How Long to Cook a Ham at 250°F for Juicy, Tender Results

Cooking ham seems simple enough – just toss it in the oven and bake, right? But to get the most flavorful, juicy and tender ham, there are some tips and tricks to know One of the most important factors is the cooking temperature

Cooking ham low and slow at around 250°F produces incredible results But exactly how long do you need to cook a ham at 250°F? That depends on a few factors

In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know about baking ham at 250°F. You’ll learn:

• Why 250°F is the ideal temp for ham
• How long per pound at this temp
• Tips to prevent dryness
• How to tell when ham is done
• Serving suggestions

Plus an amazing “set and forget” overnight method that cooks ham to perfection. Let’s get started!

Why Cook Ham at 250°F?

Most ham recipes call for baking around 350°F. But cooking at a lower 250°F is the secret to ultra moist and tender results. Here’s why it works so well:

• Enhances flavor – The low heat gently breaks down collagen and connective tissues over time allowing the seasonings and smoke to fully permeate the meat.

• Prevents drying – Ham can easily dry out and become tough when baked at high heat. The low temp keeps it tender and juicy.

• More forgiveness – Quickly browning the outside leads to overcooking. Slow roasting gives you more flexibility in cooking times.

• Easier overnight method – You can cook for 8-10 hours while sleeping without worry of burning.

For the most foolproof, flavorful ham packed with juicy meaty texture, 250°F is perfect. Now let’s look at timing.

How Long to Cook Ham at 250°F Per Pound

Cooking times can vary a bit depending on bone-in vs boneless, as well as how large your ham is. But here are general guidelines:

• Bone-in ham: 20-30 minutes per pound
• Boneless ham: 15-20 minutes per pound

So for example, an 8 lb bone-in ham would take approximately 4-5 hours at 250°F.

I recommend using these cooking times as a starting point. Begin checking temperature about 1 hour before the low end of the estimate. And use a meat thermometer to determine doneness – more on that later.

If reheating a fully cooked ham, reduce cooking times to 10-15 minutes per pound. You just want to heat it through without drying out the already cooked meat.

Now let’s talk about an easy hands-off method for cooking ham overnight.

The “Overnight Method” for Perfect Low & Slow Ham

My favorite way to cook ham at 250°F is what I call the “overnight method.” It leaves you with perfect juicy, tender ham ready right when you wake up!

Here’s how it works:

1. Prep uncooked ham and place in a baking dish. I like to score the fat.

2. Wrap the entire ham tightly in foil. Make sure no steam can escape.

3. Place in a 250°F oven right before going to bed – around 10 pm works well.

4. Let the ham cook undisturbed for 8-10 hours overnight.

5. In the morning, turn off oven and leave ham inside.

6. Unwrap and carve just before serving.

The ham will have soaked up all the smoky flavor and moisture, with collagen melted into luscious tender gelatin. You don’t have to babysit it or worry about drying out. Just deliciously juicy ham ready right when you wake up!

For special occasions like Easter, this works perfectly. Now let’s go over some serving suggestions.

Serving Suggestions for Your Perfect 250°F Ham

A ham cooked properly at 250°F deserves an equally delicious presentation at the table. Here are some serving ideas:

• Carve thin slices and arrange on a platter surrounded by fresh fruit. Berries, pineapples, or apples complement ham well.

• Offer a selection of traditional sauces like honey mustard, cranberry compote, and brown sugar glaze for guests to drizzle over slices.

• Pair with scalloped or au gratin potatoes, roasted asparagus and dinner rolls for a full meal.

• For a lighter option, serve sliced ham over mixed greens, chopped veggies, and citrus vinaigrette.

• Use slices in sandwiches on brioche rolls with Swiss cheese, lettuce, and stone ground mustard.

• Dice and add to omelets, quiches, casseroles, soups, and pasta bakes for an easy ham flavor boost.

I love ham’s versatility – it adds a lovely salty, smoky depth to both savory and sweet dishes. Cooked properly at a low 250°F, it will be moist and full of flavor.

How to Tell When Ham is Done

When dealing with such long, slow cooking times, checking for doneness is critical. Here are a few ways to test if your 250°F ham is ready:

• Use an instant read meat thermometer to check the thickest part of the ham. It should reach 145°F.

• The meat should appear slightly pink but not uncooked looking.

• Juices should run clear not red when pierced with a knife.

• The bone (if bone-in) should wiggle loose easily.

• The texture will be tender and shred easily rather than tough.

Let the ham rest for 15-30 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute. The temp may raise slightly during this time, which is normal.

Preventing Dry Ham When Cooking at 250°F

To prevent an unappetizing dry ham, focus on retaining moisture:

• Cook at 250°F, not higher. The low temp prevents moisture loss.

• Wrap the ham tightly in foil to seal in steam while cooking.

• For bone-in hams, avoid overcooking near the bone, which dries out fastest.

• Glaze only during the last 30 minutes so sugars don’t burn.

• Let cooked ham rest before carving to reabsorb juices.

• Use leftovers within 3-4 days and freeze portions for longer storage.

As long as you monitor temperature and don’t overbake, your 250°F ham will turn out perfectly juicy.

More Tips for the Best Flavor

In addition to the right cooking temp and time, here are some other tips for maximum ham flavor:

• Buy a quality bone-in, uncut ham preferably free of honey or sugar glazes. The natural flavors will shine.

• Score the fatty top layer before cooking to help the seasonings penetrate.

• For added flavor, stud with cloves or coat with an acidic glaze before roasting.

• Combining smoking before roasting adds even more depth.

• Let the cooked ham rest for 30 minutes before slicing to redistribute juices.

• Carve across the grain for the most tender texture.

With a few simple tricks, your ham will be a huge hit at Easter or any time of year.

Make Delicious Ham Without Fuss

From holiday gatherings to weeknight dinners, baked ham is always in style. By cooking low and slow at 250°F, you’ll get ham that is super moist and packed with flavor – with hardly any work involved.