Learn how to cook a ham that’s juicy and full of flavor every time. This easy guide covers cooking times, temperatures, glazing tips, and step-by-step instructions for perfect holiday ham.

The Only Ham Guide You’ll Ever Need

If you’ve ever stood in the kitchen staring at a giant ham wondering, “Am I about to ruin this?”… you are definitely not alone.

Cooking a ham sounds simple, but there are a few key things that make the difference between juicy, flavor-packed slices and something that’s… well… a little dry and sad.

The good news? Once you know the basics, it’s actually one of the easiest holiday meals you can make.

Whether you’re planning Easter brunch, Christmas dinner, or just trying to use up that leftover ham from the fridge, I’ve got you covered.

How to Cook a Ham Quick Answer

If you just need the basics, here you go:

Cook at 325°F
Plan for 10–15 minutes per pound
Heat until internal temp reaches 140°F (for fully cooked ham)
Keep it covered with foil while cooking to lock in moisture
Add glaze during the last 20–30 minutes

👉 Quick Summary: Low and slow, keep it covered, and don’t overcook it. That’s the secret.

👉 Pro Tip: Work in sections instead of trying to carve the whole thing at once. It’s much easier and looks cleaner.

What Type of Ham Do You Need?

Not all hams are created equal, and this is where most confusion starts.

Fully Cooked Ham – Most common. You’re just reheating it.
Spiral-Cut Ham – Pre-sliced and super convenient.
Bone-In Ham – More flavor, slightly trickier to carve.
Boneless Ham – Easier to slice, a little less flavorful.
Smoked or Cured Ham – Adds extra flavor without extra work.

👉 Pro Tip: If you bought your ham at a regular grocery store, it’s almost always already cooked. You’re just warming it up.

A serving of ham on a plate with some green beans.

How Much Ham Per Person

If you want leftovers (and you do), lean toward the higher end.

Bone-in ham: ½ to ¾ pound per person
Boneless ham: ⅓ to ½ pound per person

Best Ham to Buy for Holidays

Spiral-cut: easiest for serving
Bone-in: best flavor
Boneless: easiest prep

👉 Pro Tip: Personally, I grab a bone-in spiral cut ham every time. It makes a great presentation, and most of the work is done when you go to serve it.

How to Cook a Ham in the Oven (Step-by-Step)

Ingredients You’ll Need

Fully cooked ham
1 cup of liquid for cooking (water, broth, orange juice, or pineapple juice)
Optional glaze (store-bought or homemade, see recipes below)
Aluminum foil
Roasting pan

Step-by-Step Instructions for How To Cook a Ham

Preheat oven to 325°F.
Place ham cut-side down, shank end up, in a shallow roasting pan.
Add a little liquid (water, broth, orange juice, or pineapple juice) to the bottom of the pan.
Cover tightly with foil.
Bake for 10–15 minutes per pound.
Remove foil and add glaze during the last 20–30 minutes.
Let rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing.

👉 Pro Tip: Adding a little liquid to the pan keeps the ham from drying out and makes it extra juicy.

Ham Cooking Times Chart

👉 Pro Tip: Always aim for an internal temp of 140°F for pre-cooked ham.

Optional: Add Extra Flavor with a Binder and Spice Rub

If you want to take your ham up a notch, this is an easy way to add even more flavor before it goes into the oven.

Totally optional, but highly recommended if you love a little crust and extra seasoning.

What Is a Binder (and Do You Need One)?

A binder is just a thin layer that helps the seasoning stick to the outside of the ham.

Good options include:

Dijon mustard
Yellow mustard
Honey
Maple syrup

The flavor is very subtle, so don’t worry, your ham is not going to taste like mustard.

👉 Pro Tip: Dijon mustard is my favorite. It adds a little tang and helps balance the sweetness of a glaze.

Simple Spice Rub for Ham

You can keep this super simple with pantry staples:

½ cup brown sugar
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp paprika
Optional: pinch of cinnamon or cloves for a holiday vibe

Mix everything together in a small bowl.

How to Apply the Binder and Rub

Pat the ham dry with paper towels.
Lightly coat the outside with your binder.
Sprinkle the spice rub evenly over the surface.
Gently press it in so it sticks.

From there, cook your ham as directed.

When to Use This (and When to Skip It)

✔ Use it if:

You want a little crust on the outside
You’re skipping a glaze
You love bold flavor

❌ Skip it if:

Your ham already comes with a glaze packet
You want a more classic, simple flavor

How to Glaze a Ham (3 Easy Ham Glaze Recipes)

A good glaze is what takes ham from “fine” to everyone going back for seconds.

Brown Sugar Glaze

1/4 cup Brown sugar
1 stick of Butter
1 tbsp Dijon mustard

Bourbon Honey Mustard Glaze

1/2 cup Honey
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/2 cup Brown sugar, lightly packed
2 tbsp grainy mustard
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/4 cup bourbon

Pineapple Brown Sugar Glaze

1/2 cup Pineapple juice
1 cup Brown sugar, firmly packed
1 tbsp Soy sauce
2 tbsp grainy mustard
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Cloves (optional)

Step-by-Step Glaze Instructions

Add all glaze ingredients to a small saucepan.
Cook on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently for 5-8 minutes or until all the sugar is dissolved.
During the last 20-30 minutes of cooking, carefully remove the foil from the ham and brush the glaze all over the outside of the ham. For spiral-sliced hams, work the glaze between cuts in the ham.
Roast uncovered for the last 20-30 minutes to allow the glaze to caramelize.
Let rest 15 minutes before serving.

👉 Example: Brush glaze on during the last 20–30 minutes so it caramelizes without burning.

Spiral Ham vs Bone-In vs Boneless (Which Is Best?)

