This article dwells on different times and temperatures that are needed to cook ham. This will help you to prepare the various types of ham in organized and quick methods. Read on to know more these techniques and the equipment they require.
Ham, as we know, refers to pork that comes from the hind leg of a hog. It comes in varying colors, including fresh ham that has the pale pink or beige color of a fresh pork roast, while cured or smoked ham which comes in deep rose or pink color. Though there are different ways of cooking it, like baking, grilling, roasting, etc., proper ham cooking time and temperature are two important parameters to consider during preparation.
Cooking within the recommended time and temperature will ensure that the ham is made in the minimum safe internal temperature, which helps in optimizing the flavor and tenderness, as well as prevents various food-borne illness that may occur due to undercooked food.
Cooking Instructions
The instructions on how to prepare an uncooked, wet-cured ham in the most delicious and simple way is given below.
Things Required
- Uncooked, wet-cured ham
- Roasting pan
- Aluminum foil
- Sharp knife (for trimming and scoring)
- Cloves (for scoring)
- Meat thermometer
Directions
- Preheat an oven at 325 °F and meanwhile line the pan with an aluminum foil.
- Keep the ham in the roasting pan with the fat side up and then carefully insert the meat thermometer. Make sure that the thermometer doesn’t touch the bone, else you will get a wrong reading.
- Prepare the ham referring to the cooking time given in the table below.
- Remove the ham just around half an hour or one hour before it completes cooking, if you desire to trim, score, and glaze the ham. You can also trim and score the ham before placing it in the oven.
- For glazing, remove the pan from the oven and increase the temperature to 425 °F. Properly brush or spoon the prepared glaze over and within the slices and then bake at 425 °F for another 8 – 10 minutes.
- As soon the internal temperature reaches 160 °F, remove the slices from the oven and allow to stand for 10 – 15 minutes before serving.
Cooking Time
Preparing Cooked Ham
The time required to prepare a refrigerated, cold cooked ham, cooked to 140 °F (meat thermometer temperature).
| Cut | Temp(ºF) | Weight (lbs) | Cooking Time (per pound) | Cooking Time (Hours) |
| Half Ham | 325 | 6 – 8 | 15 – 17 minutes | 2 |
| Whole Ham | 325 | 12 – 14 | 12 – 15 minutes | 3 |
| Boned, Rolled Half Ham | 325 | 8 | 15 – 17 minutes | 2 ½ |
| Whole Ham | 325 | 12 – 14 | 12 – 15 minutes | 4 |
Preparing Uncooked Ham
The time required to prepare a refrigerated, cold uncooked ham, cooked to 160 °F (meat thermometer temperature).
| Cut | Temp (º F) | Weight (lbs) | Cooking Time (per pound) | Cooking Time (Hours) |
| Half Ham | 325 | 6 – 8 | 25 minutes | 3 |
| Whole Ham | 325 | 10 | 18 – 20 minutes | 4 |
| Ham | 325 | 10 – 12 | 18 – 20 minutes | 3 ½ |
| Boned, Rolled Ham | 325 | 8 | 25 minutes | 4 |
Preparing Canned Ham
The time required to prepare canned ham at room temperature, cooked to 140 °F (meat thermometer temperature).
| Cut | Temp (º F) | Weight (lbs) | Cooking Time (per pound) | Cooking Time (Hours) |
| Small Ham | 325 | 6 | 20 minutes | 2 |
| Large Ham | 325 | 8 – 13 | 15 minutes | 2 ½ – 3 |
To sum up, we can say, whichever method you follow, make sure that your ham reaches the right temperature and is cooked for an appropriate period of time. I hope the information given in this article on ham cooking time and temperature proves to be helpful to you all.