What Temperature Should Cooked Ham Be? A Guide to Safely Cooking Ham

Cooking ham seems simple – just toss it in the oven and roast until done But achieving the perfect texture and ensuring safety requires cooking your ham to the proper internal temperature So what temperature should cooked ham be?

The ideal finished temperature depends on whether you’re starting with a raw, fresh ham or a pre-cooked ham. Here’s a detailed guide to help you determine the right internal temperature for safely cooking ham to juicy, tender perfection.

For Raw, Fresh Ham

Raw, fresh (uncured) ham needs to be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F as measured by a food thermometer. This temperature kills any potential bacteria and parasites to ensure food safety with pork

Cooking to 145°F yields a juicy, tender texture. The meat will be slightly pink but not red. Below 140°F, the texture becomes uneven and the ham won’t be fully pasteurized.

For Pre-Cooked Ham

Pre-cooked, cured hams that are labeled “cook before eating” have already been cured and smoked but not fully cooked. These hams need to be heated to an internal temperature of 140°F before serving.

This heating temperature is safe because the curing process eliminates parasites and most bacteria. Heating to 140°F fully cooks the ham without drying it out.

Resting Time is Key

Once your ham reaches the target internal temperature, it’s important to let it rest before slicing or eating. Resting allows the juices to redistribute uniformly throughout the meat.

Let bone-in hams rest for at least 10-15 minutes once removed from the oven. For boneless hams, rest at least 5-10 minutes. Tent loosely with foil to keep warm.

Proper resting results in juicier meat that retains moisture when you slice it. Skipping the resting step can lead to dryness.

Factors that Affect Cooking Time

While the internal temperature marks doneness, the total cooking time can vary widely depending on:

Bone-in vs boneless – Bone conducts heat more slowly so bone-in hams take longer.
Size – Larger hams need more time to allow heat to penetrate to the center.
Oven temperature – Lower oven temps increase cook time. Higher temps decrease it but may dry out exterior.
Cooked vs fresh – Pre-cooked hams heat faster since they only need to reach 140°F.
Shape – Compact shapes like loin reach safe temps faster than elongated cuts.
Glazing – Glazes insulate and slow cooking compared to uncoated hams.

Oven Roasting Tips

Roast at 325°F for best results. Higher temps risk overcooking exterior before interior is done.
Use a meat thermometer to monitor temperature. Ovens can vary. Don’t rely on cook times alone.
Let oven fully preheat before adding ham to ensure accurate cooking time.
Place ham fat side up on a rack in a roasting pan for air circulation. Tent with foil at end to prevent over-browning if needed.

Grilling and Smoking Ham

Ham can also be cooked on the grill or smoker:

For grilling, indirect heat is best. Keep the temperature between 325-375°F. Use a drip pan for moisture and cook to proper internal temp.
For smoking, keep temperature between 225-300°F. Use wood chips, chunks or pellets for flavor. Cook to proper internal temperature.
Glaze ham during the last 30-60 minutes only to avoid burning the sugar.

Leftover Ham Storage

Properly stored leftover ham will last 3-4 days refrigerated. Sliced ham lasts 1-2 days. To freeze, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Use frozen ham within 2-3 months for best quality.

Safety Tips

Never eat raw or undercooked ham due to bacteria risks. Always reheat deli, pre-cooked and leftover ham to 165°F.
Don’t let ham sit out for over 2 hours total before and after cooking. Keep refrigerated until ready to roast or reheat.
Discard ham that smells bad or feels overly slimy or sticky when handling. Don’t taste meat that looks questionable.

Follow these guidelines on internal temperature and resting time, and your cooked ham will turn out perfectly moist and safe to eat every time. Getting the right doneness on a holiday ham makes all the difference in enjoying this delicious centerpiece entree.

what temperature should cooked ham be

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.

what temperature should cooked ham be

How long and at what temperature do you cook a fully cooked ham?

FAQ

What internal temperature should a fully cooked ham be?

Cook to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) and allow to rest for at least 3 minutes.

Can you eat fully cooked ham at 120 degrees?

Both whole or half, cooked, vacuum-packaged hams packaged in federally inspected plants and canned hams can be eaten cold, right out of the package. However, if you want to reheat these cooked hams, set the oven no lower than 325 °F and heat to an internal temperature of 140 °F as measured with a food thermometer.

How long to cook a 10 lb fully cooked ham?

Pre-Cooked and Bone-In Ham If the ham is a half ham weighing five to seven pounds, it should heat at 325°F for 22-25 minutes per pound. If it is a whole ham weighing between 10 to 14 pounds, heat the ham at 325°F for 18-20 minutes per pound. The internal temperature should be 140°F.

Does ham have to be 140 degrees?

If reheating is desired, hams that were packaged in processing plants under USDA inspection must be heated to 140°F as measured with a food thermometer. Leftover spiral-cut hams or ham that has been repackaged in any other location outside the plant, must be heated to 165°F.

What temperature do you cook a fully cooked ham?

It is recommended to set your oven temperature to 325°F (160°C) when cooking a fully cooked ham. This temperature ensures that the ham is heated evenly and thoroughly without drying it out. How long do I cook a fully cooked ham in the oven? As a general guideline, you should allow for 10-15 minutes of cooking time per pound of fully cooked ham.

How long can ham be without refrigeration and still be safe?

Most food experts recommend that ham, should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. After that time, you should discard it.

How to cook a Ham in the oven?

– Bake the ham in the preheated oven for about **15 minutes per pound**. – Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches at least **140°F (60°C)**. – Every 20 minutes, open the

How long do you cook a Ham at 325?

If the ham is a half ham weighing five to seven pounds, it should heat at 325°F for 22-25 minutes per pound. If it is a whole ham weighing between 10 to 14 pounds, heat the ham at 325°F for 18-20 minutes per pound. The internal temperature should be 140°F. This ham should weigh between six and 12 pounds. Heat at 325°F for 15-24 minutes per pound.