This savory and delicious Dutch Oven Ham recipe is perfect for the holidays. Youll delight your dinner guests with a moist and juicy ham with perfectly caramelized edges. This is an easy, hands-off recipe that is great for beginner cooks.
You can eat this traditional ham recipe on Easter, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any other weeknight during the week. Dutch Oven Ham is a great choice whether you’re cooking for a holiday or just making dinner on Sunday night.
You don’t have to worry about the meat drying out when you cook ham in a Dutch oven. The meat stays juicy and tastes great. The enclosed environment of the Dutch oven guarantees that the meat stays tender and juicy as it cooks.
My Dutch Oven Mac and Cheese and Red Skin Mashed Potatoes go great with my Maple Glazed Dutch Oven Ham. Check out all of my best Dutch oven recipes and let me know which ones you try!
Cooking ham in a Dutch oven is a foolproof method that results in a tender, juicy ham with incredible flavor. The Dutch oven’s enclosed environment helps keep moisture in and ensures your ham stays succulent and doesn’t dry out.
In this complete guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about cooking ham in a Dutch oven, including:
- Ideal ham sizes and cuts
- Step-by-step instructions
- Roasted ham cooking times
- Internal temperature guidelines
- Making a glaze
- Carving and serving
Let’s get into the details on how to perfectly cook ham in a Dutch oven!
Best Type of Ham for Dutch Ovens
The best hams to cook in a Dutch oven include:
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Bone-in half ham (5-7 pounds) – More flavorful and juicy than boneless. Fits well.
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Boneless half ham (4-6 pounds) – Easy to carve Good for smaller Dutch ovens
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Spiral cut ham (7-10 pounds) – Glaze seeps into cuts Cooks quickly
You want a ham that’s small enough to fit in your Dutch oven with the lid closed. Allow for some space around the edges for optimal heat circulation.
For first-time ham roasting, a precooked bone-in half ham is a great choice. The bone adds flavor, and the fat helps keep it moist.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Dutch Oven Ham
Follow these simple steps for foolproof ham cooked in a Dutch oven:
1. Prep the Ham
Remove all packaging and rinse the ham under cold water. Pat dry completely with paper towels. Score the fat on top in a diamond pattern, about 1/4-inch deep. This helps the fat render and glaze absorb.
2. Add to Dutch Oven
Place the ham flat-side down in a 6-7 quart Dutch oven. Add 1/2 cup water or broth to the bottom to help keep moist.
3. Preheat Oven and Cook
Preheat oven to 325°F. Cover Dutch oven and cook for calculated time based on size. Use a meat thermometer to check temp.
4. Make a Glaze
In a saucepan, prepare a glaze of your choice while the ham cooks. Simmer until thickened.
5. Brush with Glaze
When almost done, brush glaze over ham. Return to oven for 15-20 minutes until glazed.
6. Rest and Carve
Remove from oven and let rest 15 minutes before carving. Serve with extra glaze.
How Long to Cook Ham in a Dutch Oven
Cook times for bone-in hams:
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10 to 14 pounds – Cook at 325°F for 18-20 minutes per pound
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5 to 7 pounds (half ham) – Cook at 325°F for 22-25 minutes per pound
The ham is done when the internal temperature in the thickest part reaches 145°F.
For canned, fully-cooked hams, simply heat through until warm, about 10-15 minutes per pound at 325°F.
Use a meat thermometer to accurately determine doneness. Cook times vary based on oven and ham specifics.
Steps for Glazing a Dutch Oven Ham
Making a tasty glaze takes your Dutch oven ham to the next level. Try this simple brown sugar glaze:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup apple cider
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions:
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In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients.
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Simmer over medium heat for 5-10 minutes until slightly thickened.
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After ham has cooked for the recommended time, brush generously with glaze.
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Bake glazed 15-20 minutes more until caramelized.
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Remove ham from oven and let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing.
How to Carve Dutch Oven Ham
To carve a spiral ham, simply slice horizontally along the natural spirals. For bone-in ham:
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Place ham on cutting board, flat side down.
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With a sharp knife, cut vertically around the bone to release slices.
