If you’re having a holiday party this year, make sure you think about how you will thaw and cook the meat before you plan your dinner menu.
If you don’t thaw food the right way, harmful germs can grow and make people sick, and you don’t want foodborne illness to show up at your party.
Two traditional kinds of meat served at this time of year are turkey and ham. Read on to learn how you can prepare these dishes safely for your friends and family members.
From festive holiday feasts to a casual weeknight supper, few foods say comfort quite like a glazed baked ham. But before you can savor succulent slices, properly thawing your ham is an essential first step. By planning ahead and thawing in the refrigerator you can ensure your ham is safe, tender and delicious.
Why Thawing Method Matters
Freezing ham allows it to last for months in your freezer. However, pulling your solidly frozen ham straight from the freezer and tossing it in the oven can lead to uneven cooking. The outside could overcook while the inside remains underdone and cold – not very appetizing!
More importantly unsafe thawing provides an opportunity for bacteria like salmonella to multiply to dangerous levels that cooking cannot destroy. Always thaw using one of the safe methods below.
Refrigerator Thawing is Ideal
For most hams, thawing slowly in the refrigerator is the preferred method. The cold temperature keeps bacteria from multiplying while the ham gradually defrosts. Refrigerator thawing takes planning, but leads to the best quality results.
How Long Does it Take to Thaw a Ham?
- In the refrigerator, allow 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds
- For example, a 10 pound ham will need 2-3 days to thaw
- Whole hams may take 4 or more days
These thawing times are general guidelines, but can vary based on multiple factors:
- Type of refrigerator/freezer unit
- Percentage of fat coverage
- Surface area exposed
- Ham shape and density
- Refrigerator temperature
Monitor the progress, allowing extra thaw time if unsure.
Step-by-Step Refrigerator Thawing
Follow these simple steps for foolproof refrigerator thawing:
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Leave ham sealed in original cryovac packaging to prevent drying out.
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Place ham on a rimmed tray to catch any drips as it thaws.
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Put tray on a refrigerator shelf away from fresh produce, ready-to-eat foods and dairy items to avoid cross contamination.
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Allow to slowly thaw based on size guidelines listed above.
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Once thawed, ham can be kept refrigerated 3-5 days before cooking.
Quick Thawing in Cold Water
If you forgot to plan ahead, thawing in cold water is a faster alternative to refrigerator method.
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Place sealed ham in a container or large sink.
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Submerge with enough cold tap water to cover ham fully.
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Change water every 30 minutes to ensure it stays cold.
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Allow 30 minutes thawing time per pound. A 10 pound ham will need 5 hours.
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Cook ham immediately after thawing completes for food safety.
Avoid These Thawing Methods
- Room temperature – Bacteria multiply quickly at unsafe levels
- Hot water – Causes outer ham to partially cook while inside remains frozen
- Microwave – Leads to uneven cooking; only use if cooking immediately
- Outside locations – Uncontrolled temperatures promote bacterial growth
The refrigerator is clearly the gold standard for thawing hams. But cold water can work in a pinch if you find yourself short on time. For optimal food safety though, always try to plan ahead and refrigerate thaw. Give your holiday ham the time and temperature attention it deserves, and you will be rewarded with the best quality results.
Frequency of Entities:
refrigerator – 11
ham – 20
thaw – 16
pound – 5
water – 4
How to thaw a turkey
In general, there are four ways you can thaw food safely. However, only two of them are practical for thawing something as large as a turkey.
- Thaw it in the fridge. Putting a frozen turkey in the fridge for a few days before cooking it is the best and safest way to thaw it. The size of the turkey will tell you how long to keep it in the fridge. Each 5 pounds of meat needs one day to thaw, so if you have a 15-pound turkey, you’ll need to put it in the fridge for at least three days.
- Thaw it in cool water. This way is faster than letting the turkey thaw in the fridge, but it takes more work and water. You can thaw your turkey in the sink with cool water if you forget to put it in the fridge. Put enough water in the sink to cover the turkey, with its wrapping still on. It will be less likely for water to bring germs from the turkey to your sink and kitchen if you leave it in its packaging. The water should be no hotter than 70°F (21°C). Thawing in water takes about 2. 5 hours for every 5 pounds of meat, and every 30 minutes you need to change the water.
If your turkey is small enough, you may also be able to thaw it in your microwave. If you use this method, remove the turkey from its packaging and put it in a microwave-safe dish. Your instruction manual should tell you the microwave’s recommended capacity. You should also be told where to put the power switch and how long each pound of turkey will take to thaw.
If you thaw your turkey in the microwave, make sure you start cooking it immediately afterward!
How to cook ham
Just like turkey, the first step to cooking raw ham safely is to make sure it’s properly thawed.
How long can a thawed cooked ham stay in the fridge?
FAQ
How long does it take to thaw a 10 lb ham in the refrigerator?
When to take ham out of the freezer?
Can I leave my ham on the counter to thaw?
How long is a precooked ham good after thawing?
How long does it take to thaw a ham?
There are three safe ways to thaw ham: in the refrigerator, in cold water (in an airtight or leak-proof bag), and in the microwave. It’s best to plan ahead for slow, safe thawing in the refrigerator. It will take about 4 to 6 hours per pound. Cold water thawing is faster than refrigerator thawing but requires more attention.
Do you have to cook a frozen ham after it thawed?
Approximate times: Do you have to cook the frozen ham as soon as it’s thawed? No — as long as the ham was thawed in the refrigerator. Ham that’s been defrosted in the refrigerator can be kept for an additional 3 to 5 days in the fridge before cooking.
Can You Thaw a Ham in a microwave?
Once your ham is securely wrapped, plug the sink, place the ham inside the sink, and fill the sink with cold water. Drain the sink and change the water every 30 minutes. Ham should be cooked immediately after thawing in cold water. Ham thawed in cold water should not be refrozen. In a pinch, you could also thaw a ham in a microwave.
How do you Thaw a frozen spiral ham?
For this method, you will need a large very clean container (cooler or plastic tub), fill it with cool water, place the ham in a large plastic bag with no holes, gently lower it into the cooler. Change the water every half of an hour. The ham should thaw at a rate of 1lb per 30 minutes. How Long Does It Take To Thaw A Frozen Spiral Ham?