Today, I am going to show you how to slow cook a precooked ham in the oven. With this method you’ll get a perfectly baked ham slathered with a homemade Brown Sugar Glaze. You can make this tasty and easy dish in the oven for a holiday meal or a special occasion. It’s always a crowd-pleaser and makes Christmas or Easter dinner extra special with no muss or fuss. Let’s get started!.
Cured, smoked, and baked are all indicators that the ham you’re about to buy has been pre-cooked. Most of the ham you buy at the store is already safe to eat; you just need to heat it up. Plus around Easter or Christmas, they tend to go on sale!.
I always buy a spiral-cut, fully cooked ham with the bone in because it saves me time and effort. But taking a few extra steps while baking your ham can bring it from good to great. I love the Kirkland Signature Ham from Costco because the flavor and price can’t be beaten.
A beautifully glazed, tender pre-smoked ham is the crowning jewel of many holiday tables. Taking a pre-cooked ham and enhancing its flavor with sweet glazes or rubs makes for an elegant yet easy festive centerpiece.
Cooking a store-bought pre-smoked ham may seem daunting, but it’s actually quite simple. With the right preparation, cook time, and flavor additions, you can take your pre-smoked ham from basic to spectacular.
Follow this comprehensive guide for tips on selecting, preparing, cooking, glazing, carving, and serving a pre-smoked holiday ham that will wow your guests
How to Choose the Best Pre-Smoked Ham
Not all hams are created equal – quality and cut impact flavor and texture Keep these tips in mind when selecting a pre-smoked ham
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Opt for a high-quality, name brand ham for the best results. Avoid cheap generic hams.
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Look for a ham that has a lot of marbling, which are the white swirls of fat that run through the meat. This keeps the ham juicy.
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For easier carving, choose a boneless ham. Bone-in ham imparts more flavor but requires cutting around the bone.
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Spiral cut hams make serving simple but can dry out more since the slices are pre-cut.
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Look for a ham between 8-12 pounds to serve a crowd. Adjust for your number of guests.
Choose the right ham for maximum tenderness, flavor, and ease of cooking.
Preparing Your Ham Before Cooking
Proper prep before cooking is key to optimizing the ham’s flavor. Follow these steps:
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Unwrap the ham and rinse under cool water to remove excess salt.
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Pat the ham dry with paper towels to get rid of excess moisture for better browning.
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Score the ham’s fatty top layer in a diamond pattern. This allows the glaze to penetrate deeper.
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Apply a rub or glaze all over the ham. Brown sugar and honey or maple syrup make classic glaze combos.
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For a flavor boost, stud the ham with whole cloves. Avoid overdoing it as the cloves can dominate.
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Let the coated ham sit out for 30 minutes before cooking to allow flavors to meld.
How to Cook a Pre-Smoked Ham to Perfection
Cooking the ham low and slow is vital for keeping it juicy and enhancing the smoky flavor. Follow these guidelines:
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Preheat oven to 325°F. Place ham cut-side down in a roasting pan.
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Tent ham tightly with aluminum foil to lock in moisture.
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Cook approximately 20 minutes per pound. For a 10 lb ham, that’s about 3 1/2 hours.
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Remove foil last 30 minutes. Brush ham with glaze periodically to caramelize.
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Heat until an instant read thermometer inserted into thickest part reads 140°F.
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Let ham rest for 15 minutes before carving to allow juices to absorb.
The low roasting temperature ensures the ham stays tender and doesn’t dry out.
Step-By-Step Carving Instructions
Carving a pre-smoked ham is easier than you think. Follow these steps:
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Place rested ham on a cutting board with a well to catch juices.
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Locate the hipbone and cut down along both sides to detach the meat.
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Make perpendicular slices across the grain starting at the thigh.
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Cut the slices to your desired thickness – thin for appetizers or thick for entrees.
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Arrange slices on a serving platter. Spoon any accumulated juices over the top.
What to Serve with Your Pre-Smoked Ham
A beautifully glazed ham deserves equally impressive side dishes like:
- Scalloped or au gratin potatoes
- Honey glazed carrots or roasted asparagus
- Classic deviled eggs
- Fresh biscuits or dinner rolls
- A bright, acidic salad or cranberry sauce to balance the rich ham
- For dessert, a coconut cream pie or pineapple upside down cake
Let your cooked ham shine as the centerpiece with traditional sides that complement its flavor.
Storing Leftover Cooked Ham
Leftover pre-smoked ham will keep for 4-5 days refrigerated. Here are some storage tips:
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Allow ham to cool completely before storing.
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Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil. This prevents drying out.
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Refrigerate leftover ham in air-tight containers or resealable bags.
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Use leftovers within 4 days for best quality and taste.
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Thinly sliced ham can be frozen for 2-3 months.
With proper storage, enjoy tasty ham sandwiches, omelets, or casseroles all week long.
Frequently Asked Pre-Smoked Ham Questions
What if my ham comes with a flavor packet?
Most hams will turn out better using a homemade glaze, but you can use a pack for convenience.
Can I cook an uncooked fresh ham the same way?
Fresh hams require cooking to an internal temperature of 160°F. Pre-smoked hams just need to be heated to 140°F.
Should I baste my ham while it cooks?
Basting is optional but helps prevent the ham from drying out and adds flavor.
Can I cook a pre-smoked ham on the grill?
Yes, indirect grill cooking works well. Maintain a temperature around 325°F and cook to 140°F internal temperature.
How long does an 8 lb. ham take to bake?
An 8 lb. ham will take about 2 1/2 to 3 hours at 325°F oven temperature.
Enjoy Your Perfectly Cooked Pre-Smoked Ham
With the right selection, prep, flavor additions, roasting time, temperature, and carving technique, you can master cooking an impressive pre-smoked holiday ham.
The delicious aromas will fill your home while your elegantly glazed and garnished ham makes the table centerpiece you look forward to carving. Use this guide for your next special occasion ham.
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What Else Do I Need?
- When cooking big cuts like this one, you need a meat thermometer. Get a good one like this one, and it will last a long time.
- This Brown Sugar Ham Glaze is the last thing you’ll need for this recipe. Just adding that one thing makes this ham taste even better. You can use any glaze you want, but this one is my favorite because it combines garlic with maple syrup, brown sugar, and mustard in the best way. Most glazes should do the same thing, which is to make the outside caramelize and add more flavor. Some (maybe most?) precooked ham comes with a glaze packet. That will work, but I really like the taste of my glaze MUCH more.
Preheat Oven and Prep Ham
Preheat oven to 275° F. The good thing about baking a bone-in spiral cut ham that has already been cooked is that you are just reheating it.
The bad news is if you over bake it, you can dry it out easily. Since it’s already sliced, it really doesn’t take much to dry it out. Put the ham face down in a baking dish or roasting pan and cover it with aluminum foil. This will keep it from drying out. Keeping it covered with aluminum foil (or heavy duty foil) will keep that moisture in!.