My kids love baked ham more than any other meal. They would choose ham over turkey dinner any day of the week or on any holiday.
This simple baked ham is juicy, tender, and tasty on the inside. The outside has a brown sugar glaze that caramelizes for a hint of sweetness. We only eat this baked ham on holidays like Christmas and Easter, but it’s easy enough to make any time!
I’m not going to lie—I really only like stuffing with turkey dinner, but everyone else here votes for ham. Even though I make Crock Pot Ham a lot because it’s so easy, I really love the roasted flavor that comes from baking a ham with a tasty glaze!
It’s not hard to bake a ham; just keep an eye on the temperature to make sure it heats all the way through without getting too done. Adding a brown sugar glaze to baked ham takes it to the next level without being overly sweet.
Smoked ham is a classic centerpiece for holidays and special gatherings. When perfectly cooked, it is tender juicy, and packed with smoky flavor. While you can smoke a ham yourself for the ultimate flavor cooking a store-bought smoked ham in the oven is much easier and can yield delicious results. However, figuring out exactly how long to cook a smoked ham in the oven can be tricky.
There are several factors that impact the oven cooking time for smoked ham, including the size, bone-in or boneless, and fully-cooked or raw. Mastering the oven cooking technique requires understanding these variables. As a long-time food blogger and home cook, I’ve experimented with all kinds of hams to determine the ideal oven cooking times and temperatures.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about achieving smoky perfection with a smoked ham cooked in the oven. You’ll get step-by-step instructions, timing guidelines, tips for preventing overcooking, recommended internal temperatures, and answers to all your smoked ham FAQs. Let’s get cooking!
How Long Does It Take to Cook a Smoked Ham in the Oven?
The cooking time for smoked ham in the oven depends primarily on two factors:
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Weight of the Ham The heavier the ham, the longer the cooking time The general rule of thumb is 10-15 minutes per pound
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Bone-in or Boneless: Bone-in hams take longer to cook than boneless. The bone conducts less heat, so it acts as an insulator.
Here are some estimates based on common ham sizes:
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Bone-in smoked ham (7-10 lbs): About 15-20 minutes per lb at 325°F. So a 10 lb ham takes 2.5 to 3 hours.
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Boneless smoked ham (3-5 lbs): About 10-12 minutes per lb at 325°F. A 5 lb boneless ham takes 50 minutes to 1 hour.
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Spiral cut smoked ham (already sliced, 7-10 lbs): 8-10 minutes per lb at 325°F since it’s pre-cut. A 10 lb spiral ham takes 1.5 hours.
However, to be sure the ham is fully cooked, you must check the internal temperature, not just rely on time.
What is the Target Internal Temperature for Smoked Ham?
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For a pre-cooked smoked ham, heat to 140°F as measured in the thickest part.
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For a fresh, uncooked smoked ham, cook to at least 145°F internally.
Always use a reliable meat thermometer to check doneness in multiple spots. Cook until the thermometer hits the target temp. Let the ham rest 10-15 minutes before slicing into it.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Smoked Ham in the Oven
Now that you know approximate cook times, let’s go through the full process of oven cooking smoked ham:
1. Prepare the Ham
If frozen, thaw in the fridge 1 day for every 4 lbs. Rinse, pat dry, and trim off skin or excess fat. Score fat in a diamond pattern. Apply any glazes or seasonings. Insert cloves evenly for flavor if desired.
2. Preheat Oven to 325°F
Preheating ensures the oven is fully up to temperature for even cooking. Low and slow is best for smoked ham.
3. Place Ham in a Roasting Pan
Choose a pan just large enough to fit the ham, and place it fat-side up on a roasting rack. The rack elevates it to promote air circulation.
4. Calculate Cook Time
Figure about 15-20 minutes per pound for bone-in or 10-12 minutes per pound for boneless at 325°F. Time can vary based on oven accuracy.
5. Insert Meat Thermometer
About halfway through minimum cook time, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part without touching bone.
6. Monitor Temperature
Keep checking temperature every 30 minutes until it registers 140°F for pre-cooked ham or 145°F for fresh ham.
7. Let It Rest
Once desired temp is reached, remove from oven and tent loosely with foil. Let rest 15-20 minutes before slicing.
8. Carve and Serve
Carve into slices across the grain. Serve with your favorite sauces, glazes or mustards. Enjoy!
