How to Reheat a Cooked Ham to Perfection

Nothing beats the flavors of a beautifully cooked ham But the challenge comes in reheating any leftovers after the initial meal Reheating ham improperly can lead to dry, stringy meat that has lost all its original juiciness and flavor.

Luckily reheating cooked ham the right way is easy. In this comprehensive guide you’ll learn foolproof techniques to revive your ham and have it tasting fresh-from-the-oven delicious again.

Why Proper Reheating is Key

Ham is naturally low in moisture and fat That’s why reheating it improperly often leads to dryness The meat fibers tighten and squeeze out juices when exposed to direct heat from methods like frying or microwaving.

The goal is to gently reheat the ham without drying it out. This allows the meat to reabsorb some of the lost moisture from the original cooking.

With the right technique, you can revive both the texture and taste of your leftover ham. It will emerge hot, juicy, and flavored just like the very first slice.

Recommended Reheating Methods

Here are the best practices for reheating cooked ham without drying it out:

Oven (or Toaster Oven)

The oven allows for slow, gentle, and even reheating. Simply place sliced ham on a baking sheet and cover tightly with foil. Heat at 300-325°F, allowing extra time for the innermost part to come up to temperature.

For better moisture retention, place ham slices on a rack in a roasting pan with 1-2 cups water added to the bottom. The steam from the water helps keep the meat from drying out.

Stovetop with Liquid

Cooking ham slices in a skillet with a bit of added liquid like broth, water, or juice helps keep them tender. Heat the sliced ham over medium-low in the liquid, covered, until warmed through.

Adding a pat of butter or drizzle of olive oil to the pan can also help keep ham slices from drying out. Just keep the heat low and avoid overcooking.

Slow Cooker

A slow cooker provides moist, even reheating at low temperatures over time. Simply add ham slices and heat on low, covered, for 1-2 hours until heated through. For extra insurance against dryness, add a small amount of liquid like broth or apple juice.

Boiling/Simmering

Submerging ham slices in gently simmering water is an easy way to reheat them without drying them out. Keep the temperature at a bare simmer and use a slotted spoon to transfer slices once heated through.

No matter which method you use, always reheat ham to an internal temperature of 140°F as measured by a meat thermometer. This ensures any bacteria are killed off.

What Not to Do When Reheating Ham

To avoid dried out, leathery ham, avoid these reheating methods:

• Microwaving – High heat and uneven cooking dries out ham.

• Grilling or broiling – Direct high heat draws out moisture quickly.

• Pan frying – The hot pan and oil can overcook the ham.

• Roasting uncovered – Lack of steam and high heat dries out the meat.

• Slow cooking or simmering too long – Extended heat exposure makes ham tough.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for reheating ham perfectly using the oven method:

1. Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 300°F-325°F. The lower temperature allows gentle, gradual reheating.

2. Prep the Ham

If you have a whole leftover ham, remove any skin or outer coating and slice the ham into portions about 1/2-inch thick. For boneless ham slices, simply reheat them as is.

3. Place on Rack in Pan

Place the ham slices on a wire rack or broiler pan inside a roasting pan or baking dish. The rack prevents contact with the pan surface, avoiding moisture loss.

4. Add Water

Pour 1-2 cups water into the bottom of the roasting pan/baking dish below the rack. The water creates steam to help keep the ham from drying out.

5. Cover Tightly with Foil

Cover the entire pan very tightly with aluminum foil. This traps in steam and protects the ham.

6. Reheat

Bake for 16-20 minutes per pound, until the thickest part of the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F on a meat thermometer. For example, a 4 lb ham would need 64-80 minutes.

7. Remove and Serve

Carefully remove the hot foil cover. Take the ham out of the oven, slice, and serve!

The ham is now gently reheated, moist, and hot with renewed juicy texture and delicious flavor.

Handy Reheating Tips

Follow these useful tips for the very best results when reheating ham:

• Always use a meat thermometer to judge doneness instead of relying on time alone. This prevents overcooking.

• Add a glaze, sauce, or jus to provide extra moisture. Just avoid high sugar glazes that can burn.

• For whole hams, remove any hard outer skin before slicing and reheating the meat.

• Use leftover ham within 3-4 days for optimal freshness and quality.

• Slice ham as needed instead of reheating the entire portion if you won’t eat it all.

• Refrigerate within 2 hours of serving to prevent bacteria growth on any uneaten portions.

Make the Most of Your Leftover Ham

Reheating ham properly lets you extend your holiday centerpiece into enticing leftovers to enjoy all week long.

Transform slices into tasty sandwiches, omelets, pizza toppings, and more. Or dice for fillings in pastas, fried rice, casseroles, and soups.

With the techniques above, you can revive your leftover cooked ham to be just as mouthwateringly delicious as the day you first cooked it. That means your family and guests get to keep enjoying the flavors of your holiday ham long after the big event.