Carving a Shank Half or Portion Ham

Carving Tips

The ham’s fresh out of the oven, ready to eat, and mouths are watering. This is no time to lose your cool. But fear not: all you need to carve a ham is a sharp blade and a little advice from the ham expert. Watch, learn, and amaze your friends and family.

Carving a Shank Half or Portion Ham

Step 1

With the thicker piece of the meat on top, use a fork to steady the ham and cut along the top of the bone to loosen the boneless meat.

Step 2

Place the meat carved-side down on the cutting board and cut across the grain of the meat in perpendicular slices. Transfer slices to a serving platter.

Step 3

Turn the remaining meat carved-side down and remove large boneless sections. Place boneless sections, as they are removed, on the cutting board and cut in perpendicular slices. By cutting perpendicular slices across the grain of the meat, you will maximize the tenderness of the ham.