Here’s everything you need to know to bake a ham perfectly—it’s easier than you might think!
Making a ham is fantastic because the meat is already fully cooked. That implies that you are more concerned with whether something is heated through than whether it is sufficiently cooked to be safe to eat. That’s pretty easy, right? It totally takes the pressure off.
(How do you make sure that your ham is one of the 99% that’s already cooked? The label will tell you ).
You might wonder why there are so many ham recipes when they are merely methods of enhancing or flavoring ham as it is heated. Ham is a fantastic main dish for Easter, Christmas, or any large gathering because of this.
Did you know that when I started preparing the ham? But it’s kind of a relief, isn’t it? I mean, heating something up is definitely not difficult!
How Many Minutes Per Pound Should You Cook A Ham At 350 F?
Hams should be cooked at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes per pound. However, feel free to alter the cooking time as necessary because it will depend on the ham’s cut and thickness.
The following table contains more information about how long to cook a ham per pound.
| Ham Cut | Weight | Meat Thermometer Temperature | Approximate Cooking Time (minutes per pound) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arm picnic shoulder (bone-in) | 5-8 lbs. | 170°F | 30 minutes |
| Shoulder boneless roll | 2-3 lbs. | 170°F | 35-45 minutes |
| Half ham (bone-in) | 5-7 lbs. | 160°F | 25-30 minutes |
| Whole ham | 10-14 lbs. | 160°F | 18-20 minutes |
| Whole ham | 14-16 lbs. | 160°F | 15-18 minutes |
| Half ham (bone-in) | 5-7 lbs. | 140°F | 18-20 minutes |
| Half ham (boneless) | 3-4 lbs. | 140°F | 25-30 minutes |
| Whole ham (bone-in) | 12-14 lbs. | 140°F | 15 minutes |
| Whole ham (boneless) | 6-8 lbs. | 140°F | 10-12 minutes |
| Whole ham (boneless) | 14-16 lbs. | 140°F | 5-7 minutes |
How Long to Cook a Spiral Ham
Hams with a spiral cut typically weigh 8 to 11 pounds and are pre-cooked (verify this on the package). This means that you only need to heat a ham through when cooking it. Cooking it slowly at a low temperature prevents the outside from drying out before the interior is heated.
To cook a spiral ham without it drying out make sure you use a meat thermometer to reach 140°F and do not overcook it. I usually remove it around 135°F and keep an eye on the thermometer to ensure it reaches 140°F.
Size will determine how long a spiral ham needs to cook, but allow 12 to 15 minutes per pound at 325°F. I’ve cooked this ham both ways: with and without foil. Uncovered food will have a slightly crispier exterior and require cooking for a bit longer. Covered will need closer to the shorter cooking time.
If cooking with foil, take off the foil after the final 20 minutes of adding the glaze.
To prevent the ham from continuing to cook if it is done early, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly. Cover with foil once it has slightly cooled, and wait to cut until ready to serve.
Your ham’s shape can affect how long it takes to cook; a larger, rounder ham might require more time than one that is flatter.
If you’re glazing your ham, such as when making a homemade honey baked ham knockoff, you should add the glaze toward the end to prevent burning. I always choose to make my own quick homemade glaze instead of using the glaze that comes with the ham.
Simply brush it on during the last 20 minutes. Sometimes I increase the heat in the oven or briefly broil the food to get the glaze nice and sticky.
How Long to Cook Frozen Ham
- In a Conventional Oven: Frozen ham should be cooked at 325 F for 18 to 20 minutes per pound. Make sure to place an inch of water in the roasting pan so the ham cooks evenly. According to your ham’s weight, calculate how long it will take to cook in the oven.
- In a Slow Cooker: Slow-cooking your ham on the low setting for at least 6 to 8 hours is the best option if you have a slow cooker large enough that the ham will fit in it. Depending on the size of the ham, it may take up to 12 hours for it to fully cook. Be sure to use a meat thermometer so that you know when your ham is done!
- In a Pressure Cooker: You probably consider your Instant Pot your best friend in the kitchen if you own one. Unlike slow cookers, pressure cookers allow you to throw all the ingredients in at once to make a delicious meal. To make your ham in a pressure cooker, add all the other ingredients to the pressure cooker and place the ham in it with the cut side facing down. Cook for about 35 minutes at high pressure.