Find out everything you need to know about How to Cook Smoked Ham and get our recipe for our holiday Smoked Ham with Maple Spice Glaze, which is naturally gluten-free and sugar-free.
When it comes to cooking a whole smoked ham, there are a lot of options and questions. A few years ago, when I first shared this maple spiced glazed smoked ham recipe, I was only thinking about how great it looked and tasted on the holiday table.
I added some of the most common questions about how to cook a bone-in smoked ham to this post because so many of you has asked them.
Bookmark this for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s or whenever you want to serve a whole ham.
Mastering Mouthwatering Farm Boy Smoked Ham: A Step-by-Step Guide
As a busy home cook who loves serving comfort food classics with a gourmet twist, Farm Boy’s incredible smoked ham is one of my go-to ingredients for effortless but impressive meals. Their smoked ham selections like Dearborn spiral sliced ham have recently become holiday staples in my home.
If you’ve brought home one of Farm Boy’s fully cooked smoked ham options but aren’t quite sure how to prepare it, have no fear – I’ve got you covered. Below I’ll walk through my easy, foolproof method for cooking Farm Boy smoked ham to juicy, tender perfection.
Here’s what I’ll cover:
- Choosing the Right Smoked Ham
- Necessary Tools and Equipment
- Thawing and Preparing the Ham
- Oven Roasting Step-by-Step
- Glazing and Garnishing
- Serving Suggestions and Side Dishes
- Getting Creative with Leftovers
- Common Questions and Troubleshooting
With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a show-stopping centerpiece ham ready for any special occasion. Let’s get cooking!
Choosing the Right Smoked Ham
Farm Boy offers a variety of fully cooked smoked ham options like Dearborn hams, Sargento hams, and Nueske’s hams. For oven roasting, choose
- Bone-in smoked half ham (8-10 lbs)
- Spiral sliced for ease of serving
- With natural juices or brown sugar glaze
Smoked hams are cured and smoked for intense flavor. Opt for hams labeled “fully cooked” for easy reheating.
Necessary Tools and Equipment
Roasting Farm Boy smoked ham requires minimal kitchen gear:
- Rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan
- Aluminum foil
- Meat thermometer
- Basting brush
- Fat separator (for degreasing ham drippings)
Line pan with foil for easy cleanup. Have glaze or ingredients for making glaze ready.
Thawing and Preparing the Ham
For food safety, thaw frozen hams overnight in the fridge before cooking. This helps them cook evenly.
Remove ham from packaging and discard plastic pop-up timer. Trim off skin, leaving a thin layer of fat. Score fat in criss-cross pattern.
Oven Roasting Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps:
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Preheat oven to 325°F. Line pan with foil and place ham fat-side up.
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Insert meat thermometer, avoiding bone. Roast until it reaches 140°F, about 15-20 min per pound.
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Brush ham with glaze. Increase heat to 400°F and roast 15 more minutes.
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Remove from oven, tent loosely with foil and let rest 15 minutes before slicing.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure doneness for food safety. Reheat fully cooked hams to 140°F.
Glazing and Garnishing
For sweet flavor, brush glaze on ham last 30 minutes of roasting.
To make glaze, simmer 1 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup honey, and 1/4 cup maple syrup. For savory glaze, use mustard, oranges, cloves and brown sugar.
Decorate roasted ham with pineapple slices, maraschino cherries or fresh herb sprigs.
Serving Suggestions and Side Dishes
Let roasted ham rest at least 15 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute. Slice across the grain into thin pieces.
Delicious sides include mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, seasoned green beans, cornbread and yeast rolls.
For easy holiday hosting, roast ham a day ahead. Simply reheat carved slices or chop and add to soups or casseroles.
Getting Creative with Leftovers
Farm Boy smoked ham leftovers make fantastic meals all week long. Try these creative ideas:
- Ham and cheese omelets or quiche
- Ham fried rice or pasta
- Hearty ham and bean soup
- Ham sandwiches with mustard, pickles and Swiss
- Ham and pineapple pizza
Freeze sliced ham in portions for fast weeknight dinners. The possibilities are endless!
Common Questions and Troubleshooting
Q: My ham is too salty. Help!
A: Soak in water for 1 hour before roasting or glaze with orange juice and honey.
Q: How long is leftover ham safe in the fridge?
A: Store carved ham for 3-4 days. Freeze portions in an airtight container for 2-3 months.
Q: Can I boil or slow cook Farm Boy smoked ham?
A: For best texture and flavor, experts recommend oven roasting.
Q: My ham is dry and tough. Where did I go wrong?
A: Ensure ham reaches safe minimum internal temp. Don’t overcook. Rest before slicing.
With this easy oven roasting method, you’ll have juicy, glazed Farm Boy smoked ham ready to serve a hungry crowd. Now go relax and let your oven do the hard work for you. Happy cooking!
HOW TO COOK A FRESH SMOKED HAM:
- Preheat the oven to 325F.
- Prepare glaze.
- Cutting a paring knife into the fat cap will make diamond shapes. Place a whole clove in the middle of each diamond.
- Move to a roasting pan and roast for the time given.
- Baste with glaze and continue cooking until golden.
- Cool, slice and serve!
HOW LONG TO COOK A SMOKED HAM IN THE OVEN?
In this recipe, I used a 6. 5-pound bone-in smoked ham and the total cooking time was 2 hours and 15 minutes. Your ham’s cooking time depends on how big the ham is and how your oven performs. A good rule of thumb is to add 20 to 25 minutes for every extra pound. You want the internal temperature to reach 145F.
How to Cook a Small Fully Cooked Ham
FAQ
How do you cook a fully cooked smoked ham?
How to cook smoked ham from grocery store?
Is smoked ham already cooked?
What’s the best way to cook a smoked ham from the butcher?
How to cook farm boy smoked ham?
If you’re looking for a delicious way to cook your Farm Boy Smoked Ham, the oven-baking method is a great option. Start by defrosting the ham completely and then mix all of the ingredients, except for the whole cloves and maple syrup, in a dish. Use your hands to evenly coat the ham with the spice mix.
How long can ham be without refrigeration and still be safe?
Most food experts recommend that ham, should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. After that time, you should discard it.
How do you glaze farm boy smoked ham?
One of the best ways to add flavor and depth to your Farm Boy Smoked Ham is by glazing it with a delicious maple spice coating. This glaze is a combination of pure maple syrup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg. To make the glaze, combine all the ingredients in a medium-sized saucepan and heat over medium-low heat.
Does Farm Boy smoked ham need to be refrigerated?
Before you start cooking your Farm Boy Smoked Ham, it’s important to note that it will be shipped frozen and should be refrigerated or re-frozen upon receipt. Once your ham is completely defrosted, remove it from the fridge about 60 minutes prior to cooking.