. For many, pork is a food of good fortune. Pigs are known to root forward with their snouts, a motion that symbolizes progress and moving forward into the new year. This contrasts with other fowls, like turkeys, which scratch backward. A roasted ham, therefore, represents a hopeful look toward prosperity in the year to come. It is a hearty, sustaining meal that brings family and friends together to celebrate new beginnings.

What Are the Main Types of Ham to Buy?

The first step in your plan is selecting the right ham. Walking up to the butcher counter can be confusing, as the labels are plentiful.

• City Ham (Pre-Cooked): This is the most common type available. These hams are wet-cured (brined) and usually sold fully cooked. The only task is to heat them and apply a glaze. They are often available spiral-cut.
• Country Ham: This is a Southern specialty. These hams are dry-cured, smoked, and aged for a long period. They are intensely salty and are not for everyone. They require a lengthy process of soaking and simmering before being baked.
• Fresh Ham: This is an uncured, raw leg of pork. It must be cooked from scratch, much like a pork roast. It will not have the classic pink color or “ham” flavor of a cured ham.
• Bone-In: A ham with the bone left in often has more flavor and better moisture. The bone itself can also be used later to flavor soups. It requires more skill to carve.
• Boneless: A boneless ham is shaped and pressed into its form. It is exceptionally easy to carve, offering uniform slices.
• Spiral-Cut: This is a city ham that has been pre-sliced in a continuous spiral around the bone. It is very convenient and provides many thin slices. The open cuts also allow a glaze to penetrate deep into the meat.
• Shank End vs. Butt End: A whole ham is large, so it is often sold in two parts. The shank end is the lower part of the leg. It has one straight bone and is easier to carve. The butt end is the upper part, which has more tender meat, but also contains a more complex bone structure.

For a New Year’s Eve party, a pre-cooked, spiral-cut city ham offers the best balance of flavor, convenience, and presentation.

How Do You Select the Right Size Ham?

A common question is how much ham to buy. You want enough for your guests, and perhaps some planned leftovers for the next day.

• For Bone-In Ham: Plan on about 3/4 to 1 pound per person.
• For Boneless Ham: Plan on 1/2 pound per person.

If you are a fan of leftovers for sandwiches, soups, or breakfast scrambles, it is always a good idea to aim for the higher end of these estimates.

How to Prepare Your Ham for Roasting

Once you have your ham, a few simple steps are needed to get it ready for the oven. This assumes you are using a pre-cooked city ham.

• Thawing: If your ham is frozen, it needs time to thaw completely. A large ham can take two to three days in the refrigerator. Never thaw a ham at room temperature.
• Bring to Room Temperature: About one hour before you plan to cook, take the ham out of the refrigerator. Letting it come to room temperature helps it cook more evenly.
• Scoring (If Not Spiral-Cut): If you have a ham with a cap of fat (a “skin-on” ham), you can score it. Use a sharp knife to make shallow, diagonal cuts across the fat in a diamond pattern. This allows the glaze to penetrate and creates a beautiful presentation.
• The Roasting Pan: Place a roasting rack inside a large, heavy-duty roasting pan. This elevates the ham, allowing the heat to circulate. Pour about a cup of water, broth, or apple cider into the bottom of the pan to create steam and prevent drippings from burning.

What Are the Best Glazes for a New Year’s Eve Ham?

The glaze is what transforms a simple ham into a holiday centerpiece. It adds a sweet, tangy, or spicy counterpoint to the salty pork. The glaze should be applied in the last 30-45 minutes of cooking to prevent the sugars from burning.

Here are a few classic and modern glaze recipes.

Classic Brown Sugar and Mustard Glaze

Ingredients:

• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Instructions:

• In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients.
• Warm over low heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved and the glaze is smooth.
• Set aside until ready to use.

Pineapple and Cherry Glaze

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pineapple juice (from a can of pineapple rings)
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup maraschino cherry juice
• 1/4 cup whole-grain mustard
• Pineapple rings and maraschino cherries for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

• Combine the juices, sugar, and mustard in a saucepan.
• Simmer for 10-15 minutes, until the glaze has thickened and reduced slightly.
• If using the garnish, you can stud the ham with pineapple rings and cherries, securing them with toothpicks before the final glazing.

Spicy Maple-Sriracha Glaze

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup real maple syrup
• 1/4 cup Sriracha or other hot sauce (adjust to taste)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

Instructions:

• Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl.
• This glaze does not need to be cooked before brushing it on the ham.

Cola-Glazed Ham

Ingredients:

• 1 can (12 ounces) Coca-Cola or Dr. Pepper
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions:

• Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until the glaze has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.

How to Cook a Ham Perfectly

The main goal with a pre-cooked ham is to heat it through without drying it out. The “low and slow” method is the most reliable.

• Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 325°F (165°C).
• Cover the Ham: Place the ham, cut-side-down if applicable, on the rack in your roasting pan. Cover the entire pan tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil. This creates a steam bath that keeps the ham moist.
• Bake: Bake the ham for approximately 15-20 minutes per pound.
• Internal Temperature: The ham is ready when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part (without touching the bone) reads 140°F.
• Glazing Time: Remove the ham from the oven about 30-45 minutes before it is finished. Remove the foil.
• Apply Glaze: Brush or spoon about half of your chosen glaze all over the ham, making sure to get it between the slices if using a spiral-cut ham.
• Increase Temperature: Raise the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
• Finish Uncovered: Return the ham to the oven, uncovered. Bake for another 20-30 minutes, basting with the remaining glaze every 10 minutes. The glaze should be bubbly and caramelized.
• Rest the Ham: This is a very important step. Transfer the ham to a carving board and let it rest for at least 15-20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist ham.

