Country ham, with its intensely salty, smokey flavor, is a cherished staple in many Southern households Unlike a traditional baked ham, country ham starts uncooked and needs ample time in the oven to become meltingly tender. But exactly how long should you bake a country ham? This guide will walk through tips to ensure your country ham turns out juicy and delicious.
What is Country Ham?
Country ham refers to a specific preservation style used to cure pork legs, usually from the hindquarters of a pig. Common in the Southeastern U.S., country hams are rubbed with salt, sugar, and nitrites. They dry age for months or years, which concentrates the porky flavors and allows the meat to take on a distinctive salty taste. This old-fashioned curing technique sets country hams apart from a standard spiral sliced ham you buy at the deli counter.
Choosing the Right Country Ham
When selecting a country ham to bake you’ll first want to determine if it’s uncooked or pre-cooked. Uncooked country hams require lengthy baking to reach safe internal temperatures. Pre-cooked country hams take less time as they just need to be warmed through. Here are tips for identifying each type
-
Uncooked – Will feel firm with very little give. May have mold growth on the exterior. Needs to reach at least 145°F internally before safe to eat.
-
Pre-Cooked – Feel softer and more flexible when pressed. Are fully cooked during production so just require reheating.
For oven roasting, an uncooked country ham is traditional. Brands like Clifty Farm, Edwards, and Benton’s are good choices readily available online or at specialty grocers.
Proper Thawing
If your fresh country ham was frozen for shipping, be sure to fully thaw in the refrigerator for 3-7 days depending on weight. This allows the salt to evenly permeate the meat. Rinsing off any mold is optional.
The Importance of Soaking
Before cooking, an uncooked country ham must be soaked in water to remove excess salt and impurities. Submerge the ham completely and change the water daily for 5-7 days. For a whole 15lb ham, a large cooler or even the bathtub works great!
Oven Prep
To prep your oven, arrange racks in the lower and upper third of the oven. Preheat to 250°F. You’ll use this low and slow cooking method for most of the baking time.
Calculating Bake Time
The generally accepted roasting time is 20-25 minutes per pound for an uncooked country ham. Here are more specific guidelines:
-
Boneless half ham (4-7 lbs.) – Bake at 250°F for 1.5-2 hours total
-
Bone-in half ham (8-12 lbs.) – Bake at 250°F for 3-4 hours total
-
Whole ham (12-18 lbs.) – Bake at 250°F for 5-6 hours total
Use these times as a starting point, and always rely on a meat thermometer for doneness.
Step-by-Step Baking Method
Follow these steps for oven roasting country ham perfection:
-
Place soaked ham flat side down on a rack in a large roasting pan. Add 1 inch water or apple juice to the bottom of the pan.
-
Cover pan tightly with heavy foil. This helps retain moisture.
-
Bake at 250°F in the lower third of your oven. Check periodically and replenish liquid as needed.
-
After estimated time is reached (see calculations above), insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of ham without touching bone.
-
Continue roasting until thermometer reaches 145°F for pre-cooked ham or 160°F for uncooked ham.
-
Remove ham from oven, cover loosely with foil and allow to rest for at least 30 minutes.
This process first gently roasts the ham, then a short resting period allows juices to redistribute evenly.
Adding a Sweet Glaze or Crust
Once rested, choose if you wish to add any final touch:
-
Glaze – For a sticky sweet topping, brush with honey, brown sugar, or preserves and bake 10-15 minutes more.
-
Crust – For crunch, press brown sugar, cloves and black pepper into the fat cap before baking.
Carving and Serving
To serve a whole country ham, first remove the skin and trim excess fat if desired. Cut portions by slicing vertical strands rather than across the grain. The meat should shred easily. Pair bites of salty ham with biscuits, cornbread, or melon to balance the robust flavor.
Here are some timeline examples for roasting different size country hams:
-
10 lb. half ham – Soak 5 days, Bake at 250°F for 3 hours, Rest 30 minutes, Glaze and bake 10 more minutes.
-
13 lb. whole ham – Soak 7 days, Bake at 250°F for 4.5 hours, Rest 30 minutes, Add crust and bake 15 more minutes.
-
7 lb. boneless ham – Soak 3 days, Bake at 250°F for 2 hours, Rest 30 minutes, Slice and serve.
The specific oven roasting duration will vary depending on your ham’s exact size, shape and temperature. Employing a meat thermometer is the best way to test for doneness.
Troubleshooting Oven-Baked Country Ham
Follow these tips if your country ham outcomes aren’t ideal:
-
Dry and salty – Soak longer before cooking. Add more liquid to the roasting pan.
-
Undercooked – Return to oven and bake until thermometer reaches 160°F.
-
No crust formed – Broil for 3-5 minutes to quickly brown sugar topping.
-
Bland in flavor – Seek out high-quality country ham from a trusted artisan producer. Mass-produced versions can lack depth.
-
Moldy spots – This is natural! Mold is harmless and will bake off. Simply scrub exterior before cooking if unappetizing.
With the proper prep and roasting time, you can master baking spectacular country hams worth celebrating. Just soak thoroughly, roast low and slow, and rely on temperature for doneness. The rewarding flavors will give you an appreciation for this time-honored Southern specialty.
Frequency of Entities:
oven – 14
country ham – 28
bake – 8
soak – 7
thermometer – 5
glaze – 4
crust – 3
Introduction: How to EASILY Cook a Country Ham (and Make It Turn Out AWESOME).
Instructions for cooking country hams are usually two ways:
After 15 minutes at 500F, let it sit for two hours. After 15 minutes at 500F, let it sit for six hours.
Boil the ham on the stove.
Both SUCK. The ham companies give these instructions, and every time I tried the 500F one, the ham seemed undercooked and gross. Boiled ham is just nasty.
It was my wife’s idea to slow roast the meat, and it turned out great! I’ll never use any other method again.
For the impatient: Seal the soaked ham completely in foil and bake at 225F for 8 hours.
For the people who want to do it right, read on…
Step 5: Wrap That Suckka!
After soaking the ham, its time for the EASIEST cooking, you have ever done.
A) ADD WATER: Put about one inch of water in your roaster.
B) Let the ham soak right up until you are ready to cook. Then, take the ham, still wet and completely wrap it in aluminum foil. I put two layers of foil on it to seal it better. You are trying to keep the moisture in so the tighter the seal, the better.
C) Place the ham in the roasting pot. Skin side up, joint side down.
D) Seal the top with ANOTHER layer of foil (as shown) and place the roasting pots lid on.
How to Cook a Whole Country Ham
FAQ
How long does it take to cook a country ham?
Is country ham already cooked?
How long do you cook a precooked ham in the oven and at what temperature?
Is it better to boil or bake a country ham?
How long do you cook a country ham?
The cooking time for a country ham can vary depending on its size and weight. As a general guideline, you can cook a country ham for approximately 15-20 minutes per pound. It is crucial to use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 145°F (63°C). Should I cover the country ham while baking it in the oven?
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.
Can you cook a country ham in the oven?
Yes, you can cook a country ham in the oven. In fact, baking a country ham in the oven is a popular and delicious way to prepare this traditional dish. What temperature should I set my oven to when cooking a country ham? It is generally recommended to preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) when cooking a country ham.
How do you cook a Ham in the oven?
To oven roast a country ham, follow these steps: Preheat your oven to 325°F. Place the ham in a roasting pan lined with aluminum foil. Cover the ham with more aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes per pound. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the ham reaches 145°F.