How to Cook Ham in the Oven : A Simple and Delicious Guide

Cooking ham in the oven is simple and delicious. Choose your type of ham, add glaze or seasoning, bake according to recommended cooking time, and allow it to rest before carving for juicy and flavorful meat.

Weight of Ham	Oven Temperature	Cooking Time
5-7 pounds	325°F (163°C)	20-25 minutes per pound
7-10 pounds	325°F (163°C)	18-20 minutes per pound
10-14 pounds	325°F (163°C)	15-18 minutes per pound
14-18 pounds	325°F (163°C)	13-16 minutes per pound
18-20 pounds	325°F (163°C)	12-15 minutes per pound

Ham is a delicious and versatile meat that can be cooked in many ways. One of the most popular methods is baking it in the oven. Whether you’re cooking a ham for a holiday gathering or a family dinner, this guide will teach you how to cook a ham in the oven to perfection.

Introduction

Cooking ham in the oven is a great way to get juicy, tender, and flavorful meat perfect for any occasion. In this guide, we will show you how to prepare, season, cook, glaze, and serve a delicious ham that will impress your guests and satisfy your taste buds.

Types of Ham

Before diving into the cooking process, it’s essential to understand the different types of ham available. The two main types of ham are:

• City Ham: also known as “wet-cured” ham, is the most common ham in grocery stores. It is brined in water, salt, sugar, and spices and maybe smoked or unsmoked.
• Country Ham: also known as “dry-cured” ham, country ham is a Southern specialty that is cured with a dry rub of salt, sugar, and spices, and aged for several months. It is typically salty and smoky and needs to be soaked and boiled before baking.

Choosing the Right Ham

When choosing a ham, there are a few things to consider:

• Size: plan on 1/2 pound of ham per person for boneless ham, and 3/4 pound per person for bone-in ham.
• Bone-in vs. Boneless: bone-in ham will have more flavor and may be easier to carve, but boneless ham is easier to slice and serve.
• Smoked vs. Unsmoked: smoked ham will have a deeper flavor and may be saltier than unsmoked ham.

Benefits of Ham

Ham is a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. It is also low in carbohydrates and fat, making it a healthy choice for people on a low-carb or low-fat diet. Additionally, ham is versatile and easy to cook, making it a popular choice for busy households and special occasions.

Nutrition Facts of Ham

A 3-ounce serving of ham contains approximately:

Nutrient	Amount per serving (3 ounces)
Calories	125
Protein	16 grams
Fat	6 grams
Saturated Fat	2 grams
Cholesterol	40 milligrams
Sodium	780 milligrams
Carbohydrates	0 grams
Fiber	0 grams
Sugar	0 grams

How to Store Ham

To store ham, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate it for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the ham in an airtight container for up to six months. Thaw frozen ham in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours before using.

Cooked and Uncooked Ham

Type of Ham	Refrigerator Storage	Freezer Storage
Uncooked Whole Ham	3-5 days	6-8 months
Uncooked Half Ham	3-5 days	6-8 months
Uncooked Sliced Ham	3-5 days	6 months
Cooked Whole Ham	7 days	2-3 months
Cooked Half Ham	7 days	2-3 months
Cooked Sliced Ham	3-4 days	2 months

How to Cook Ham in the Oven

Baking ham in the oven is a simple and delicious way to enjoy this meat. Here’s how to do it:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
2. Place the ham on a rack in a roasting pan, cut side down.
3. Add 1/2 cup of water or broth to the pan to keep the ham moist

4. Cover the ham with foil or a lid and bake for 10-15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F for city ham and 160°F for country ham.
5. Baste the ham every 30 minutes with the juices in the pan to keep it moist and flavorful.
6. Remove the foil or lid for the last 30 minutes of baking to allow the surface to caramelize and form a crust.
7. When the ham is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.

Preparing the Ham

Before cooking the ham, you need to prepare it by trimming any excess fat and scoring the surface to allow the flavors to penetrate. Here’s how to do it:

1. Remove the packaging and any netting or strings from the ham.
2. Trim off any thick layers of fat, leaving a thin layer for flavor and moisture.
3. Score the surface of the ham by making shallow cuts in a diamond pattern, about 1/4 inch deep.

