How To Cook Ham

 

Cooking ham is often reserved for holidays and other special occasions; however, it makes a good meal to prepare at any time. How long to cook ham depends on whether the ham is uncooked, partially cooked or canned. Ham can be baked, grilled, simmered or broiled. Let an uncooked ham stand at room temperature for about two hours before baking. Place the meat on a rack in a shallow baking pan cut side down or fat side up if baking a whole ham. Bake in a preheated 325-degree oven until the meat thermometer reads an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

The cooking time for ham varies according to whether the ham is fresh, smoked, whole, half, boneless or bone in. Half hams require several more minutes cooking time per pound than a whole ham. Boneless hams also require more cooking time based on the number of pounds. 

 

Baking times range from 15 to 35 minutes per pound. Wait until the final hour of cooking to coat the ham with a glaze. Do not baste a ham with its own drippings, as these can be salty. If you cook a ham that has a bone, keep the bone to flavor soups.