With its smoky flavor and rich consistency, ham is ideal for holidays as well as for quick weekday dinners. Cooking ham in a bag will keep it moist and make cleaning a breeze. If youre on a diet, opt for low-fat, low-sodium varieties so you can enjoy your meal without guilt.
Cooking ham in a bag will seal in the flavor and keep the meat moist. Feel free to add citrus fruits, apple slices, sweet or hot peppers, potatoes and other delicious, healthy ingredients for a perfect holiday meal.
As a home cook and food blogger, I’m always looking for tips and tricks to make cooking easier and more convenient Recently, several readers have asked me “can you cook a ham in a turkey bag?”
While most people use turkey bags for baking poultry these oven cooking bags can also be used for other meats like ham. Ham cooked in an oven bag stays moist and tender, while also making cleanup a breeze.
In this article, I’ll cover everything you need to know about cooking ham in a turkey bag, including:
- Benefits of using a turkey bag for ham
- How to prepare and season the ham
- Cooking times and temperatures
- Helpful tips and variations
- Potential downsides to consider
My goal is to provide a comprehensive guide on using turkey bags for baking ham so you can decide if it’s the right technique for your holiday meals or weekly dinners Let’s get started!
Why Cook Ham in a Turkey Bag?
Here are some of the biggest benefits of baking ham in a turkey oven cooking bag:
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Seals in moisture – The bag creates a mini steam chamber that keeps the ham much more moist and tender than cooking it uncovered. No need to constantly baste the ham.
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Enhances flavor – Cooking in an enclosed bag really intensifies and concentrates the ham’s smoky, salty, sweet flavors.
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Easy cleanup – Turkey bags catch all the fat and juices, so there’s no messy pan to scrub after. Just discard the bag.
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Saves time – No need to monitor and bast the ham, so you can just pop it in the oven and focus on other dishes.
So if you want juicy, flavorful ham without the hassle, a turkey bag delivers great results with much less effort. The self-contained bag does all the work for you!
How to Prepare Ham for Cooking in a Bag
Here are some tips for getting your ham ready for oven bag cooking:
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Choose a boneless, fully cooked ham preferably between 5-7 lbs. Bone-in hams are difficult to fit in a bag.
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Trim excess outer fat, leaving about 1/4 inch. This allows the glaze and seasoning to better penetrate the meat.
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Score the ham by making shallow X-shaped cuts across the surface. Again, this helps the flavoring distribute into the meat.
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Apply a glaze or seasoning like brown sugar, honey, pineapple juice, cloves, mustard, etc. Glazing adds nice flavor and color.
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Place the seasoned ham in an extra large Reynolds oven bag on a baking sheet. The jumbo bags work better than standard sizes.
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Seal the bag thoroughly according to package directions. Leave some air space so the bag doesn’t rupture.
Now your ham is all prepped and ready for the oven!
Baking Instructions for Oven Bag Ham
To bake ham in a turkey bag, follow these simple steps:
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Preheat oven to 325°F.
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Place sealed oven bag with ham on a baking sheet or roasting pan.
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Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes per pound.
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Check the internal temperature, which should reach 140°F when done.
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Let the ham rest for 15 minutes before carefully removing from the hot bag.
Cooking times can vary based on the size, shape and thickness of your particular ham. Your best bet is to use a meat thermometer to test doneness rather than relying solely on time.
As the ham cooks, the bag will puff up and may slightly balloon. This is normal and means the bag is sealing in moisture and heat effectively.
Helpful Tips and Variations
Here are some additional pointers and ideas for oven bag ham success:
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Add apple juice, pineapple slices, brown sugar, whole cloves or other flavor boosters in the bag.
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Use an oven-safe thermometer with a cable sensor to keep tabs on internal temp without opening the bag.
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Placing the bag on a baking sheet prevents oven messes if the bag leaks or bursts.
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For a smaller ham (under 3 lbs), reduce temp to 300°F and bake for roughly 30 minutes per pound.
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Brushing with glazes containing sugars may cause burning at higher temps, so bake at 325°F or below.
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Let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing for the juiciest texture.
So feel free to get creative and customize your oven bag ham recipe. The sealed environment really lets you infuse flavors into the meat.
Potential Downsides to Consider
While cooking ham in a turkey bag has some clear advantages, there are a few potential downsides to keep in mind:
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Opening the bag releases moisture and heat, so avoid peeking until done.
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Cheaper bags may leak grease and juices, creating a mess. Invest in quality bags.
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You lose browning and caramelization of exterior glazes and seasoning. The ham may look less appealing.
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Improper sealing can cause the bag to burst in the oven and make a big mess. Be sure to closely follow package instructions.
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The bag insulates heat, so meats cook faster. Carefully follow recommended cook times.
