How To Cook a Ham

Ham is a favorite around the holidays. A premium ham offers exceptional flavor and is sure to delight many members of your family. That said, while cooking ham isn’t especially difficult, improperly cooked ham could result in tough meat and unpleasant flavors.

Before cooking the ham, you’ll need to make sure you have everything on hand to do the job properly. Let’s discuss the equipment you’ll typically need to cook a ham in the oven.

Of course, you’ll also need a great ham to cook. If you’re looking for a ham sure to please the taste buds, stop by Tony’s Delicatessen & Fresh Meats. We can also help you determine how long to cook a ham based on its size and provide other custom insights.

Ham Cooking Essentials to Have on Hand

Hams are rather heavy. Anyone cooking ham will want to have a sturdy, high-quality roasting pan on hand. For most hams, a 9×13-inch pan is big enough. In some cases, you might need a larger pan for a bigger ham. In other situations, a smaller pan might suffice.

A casserole pan with deep sides can also work in a pinch. You might also try to use a sheet pan. However, be warned, since sheet pans are often shallow, the risk of getting burned by oils or suffering another accident will increase. It’s best to avoid sheet pans when possible.

You’ll also need an ovenproof meat thermometer. Many hams are precooked, which reduces risks and also cooking time. That said, the ham still needs to be fully heated to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If the ham is not pre-cooked, you’ll need to cook it longer and it’s especially important to ensure that the ham is fully cooked to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Also, make sure you have a good pair of oven mitts. Hams can be heavy, and using hot pads or kitchen towels to remove one from the oven will increase the risk of a drop or other issues. Good oven mitts, on the other hand, will reduce risks.

How to Cook a Ham

You’ll want to preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. This might seem low for cooking, but in practice, it’s best to slow-cook ham.

Once the oven is heated, place the ham in the roasting pan with the fat side up. Then, you’ll want to loosely cover the ham with aluminum foil, which will help ensure a more even and moist cooking.

Let the ham cook to about 135 degrees Fahrenheit, then pull it out of the oven. How long to cook a ham? Cooking time can vary greatly depending on the size of the ham, so it’s best to rely on internal temps. Next, you’ll want to cut uniform diamond shapes into the ham on the fat side. Many people also choose to coat the ham in a brown sugar vinegar coating.

Once done, you can put the ham back in the oven uncovered. Let the ham cook for twenty minutes or until it reaches the appropriate temperature. 

If you have more questions or concerns about how to cook ham, swing by Tony’s Delicatessen & Fresh Meats. We’d be happy to help.

Categorised in: Meat Market

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