My kids love baked ham more than any other meal. They would choose ham over turkey dinner any day of the week or on any holiday.
This simple baked ham is juicy, tender, and tasty on the inside. The outside has a brown sugar glaze that caramelizes for a hint of sweetness. We only eat this baked ham on holidays like Christmas and Easter, but it’s easy enough to make any time!
I’m not going to lie—I really only like stuffing with turkey dinner, but everyone else here votes for ham. Even though I make Crock Pot Ham a lot because it’s so easy, I really love the roasted flavor that comes from baking a ham with a tasty glaze!
It’s not hard to bake a ham; just keep an eye on the temperature to make sure it heats all the way through without getting too done. Adding a brown sugar glaze to baked ham takes it to the next level without being overly sweet.
A beautifully glazed ham is often the centerpiece of holiday meals. When cooking a ham, it’s important to follow proper techniques and cook times to end up with a juicy, flavorful result. But exactly how long does it take to cook a ham? Read on for a complete guide to ham cooking times.
The time needed to cook a ham depends primarily on two factors
- Whether it is raw or pre-cooked
- Bone-in or boneless
Here is a detailed breakdown of approximate cooking times for different types of ham:
Raw Bone-In Ham
A raw, bone-in half ham weighing 5-8 pounds takes 35-40 minutes per pound at 325°F.
So a 7 pound raw bone-in half ham will require 4-4.5 hours total cooking time.
For a whole raw bone-in ham weighing 12-16 pounds, cook for 22-26 minutes per pound at 325°F.
Therefore, a 14 pound raw bone-in whole ham will need 4.5-5.5 hours total cooking time.
Raw Boneless Ham
A small boneless raw ham roll weighing 2-4 pounds needs 35-40 minutes per pound at 325°F.
A 3 pound boneless raw ham roll will cook in 1.5-2 hours.
Larger boneless raw shoulder hams weighing 5-8 pounds take 30-35 minutes per pound at 325°F.
So a 6 pound raw boneless ham shoulder requires 3-3.5 hours of cooking time.
Pre-Cooked Bone-In Ham
For a pre-cooked bone-in half ham of 5-7 pounds, cook for 22-25 minutes per pound at 325°F.
A 6 pound pre-cooked bone-in half ham will therefore need 2-2.5 hours in the oven.
A full pre-cooked bone-in ham of 10-14 pounds needs 18-20 minutes per pound at 325°F.
So expect a 12 pound pre-cooked whole ham to bake for 3.5-4 hours.
Pre-Cooked Boneless Ham
Pre-cooked boneless ham weighing 6-12 pounds bakes at 325°F for 15-24 minutes per pound.
A 10 pound pre-cooked boneless ham will need 2.5-4 hours to heat through.
Key Tips for Cooking Ham
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Always use an oven-safe meat thermometer. Raw hams cook to 145°F and pre-cooked to 140°F.
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Let the ham rest at least 15 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
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Glaze during the last 30-40 minutes of cooking time, brushing every 10-15 minutes.
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Cover bone-in hams with foil while cooking to prevent drying out. Remove for glazing.
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Reduce oven temperature by 25°F if using a glass or ceramic baking dish.
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For more even heating, bake bone-side down and flip over halfway through.
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Add liquids like apple juice or ginger ale to the roasting pan. Baste throughout cooking.
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Pre-cooked hams can also be heated in a slow cooker on low for 4-6 hours.
Cooking Time Chart for Ham
| Type of Ham | Oven Temp | Time Per Pound |
|---|---|---|
| Raw Bone-In Half Ham (5-8 lbs) | 325°F | 35-40 minutes |
| Raw Bone-In Whole Ham (12-16 lbs) | 325°F | 22-26 minutes |
| Raw Boneless Roll (2-4 lbs) | 325°F | 35-40 minutes |
| Raw Boneless Shoulder (5-8 lbs) | 325°F | 30-35 minutes |
| Pre-Cooked Bone-In Half Ham (5-7 lbs) | 325°F | 22-25 minutes |
| Pre-Cooked Bone-In Whole Ham (10-14 lbs) | 325°F | 18-20 minutes |
| Pre-Cooked Boneless Ham (6-12 lbs) | 325°F | 15-24 minutes |
How to Tell if Your Ham is Done
Checking the internal temperature of the ham with a meat thermometer is the best way to know if it’s done. Here are the target internal temps:
- Raw bone-in ham: 145°F
- Raw boneless ham: 145°F
- Pre-cooked bone-in ham: 140°F
- Pre-cooked boneless ham: 140°F
The ham should reach the safe internal temp in the timeframe outlined above per the size and cut. If it seems to be cooking faster than expected, continue monitoring the temp.
Once it hits the target temp, the ham is fully cooked and safe to eat. Letting it rest before carving allows the juices to be absorbed back into the meat.
Serving and Carving Tips
Once your ham has roasted to delicious perfection, follow these tips for carving and serving:
- Allow 15-20 minutes of resting time before carving.
- Place ham on a cutting board with a well to catch juices.
- Carve across the grain in thin, broad slices.
- Arrange slices on a serving platter.
- Spoon pan juices over the sliced ham.
- Pair with traditional sides like scalloped potatoes, deviled eggs, biscuits, and salad.
- Refrigerate carved ham within 2 hours and enjoy leftovers within 5 days.
With the proper technique and cook times, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful glazed ham worthy of any festive occasion. Refer to this guide for exactly how long to cook your raw or pre-cooked bone-in or boneless ham. Happy ham season!
How long to Cook a Ham
A bone-in ham is used in this recipe because it has the best flavor and the meat is very tender. Plus, we like to have a ham bone left over to make our favorite Crock Pot Ham and Bean Soup.
For this recipe, it takes about 12 to 14 minutes per pound for a bone-in ham to be fully cooked. A 9-pound ham will take about 2 1/4 hours to cook.
It is easy to overcook ham so to really make a perfect baked ham, I suggest using a thermometer like this one.
For perfect results, I just leave the ham in mine while it cooks and keep an eye on the temperature. (I use if for everything from steaks to perfectly cooked Pork Tenderloin). They’re less than $20, and I think it’s a small price to pay to get perfect results every time (and never have overcooked meat again)! The ham package should have cooking times written on it, but a thermometer is the most accurate way to tell.
How much ham per person
You’ll need about 3/4 pound of bone-in ham per person, and a little more if you want extra for Ham and Corn Chowder or Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole. An 8lb ham should feed about 9 people.
How long does it take to bake a fully cooked ham?
FAQ
How long does it take to fully cook a ham?
Do you cook a ham at 325 or 350?
How do you heat up a precooked ham without drying it out?
How long does a pre cooked ham take to cook?
Plan on baking your pre-cooked ham at an oven temperature of 325 degrees Fahrenheit, covered with foil, until it reaches a safe internal temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit, as recommended by the USDA. A pre-cooked 10-pound ham, bone-in will need about 2 1/2 hours. How do you know if a ham is uncooked?
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.
How long does it take to cook a 2 lb Ham?
Take note of the ham’s weight, type, and cut. Calculate the cooking time by multiplying the weight with the recommended minutes per pound or kilogram of cooking time. For example, a 2 lb (0.9 kg) ham that’s smoked, cooked, and spiral-cut requires 10-18 minutes per pound to cook, which means it will take approximately 62 minutes to cook.
How long do you cook a Ham in the oven?
Continue to bake, loosely covered with foil and basting with the saucepan mixture or pan juices every 15 or 20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 130°F, 15 to 18 minutes per pound total cooking time. Remove the ham from the oven, cover tightly with foil, and set aside for 30 minutes (the temperature will increase to about 140°F).