How Long to Cook a Superior Tavern Ham for Maximum Flavor and Tenderness

Tavern ham is a classic boneless ham cut from the leg that’s salt-cured for a rich, old-fashioned flavor. When cooked properly, tavern ham can be the star of any holiday feast or Sunday dinner. But to get the most out of your tavern ham, it’s important to know exactly how long to cook it. Undercooking leaves the meat tough and salty, while overcooking dries it out. Follow this guide to learn the ideal roasting times and temperatures for superior tavern ham.

What is Tavern Ham?

Tavern ham refers to a specific cut and curing method. It’s made from the leg or hindquarter of a pig. This section contains the largest single muscle, making it ideal for carving impressive whole roasts. Tavern hams are dry cured with salt, which penetrates deep into the meat to season it and draw out moisture. This process concentrates the porky flavor and produces a firm, dense texture.

Traditionally, tavern ham was sold cooked but unsmoked. The name comes from colonial times when taverns often served salty cured hams. Today tavern ham may be smoked or unsmoked. It’s sold fully cooked so it just needs to be gently reheated. Tavern ham is less processed than city ham luncheon meat but not as artisanal as imported prosciutto.

Choosing a High-Quality Tavern Ham

For superior results, select a tavern ham from a trusted brand or butcher shop. Here’s what to look for:

Boneless – Boneless hams are easier to carve and serve, The meat also cooks more evenly without bones,
Quality fat cap – Some exterior fat protects the meat and bastes it as it cooks. Choose a ham with 1/4 inch of even, white fat.
Light smoke – A hint of wood smoke adds flavor without overwhelming the pork.
No honey glaze – Skip the sugary glazes and season the ham yourself.
Pink meat – The meat should look moist and pink with firm, dense texture. Avoid gray, dried out areas

I recommend choosing a ham between 6-8 pounds. This size holds its shape well when cooking but isn’t too large to handle.

Calculate Roasting Time

Cooking time depends on the size and shape of your ham. Here are general roasting guidelines:

6-8 lb tavern ham:
- Uncooked: 18-24 minutes per lb at 325°F
- Fully cooked: 10-15 minutes per lb at 325°F
Bone-in hams take longer Add 15 minutes per pound,
Half hams cook faster than whole. Reduce time by 25%.
Convection ovens shorten cooking time by 25%.

Use an instant read thermometer to check for doneness. Cook until it reaches:

Fresh ham: 140°F
Fully cooked: 130°F

Let the ham rest for 15 minutes before carving so juices redistribute. The temperature will rise another 10°F as it rests.

Step-by-Step Roasting Directions

Follow these simple steps for roasting your tavern ham to tender, juicy perfection:

Preheat oven to 325°F. This moderate temperature prevents drying.
Prep ham by trimming any tough skin or excess fat. Score the fat cap diagonally.
Place ham in a roasting pan, fat side up. For fresh hams, add 1 cup ginger ale to pan.
Roast until internal temperature reaches 140°F for fresh ham or 130°F for fully cooked.
Make glaze while ham roasts. Mix orange marmalade, Dijon, brown sugar, vinegar, ginger, and cloves.
Brush with glaze during last 30 minutes of roasting. Discard fat from pan juices first.
Let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Roasting Tips for Best Results

For evenly cooked meat, choose a ham with uniform shape. Irregular hams take longer.
Resist peeking! Opening the oven drops the temperature and extends roasting time.
Add pan juices or chicken broth if the pan looks dry to prevent burning.
Glaze when ham reaches 100°F for caramelized flavor and appearance.
Use a meat fork and carving knife to cut thin, uniform slices across the grain.

Troubleshooting Ham Doneness

If ham is still pink near the bone, it needs more time in the oven. Bones conduct less heat.
Overcooked edges but raw interior mean your oven runs hot. Use a lower temp next time.
Dry, stringy meat is a sign of overcooking. Stick to recommended roasting times.
If fully cooked ham is salty, soak in water for 1 hour before roasting.

Serving Your Tavern Ham

A superior tavern ham deserves to be the centerpiece of a festive meal. Here are some ideas:

For holidays, serve with glazed carrots, scalloped potatoes, and deviled eggs.
Slice ham thin and pile on biscuits for an easy breakfast sandwich.
Dice ham and add to potato salad or macaroni and cheese.
Simmer ham bone with beans, onions, and garlic for flavorful ham hock soup.
Pair a ham platter with pickles, mustard, and artisan breads for a classic deli spread.

With the proper roasting time and temperature, you can enjoy tender and juicy tavern ham that makes the most of this flavorful cut. Let my tips take the guesswork out of cooking your next tavern ham. Just relax and savor time with loved ones while your ham roasts to perfection.

How to Cook a Small Fully Cooked Ham

FAQ

Are Superior Tavern hams precooked?

Ham is fully cooked and can be served hot or cold.

How to heat up a tavern ham?

The goal is to reheat the ham without drying it out. The best way to do this is to place the ham on a rack in a roasting pan. Add water to the bottom of the pan and cover the whole thing tightly with foil. Bake at 325F for 16-20 minutes per pound, until a meat thermometer registers 135F.

How long to cook a 3 lb fully cooked ham?

If the ham is labeled “fully cooked” (does not require heating), heat it in the oven for about 10 minutes per pound, or to an internal temperature of 140 F. If the ham is labeled “cook before eating,” heat in an oven set no lower than 325 F to an internal temperature of at least 145 F.

What is different about a tavern ham?

Just like it was served in taverns of years gone by, Boar’s Head Tavern Ham is naturally smoked for a rich, full smoky flavor. Our Tavern Ham brings old-fashioned goodness to today’s family table. Just discovered Boar’s Head Tavern Ham.

How long do you cook a tavern ham?

Put the ham in a preheated oven in the oven preheated to 325 degrees F. 4. Bake for about 15 minutes per ham at an internal temperature of 130 degrees F. Keep in the refrigerator. How do you cook a fully cooked tavern ham? Fully cooked. Add cold or preheated oven to 325F, 15-20 minutes per pound or until internal temperature is 140F.

How long do you cook a Ham in the oven?

Place the pan in the oven, uncovered. Cook for 3 1/ 2 to 4 hours, basting the ham with the pan juices every 45 minutes. Combine the marmalade, Dijon mustard, brown sugar and cloves in a small bowl until thoroughly blended. During the last 30 minutes of cooking, use a large spoon to skim off the fat in the bottom of the roasting pan and discard.

How long does it take to cook a half Ham?

A fully cooked half ham will weigh approximately 3 to 4 pounds. Cooking time for a 3 pound ham would be 1 hour. Place the ham in a shallow roasting pan. Insert whole cloves at 2-inch intervals over the top of the ham. Once you have determined your baking time, plan to brush on the glaze for baked ham 30 minutes before the ham is finished baking.

How long do you cook a 10 pound Ham?

Place the ham on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. For a whole 10- to 15-pound ham, allow 18 to 20 minutes per pound; for a half–5 to 7 pounds–about 20 minutes per pound; or for a shank or butt portion weighing 3 to 4 pounds, about 35 minutes to the pound.