Ham is a holiday essential for many families. The tall centerpiece is both beautiful and comforting, bringing sweet and salty memories of Easter, Christmas, or Sunday dinner. If you’re busy making other holiday dishes, you might choose a ham that is already cooked instead of starting from scratch to save time.
A fully cooked ham is easy to prepare and can be sliced and eaten cold, which is great for sandwiches and salads. However, the flavor and texture are even better when heated up. Its a simple process thatll make it look like you spent hours cooking one from scratch. 1:54.
Pre-cooked hams, also known as “city hams”, are a delicious and convenient choice for holidays, parties, and family dinners. They have already been fully cooked and smoked when you purchase them, so many people mistakenly think you can just slice and serve them straight from the package However, heating a pre-cooked ham before serving can impart even more flavor and moisture So what is the proper technique for reheating a store-bought cooked ham?
Why You Should Heat a Pre-Cooked Ham
While it’s safe to eat cold pre-cooked ham right out of the fridge heating it up first provides some benefits
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Brings out more smoky, salty, savory flavors from the curing and cooking process.
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Makes the ham easier to slice thinly and evenly.
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Melts any marbling or external fat into the meat, keeping it moist and tender.
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Allows glazes and juices to caramelize onto the ham for delicious browning.
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Warm temperature makes the flavors really pop and makes the meat more aromatic.
So take the extra time to properly reheat a cooked ham before carving and serving for maximum flavor and enjoyment!
What is the Best Method for Reheating Ham?
Baking is the preferred method for reheating pre-cooked hams. It heats the ham evenly throughout without drying it out. Here are some tips:
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Place ham cut-side down on a foil-lined baking sheet or pan.
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Brush with glaze if using.
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Bake at 350°F, basting with more glaze every 30 minutes.
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Heat until internal temperature reaches 140°F.
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Tent loosely with foil if exterior browns too quickly.
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Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.
The oven allows the ham to heat from both the outside and the inside slowly and gently. Basting keeps the exterior moist and sticky.
What Internal Temperature Should You Heat Ham to?
Safety guides recommend reheating cooked ham to an internal temperature of 140°F. This adequately eliminates any risk of bacteria without overcooking the meat.
Hams processed in USDA-inspected plants can safely be reheated to 140°F. For non-inspected hams, aim for 165°F to be extra safe. Always use a meat thermometer to check temperature rather than relying on time.
Heating to 140°F takes a large ham 2–3 hours in a 350°F oven. The ham should not be served immediately after removing from the oven—letting it rest for 10 minutes allows the juices to redistribute evenly.
Why 140°F is the Magic Number
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Pre-cooked hams are safe to eat cold because bacteria have already been killed off by the curing and cooking process.
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Reheating to 140°F provides an additional margin of safety while avoiding drying out the ham.
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Higher temperatures like 165°F would overcook the ham, making it dry, leathery, and less tender.
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140°F is hot enough to melt fat, caramelize glazes, and fully develop the flavor.
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This temp hits the sweet spot between food safety and optimal texture.
So for the best results, it’s important to reheat fully-cooked hams to 140°F and not significantly higher. Use a good digital meat thermometer to monitor the internal temp.
What if Your Ham Came with Reheating Instructions?
Many pre-cooked hams come with reheating instructions on the packaging or on an included label. Always read and follow these carefully, as they are based on that specific brand or product.
If the instructions differ from the standard 140°F rule, they override the general recommendation. Some examples:
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May specify 145°F or 150°F for food safety reasons.
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Will provide minimum safe internal temp if USDA-inspected.
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May have special guidelines for hams with bones.
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Could include details on timing, glazing, tenting with foil.
In short, follow the product-specific guidelines when reheating any pre-cooked ham. Don’t rely solely on the general 140°F rule if instructions are provided.
Can You Microwave a Pre-Cooked Ham?
It is possible, but microwaving is not the best reheating method for hams. The uneven heating tends to create hot and cold spots. Areas may end up overcooked and dry while others are still cold.
