Mastering the Art of Cooking a Fully Cooked Bone-In Ham

Cooking a fully cooked bone-in ham may seem intimidating, but it’s actually quite straightforward once you know the basics As a beloved centerpiece for holidays and special gatherings, bone-in ham deserves an artful preparation to draw out its very best flavors In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through choosing, prepping, cooking, glazing, carving, and serving fully cooked bone-in ham. After reading, you’ll feel ready to prepare this impressive roast like a pro!

Selecting the Best Quality Ham

The first step is choosing a fresh, high-quality fully cooked ham that your guests will rave about. Here are some tips for picking the perfect one

• Weight – Estimate how many servings you need and buy accordingly. Plan for around 1/2 pound of bone-in ham per person. An 8 to 10 pound ham feeds 16 to 20.

• Bone-In vs Boneless – Bone-in ham tends to have more flavor and moisture The bone conducts heat evenly and infuses juices into the meat

• Quality Signs – Look for a ham that is pink, fragrant and nicely marbled with fat. Check for a trusted brand, and don’t forget to check the expiration date.

• Shank End vs Butt End – The tapered shank end is a little tougher but best for carving slices. The rounded butt end has a higher concentration of fat, but is tricky to slice.

Proper Thawing and Prepping

Once you get your ham home, take a moment to prepare it before cooking:

• Thaw thoroughly – Give a frozen ham about 24 hours to thaw per 5 pounds of weight. Keep it wrapped and thaw slowly in the fridge.

• Remove packaging – Discard any plastic, netting or paper. Leave any skin intact for protection.

• Score the fat – Use a sharp knife to cut slashes across the top layer of fat. This helps fat render and allows glazes or juices to soak in.

• Place in pan – Put the ham in a roasting pan, cut side down. Add 1 cup of water or fruit juice to prevent it from drying out.

Oven Roasting and Baking Times

Slow-roasting is hands down the easiest way to cook bone-in ham. Follow these straightforward steps:

• Preheat oven – Heat oven to 325°F. Lower temps ensure the ham cooks evenly throughout.

• Prep pan – Place ham cut side down on a roasting rack in a pan. Add 1 cup of liquid to the bottom to prevent drying out.

• Cover and roast – Cover the ham loosely with foil and bake for approx. 15-20 minutes per pound.

• Uncover to brown – Remove foil last 30 minutes so the outside gets nice and browned.

• Check temperature – Roast until it reaches an internal temp of 140°F. Use a meat thermometer to test.

• Rest before slicing – Let the ham rest 15 minutes before carving so juices redistribute.

Glazing Your Ham

Adding a sweet, sticky glaze takes bone-in ham to new heights. Try this easy glazing technique:

• Prep glaze – Whisk together ingredients like brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, mustard, etc.

• Apply glaze – Brush glaze over ham about 30 minutes before done cooking.

• Broil to set – Broil 2-3 minutes to caramelize glaze. Watch closely to avoid burning.

• Bake uncovered – Return to oven and bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes for glaze to set.

• Thicken drippings – Simmer pan drippings to make a glaze sauce if desired.

Carving Cooked Ham for Serving

Follow these steps for neatly slicing your spectacular bone-in ham:

• Let rest – Allow ham to rest 15-20 minutes before carving so juices redistribute.

• Carve against the grain – Carefully make thin slices by cutting against the grain of the meat.

• Start in center – Begin carving at the thickest part, usually the middle.

• Work outward – Progress to tapered ends, trimming off outer pieces if dried out.

• Make transition cuts – As you carve, adjust blade angle to follow the curves of the ham for pretty slices.

• Cut vertically – Hold knife vertically for straight slices. Angle knife slightly for thinner cuts if desired.

• Collect drippings – Have a platter or plates ready to catch the carved slices along with any juices.

Creative Serving Ideas

A beautifully roasted bone-in ham makes a spectacular centerpiece. Dress it up with these serving suggestions:

• Garnishes – Arrange fresh herb sprigs, pineapple rings, maraschino cherries, or citrus slices around the platter for decoration.

• Sauces – Offer mustard, cranberry sauce, apple chutney, or a glaze reduction in small bowls for drizzling over slices.

• Sides – Pair the ham with classic dishes like scalloped potatoes, roasted vegetables, biscuits, corn pudding, or a fresh salad.

• Leftovers – Bone-in ham leftovers make amazing sandwiches, omelets, pizza, salad topping, or soup base. Store properly refrigerated.

With the right techniques, tools, and recipes, cooking an impressive fully cooked bone-in ham is much simpler than it looks. Approach your holiday ham with confidence by following this comprehensive roasting, glazing and carving guide. Let your beautifully browned, juicy and full-flavored ham be the crowning jewel of your next celebration!