To cook a ham in the oven, follow these general steps for a delicious baked ham:
- Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 325°F (163°C), which is a common temperature for baking ham evenly
- Prepare the Ham
- Remove the ham from packaging and let it sit at room temperature for about 1-2 hours to ensure even cooking
* Place the ham fat side up in a roasting pan. Add about ½ inch of water to the pan to keep the ham moist during baking
* Optionally, score the surface of the ham in a crosshatch pattern about ⅛ to ¼ inch deep to help the glaze penetrate and create a nice crust
- Calculate Cooking Time
- Bake the ham for about 10-15 minutes per pound at 325°F. For example, a 10-pound ham would take roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes
* The ham is usually pre-cooked, so the goal is to heat it through to an internal temperature of about 140°F (60°C)
- Cover and Bake
- Cover the ham tightly with foil to retain moisture and place it in the oven
* Bake for the calculated time, occasionally basting with pan juices if desired
- Prepare and Apply Glaze
- Make a glaze using ingredients like brown sugar, mustard, honey, maple syrup, or fruit juice. For example, a simple glaze can be made by mixing brown sugar, maple syrup, and orange juice
* About 30-45 minutes before the end of cooking, remove the foil and brush the ham generously with the glaze
* Increase the oven temperature to 425°F (218°C) and bake uncovered, glazing every 15 minutes, until the ham develops a caramelized, sticky crust (about 30-45 minutes)
- Rest and Serve
- Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. This allows juices to redistribute
* Carve the ham by slicing around the bone and serving
Summary Table
Step| Details
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Oven Temperature| 325°F initially, then 425°F for glazing
Cooking Time| 10-15 minutes per pound
Internal Temp Goal| ~140°F (60°C)
Glaze Ingredients| Brown sugar, mustard, honey, maple syrup, fruit juice
Rest Time| 15-20 minutes before carving
This method ensures a moist, flavorful ham with a beautifully caramelized glaze
