recipe Why Uncured Ham Roast Is a Must-Have

Gathering around the table with loved ones calls for food that nourishes, delights, and supports a healthy lifestyle. Kakadoodle’s Uncured Ham Roast is the perfect centerpiece—rich in flavor, free of synthetic chemicals, and made with care using clean, locally sourced ingredients.

Why Go Uncured? A Healthier Way to Ham

The key difference between cured and uncured ham lies in the preservation method:

• Cured Ham is made with synthetic preservatives, such as sodium nitrite, which are used to preserve color and extend shelf life. While common, these additives have been linked to potential health concerns, including the formation of nitrosamines—a compound associated with cancer risk.

• Uncured Ham, like ours, is made using natural preservatives. Kakadoodle’s Uncured Ham Roast is seasoned and preserved with a blend of wholesome ingredients:

  • Water
  • Organic Cane Juice
  • Celery Juice Powder
  • Organic Brown Sugar
  • Organic Cinnamon
  • Organic Clove
  • Lactic Acid Starter Culture
  • Cherry Juice Powder

These ingredients not only keep the ham fresh but also infuse it with deep, savory flavor without relying on artificial chemicals.

Cooking Your Uncured Ham Roast

Our ham is delivered frozen, locking in freshness. Here’s how to prepare it to perfection:

Ingredients:

• 1 Kakadoodle Uncured Ham Roast
• 1 head of roasted garlic, cloves mashed
• 2 tablespoons chopped rosemary
• 2 tablespoons chopped thyme
• 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock (preferably homemade)

Instructions:

1. Thaw the Ham: Place the ham in the refrigerator 24–48 hours before cooking until fully thawed.

2. Bring to Room Temp: One hour before cooking, take the ham out of the fridge to come to room temperature.

3. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F.

4. Prepare the Rub: Using a mortar and pestle, combine roasted garlic, rosemary, thyme, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Rub this mixture all over the ham.

5. Roast: Place the ham skin-side down in a roasting pan and roast for 1 hour. Flip it skin-side up, and continue roasting for about 3 more hours, basting every 30 minutes, until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 160°F.

6. Rest: Remove from the oven, cover with foil, and let it rest for 30 minutes. The internal temperature will rise to around 170°F, which results in an especially tender texture.

7. Make the Gravy: Pour off the pan drippings, reserving 4 tablespoons in the pan. Over medium heat, stir in 3–4 tablespoons of flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly add stock, scraping up the browned bits, and stir until the gravy thickens. Strain and keep warm.

8. Serve: Carve the ham into thin slices and serve with your homemade gravy on the side.

How Much Ham Do You Need?

Planning your meal size just right ensures everyone leaves the table satisfied—without going overboard. For Kakadoodle’s Uncured Ham Roast, we recommend budgeting ⅓ to ½ pound per person. This range strikes a perfect balance between generous servings and minimizing waste.

• Serving a crowd? Go with ½ pound per person to ensure plenty for seconds.
• Keeping it lighter or serving alongside hearty sides? ⅓ pound per person should do the trick.
• Love leftovers (hello, ham sandwiches and breakfast scrambles)? Round up a bit more!

Support Local, Eat Clean

When you shop with Kakadoodle, you're not just choosing great taste—you're investing in your health, your family, and your community. Let every meal be a celebration of clean, chemical-free food and the local farms that make it possible.