Quick Answer
Yes, you can absolutely put orange juice (OJ) on ham. The sweet and tangy flavor of the orange juice can complement the salty flavor of the ham nicely. OJ contains natural sugars that can glaze or caramelize on the ham when cooked or heated, creating a delicious sweet and savory flavor combination. Drizzling some OJ over a baked ham before cooking or heating can infuse it with extra flavor. Orange juice can also be used to make a glaze for ham by simmering it with spices and brushing it on the ham before and during cooking. Many recipes call for using OJ in ham glazes.
Exploring the Flavor Combination
Combining sweet and salty flavors is a proven culinary technique. The sweetness helps balance and round out the saltiness, creating more complex and enjoyable flavors. This is why glazes with some sweetness are commonly used on hams and other salty meats like bacon.
The tangy citrus notes of orange juice also pair very well with the rich, meaty flavor of ham. Citrus brightens up and cuts through the heaviness of the ham. Other citrus juices like lemon, lime or pineapple are also commonly used with ham for this same reason.
So orange juice offers both sweetness and bright, fresh citrus flavor that complements salty ham extremely well. The natural sugars caramelize beautifully when heated, forming a sweet, sticky glaze on the ham.
Serving Ideas
There are endless ways you could serve ham with orange juice:
Baked Ham with Orange Juice Glaze
– Score the ham and stud it with cloves.
– In a small saucepan, mix orange juice, brown sugar, mustard, cinnamon and other desired spices.
– Bring to a simmer to dissolve the sugar and thicken the mixture into a glaze consistency.
– Brush the glaze over the ham, coating well.
– Bake the ham, brushing the glaze over it every 15 minutes or so.
Grilled Ham Steaks with Orange Sauce
– Drizzle orange juice over ham steaks and marinate for 30 minutes.
– Grill the ham steaks, basting with more OJ as they cook.
– Make an orange sauce by simmering orange juice, honey and spices.
– Brush the orange sauce over the cooked ham steaks.
Orange Juice Baked Beans
– Sauté onion and garlic.
– Add baked beans, orange juice, mustard and desired seasonings.
– Gently simmer until thickened.
– Add cooked ham chunks and stir to heat through.
Sweet & Sour Ham
– Dice ham and fry quickly in a pan.
– Add orange juice, vinegar, brown sugar & spices.
– Simmer to reduce into a sticky glaze coating the ham pieces.
– Serve over rice.
Ham & Orange Juice Breakfast Sandwich
– Cook a fried egg.
– Place on a biscuit or bread with a slice of ham.
– Drizzle orange juice over the ham.
– Add a slice of cheese and serve.
Nutrition
Orange juice is packed with vitamin C and provides a number of other important vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, potassium, thiamine, folate and magnesium. It offers more nutritional value than many other sugary glazing agents like corn syrup or honey.
A 1 cup serving of orange juice (248g) contains:[1]
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 112 | 6% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 25g | 9% |
| Sugars | 21g | N/A |
| Protein | 1.7g | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 124mg | 138% |
| Calcium | 20mg | 2% |
| Iron | 0.5mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 496mg | 14% |
So using orange juice to glaze or sauce ham provides extra vitamins and minerals compared to many alternatives. The natural sugars also make it safer for diabetics than artificial sweeteners.
Safety Tips
When using any raw meat like ham, proper food safety is important:
– Wash hands and prep surfaces before and after handling raw ham.
– Use separate plates and utensils for raw and cooked ham to avoid cross-contamination.
– Cook ham thoroughly to an internal temperature of 145°F to kill any bacteria present.
– Refrigerate glazed cooked ham within 2 hours and consume within 3-5 days.
– Discard any glaze leftover after brushing on ham, don’t reuse.
As long as basic food prep safety is followed, orange juice can be used safely with ham.
Storage
To store leftover glazed ham:
– Allow the ham to cool completely, then cover tightly.
– Refrigerate for 3-5 days.
– Freeze for 1-2 months.
For orange juice:
– Refrigerate orange juice after opening.
– Use within 5-7 days.
– Freeze 100% orange juice in airtight containers for 2-3 months.
Proper refrigeration and freezing will allow both ingredients to keep until you’re ready to pair them in your next ham recipe!
Conclusion
Orange juice can absolutely be used with ham. Its natural sweetness balances the saltiness, while its bright citrus flavor cuts through the rich meat. Simmered into a glaze, orange juice caramelizes and infuses the ham with flavor. It provides more nutrients than alternatives like corn syrup. As long as food safety guidelines are followed, OJ can add a tasty twist to various ham dishes. Drizzle it over ham steaks or bake it into glazes – orange juice livens up ham with its dynamic sweet-tart taste.