Can You Cook a Ham in a Turkey Bag? Everything You Need to Know

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:

• 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.

• Enhances flavor – Cooking in an enclosed bag really intensifies and concentrates the ham’s smoky, salty, sweet flavors.

• Easy cleanup – Turkey bags catch all the fat and juices, so there’s no messy pan to scrub after. Just discard the bag.

• 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:

• Choose a boneless, fully cooked ham preferably between 5-7 lbs. Bone-in hams are difficult to fit in a bag.

• Trim excess outer fat, leaving about 1/4 inch. This allows the glaze and seasoning to better penetrate the meat.

• Score the ham by making shallow X-shaped cuts across the surface. Again, this helps the flavoring distribute into the meat.

• Apply a glaze or seasoning like brown sugar, honey, pineapple juice, cloves, mustard, etc. Glazing adds nice flavor and color.

• Place the seasoned ham in an extra large Reynolds oven bag on a baking sheet. The jumbo bags work better than standard sizes.

• 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:

• Preheat oven to 325°F.

• Place sealed oven bag with ham on a baking sheet or roasting pan.

• Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes per pound.

• Check the internal temperature, which should reach 140°F when done.

• 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:

• Add apple juice, pineapple slices, brown sugar, whole cloves or other flavor boosters in the bag.

• Use an oven-safe thermometer with a cable sensor to keep tabs on internal temp without opening the bag.

• Placing the bag on a baking sheet prevents oven messes if the bag leaks or bursts.

• For a smaller ham (under 3 lbs), reduce temp to 300°F and bake for roughly 30 minutes per pound.

• Brushing with glazes containing sugars may cause burning at higher temps, so bake at 325°F or below.

• 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:

• Opening the bag releases moisture and heat, so avoid peeking until done.

• Cheaper bags may leak grease and juices, creating a mess. Invest in quality bags.

• You lose browning and caramelization of exterior glazes and seasoning. The ham may look less appealing.

• Improper sealing can cause the bag to burst in the oven and make a big mess. Be sure to closely follow package instructions.

• 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.