Want a picture-perfect glazed ham recipe for a holiday or special occasion? You’ve come to the right place! This juicy ham goes well with all of our favorite Sunday dinner and Christmas side dish recipes. Moreover, ham is less stressful to prepare than other roasted meats. Since most hams are already cooked when you buy them, all you have to do to cook one is heat it up in the oven. If you add a tasty brown sugar glaze in the last 15 to 30 minutes, the ham will be so good that you won’t have any left over.
Butt ham is a delicious, flavorful cut of meat that comes from the upper part of the pig’s hind leg When cooked properly, it can be the juicy, tender centerpiece of a holiday meal or Sunday dinner. But figuring out precisely how long to cook a butt ham can be confusing for many home cooks
In this detailed guide I’ll walk through everything you need to know about cooking times methods, tips, and tricks for oven-roasting a flawless glazed butt ham. You’ll learn how long per pound bone-in and boneless hams need to cook, what internal temperature to target, and how to adapt for slow cooking. Let’s dive in!
What is Butt Ham?
Butt ham is cut from the pork butt or Boston butt area of the pig It sits higher up on the hind leg above the shank ham Butt ham tends to be smaller in size yet more tender and marbled than other ham cuts,
There are a few key things to know when buying butt ham:
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Bone-in or Boneless – Bone-in butt hams have more flavor but are trickier to carve. Boneless is easier to slice.
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Cook-before-eating or Ready-to-eat – You can find both uncooked “fresh” hams and pre-cooked hams ready to simply reheat and eat.
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Glazed or Unglazed – Glazing adds sweetness and shine. Choose recipes based on whether your ham is glazed.
Understanding the specifics of your particular butt ham will ensure you cook it correctly.
How Long to Cook Fresh Butt Ham
For fresh, uncooked bone-in butt ham, the basic timing is:
- 325°F oven: Cook 35-40 minutes per pound
- Target internal temperature: 145°F
So for example, a 10 lb fresh butt ham would take roughly 6 to 7 hours total in a 325°F oven.
If cooking a boneless butt ham, reduce cooking time slightly to 30-35 minutes per pound.
Always rely on a meat thermometer rather than just timing to determine doneness. Adjust oven temp or time if needed to hit the safe 145°F mark.
How Long to Cook Pre-Cooked Butt Ham
For a ready-to-eat, pre-cooked butt ham, the oven timing is much faster:
- 325°F oven: Cook 15-20 minutes per pound
- Target internal temperature: 140°F
So a 10 lb pre-cooked ham would need only 2 1/2 to 3 hours in the oven.
Pre-cooked hams are already safe to eat. You just need to reheat thoroughly to serve.
Oven Roasting Butt Ham Step-by-Step
Follow these steps for roasting butt ham in the oven:
- If ham is frozen, thaw completely in the refrigerator. Rinse ham and pat dry.
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Leave ham at room temperature during preheating.
- Place ham fat side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Add 1 cup water or fruit juice to the bottom.
- Insert a meat thermometer deep into the thickest part of ham, being careful not to hit bone.
- Cook ham according to recommended time per pound above. Check temp periodically.
- Once ham reaches target internal temp, remove from oven and let rest 10-15 minutes.
- Just before serving, score fat in a diamond pattern and glaze if desired. Slice and enjoy!
How Long to Cook Butt Ham in a Slow Cooker
For convenience, butt ham can also be slowly cooked in a crockpot:
- Low setting (200°F): Cook 6-8 hours
- High setting (300°F): Cook 4-5 hours
Use a meat thermometer to confirm the ham reaches 145°F when done. The nice thing about slow cooking is you don’t have to hover and babysit it. Just prep, set it, and let it cook hands-free.
Tips for Perfectly Cooked Butt Ham
Follow these tips for the most flavorful, juicy butt ham every time:
- Choose hams with creamy white fat rather than yellow, which indicates aging.
- Cook to just 145°F, not higher. Overcooking dries out the meat.
- Let ham rest before carving so juices redistribute. Never slice immediately.
- Use a sharp non-serrated knife for clean, easy slicing.
- Add cloves, pineapple rings, or cherries to the ham for decoration and flavor.
- Glaze ham with honey, brown sugar, syrup, or preserves during last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Leftover ham keeps for 3-4 days refrigerated. Slice and freeze portions for longer storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about how long to cook butt ham? Here are answers to some common queries:
What if my ham has a bone? Does that change the timing?
Having a bone adds more roasting time. Add 5-10 extra minutes per pound for bone-in hams. Rely on the thermometer.
Can I cook the butt ham from frozen?
Yes, but it will need significantly more time in the oven, likely 1 1/2 times the recommended timing. Thaw first if possible.
What if my ham is larger than 10 lbs?
The per-pound recommendations hold true no matter the size. A 15 lb ham will simply need more total cooking time.
What happens if I undercook the ham?
If under 145°F, harmful bacteria could remain so it’s important to fully cook to be food safe. If undercooked, put back in the oven.
What’s the best way to reheat leftover ham?
Slice ham and place in a baking dish with a bit of liquid. Cover and reheat at 325°F until warmed through, about 8-10 minutes.
Get Cooking Butt Ham Today!
Now that you know precisely how long to cook a butt ham in the oven or slow cooker, you can serve this tasty showstopper at your next gathering with confidence. Just be sure to use a meat thermometer and follow the recommended guidelines for fail-proof results. In no time, you’ll be able to carve up beautiful slices of your perfectly glazed and cooked butt ham.
How to Store Glazed Ham
Store leftover glazed ham in an airtight container in the fridge for three to four days. You can reheat the ham in the oven or microwave. Better yet: Repurpose the extras to make these stellar leftover ham recipes.
How Long to Cook a Ham
A 5- to 7-pound bone-in ham should take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes in a 325° oven. If you swap in a larger ham, it will take longer to cook. If your ham is 7 to 10 pounds, it will take 16 to 20 minutes per pound. If it’s 10 to 14 pounds, it will take 15 to 18 minutes per pound.
The best way to know when your ham is finished cooking is to use a thermometer. Ham only needs to reach an internal temperature of 140°. So play it safe, and set your timer for the lower amount of time first. When the timer goes off, check the temperature. You can always add more time if necessary.
- Fully cooked ham with the bones still in it: The best holiday hams are bone-in roasts The bone makes the ham taste better and keeps it from drying out. If you’ve never cooked a ham before, our Test Kitchen suggests the shank cut because it’s easier to cut. The other option—the butt—is a bit more tender. But it’s also trickier to navigate with a carving knife.
- Brown sugar, savory mustard, and sour vinegar are the three things you need to make our ham glaze. Since the sugar turns into caramel in the oven, the ham gets a nice, crispy edge and a nice finish.