Spiral Ham: easiest and most popular
Bone-In Ham: best flavor
Boneless Ham: easiest to slice

👉 Pro Tip: If you’re hosting and want things simple, spiral ham wins every time.

How to Cook a Ham Without Drying It Out

Let’s avoid the #1 ham mistake.

Keep it covered most of the time
Cook at a low temperature
Don’t overcook it
Add moisture to the pan

👉 Pro Tip: Ham is already cooked. Overheating is what dries it out.

Other Ways to Cook a Ham

Slow Cooker Ham

Perfect when oven space is tight. Just cook on low for 4–6 hours.

You’ll need one can of sliced pineapple and 1 cup of brown sugar.
Add a layer of pineapple slices to the bottom of the crockpot. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of brown sugar over the pineapple in an even layer.
I recommend a spiral-sliced ham for crockpot cooking (bone-in or boneless). Place the ham in the crockpot with the slices facing up so you can see down into the spiral slices.
Sprinkle the remaining brown sugar over the surface of the ham, being sure to get some of the brown sugar between the slices. This can be tedious, but it will be worth it!
Pour all the pineapple juice from the can over the ham. Top with the remaining pineapple rings.
Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours.

Instant Pot Ham

Great for smaller portions and faster cooking.

For Instant Pot cooking, use a 3-8 lb ham.
Add 1 cup of liquid to the Instant Pot (water, pineapple juice, orange juice, broth)
Use the trivet insert and place the ham cut side down on the trivet.
Cook on high pressure for 2-3 minutes per pound. Then allow a natural release for 20 minutes.

Grilled or Smoked Ham

Adds amazing flavor if you have the time.

How to Slice a Ham

Once your ham is cooked and rested, it’s time for the easy part… slicing and serving.

The method you use depends on the type of ham you have.

How to Slice a Spiral Ham

Spiral hams are the easiest option because they’re already pre-sliced.

Here’s how to make it look just as good on the platter as it did in your oven:

Place the ham cut-side down on a cutting board
Locate the natural spiral cuts around the bone
Run your knife along those cuts to release slices
Gently pull slices away from the bone. You can make cuts around the bone for easier release.
Arrange on a serving platter

👉 Pro Tip: If the slices are large, you can cut them in half for easier serving, especially for a crowd.

How to Slice a Bone-In Ham

This one takes a little more effort, but the flavor is worth it.

Place the ham flat-side down on a cutting board
Locate the bone (it runs through the center)
Make vertical slices down to the bone, about ¼-inch thick
Turn your knife horizontally and cut along the bone to release the slices
Continue working your way around the ham

How to Serve a Ham

Transfer slices to a large platter
Brush with warm glaze or pan juices
Garnish with fresh herbs, citrus slices, or pineapple rings if you want to dress it up

👉 Serving Tip: Keep the slices loosely stacked or fanned out on a platter and brush a little extra glaze on top for shine and flavor.

👉 Pro Tip: Keep leftover slices covered with foil to stay warm while guests go back for seconds (because they will).

What to Serve with Ham

Sides for Your Holiday Meal

For Your Easter Brunch

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Ham

Store in fridge for 3–5 days
Freeze for up to 2 months
Reheat covered with a little liquid to keep it moist
Keep the ham bone, too! I usually put it in a plastic bag and freeze it until I’m ready to make a pot of beans or collards.

👉 Pro Tip: Don’t toss that bone. It’s perfect for soups and beans later.

What to Make with Leftover Ham

Don’t let that ham go to waste. Here are some of my favorite recipes using leftover ham.

click for leftover ham recipes

Troubleshooting Common Ham Mistakes

Dry ham: Add broth, cover tightly, and warm gently.

Too salty: Balance with a sweeter glaze.

Not heating evenly: Make sure it’s fully covered and give it enough time.

Make-Ahead Timeline for Holiday Ham

If you’re hosting, this part is gold.

Day Before

Prep glaze
Refrigerate ham (if needed)

Morning Of

Take ham out to sit at room temp for 30–60 minutes

2–3 Hours Before Serving

Bake ham

30 Minutes Before Serving

Add glaze

Right Before Serving

Slice and serve

FAQs about How to Cook a Ham

No, you’re just reheating it to 140°F.

Yes, covering it keeps it from drying out.

Ham should reach an internal temperature of 140°F to be fully cooked.

Yes. Reheat it covered with a little liquid.

Keep it covered in a low oven (around 200°F) or in a slow cooker or use a chafing dish.

Add moisture, cover tightly, and reheat slowly.

And Now You Know How to Cook a Ham

Cooking a ham doesn’t have to be complicated. Once you know what you’re doing, it’s one of the easiest meals to pull together, especially for a holiday.

Keep it simple, don’t overthink it, and your ham will turn out just right.

And if you end up with leftovers… honestly, that’s the best part.

Pin How to Cook a Ham for later!

How to Cook a Ham – The Ultimate Guide

Melisha Kreppein

This easy guide shows you how to cook a ham that turns out juicy, tender, and full of flavor every time. With simple step-by-step instructions, cooking times, temperatures, and glaze options, it’s perfect for holidays or family dinners.

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Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 2 30

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Servings servings

Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

fully cooked ham bone-in, boneless, or spiral-cut
1 cup water, broth, orange juice, or pineapple juice
glaze or rub optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325°F.
Place ham cut-side down, shank end up, in a shallow roasting pan.
Add a little liquid (water, broth, orange juice, or pineapple juice) to the bottom of the pan.
Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
Bake for 10–15 minutes per pound.
Remove foil and add glaze during the last 20–30 minutes.
Let rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

* Nutrition information based on a 12 lb bone-in ham.