What About Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Ham?

Using a slow cooker or pressure cooker can be a great alternative, especially if your oven is full of side dishes. These methods are best for smaller hams (4-8 pounds) that can fit inside the appliance.

Slow Cooker Ham:

• Place the ham in the slow cooker.
• Pour the glaze all over the ham.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours, or until the ham is heated through.
• This method results in very tender, moist meat, but you will not get the caramelized, crispy edges of an oven-baked ham.

Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Ham:

• This method is fast. Place the ham on the trivet inside the Instant Pot.
• Pour the glaze over the ham and add any liquid (like pineapple juice or broth) to the bottom.
• Cook at high pressure for 15-20 minutes for a 5-pound ham.
• Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before quick-releasing.
• You can use the sauté function to thicken the glaze in the pot.

How Do You Carve a Ham?

Presentation is part of the celebration. How you carve depends on the ham you bought.

Carving a Spiral-Cut Ham: This is the easiest. The work is already done. You can cut around the bone to release the slices, or simply let guests pull them off.

Carving a Boneless Ham: This is also simple. Place the ham on its side and cut uniform slices from one end to the other.

Carving a Bone-In (Shank or Butt) Ham:

• Place the ham on a carving board with a “well” to catch juices.
• Use a large carving fork to hold the ham steady.
• Make a long, vertical cut along one side of the bone.
• Make a series of thin, perpendicular cuts down to the bone.
• Finally, make a horizontal cut at the bottom, just above the bone, to release the slices.
• Turn the ham and repeat on the other side.

What Side Dishes Pair Best with Holiday Ham?

A New Year’s ham needs a supporting cast of side dishes. For a New Year’s celebration, this often includes dishes meant to bring good luck.

For Good Fortune:

• Black-Eyed Peas: A staple for New Year’s Day, symbolizing coins.
• Collard Greens or Kale: The green color represents paper money.

Starches:

• Scalloped Potatoes: Rich, creamy, and cheesy, this is a perfect complement to salty ham.
• Cornbread: A must-have, especially if you are serving greens and black-eyed peas.
• Mashed Potatoes: A classic that is always a crowd-pleaser.

Vegetables:

• Roasted Brussels Sprouts: A savory, slightly bitter vegetable cuts through the richness.
• Honey-Glazed Carrots: These echo the sweetness of the glaze.
• Green Bean Casserole: A holiday classic for a reason.

What to Do with Leftover Ham?

The celebration continues the next day with the leftovers. The ham bone is liquid gold for making soup.

• Ham and Bean Soup: Use the ham bone, leftover ham, and a bag of navy beans for a hearty New Year’s Day soup.
• Leftover Ham Sandwiches: A classic, especially on biscuits or Hawaiian rolls with a bit of mustard.
• Breakfast: Dice the ham and add it to omelets, quiche, or a breakfast hash with potatoes.

The Holiday Ham Timeline: A Stress-Free Plan

A good plan is the key to a relaxed host.

One Week Before:

• Purchase a frozen ham.
• Buy all non-perishable glaze ingredients and side dish items.

Three Days Before (December 29th):

• If your ham is frozen, move it from the freezer to the refrigerator to thaw.

One Day Before (December 30th):

• Buy any fresh ingredients for side dishes.
• Prepare the ham glaze and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• You can prepare many side dishes, like chopping vegetables or making casseroles, a day in advance.

New Year’s Eve (December 31st):

• Remove the ham from the refrigerator one hour before baking.
• Calculate your cooking time and start the ham so it finishes about 30 minutes before you plan to eat.
• Prepare your remaining side dishes while the ham is in the oven.
• Glaze the ham during its last 30-45 minutes of cooking.
• Let the ham rest, covered, while you put the finishing touches on the meal.
• Carve and serve.

Ring In the New Year with Ham from Nick’s

A New Year’s Eve ham is the perfect way to feed a crowd without spending the whole day in the kitchen, and a well-chosen cut sets the tone for a relaxed, celebratory evening. From classic brown sugar glazes to bolder pineapple-cherry or spicy maple options, the right flavor pairing turns a simple city ham into a show-stopping centerpiece that looks as good on the platter as it tastes on the plate.

Once the ham is in the oven, “low and slow” cooking and a final blast of high heat for caramelizing the glaze keep the meat tender, juicy, and party-ready, whether you opt for spiral-cut convenience, a boneless roast, or a traditional bone-in shank. Sides like scalloped potatoes, greens, cornbread, and bright roasted vegetables round out the menu and give guests plenty of ways to fill their plates, with plenty of leftovers for New Year’s Day sandwiches, soups, and hearty breakfasts.

If you want your ham to be the star without all the stress, Nick’s of Clinton can help with premium hams, quality ingredients, and deli favorites that make entertaining easier. From choosing the right cut to rounding out your table with prepared sides and party platters, the team is ready to support your holiday menu—just give Nick’s a call at (301) 843-4825.