How to Cook a Ham Shank Perfectly in the Oven

Ham shanks make for a delicious, flavorful and inexpensive cut of meat for feeding a crowd. Learning how to cook a ham shank properly is easy and rewards you with juicy tender meat.

Follow this simple guide for baking a ham shank in the oven that results in perfect doneness and amazing flavor every time

What is a Ham Shank?

A ham shank refers to the lower portion of a pig’s hind leg, specifically the tapered end that contains the leg bone. It is an inexpensive, tough cut that benefits greatly from slow roasting.

Ham shanks are sold both uncooked and fully cooked. An uncooked or “fresh” ham shank will require longer cooking than a pre-cooked one that just needs reheating. Be sure to check the label so you know what you’re working with.

Benefits of Cooking a Ham Shank

There are many advantages to cooking a ham shank:

Inexpensive – Ham shanks cost a fraction of other ham cuts. Great budget option for feeding a crowd.
Tender and juicy – Long slow baking renders out fat and connects tissue, resulting in moist, fall-off-the-bone meat.
Big flavor – Curing and smoking gives ham shanks their signature salty, smoky ham flavor.
Lots of meat – A 5-10 pound shank can feed up to 15 people easily. Provides leftovers too.
Bone for soup – Use the bone to make split pea or bean soup. Get extra value from your ham.

How to Choose a Ham Shank

When selecting a ham shank, look for:

Weight – Pick a size that fits your needs, from 2 to 10 pounds or more. Estimate 1/4 to 1/2 pound per serving.
Pre-cooked – Fully cooked is easier, just needs reheating. Check if yours is uncooked and requires full cooking.
Good marbling – Look for decent marbling and fat cap to keep it moist during cooking.
Reputable brand – Choose a quality brand for best flavor and texture.
Not too thin – Thinner sections may dry out, pick one with thicker meatier portions.

Seasoning and Preparing Ham Shank

Ham shanks require minimal prep before cooking:

Unwrap – Remove all packaging, netting or string. Rinse if desired. Pat dry.
Score – Use a sharp knife to lightly score fat cap and meat in a diamond pattern. Helps fat render and seasons penetrate.
Season – Coat all over with salt, pepper and any other seasonings if desired. Go light since it’s cured.
Sit – Let coated shank rest at room temperature 30 minutes to 2 hours before cooking.

How to Cook a Ham Shank – Step by Step

Follow these simple steps for baked ham shank perfection:

Prepare the Pan

Place ham shank fat side up in a roasting pan or baking dish.
Add 1 cup of water, broth or other liquid like apple juice to the bottom of the pan. Provides moisture.
The liquid should not submerge the ham, just lightly cover the bottom.

Cook Covered

Cover pan tightly with heavy duty foil. Helps keep ham shank moist.
Cook in a 300°F oven for approximately 15-20 minutes per pound.
For a 5 pound cooked ham shank, bake covered for 60-75 minutes.
For a 10 pound fresh uncooked ham shank, bake covered for 180-240 minutes.

Uncover and Glaze

After timed cooking, remove foil and drain liquid from pan.
Raise oven heat to 400°F-425°F.
Make a simple glaze of brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, spices, etc.
Generously brush glaze all over ham shank.
Return to oven and bake uncovered for 15 minutes.
Brush on more glaze and bake 15 minutes more. Repeat as needed for caramelized glaze.

Check Doneness

Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part without hitting bone.
Cook until it reaches 135°F for pre-cooked or 160°F for fresh.
If unsure, aim for 165°F for full safety.

Let Rest and Carve

Remove ham shank from oven and let rest 15-30 minutes before carving.
Carefully slice around the bone to portion out meat. Cut against the grain in thin slices.
Transfer to a platter and serve warm, or cool completely and refrigerate leftovers.

And that’s all there is to it! With this easy method, you’ll get a tender, juicy and flavorful baked ham shank every time.

Ham Shank Cooking Times

Ham shank sizes and cook times can vary. Use these general guidelines:

2-3 lb pre-cooked – Bake at 300°F for 30-45 minutes covered, then 15 minutes uncovered with glaze
5 lb pre-cooked – Bake at 300°F for 60-75 minutes covered, then 15-30 minutes uncovered with glaze
7-8 lb pre-cooked – Bake at 300°F for 90-120 minutes covered, then 15-30 minutes uncovered with glaze
10 lb fresh uncooked – Bake at 300°F for 180-240 minutes covered, then 30-45 minutes uncovered with glaze

Always check internal temperature to ensure doneness rather than relying solely on time. Cook until thermometer reaches 135°F-165°F depending on type of ham shank.

