How to Successfully Bake a Bone-in Ham: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Baking a bone-in ham is a delightful process that yields a deliciously moist and flavorful final product. This guide will walk you through the steps of preparing and baking a bone-in ham to perfection, ensuring that your holiday meal or everyday cooking experience is a success.

Ingredients

Bone-in ham (size depends on the number of servings, generally plan for 1 to 2 pounds per person) Glaze (optional, but common choices include honey, brown sugar, maple syrup, or a mustard-based glaze) Water (optional) Aluminum foil Rack (optional)

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Prepare the Ham: Remove the ham from its packaging and discard any plastic or netting. If the ham is not pre-sliced, score the surface in a diamond pattern with a sharp knife. This helps the glaze penetrate and creates a nice presentation. Place in a Roasting Pan: Place the ham in a roasting pan cut side down. Use a rack if you have one to allow for better airflow. Add Liquid (Optional): Pour a small amount of water (about 1 cup) into the bottom of the roasting pan to keep the ham moist during cooking. Bake the Ham: Cover the ham loosely with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. Bake for about 15-18 minutes per pound or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C). Glaze the Ham (Optional): If using a glaze, apply it during the last 30 minutes of baking. Remove the foil and brush the glaze over the surface of the ham. Return to the oven uncovered for the remaining baking time to allow the glaze to caramelize. Rest and Serve: Once done, remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for about 15-20 minutes before slicing. This helps the juices redistribute.

Tips

Leftovers: Bone-in ham is great for sandwiches, soups, and other dishes.
Storage: Store leftover ham in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it for longer storage.

Additional Cooking Techniques

For those who prefer a slightly different method, you may also consider cooking the ham in a 325°F oven in a pan with about an inch of water in the bottom. This can be particularly useful if the ham is not fully cooked. If the ham has skin, you can score it into diamond shapes with a sharp knife and place a whole clove in the corner of each diamond shape for extra flavor. However, this method may not work as well with spiral-cut hams.

Additionally, one innovative way to cook a bone-in ham is by placing it in a large pot of water and cooking it on the stovetop to an internal temperature of 160°F. This method results in a tender, moist, and flavorful ham, and it's particularly useful when cooking for additional people unexpectedly.