Today, I am going to show you how to slow cook a precooked ham in the oven. With this method you’ll get a perfectly baked ham slathered with a homemade Brown Sugar Glaze. You can make this tasty and easy dish in the oven for a holiday meal or a special occasion. It’s always a crowd-pleaser and makes Christmas or Easter dinner extra special with no muss or fuss. Let’s get started!.
Cured, smoked, and baked are all indicators that the ham you’re about to buy has been pre-cooked. Most of the ham you buy at the store is already safe to eat; you just need to heat it up. Plus around Easter or Christmas, they tend to go on sale!.
I always buy a spiral-cut, fully cooked ham with the bone in because it saves me time and effort. But taking a few extra steps while baking your ham can bring it from good to great. I love the Kirkland Signature Ham from Costco because the flavor and price can’t be beaten.
A beautifully glazed baked ham might be the crowning jewel of many holiday spreads. But nothing can ruin the experience faster than slicing into a ham only to find it dry, stringy, and overcooked. Preventing your showstopping ham from drying out in the oven is easy though with a few simple tricks.
Wrap It Up
Covering your ham while it cooks is absolutely vital for retaining moisture. Simply tent loosely with foil, leaving room for some air flow. The foil traps steam against the surface, keeping the meat deliciously succulent For even more moisture, add 1-2 cups of water or fruit juice like apple or pineapple to the roasting pan before baking The liquid will gently steam and baste the ham from below.
Glaze Later
It might be tempting to load up your holiday ham with a sweet glaze from the start. However, sugary glazes often burn long before the ham finishes cooking Reserve the glaze only for the last 30 minutes of oven time after the ham is nearly done This gives just enough time for the glaze to caramelize without charring to an inedible bitter crust.
Use a Meat Thermometer
An instant-read thermometer takes the guesswork out of determining doneness. Different ovens can run hotter or cooler, throwing off cook times Checking for an internal temp of 135°F ensures the ham cooks through without going past the point of perfect juicy bliss
Let It Rest
Just like beef or poultry, ham needs a 20 minute rest after cooking. This allows juices to relax back into the meat fibers. Slicing into ham immediately can cause the juices to spill out onto the cutting board instead of staying right where you want them – inside the meat!
Add Moisture While Reheating
For leftover ham after the holidays, you’ll want to preserve moisture and prevent drying out. Add a splash of water or broth directly into the container of stored ham chunks or slices before reheating. Or place leftovers in a foil pouch and steam until warmed through to keep them tender.
Slice Properly
Skip sawing ham into paper-thin slices. Thicker cuts around 1/4 inch retain more juices than wafer-thin pieces. Use a long slicing knife in smooth, gentle motions when carving. Cut perpendicularly across the grain of the meat for optimum tenderness.
Avoid Overcooking
The number one cause of dry ham is overbaking. Whole cured hams need only 10-15 minutes per pound at 325°F since they are precooked. Always verify the fully cooked status rather than assuming. An uncooked “fresh” ham requires much more time.
Cook at Lower Heat
High temperatures accelerate moisture loss. For juicier results, cook your holiday ham at a gentle 300-325°F instead of 350°F or above. The slightly longer cook time is worth the tradeoff for superior texture.
With these handy techniques, you can serve up the juiciest baked ham yet this year. Your guests will be amazed at how succulent each slice is thanks to your expert moisture-locking methods. Here’s to a holiday feast with no dry ham disasters allowed!
Preheat Oven and Prep Ham
Preheat oven to 275° F. The good thing about baking a bone-in spiral cut ham that has already been cooked is that you are just reheating it.
The bad news is if you over bake it, you can dry it out easily. Since it’s already sliced, it really doesn’t take much to dry it out. Put the ham face down in a baking dish or roasting pan and cover it with aluminum foil. This will keep it from drying out. Keeping it covered with aluminum foil (or heavy duty foil) will keep that moisture in!.
Make the Brown Sugar Glaze
Make the glaze while ham is baking.
Measure out the brown sugar, real maple syrup, yellow or Dijon mustard, and garlic for the glaze. Put them all in a small saucepan and stir them over medium-high heat. Simmer glaze until sugar melts and becomes syrupy about 1-2 minutes.
Watch This Video if You NEVER Made a HOLIDAY HAM, CAN’T GET ANY EASIER THAN THIS, NOT DRY AT ALL!!!!
FAQ
How to keep ham moist when baking?
How do you cook a ham so it doesn’t dry out?
Should ham be baked, covered or uncovered?
Should I wrap ham in foil to bake?
How do you cook a spiral ham without drying it out?
Preheat 325. Remove spiral ham from package, reserve the liquid. Put the spiral ham in pan with rack in the bottom and with the fat side UP. Pour package juices in the bottom of the pan to avoid drying it out. Cover spiral ham tightly with foil, no steam escapes. Place CENTER of oven. HOW LONG TO COOK SPIRAL HAM WITHOUT DRYING IT OUT?
How do you keep a ham juicy in the oven?
While adding moisture is key for keeping your ham juicy, there are a few other tricks you can implement when baking your ham. First, before placing the ham in the oven, wrap the top of the pan with aluminum foil.
How do you keep a ham from drying out?
You can keep the ham from drying out by only placing so much of it on the serving platter at once. If you place all of it on the platter, it might dry out a bit quicker than you want it to. Keep some of it in the roasting pan and only put the amount of ham that your family is going to eat on the platter.
How do you Glaze A Ham in the oven?
If applying a glaze, remove the ham from the oven at 130 degrees. Increase the heat to 400 degrees to help the glaze set fast. Brush the glaze all over the surface of the ham. Return to oven and cook until you hit 140 degrees.