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Cut along fat lines to portion slices.
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Use shears to cut any stubborn connective tissue.
Take slices starting at the shank end. Be sure to save the bone for soups or broth!
Serving Suggestions
A roasted Dutch oven ham pairs nicely with:
- Honey glazed carrots
- Scalloped potatoes
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Cornbread dressing
- Baked mac and cheese
- Cranberry sauce
A killer ham, delicious sides, and good company is all you need for an incredible meal!
Dutch Oven Ham FAQs
What’s the difference between a spiral ham and regular ham?
A spiral cut ham is sliced evenly into thin slices in an continuous spiral around the ham. This exposes more surface area for glazes to absorb. Regular bone-in ham is sold whole or in halves without preslicing.
How long does an uncooked ham keep in the fridge?
An uncured, uncooked fresh ham should be used within 3-5 days. A cured, uncooked ham keeps 3-7 days refrigerated.
Can you freeze ham after cooking in a Dutch oven?
Yes, fully cooked ham can be frozen for 2-3 months. Cool completely, then wrap tightly in freezer bags or plastic. Thaw in fridge before using.
Should you cook ham at high or low temperature?
Cook ham low and slow, around 325°F, to keep it tender. Higher heat can dry it out. Glaze at 400°F at the end for caramelization.
How do you know when a precooked ham is done?
Precooked hams are fully cooked but just need reheating. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 140°F internally.
Get Creative with Leftover Ham!
Leftover Dutch oven ham is perfect for:
- Omelets, quiches and frittatas
- Sandwiches with cheese and mustard
- Diced in fried rice or pasta salad
- Split pea or potato soup
- Pizza, wraps, and flatbreads
- Oven-baked ham and cheese sliders
Save every last bit – even the bone can flavor peas or beans!
Cook Ham in a Dutch Oven for Maximum Flavor
Cooking ham in a Dutch oven locks in moisture and infuses incredible taste. Follow my tips on ham selection, calculating cook times, glazing, and carving for your best roasted ham yet.
The Dutch oven does all the work for you, delivering a juicy, flavorful holiday ham your whole family will love. Dive into these foolproof tips for your next Easter or Christmas ham!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Really, this recipe doesn’t take long to prepare. Just put the ham in the Dutch oven, add water, cover it, and cook!
- The ham glaze only calls for 6 common ingredients.
- Baked ham is so incredibly easy to cook. You can make your side dishes while the main dish warms up in the oven.
- The precooked ham doesn’t need to be bashed while it’s cooking in the oven.
- Most people love delicious baked ham. Ham is usually a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults!.
Precooked ham: Ive tested this recipe with a boneless spiral-cut ham and a bone-in, half ham. Bone-in ham tends to have more fat and a more naturally savory flavor. However, cooking bone-in cuts of meat can be a little more challenging. Boneless spiral ham has a more mild flavor but is presliced and less intimidating for beginner cooks. Either way, you cant go wrong!.
To make the ham glaze, you’ll need kosher salt, grainy Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, and maple syrup. This ham glaze is the perfect combination of sweet and savory.
*See the recipe card below for a detailed list of ingredients.
- A Dutch oven made of enameled cast iron with a lid is what you’ll need. I use the Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven. I know that a lot of other bloggers also like the Amazon brand of Dutch ovens.
- To simmer the ham glaze on the stove, you’ll need a small saucepan.
- Youll also need measuring cups and measuring spoons.
How to store, freeze and reheat
How to store: Store leftover ham in a glass, airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can make creamy ham salad, ham sandwiches, scalloped potatoes, ham and bean soup, ham and cheese bagel sandwiches, and more with the ham you have left over. You can also add it to pasta or casseroles.
How to freeze: You can freeze leftover baked ham. Make sure the ham is completely cooled down. Place it in a freezer bag or tightly wrap it in plastic wrap. It can be kept there for up to two months.
How to reheat: You can reheat leftover baked ham the same way that you cook a baked ham. The goal is to reheat leftovers without drying the ham out. Place the ham back in your Dutch oven with a little bit of water in the bottom. Tightly cover with your Dutch oven lid and reheat at 325°F until warmed through.