Helpful Tips for Baked Ham Shank

Choose a good quality cured ham shank for best results
Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness
Let rest at least 15 minutes before slicing for juicy meat
Carve across the grain in thin slices
Save bone for soups or bean dishes
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3-4 days
Reheat leftover ham shank slices in the oven or microwave as needed

Delicious Ways to Use Leftover Ham Shank

Leftover baked ham shank is versatile for:

Hearty ham sandwiches layered with cheese, lettuce, and mustard
Diced in omelets, frittatas, casseroles, and pasta dishes
Adding smoky flavor to soups like split pea, bean, potato, or corn chowder
Ham salad spread or sandwich filling mixed with mayo and veggies
Filling for crepes, sandwiches, and wraps
Pairing with scalloped or baked potatoes
Pot pies, casseroles and other baked dishes

With this simple method, you can cook a ham shank to tender, juicy perfection. Impress your family with this budget-friendly cut. Enjoy delicious ham sandwiches and more with the leftovers.

how to cook a ham shank in the oven

Tips for the Best Baked Ham

Even though ham is easy to cook, here are some things to remember to make sure it looks great:

Let it sit at room temperature: The ham needs to sit at room temperature for a couple of hours before it can be cooked. If you don’t, the inside will still be cold when the outside is hot.
Don’t cook the ham too long. Many ham packages say to heat the ham to 140°F. Thats just asking for a dry ham. Don’t forget that the ham is already cooked; you’re just warming it up.
If you have an uncooked or partially cooked ham instead of a ready-to-eat ham, follow the cooking instructions on the package. Most packages say to cook a partially cooked ham to 150°F.
When cooking a spiral-cut ham, make sure to wrap it tightly in foil. If you use a spiral-cut ham that has already been sliced, the outside can dry out if you don’t wrap it tightly enough with foil.

Ideas for Other Glazes

The two glazes we used are both made with honey. If you want a sweet glaze, you could use pineapple juice, marmalade, maple syrup, or something else. Also try our recipes for Cranberry Glazed Ham or Brown Sugar Glazed Ham.

If you do, please tell us about your favorite ham glaze in the comments.

how to cook a ham shank in the oven

BEST Slow-Roasted Ham Shank Recipe (HOW to Cook Ham Shank in the Oven with Garlic)

FAQ

How long do you cook a fully cooked shank ham?

Heat oven to 325ºF. Remove all packaging materials and place ham on its side, fat side up, on rack in shallow roasting pan; cover loosely with aluminum foil. Heat approximately 15 to 20 minutes per pound until heated through. Remove ham from oven and let stand, covered, 20 minutes before serving.

Do you cook a shank ham with cut side down?

Let it sit before baking: Let the ham come to room temperature before cooking to ensure juicer, more evenly cooked meat. Cook it cut-side down: Place the ham cut-side down in your pan to prevent it from drying out while baking.

Do you cook a ham at 325 or 350?

Cooking Temperature and Time If the ham is a half ham weighing five to seven pounds, it should heat at 325°F for 22-25 minutes per pound. If it is a whole ham weighing between 10 to 14 pounds, heat the ham at 325°F for 18-20 minutes per pound. The internal temperature should be 140°F.

Do you cook a ham in the oven covered or uncovered?

Bake the ham in the preheated oven, uncovered, for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest portion registers 140°F, basting every 30 minutes with 1/2 cup of the glaze. Be sure to keep an eye on the ham, and cover it loosely with foil if it starts getting too dark.

How to cook a ham shank in the oven?

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). 2. Place the ham shank in a large roasting pan or baking dish with the fatty side facing up. 3. Score the fat surface of the ham shank with a sharp knife. This will allow the flavors to penetrate the meat better. 4. Spread the Dijon mustard evenly over the scored fat. It will add a tangy zing to the ham shank.

Is honey baked ham as good as regular ham?

The addition of honey will affect the calorie content of the food. One tablespoon of honey contributes to approximately 64 calories. In addition, the use of heat when making baked ham will reduce the quality of the honey.

Do you need foil to cook a shank Ham?

Using foil to cover the shank ham while cooking in the oven can help to retain moisture and prevent the ham from drying out. However, it is not absolutely necessary to use foil. Some people prefer to cook the ham without foil, allowing the exterior to develop a slightly crisp texture.

What temperature should a shank Ham be cooked at?

The oven temperature is a crucial factor in achieving a perfectly cooked shank ham. The recommended temperature for cooking a shank ham in the oven is 325°F (163°C). This moderate heat allows the ham to cook through evenly without drying out. As a rule of thumb, a shank ham typically requires 15-18 minutes of cooking time per pound at 325°F.