Using Spiral Cut Ham for Lunchmeat

[Learning2bfrugal]

I shop at Publix, Albertson's, Walmart, and Sweetbay. I'm posting here because the Sweetbay forum isn't too active.

I was thinking of buying extra spiral cut ham, portioning it out and freezing it for lunch meat. Unless I'm mistaken, I think the cheapest I've seen it is at Sweetbay (4/8-4/14) for 1.49lb. Has anyone done this for lunch meat?

I'm still new so I'm not too familiar on lunch meat prices, but I'm pretty sure going this route is cheaper than getting it at the deli counter. However, I don't know how it compares to the prices of lunch meats that are already packaged in the refrigerator section.

Another question: Is a ham shank the same cut of meat as a spiral sliced ham? I'm just wondering if you pay extra for it to be sliced.

[labjor]

I did this with a spiral ham twice. The first one I cooked with the glaze, we ate part of it and I sectioned the rest into weekly packages for my husband to use on his sandwiches. The second I just cut off the bone and froze into pkgs. Both worked just fine. I saved the glaze mix to use on a fresh ham. HTH.

[dreamer3j]

Great question! I was wondering the same thing. Someone out there please answer her question, inquiring minds want to know.

[TheWoman]

It works, but there are a couple of problems. First, most spiral cut hams come with a bone in them and often have spots of fat to cut out. This means that your actual price for usable meat is much higher than the $1.49/lb you are paying. Take that into account when figuring your savings. Second, the pieces are not nicely shaped for sandwiches and the slices are thicker than deli meat. Some people are bothered by that, others are not.

[gryffindorgirl]

A couple of thoughts on stretching this out.

1. There is a deal for a rebate if you buy a certain amount of Unilever products for the purchase of a ham up to $20. I think you have to buy $40 of the Unilever in a certain period of time. If you are already doing this (like I am with Liption Tea because it is BOGO right now at Publix and we are stocking up) then this could give you a free ham ultimately. I have not got my hands on one of those rebate forms, but I am hoping to get one soon.

2. I don't know if you are from the South, but toss that ham bone in a pot of beans and the flavor it gives it out of this world. Pair it with some homemade cornbread and you have a cheap, yummy, and filling meal that will last for days.

HTH!

[ceelynncee]

It works, but there are a couple of problems. First, most spiral cut hams come with a bone in them and often have spots of fat to cut out. This means that your actual price for usable meat is much higher than the $1.49/lb you are paying. Take that into account when figuring your savings. Second, the pieces are not nicely shaped for sandwiches and the slices are thicker than deli meat. Some people are bothered by that, others are not.

The ham bone and trimmings can be frozen separately for soups and beans and usually there are pieces of ham that didn't get sliced all the way through,I cut them off the bone and freeze for casseroles or other dishes,it comes out being a pretty good deal.

[cheapcheap]

That ham bone is my favorite part! It's amazing in split pea soup... yum!

[earattic]

I bought this very ham from Sweetbays last year specificly to portion up and freeze. Worked beautifully. When making sandwiches I cut the pieces into strips or bite size pieces to make the sandwiches more managable. Yes you are paying for some fat and bone but even if it was half you still are far ahead of deli prices at $5.00 a pound or more for something no where near as good as this ham.
I make lentil soup. Saute some chopped onions and carrots and then add the bone and lentils. Cooks quickly and tastes like heaven!

Throw in the Unilever rebate and you have FREE ham plus !

[Learning2bfrugal]

for all of the great advice!