Handy Time and Temperature Chart
For quick reference, here are the key time and temperature guidelines:
| Type of Ham | Cook Time per Pound | Oven Temp | Internal Temp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bone-in, cooked | 15-20 minutes | 325°F | 140°F |
| Boneless, cooked | 10-12 minutes | 325°F | 140°F |
| Bone-in, fresh | 18-20 minutes | 325°F | 145°F |
| Boneless, fresh | 12-15 minutes | 325°F | 145°F |
5 Tips to Prevent Overcooking
It can be tricky getting smoked ham just right in the oven. Here are my top tips to prevent overcooking:
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Use an oven-safe meat thermometer to check internal temp. Don’t rely solely on cook times.
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For bone-in hams, insert thermometer into the thickest part of meat, avoiding bone.
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If browning too quickly, tent loosely with foil and reduce oven temp by 25°F.
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Baste ham with juices every 30 mins to prevent drying out.
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Let rest 15-20 mins before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
Common Smoked Ham Cook Time Questions
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about smoking ham in the oven:
How long does an 8-10 lb smoked ham take in the oven?
- For a bone-in, cooked 8-10 lb ham allow about 2 – 2 1/2 hours in a 325°F oven.
What if my ham is frozen, does that change oven time?
- Frozen hams take longer. After thawing completely in the fridge, add 30 mins – 1 hour to the cook time.
What if I want to use a higher oven temp, like 350°F?
- At 350°F, reduce cook time by about 10-15 mins per pound but watch closely to prevent drying out.
Should I tent the ham with foil while cooking?
- Partial tenting with foil can prevent over-browning but remove foil last 30 mins for browning.
How long does a spiral sliced ham take in the oven?
- Spiral cut hams take less time since they are pre-sliced. Cook 8-10 mins per lb at 325°F.
Mastering Smoked Ham in the Oven
How to Bake a Ham
Most of the time when you purchase ham, it’s been smoked which means it’s cooked. Check the ham’s package to see if it says “fully cooked.” If it does, it should also tell you what temperature to cook it to.
There is a difference between “cook before eating” ham and fully cooked ham. Fully cooked ham needs to be cooked to 140°F, which is just to heat it up.
When cooking ham, you’ll want to preheat your oven and place the ham cut side down.
I use a 9×13 pan, and I wrap the ham in foil and crimp the foil around it to seal it. Brush with the brown sugar ham glaze before it finishes baking.
How to make Brown Sugar Glaze for Ham
I use my favorite Brown Sugar Glaze for ham in this recipe. It’s made with brown sugar and a little pineapple juice (orange juice works too). The glaze adds flavor without being too sweet, and it makes the outside of the ham taste great by making it sticky.
I add a little more time to the glaze (about 4 minutes) to make it thicker because it sticks to the ham better that way. For this recipe, you can use either dark or light brown sugar. Dark brown sugar tastes a little better, though.
The brown sugar glaze can burn if left in the oven for too long, like any high-sugar food, so it is only added for the last 15 minutes.
To make the brown sugar glaze thicker, let the ham cool down. Then, take it out of the oven and turn up the heat. Brush the glaze over the ham and pop it back into the oven. The high heat will make the most gorgeous golden glaze in just a few minutes!.
Before carving your baked ham, let it rest 15 minutes to help keep it perfectly juicy.
Easy Ham Recipe – How to Bake a Ham
How long do you cook a smoked ham?
Place the baking dish with the smoked ham in the preheated oven and cook for about 15 minutes per pound. A meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham should read 145°F (63°C) when it’s done. 7. After the initial cooking time, remove the foil tent and baste the ham with the glaze every 30 minutes to keep it moist and flavorful. 8.
Is honey baked ham as good as regular ham?
The addition of honey will affect the calorie content of the food. One tablespoon of honey contributes to approximately 64 calories. In addition, the use of heat when making baked ham will reduce the quality of the honey.
Can you cook smoked ham in an oven?
The art of cooking smoked ham in an oven is a culinary journey that promises to deliver a succulent and flavorful dish. While many might associate smoking with outdoor grills or dedicated smokers, the oven provides a convenient and efficient alternative.
How do you smoke a smoked ham?
Achieving a tender texture in your smoked ham requires a low and slow smoking method. Set your oven to a low temperature – around 225°F (107°C) – and let the ham slowly absorb the smoky flavors. This prolonged cooking process ensures that the collagen in the meat breaks down, resulting in a juicy and tender texture that melts in the mouth.