How to Cook a Bone in Ham

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Roasting a bone-in ham will impress guests on your next special occasion. You can make a homemade sweet or spicy glaze. Cook a bone-in ham slowly, basting or glazing regularly for rich moisture and flavor.

Part 1
Part 1 of 4:

Choosing a Bone-in Ham

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Bone in Ham
    Generally bone-in roasts weigh 10 lbs. (4.5 kg) or more. They can feed a large family on a special occasion.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Bone in Ham
    Most spiral hams or honey-baked hams are pre-cooked, meaning you simply have to warm it up in the oven for 10 minutes per lb. (0.45 kg).
    • You may be able to pick between a half-ham roast and a full-ham roast. Cooking times will vary, but preparation is very similar.
    • Cook a 1/2 lb. (0.22 kg) of ham for each person you plan to serve. Increase the amount to ensure leftovers.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Bone in Ham
    Most hams in supermarkets are boneless. You may need to inquire with a local butcher or pig seller in the area, if you can’t find an uncooked, bone-in ham at the supermarket.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Bone in Ham
    You can remove the skin yourself at home.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Bone in Ham
    If your ham is fresh, it should have a cook-by date that is within a week. A frozen ham may be prepared within a few months.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 4:

Prepping a Bone-in Ham

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Bone in Ham
    It will take between 2 and 4 days to defrost completely before you can cook it.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Bone in Ham
    Unwrap it completely. Discard any juices.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Bone in Ham
    You can cut horizontally, parallel to the meat. Leave some fat on the ham’s surface for flavor.
    • Having the right knife is essential to safe and accurate cutting. A chef's knife, with its long blade measuring between 6-14 inches, is ideal. Make sure your knife is freshly cleaned and sharpened.
    • It can be handy to also have a boning knife. This knife will enable you to get to the pieces of meat closer to bones and joints that can't otherwise be easily detached using your fingers.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Bone in Ham
    Some hams come with a glaze that you can mix with water.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Bone in Ham
    Your diamonds should be 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) deep, cutting through the fat and slightly into the top of the flesh. Scoring will let the glaze seep in and render the fat from the top.
    • You can use a clean piece of cardboard to guide the knife along the top like a ruler. [1]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Bone in Ham
    If you like a traditional flavor and look, stud each of the diamonds with cloves. [2]
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Part 3
Part 3 of 4:

Roasting a Bone-in Ham

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  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Bone in Ham
    A 20 lb. (9 kg) ham can take 7 hours to cook, while a 10 lb. (4.5 kg) ham takes between 3 and 4 hours. [3]
    • Cook 10 to 14 lb. (4.5 to 6.4 kg) hams for 22 to 25 minutes per lb. (0.45 kg).
    • Cook a larger ham for 18 to 22 minutes per lb.
    • Always check the core temperature with a meat thermometer.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Bone in Ham
    Choose a shallow rack with a sturdy pan to catch drippings.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Bone in Ham
    Test the ham halfway through the cooking time. When a meat thermometer reaches 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54 degrees Celsius) in the center, you can start to baste or glaze the roast ham.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Bone in Ham
    Brush your glaze mix onto the surface of the ham. If you are basting the ham with its own juices, use a baster.
    • Cover the surface of the ham with pineapple slices for extra flavor.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Bone in Ham
    Baste or glaze the ham every half an hour. Cover it with aluminum foil if the surface appears too brown or dry.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Bone in Ham
    Place it on a carving board to rest for 15 minutes and cover it with aluminum foil. [4]
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Part 4
Part 4 of 4:

Carving a Bone-in Ham

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Bone in Ham
    Ensure the knife is cleaned and sharpened before use. Cut inward until it reaches the bone.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Bone in Ham
    Remove the knife.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Bone in Ham
    Cut a 1-inch (2.5 cm) slice of ham from skin surface to the bone. Repeat until the top section of the roast fans out into slices.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Bone in Ham
    Then, cut away the sides of the ham along the fat lines on each side.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Bone in Ham
    Carve the slices from top to bone, just as you did on the first side.
    • Reserve the bone for soup.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Bone in Ham
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Should I add water or other liquid to the roasting pan with the ham?
    Michele
    Top Answerer
    This is a recipe for a dry roasting a bone-in ham and there is no need to add any sort of liquid. However, if you want to braise the ham, that's different. Braising is the process by which meats are cooked in a savory liquid that provides a moist cooking environment.
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  • Question
    Should I add water or another liquid to the roasting pan with the ham?
    Community Answer
    It really depends on what you're cooking it with. If you're baking it in an oven, or you're slow cooking it, a simple broth will work just fine.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    How long do I bake a 12 lb. bone in ham?
    Adele Orr
    Top Answerer
    A 12 lb. bone-in ham will take approximately 4.5 to 5 hours to cook. Cook until the internal temperature of the ham reaches 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54 degrees Celsius).
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      Things You'll Need

      • Roasting pan
      • Basting brush
      • Glaze
      • Knife (boning or chef’s)
      • Meat thermometer
      • Oven mitts
      • Kitchen timer
      • Aluminum foil
      • Carving knife


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      References

      1. ↑ http://noblepig.com/2012/12/how-to-make-and-carve-the-juiciest-bone-in-whole-holiday-ham/
      2. ↑ http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/tools-and-techniques/how-to-roast-meat4.htm
      3. ↑ http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/hamcookingchart.html
      4. ↑ http://noblepig.com/2012/12/how-to-make-and-carve-the-juiciest-bone-in-whole-holiday-ham/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To cook a bone-in ham, remove the skin from a defrosted ham, and preheat the oven to 300 °F. Position the ham in a roasting rack, and place it in the oven. For a 10 to 14 pound ham, plan to cook for 22-25 minutes per 1 pound. Halfway through cooking, remove the ham to add spices or a glaze, before returning it to the oven. Remove the ham from the oven when the internal temperature reaches 150 °F. Let the ham rest for 15 minutes before serving! For more tips, including how to carve your ham, read on!

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