Honey baked ham is a delicious and beloved centerpiece for many holiday meals and gatherings. When you want to serve this pre-cooked delicacy warm and ready at its flavorful best, follow these simple steps for heating and serving honey baked ham.
Special Considerations for Honey Baked Ham
Honey baked ham has been fully cooked and cured, so gentle reheating is needed:
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Only heat slices as needed, not the full ham. Heating the whole ham dries it out
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Use low heat around 275°F to warm it. High heat makes the ham tough and dry.
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Heat slices for 10 minutes per pound. Less time if just warming, more if chilled.
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Carve across the grain for tender slices. Cutting with the grain makes chewing difficult.
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Juices may collect in bag. Use to baste ham slices for added moisture and flavor.
Oven Method
Use the oven to gently reheat honey baked ham:
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Preheat oven to 275°F. Low heat prevents drying out.
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Place ham slices in oven-safe dish in single layer. Work in batches to avoid crowding.
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Heat slices for roughly 10 minutes per pound. Check often to prevent drying out.
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For chilled ham, increase time to 15 minutes per pound until warmed through.
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Brush ham with glaze or juices every few minutes for added flavor and moisture.
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Remove from oven when heated through and lightly glazed.
Skillet Method
A skillet on the stovetop also works for warming up honey baked ham:
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Choose a large skillet to avoid overlapping slices. Overcrowding causes steaming.
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Add a small amount of water, broth or juices to the skillet. This provides moisture.
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Heat skillet to medium-low, about 275°F, to warm ham without drying it out.
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Cook ham slices for 8-10 minutes per pound until heated through.
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Flip ham halfway for even heating. Spoon juices over top while cooking.
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Remove from heat once ham is slightly glazed and edges are lightly browned.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your honey baked ham with:
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Biscuits, rolls or breads – Excellent for mini sandwiches or dipping in juices
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Fruit relishes like cranberry sauce, peach chutney or pear jam – Provides sweet contrast
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Classic side dishes like scalloped potatoes, glazed carrots or green bean casserole – Comfort food favorites
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Fresh salads like spinach, roasted veggie or Caprese – Offers light balance with the rich ham
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Savory cheeses like aged cheddar, Swiss, havarti or smoked gouda – Adds more depth of flavor
With a light touch and the right technique, you can enjoy perfectly heated honey baked ham any time. Enjoy this classic specialty without drying it out!
Honey Baked Ham Serving Instructions
FAQ
Do you heat honey baked ham in foil?
How do you heat up a precooked ham without drying it out?
How long do you cook a honey baked ham?
To heat a whole Honey Baked Ham in the oven, follow these three simple steps: Keep the Honey Baked Ham in its original foil wrapper or remove the wrapper and wrap with your own foil to keep it from drying out. Maintain the oven temperature at about 275°F to 300°F. A general time guide is to heat for 10 minutes for every pound of ham.
Can you cook a Honey Baked Ham at room temperature?
Although room temperature is recommended, some people prefer their Honey Baked Ham warm. If this is you, start by removing the Honey Baked Gold Foil from your ham. Afterward, place the ham on a baking sheet and into the oven at 527 °F (275 °C) for 10 minutes or until it’s sufficiently warm.
How do you slice a honey baked ham?
Honey Baked Hams® are pre-sliced in a spiral. You may also prefer to section the ham into smaller portions. To section: 1. Using a knife, cut around the bone of the Ham. 2. Cut along the natural muscle lines to remove the top section of slices. 3. Cut straight down from the base of the bone to release the remaining sections.
How do you reheat a honey-baked ham?
To heat up a honey-baked ham, it is recommended to preheat the oven to 325°F and allow 10-15 minutes of warming per pound. 3. When reheating honey-baked ham, it is best to cover it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. This will help retain its moisture and flavors. 4.