Seasoning the Ham

To add flavor to the ham, you can use a simple seasoning blend of brown sugar, mustard, and spices, or create your own blend using herbs, citrus, or other ingredients. Here’s how to season the ham:

1. Mix the seasoning ingredients in a bowl to create a paste.
2. Rub the paste all over the ham, including the scored surface.
3. Cover the ham with foil or a lid and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight.

Cooking the Ham

Now it’s time to cook the ham in the oven. Here’s how to do it:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
2. Place the ham on a rack in a roasting pan, cut side down.
3. Add 1/2 cup of water or broth to the pan to keep the ham moist.

4. Cover the ham with foil or a lid and bake for 10-15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F for city ham and 160°F for country ham.
5. Baste the ham every 30 minutes with the juices in the pan to keep it moist and flavorful.
6. Remove the foil or lid for the last 30 minutes of baking to allow the surface to caramelize and form a crust.
7. When the ham is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.

Glazing the Ham

To add a sweet and sticky glaze to the ham, you can brush it with a mixture of brown sugar, honey, mustard, and spices during the last 30 minutes of baking. Here’s how to glaze the ham:

1. Mix the glaze ingredients in a bowl to create a thick syrup.
2. Brush the glaze all over the surface of the ham, using a pastry brush or spoon.
3. Return the ham to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 30 minutes, basting occasionally with the glaze.
4. When the ham is golden brown and caramelized, remove it from the oven and let it rest before serving.

Resting the Ham

Letting the ham rest after cooking allows the juices to redistribute and the meat to become more tender and juicy. Here’s how to rest the ham:

1. Remove the ham from the oven and transfer it to a cutting board.
2. Cover the ham loosely with foil or a clean kitchen towel.
3. Let the ham rest for at least 10-15 minutes before carving.

Serving the Ham

When the ham is ready to be served, you can slice it thinly and arrange it on a platter or individual plates. Here are some serving ideas:

• Serve with a side of roasted vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes, or Brussels sprouts.
• Make a ham and cheese sandwich with leftover ham, bread, and cheese.
• Use ham in a quiche, frittata, or omelet for breakfast or brunch.
• Cube ham and add it to a salad or pasta dish for extra protein and flavor.

Leftover Ham

If you have leftover ham, there are many ways to use it up. Here are some ideas:

• Make a ham and bean soup or split pea soup.
• Use ham in a breakfast casserole or strata.
• Make a ham and cheese quiche or frittata.
• Use ham in a pasta or rice dish, such as carbonara or fried rice.
• Cube ham and add it to a salad or sandwich.

Recipe 1: Maple-Glazed Ham

This sweet and savory ham recipe is perfect for a special occasion or holiday gathering. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients:

• 1 (10-12 pound) fully cooked bone-in ham
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and ground cloves.
3. Place the ham on a rack in a roasting pan and brush the glaze over the surface.
4. Cover the ham with foil and bake for 2-2.5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.
5. Remove the foil and brush the ham with more glaze.
6. Return the ham to the oven and bake for another 30 minutes, or until the glaze is caramelized and sticky.
7. Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.

Recipe 2: Honey Mustard Ham

This tangy and sweet ham recipe is easy to make and perfect for a weeknight dinner. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients:

• 1 (4-5 pound) boneless ham
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
2. In a
3. the honey, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Place the ham on a rack in a roasting pan and brush the glaze over the surface.
5. Cover the ham with foil and bake for 1-1.5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.
6. Remove the foil and brush the ham with more glaze.
7. Return the ham to the oven and bake for another 30 minutes, or until the glaze is caramelized and sticky.
8. Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.

Recipe 3: Brown Sugar Ham

This classic ham recipe is sweet and savory, and perfect for any occasion. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients:

• 1 (8-10 pound) fully cooked bone-in ham
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves.
3. Place the ham on a rack in a roasting pan and brush the glaze over the surface.
4. Cover the ham with foil and bake for 1.5-2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.
5. Remove the foil and brush the ham with more glaze.
6. Return the ham to the oven and bake for another 30 minutes, or until the glaze is caramelized and sticky.
7. Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.

Conclusion

Cooking ham in the oven is a simple and delicious way to enjoy this popular meat. By following the steps in this guide, you can create a perfectly cooked ham that is juicy, tender, and flavorful. Whether you’re cooking for a holiday, special occasion, or weeknight dinner, ham is always a crowd-pleaser.

FAQ