As long as you use high-quality oven bags, properly seal them, and monitor internal temperature, you shouldn’t run into issues. But it’s helpful to be aware of the potential pitfalls before cooking.
The Bottom Line
Can you cook bone-in ham in an oven bag designed for turkeys? While it may seem odd, the answer is absolutely yes!
Turkey bags provide a moist, flavor-sealing environment that makes baked ham incredibly tender and juicy. The bags also cut down on prep time, messy cleanup, and the need for constant basting.
Just be sure to use a large-sized quality bag, thoroughly seal it, include flavorful glazes or juices, and follow the temperature guidelines. With proper technique, oven bag ham can be a delicious, fuss-free cooking method for your next holiday or Sunday dinner.
Choose the Best Ham
A perfectly baked ham can be a spectacular centerpiece on any holiday table. However, this doesnt mean you cant cook ham after a long day or on a busy weekend. This type of meat requires minimal prep and goes well with mashed or roasted potatoes, steamed asparagus, salads, brown rice and other quick and easy side dishes. Plus, its relatively low in calories and has zero carbs.
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Lean roasted ham, for instance, has only 179 calories per 3-ounce serving. Youll also get a whopping 25 grams of quality protein, 8 grams of fat and 25 percent of the daily recommended zinc intake. Regular roasted ham boasts 232 calories, 22.8 grams of protein and 15 grams of fat per serving, according to the USDA. Cured ham is lean but high in sodium, so it should be consumed in moderation.
Depending on your preferences, you may opt for fresh, cured, country-style or cooked ham. Fresh varieties are the least processed and typically include the pork leg. If the label states “cook thoroughly,” make sure you bake the ham until its internal temperature reaches at least 160 Fahrenheit, advise the experts at Michigan State University Extension.
Choose a half-ham if you expect 10 or more guests. The butt half is tender and easy to cook but difficult to carve because it contains the hip bone. The shank half, on the other hand, is easier to carve but tougher, so it takes longer to cook. Another option is boneless ham, which requires no carving.
If youre planning to bake the ham, select one with water or natural juices, advises Kansas Farm Food Connections. Both options are suitable for roasting. A pound of boneless ham is enough for four or five servings, while the same amount of bone-in ham yields up to three servings, making it ideal for family meals.
Country-style ham is dry-cured, so it contains more salt than other varieties and should be served in small portions.
When consumed in excess, sodium may raise your blood pressure and put you at risk for kidney stones, heart failure and osteoporosis, warns the American Heart Association. To stay safe, try not to exceed 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day.
Cooking Ham in a Bag
Oven bags make cooking and cleaning a lot easier while enhancing food flavor. Choose among several brands, including the popular Reynolds bag. Manufacturers recommend choosing one in a larger size for fresh ham.
Season the meat with herbs and spices, put it inside the bag and add 1 tablespoon of flour. Bake it in an preheated oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit until it reaches a minimum internal temperature of 145 F.
For extra flavor, marinate the ham before you cook it. Mix low-sodium soy sauce, hot sauce, Dijon mustard, ground black pepper and herbs like cilantro or rosemary in a small bowl. You may also add brown sugar or honey, but these ingredients will increase the calorie count. Stir well, pour the mixture into an oven bag and then add the ham.
If youre trying to slim down, cook with fresh lean pork instead of ham. This type of meat may help improve body composition and cardiovascular health, according to a July 2012 study published in Nutrients.
Make sure the bag is fully sealed. Place it in the refrigerator and marinate for a few hours or overnight. When youre ready to cook the ham, transfer it to a new oven bag and follow the manufacturers instructions. Feel free to add sweet potatoes, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, apples and other ingredients to your Reynolds bag for a meal thats bursting with flavor.
How to bake a Ham in an Oven Bag | Easy Glazed Ham Recipe
Should Ham be cooked in a bag?
Cooking ham in a bag will seal in the flavor and keep the meat moist. With its smoky flavor and rich consistency, ham is ideal for holidays as well as for quick weekday dinners. Cooking ham in a bag will keep it moist and make cleaning a breeze. If you’re on a diet, opt for low-fat, low-sodium varieties so you can enjoy your meal without guilt.
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.
How do you cook a Ham in a bag?
Place the ham in a cooking bag, fat-side up, and place on a rack in a roasting pan. Drizzle the honey over the brown sugar coating. Add the cola to the bag (do not pour it over the ham). Seal the bag. Bake the ham for 20-25 minutes per pound at 350 degrees F. Remove the ham from the oven and carefully cut open the bag.
Why do I need a cooking bag for a ham?
My ham came out so good and moist. The Oven Cooking Bags help to seal in the juices from the ham and any other ingredients you add to it. It keeps the juices from evaporating and drying out in the pan. I also noticed that the ham didn’t take as long to bake as I thought it would. You also don’t have to turn your oven to a high temponly 325°F.