As a passionate home cook and bacon enthusiast, I always look forward to occasions that call for a beautifully glazed baked ham gracing the table. While you can certainly start from scratch with a fresh pork leg, cooking a fully cooked ham is a convenient shortcut to holiday ham heaven. With a few simple preparation steps and the right oven technique, you can easily amplify the flavor of a store-bought fully cooked ham.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my tried and tested tips for selecting, preparing, and oven-roasting a fully cooked ham to juicy, tender perfection. You’ll learn how long to bake it, what temperature to use, and how to coat it with a sweet and savory glaze that takes the flavors over the top Let’s get started!
Choosing the Right Fully Cooked Ham
With so many options at the grocery store, how do you choose the best quality fully cooked ham to bake in the oven? Here are a few factors I consider:
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Bone-in or Boneless Bone-in hams have more flavor but boneless are easier to carve. Choose based on your recipe and preferences
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Smoked or Unsmoked: Go for a smoked fully cooked ham for the most authentic, old-fashioned flavor. The smoky notes pair perfectly with sweet glazes.
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Spiral Cut or Whole Spiral cut hams are pre-sliced for easy serving but tend to dry out more Whole hams require carving but retain more moisture,
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Size: Estimate 1/3 to 1/2 pound per person. A 8-10 lb ham feeds a crowd!
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Quality Brand: Look for a reputable brand like Smithfield for consistently delicious fully cooked ham.
Prepping the Ham for the Oven
Before you can bake that ham, you need to get it oven-ready with these simple prep steps:
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Unwrap Completely: Remove all packaging, netting, and labels. Rinse if needed. Pat dry.
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Score the Surface: Use a sharp knife to cut shallow diagonal slits across the ham. This helps the glaze seep in.
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Apply Glaze: Brush on your favorite glaze all over the ham. Get creative with honey mustard, brown sugar, jams, etc!
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Insert Cloves (Optional): For a decorative touch, stud cloves into the ham along the scoring.
Baking Fully Cooked Ham to Perfection
Now comes the fun part…baking! Follow these tips for a tender, juicy ham hot from the oven:
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Preheat to 325°F: This moderate temp prevents drying while thoroughly heating the ham.
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Use a Roasting Pan: Choose a pan large enough to fit the ham flat. Add 1/2 inch of water or juice to the bottom.
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Cover Loosely with Foil: Prevent the exterior from drying out by covering it loosely with foil.
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Cook 10-15 Minutes Per Pound: For example, bake a 10 lb ham for 150-190 minutes.
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Baste Occasionally: Open the oven every 20 minutes to brush on more glaze.
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Brown Uncovered at the End: Remove foil and increase heat to 400°F for the last 15 minutes.
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Use a Meat Thermometer: Cook until it reaches 140°F internally for the safest results.
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Let Rest Before Carving: Allow the ham to rest 15 minutes before slicing so juices redistribute.
Serving Your Perfect Oven-Baked Ham
You did it! Now it’s time to marvel at your masterpiece and dig in:
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Carve Against the Grain: For tender, sliceable ham, carve across the grain in thin slices.
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Garnish with Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of parsley, thyme, or sage adds a pop of color and flavor.
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Pair with Classic Sides: From mac and cheese to deviled eggs, the possibilities are endless!
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Offer Mustard or Horseradish: These tangy condiments cut through the rich ham flavors perfectly.
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Enjoy Leftovers: Sliced ham keeps well refrigerated for 3-4 days. Revive leftovers in sandwiches, omelets, or soup!
Oven-Baked Ham Tips and Tricks
Over the years, I’ve picked up some useful tips for maximizing flavor and moisture when cooking fully cooked ham in the oven:
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Choose a bone-in smoked ham for the best flavor and appearance.
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Resist peeking in the oven too often to prevent reducing oven temp.
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Glaze with a sticky sauce like brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup.
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Insert whole cloves into the ham for a decorative touch and flavor punch.
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Let the baked ham rest at least 10-15 minutes before slicing into it.
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Carve across the grain for tender slices that don’t shred apart.
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Add a splash of ginger ale, cola, or fruit juice to the roasting pan for extra moisture.
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Slice and freeze leftovers in portions for quick ham meals down the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some questions? Here are answers to some of the most common inquiries about oven-baked fully cooked ham:
How long does it take to bake a fully cooked bone-in ham?
Allow 10-15 minutes per pound at 325°F. For example, bake a 10 lb ham for 150-190 minutes.
What is the best way to glaze a fully cooked ham?
Brush on glaze generously before and during baking, then again once removed from oven.
What temperature should I reheat leftover baked ham?
Reheat fully cooked ham to 165°F. Slice and use a skillet, oven, or microwave to warm through.
Can I cook an uncooked fresh ham the same way?
No, fresh hams need much longer cooking at lower temps since they are raw. Follow specific uncooked ham instructions.
What sides go well with baked fully cooked ham?
Classic pairings include mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, roasted veggies, biscuits, mac and cheese, deviled eggs and glazed carrots.
Satisfy Your Ham Hunger
I hope these tips help you feel confident preparing oven-baked fully cooked ham for your next gathering. With the right ham, some simple prep, and the proper oven technique, you can easily serve up professional-quality ham with a sweet glaze your guests will rave about. I’m off to go fire up the oven – happy ham baking to you!
What’s your favorite way to glaze and cook store-bought fully cooked ham? Share your tips and tricks with fellow ham lovers!