Now, in case you didn't know April 15th is not only Tax Day, but it is also National Glazed Spiral Ham Day. I'm not kidding either, there is a website to keep track of these things. So in honor of such, tonight's review is on the seasonal Trader Joe's Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham. I figured it's close enough and it's back on shelves.
Taste and review
Now, just a point of culinary bias right here: my personal favorite ham was from HoneyBaked Ham. Hands down, that is the ham against which I compare all hams.
Sadly though, this Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham just doesn't compete well.
Let's start off with the name: Maple Bourbon Glazed. That's mouth-watering. What you get here is a packet of sugar in the bag that you add some water to make a slurry. Brush it on and boom: not very maple bourbon-glazed flavor.
Perhaps it is the cooking directions where there is extra water in the bottom of the pan steaming away from the flavor, but no real glaze forms on this.
So, despite not tasting much like maple, bourbon, or being glazed, let's talk about the meat here.
In this vacuum-sealed package is half a ham that has been spiral sliced. The one I picked up was just under 3 pounds and most of them seemed to be about the same size. This store-bought ham is fully cooked and just waiting to be reheated.
While the spiral cut made it much easier to get into, you'll still need your knife. The final ham wasn't as moist as I would have liked despite the steaming to reheat in the oven.
Overall
But for the most part, this is a roast that is as easy as can be. It is seasonal and tended to show up around the holidays.
This is priced at $5.99 per pound or $16.53 for the ham I brought home.
Would I buy it again? No, Trader Joe's Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham is a pass from me. It was dry, it wasn't maple bourbon-glazed enough for me, and didn't quite live up to the gold standard of a HoneyBaked Ham.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
Product photos
An unopened Trader Joe's Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham:
Calories, ingredients, and directions
After being cooked in my roasting pan you get:
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe’s for a searchable list.
Trader Joe's Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham
Product Name: Trader Joe's Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham
Product Description: Trader Joe's Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham is a seasonal item that is found in the refrigerated section.
Price: $5.99
Summary
Trader Joe's Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham review contains recommendations to see if it is worth putting on your next shopping list. #traderjoes
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- There is minimal amount of effort required on the part of the home user: you'll need a knife and need to reheat this
Cons
- Not much in the way of glaze, maple, or bourbon flavors
- This was a bit on the drier side
Alek says
A glaze packet would be ideal here. Also have you seen the cute egg shaped soaps? It smells AMAZING!
becomebetty says
Hey Alek! I've only seen them through social media. I've been on the hunt for them by the 3 stores by me didnt have them.
Tonianne says
I’m a trader joe obsessed nut lol So I’m glad I found u in goge...I froze my ham oops lol do I need to defrost before I cook? Yes right?
becomebetty says
Hey Tonianne! Actually, this product I believe is fully cooked so all you are doing is heating it. If you need to defrost this, then run it under cold water in the sink. I hope that helps!
JimmyB says
Regardless of how good or bad it is for that price per pound I would be Honey Baked Ham instead.
becomebetty says
Thanks for sharing JimmyB!