If microwaving, heat ham no more than 10 minutes per pound on 50% power. Rotate, slice and check temperature frequently. Heat to at least 140°F internally. Cover, rest and add juices or broth if dried out.
Microwaving is quicker but won’t provide the same uniform heating and flavor development. Baking is highly recommended instead for the tastiest results.
Tips for the Best Flavor When Reheating Ham
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Choose a ham with natural juices or broth injection for added moisture.
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Apply a glaze during baking for crispy, caramelized exterior.
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Use apple, pineapple or citrus juices in the glaze for fruit flavors.
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Infuse glaze with bourbon, whiskey, rum or wine for a kick.
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Score the ham and insert whole cloves for aromatic flavor.
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Rub minced garlic, rosemary or thyme into the scored areas.
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Garnish with maraschino cherries, pineapple slices or pecan halves.
How to Tell if Ham is Bad
Cooked hams stay fresh 3-5 days in the fridge, and 4-6 months in the freezer. Signs that pre-cooked ham has spoiled and should be thrown away include:
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Slimy or sticky texture
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Mold growth
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Unpleasant sour odor
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Rancid smell when cooked
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Discoloration beyond pink with grayish or greenish areas
When stored and reheated properly, cooked hams make several delicious family meals before spoiling. With the right handling, they can be safely enjoyed for their fantastic flavors.
Common Questions about Reheating Ham
Can you eat cold pre-cooked ham without reheating?
Yes, it is safe to eat cold from the fridge. However, reheating improves texture and intensifies smoky flavor.
Is it okay to eat ham cold after reheating?
Yes, properly reheated leftover ham stays safe refrigerated for 3-5 days. Eat cold in sandwiches, salads, etc.
Should you wrap ham when reheating in oven?
Wrapping is not necessary, but tent loosely with foil if the exterior over-browns before interior is heated through.
Can you reheat ham in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?
Yes, set on low and cook with broth or juices for about 8-10 hours, until 140°F internally.
How long does cooked ham last past sell-by date?
Ham stays fresh 1 week past any sell-by or use-by dates as long as it was kept refrigerated below 40°F.
Key Takeaways on Reheating Cooked Ham
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Always reheat fully cooked, ready-to-eat hams before serving for food safety.
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Heat in a 350°F oven until internal temperature reaches 140°F.
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Allow the ham to rest 10 minutes before slicing for juicy meat.
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Follow any product-specific reheating instructions included with the ham.
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Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature; do not rely on time.
-Bake for the most even, gentle reheating; microwaving can cause dry spots.
Reheating a pre-cooked ham to 140°F prior to serving ensures you safely maximize its fantastic cured flavor in every slice. With the right timing and temperature, you can enjoy moist, juicy results full of smoky aroma.
Watch Now: The Best Brown Sugar Glazed Baked Ham Recipe
- Score the ham and glaze it—If you’re going to glaze the ham, you might want to score it first. The meat will be able to soak up the glaze, and the presentation will look good. Use a shape knife to make diamond-shaped cuts on the ham’s surface. Put a whole clove into each cut intersection or the middle of each diamond for extra flavor.
- Putting on a glaze after cooking—You can also put on a glaze after the ham is cooked. The oven should be heated up from 350 F to 400 F. Brush the glaze on the meat. Bake the ham just until the glaze is golden brown. You can glaze a small ham or ham slice and then quickly brown it under the broiler. The sweet glaze can burn easily, so check it frequently.
- To make it look fancy, put pineapple slices on top of the ham about 30 minutes before it’s done and secure them with toothpicks or whole cloves. If you want, you can put a maraschino cherry in the middle of each pineapple slice and hold them together with more toothpicks or cloves.
- What is picnic ham? Picnic ham, also called smoked shoulder, is smoked like ham but comes from the shoulder of the animal. It tastes like ham, but it’s not real ham; real ham comes from the back leg of the animal. It has more bones and more fat than a ham. It also takes longer to cook.
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