Don’t worry if you forgot to take your holiday ham out of the freezer or if it hasn’t thawed as fast as you thought it would. Its perfectly safe to cook a frozen ham. Just know that it takes about 50 percent longer to cook a fully-frozen ham.
Heres everything you need to know to get good results and get dinner on the table on time.
A big baked ham is a festive centerpiece for holidays and gatherings. But if your ham is still frozen solid on cooking day, is it safe to boil it frozen? Or do you need to fully thaw it first?
While it is possible to boil a frozen ham, it takes more time and care to ensure it cooks through safely. With some preparation and caution, you can pull off cooking a frozen ham without ruining the meal
Is It Safe to Boil a Frozen Ham?
Cooking frozen meat isn’t inherently dangerous, but it does come with some risks to weigh:
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Uneven cooking – The outside thaws and cooks faster than the inside, leading to undercooked centers. This applies especially to large roasts and hams.
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Longer cooking time – Frozen meat takes longer to come up to a safe internal temperature. A frozen ham may need to simmer 50% longer than a thawed one.
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Reduced moisture – Boiling dried-out, frozen meat can make it tough and dry instead of juicy.
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Foodborne illness – Undercooked pork can potentially harbor bacteria like salmonella. Cook hams to 160°F.
So while boiling a frozen ham is possible, it requires extra vigilance to avoid potential pitfalls. Thawing first is ideal, but follow these tips for safety if time is short.
Tips for Safely Boiling a Frozen Ham
With care, you can boil a ham straight from the freezer. Here are some tips:
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Use a thermometer – Check the inner temp in several spots to ensure it reaches 160°F.
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Simmer low and slow – Keep the water at a gentle bubble to allow heat to penetrate evenly.
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Add moisture – Use broth, cider, wine or juice instead of plain water for extra moisture.
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Flip occasionally – Rotate the ham so all sides evenly cook.
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Cover tightly – A tight lid traps steam to help thaw and cook the ham.
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Increase time – Plan for at least 1.5 times the recommended cooking time for thawed ham.
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Rest before carving – Letting it sit in the hot liquid allows heat to evenly distribute.
With some simple adjustments, you can boil a tasty, safe ham without full thawing.
Step-By-Step Guide to Boiling a Frozen Ham
Follow these steps for successfully cooking a frozen bone-in ham:
1. Prepare the ham
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Leave ham wrapped or place in a plastic bag to prevent freezer burn.
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Place in fridge 2-3 days before to thaw slightly – this helps heat penetrate.
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Remove skin/packaging just before cooking.
2. Choose a pot
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Pick a pot just large enough to fit ham snugly.
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Heavy Dutch oven or stockpot work best to retain heat.
3. Add liquid
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Cover ham fully with water, broth, cider, juice or wine.
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Liquid should come just to the top of the ham, not overflowing.
4. Bring to a boil
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Place pot on stove over medium-high heat.
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Heat until liquid bubbles rapidly, then reduce to low.
5. Simmer partially covered
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Let ham gently simmer, flipping occasionally.
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Keep lid slightly ajar to allow steam release.
6. Cook until done
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Cook for approximately 15-20 minutes per pound.
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Use a meat thermometer to check inner temp of 160°F.
7. Drain and rest
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Remove ham from liquid and drain fat.
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Let sit for 30 minutes before slicing to allow juices to set.
How Long to Boil a Frozen Ham
A fully frozen bone-in ham takes significantly longer to cook through than a thawed one. Here are some general guidelines for boiling times:
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Small (4-6 lbs): Simmer for 2 1/2 to 4 hours total.
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Medium (6-8 lbs): Simmer for 4 to 6 hours total.
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Large (10-14 lbs): Simmer for 6 to 8 hours total.
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Extra Large (16+ lbs): Simmer for 8 to 10 hours.
Check temperature periodically and add more time if needed until ham reaches 160°F. Letting it rest in the hot pot afterward allows heat to evenly distribute for safe, thorough cooking.
Troubleshooting Boiled Frozen Ham
Even when boiled carefully, frozen hams can present some challenges. Here’s how to troubleshoot common issues:
Undercooked center – Check temperature in multiple spots, and continue cooking until the coolest area reaches 160°F.
Dry, tough meat – Add more liquid during cooking to keep moist. Injecting with broth also helps.
No flavor – Use seasoned broth or add spices, aromatics and acid like wine or citrus juice to the cooking liquid.
Skin won’t remove – If skin sticks, return ham to liquid to soften. Try cutting slits to help slide it off.
Uneven color – Flip and rotate periodically while simmering so all sides cook evenly.
With some patience and vigilance, your frozen ham can turn out juicy, tender and full of flavor.
Alternatives to Boiling Frozen Ham
While boiling is an easy frozen ham cooking method, it’s not the only option. Consider these alternatives:
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Slow cooker – Thaw slightly first. Add liquid, and cook 8-10 hours on low.
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Oven – Preheat to 325°F. Wrap ham in foil with 1⁄2 inch liquid. Roast 30-40 minutes per pound.
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Grill – Thaw fully before grilling indirectly for 15-20 minutes per pound, glazing periodically.
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Sous vide – Seal ham in a bag submerged in 165°F water for at least 1-2 hours per pound.
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Pressure cooker – Cover ham with liquid and cook for half the time of other methods.
Enjoy Delicious, Safe Boiled Ham
With proper thawing and cooking, you can safely boil a frozen bone-in ham for a delicious entrée. Allow significantly more time than for a thawed ham, and use a thermometer to verify doneness. While boiling from frozen takes patience, with a few tips you can serve up a juicy, flavorful holiday ham.
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Frozen Ham Cooking Instructions and Temps
Preheat your oven to 325 F. While youre waiting for the oven to come to temperature, place your ham in a roasting pan. Dont have a roasting pan? No problem. There are some things you can use if you dont have a roasting pan. Then, add an inch of water to the bottom of the pan. Don’t put too much water in the pan; the rack that came with it should hold the ham above the water. If you don’t have a rack, put some carrots and onions in the bottom of the pan to hold the ham up. As the vegetables cook, they’ll release water that will mix with the ham fat. This way, you don’t have to worry about the fat burning on the pan’s bottom and making a lot of smoke.
Once youve got your ham situated, wrap the top of the pan tightly with aluminum foil. This will help keep the water in the ham so it doesn’t dry out while it cooks and thaws. It will also keep the ham from burning on the outside while you wait for the inside to cook. You don’t want to skip this step because your ham will be in the oven longer than usual.
Put your ham wrapped in foil in the oven and cook it until the internal temperature meets or beats the following:
- Cooked Ham (vacuum-packed at the plant) — 140 F
- Ham that has been cooked and repackaged by you or someone else—165 F
- Uncooked Ham (labeled fresh, cook-before-eating or uncured) — 145 F
To make sure you cook the ham at the right temperature, look at the package it came in to see what kind of ham it is.
Frozen Ham Cooking Times
You want to know how much longer it will take to cook your frozen ham so you know when to put it in the oven. Use this chart to get an idea of how long it will take.
| Type of Ham | Weight in lbs | Thawed: Minutes/lb |
Frozen: Minutes/lb |
| Smoked Ham, cook-before eating | |||
| Whole, bone-in | 10-14 | 18-20 | 27-30 |
| Half, bone-in | 5-7 | 22-25 | 33-38 |
| Smoked Ham, cooked | |||
| Whole, bone-in | 10-14 | 15-18 | 23-27 |
| Half, bone-in | 5-7 | 18-24 | 27-36 |
| Vacuum-packed, boneless | 6-12 | 10-15 | 15-23 |
| Spiral cut, whole or half | 7-9 | 10-18 | 15-27 |
| Fresh, uncooked | |||
| Whole leg, bone-in | 12-16 | 22-26 | 33-39 |
| Whole leg, boneless | 10-14 | 24-28 | 36-42 |
| Half, bone-in | 5-8 | 35-40 | 53-60 |
Note: As mentioned, these cooking times are just estimates. Check the internal temperature of your ham with a meat thermometer to determine when your ham is done.
*All recommendations are based on current USDA guidelines.
Can I cook a frozen ham without defrosting it first?
FAQ
How long does it take to boil a frozen ham?
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Type of Ham
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Weight in lbs
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Frozen: Minutes/lb
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Whole, bone-in
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10-14
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23-27
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Half, bone-in
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5-7
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27-36
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Vacuum-packed, boneless
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6-12
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15-23
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Spiral cut, whole or half
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7-9
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15-27
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Can I cook a frozen ham without defrosting it first?
Can you boil an already cooked ham?
Can I boil frozen smoked meat?
How do you boil a frozen ham?
To boil a frozen ham, place it in a large pot or Dutch oven that fits the meat fairly tight. Cover the ham with cold liquid, which can be plain water, water seasoned with herbs and spices, stock, or water with the addition of ingredients such as wine or fruit juices. It’s important to not use too much liquid or a pan that is too large.
Can boiled ham be frozen?
You can also use the boiled ham in recipes such as quiches, omelets, or casseroles. The possibilities are endless! Plus, boiled ham can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days or frozen for up to three months, so you can enjoy it later on. To enhance the flavor of your boiled ham, consider adding a glaze or seasoning before serving.
Should you boil a Ham before cooking?
A good ham is a staple of many households for holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Boiling a ham is a great way to incorporate whatever flavors you want through the cooking process. You don’t even need to make a glaze for the top if you don’t want to. Thaw the ham well before cooking if purchased frozen.
Can You boil a ham with a bone in?
You can use a couple of different cuts, but the main thing you want is to boil a ham with the bone in. A picnic ham, country ham, or any dry-cured bone in cuts will work. You can also use a fresh ham, but you don’t see those very often. I think they would work really well actually and you would use the exact same method.