How To Turn A Pre-Cooked Ham Into A Deceptively Impressive Masterpiece (2024)

Get your precooked ham to the right temperature, and find delicious glazes and cooking methods.

Whether you’ve got a precooked ham (if you’re not sure, you probably do) or one that needs a little more TLC, you’ve come to the right place. And if a holiday ham is the crowning glory of your traditional Easter dinner, it may be time to dress it up in a better outfit this year.

Most holiday hams that Americans buy at the supermarket for Easter Sunday are known as city hams, which are precooked. They’re wet-cured hams that are technically safe to eat as-is, without even heating them up. While many people may wonder how long you have to heat one of these hams, all you have to do is this:

  • Cut the ham free from the package, cover it in foil and reheat it to a good serving temperature.

  • Cooking it at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes per pound should do the trick, depending on the type of ham (whole or half, bone-in or no bone ― these specifics are outlined here).

  • You just want to make sure the internal temperature has reached 145 degrees.

But you shouldn’t stop there.

Whether your precooked ham comes whole, half or spiral-cut, there are lots of delicious ways to jazz it up. The easiest ways are with a glaze or by giving it some time in the slow cooker. Below, we’ve got 11 recipes that give precooked ham new life.

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How To Turn A Pre-Cooked Ham Into A Deceptively Impressive Masterpiece (1)

Damn Delicious

Maple Glazed Ham

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How To Turn A Pre-Cooked Ham Into A Deceptively Impressive Masterpiece (3)

Creme de la Crumb

Rosemary Citrus Glazed Ham

Get the Rosemary Citrus Glazed Ham recipe from Creme de la Crumb.

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How To Turn A Pre-Cooked Ham Into A Deceptively Impressive Masterpiece (4)

Damn Delicious

Slow Cooker Maple Brown Sugar Ham

Get the Slow Cooker Maple Brown Sugar Ham recipe from Damn Delicious.

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How To Turn A Pre-Cooked Ham Into A Deceptively Impressive Masterpiece (5)

Simply Recipes

Cranberry Glazed Ham

Get the Cranberry Glazed Ham recipe from Simply Recipes.

6

Chipotle Pineapple Jerk Glazed Ham

Get the Chipotle Pineapple Jerk Glazed Ham recipe from Half Baked Harvest.

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How To Turn A Pre-Cooked Ham Into A Deceptively Impressive Masterpiece (7)

Oh Sweet Basil

Slow Cooker Ham

Get the Slow Cooker Ham recipe from Oh Sweet Basil.

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How To Turn A Pre-Cooked Ham Into A Deceptively Impressive Masterpiece (8)

A Spicy Perspective

Baked Ham With Brown Sugar Ham Glaze

Get the Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Ham Glaze recipe from A Spicy Perspective.

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How To Turn A Pre-Cooked Ham Into A Deceptively Impressive Masterpiece (9)

Steamy Kitchen

Cola-Pineapple Glazed Ham

Get the Cola-Pineapple Glazed Ham recipe from Steamy Kitchen.

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How To Turn A Pre-Cooked Ham Into A Deceptively Impressive Masterpiece (10)

Simply Recipes

Glazed Baked Ham

Get the Glazed Baked Ham recipe from Simply Recipes.

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How To Turn A Pre-Cooked Ham Into A Deceptively Impressive Masterpiece (11)

Oh Sweet Basil

World's Best Brown Sugar Ham

Get the World's Best Brown Sugar Ham recipe from Oh Sweet Basil.

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How To Turn A Pre-Cooked Ham Into A Deceptively Impressive Masterpiece (12)

Oh Sweet Basil

Crunchy Southern Glazed Ham

Get the Crunchy Southern Glazed Ham recipe from Oh Sweet Basil.

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How To Turn A Pre-Cooked Ham Into A Deceptively Impressive Masterpiece (2024)

FAQs

How To Turn A Pre-Cooked Ham Into A Deceptively Impressive Masterpiece? ›

Add 1/2-3/4 of a cup of wine or stock to the pan (you don't want the ham swimming in liquid) and throw some aromatics in there—a few whole cloves, some star anise, and cinnamon sticks are all good options. Cover the ham with foil and place in a 250-degree oven until it reaches an internal temperature of 100℉.

How do you fancy up a precooked ham? ›

First, you want to balance the sweetness with another flavor, such as a spice, herb, or citrus. Second, feel free to spike your glaze with some spirits—bourbon and rum are particularly nice—but don't add too much, because you don't want the glaze to be too liquidy.

How do you spice up a store bought ham? ›

Peach preserves, hot pepper jelly, and maple syrup work as sweet bases for glazes that add sheen as well as distinct flavor. Tasty additions such as aromatics, herbs, and spices switch up a traditional ham and make it truly memorable.

How do you heat up a precooked ham without drying it out? ›

The goal is to reheat the ham without drying it out. The best way to do this is to place the ham on a rack in a roasting pan. Add water to the bottom of the pan and cover the whole thing tightly with foil. Bake at 325F for 16-20 minutes per pound, until a meat thermometer registers 135F.

How do you keep a precooked ham moist? ›

Put Liquid in Your Pan

The best way to keep your ham from drying out is to utilize the drippings that come in the package. Pour the juice from the package onto the ham. If there isn't a lot of juice in your package, you may want to add your own liquid.

What to add to fully cooked ham? ›

Best of all, it's made easy with ham that's already fully cooked through. Anything from an apricot glaze to a citrus, honey or port wine glaze can add a little spark to the already delicious natural ham flavors.

How to enhance the flavor of ham? ›

Tips for Enhancing Flavor
  1. Add a glaze: Common ingredients include brown sugar, honey, mustard, cider vinegar, and spices such as clove and cinnamon.
  2. Baste with pan drippings: Occasionally spooning the juices from the bottom of the pan over the ham during cooking can help keep it moist and add flavor.
May 13, 2024

What spices complement ham? ›

4 Spices That Pair Perfectly With Your Spiral Ham
  • Brown Sugar: Sweet and Salty. Think of brown sugar as your secret weapon that can transform your spiral ham into an irresistible treat! ...
  • Black Pepper: An Earthy Spice. ...
  • Cloves: Warm and Aromatic. ...
  • Cinnamon: Woody and Slightly Citrusy.

How do you add flavor to bland ham? ›

  1. Hi, there are a number of ways. First off buy a good ham!
  2. You can rub it with brown sugar and put it in a hot oven.
  3. You can inject with a solution of water, salt, maple syrup and white pepper before you cook it.
  4. You can slice it and fry it in butter.
May 24, 2021

Can I glaze an already cooked ham? ›

Apply the glaze just before putting it into the oven to bake. Remember, the ham is already cooked, so all we're doing here is warming it back up again with the glaze.

How do you keep ham from drying out when reheating? ›

Arrange slices in a single layer on a plate. If the dish is deep enough, add 1 tablespoon of broth or water. Cover slices with a damp paper towel and microwave 30 to 60 seconds or until heated through.

How do you fix a precooked ham? ›

Cooking it at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes per pound should do the trick, depending on the type of ham (whole or half, bone-in or no bone ― these specifics are outlined here). You just want to make sure the internal temperature has reached 145 degrees.

How long do I bake an already cooked ham? ›

Place the ham, cut-side-down, on heavy-duty aluminum foil and wrap the ham thoroughly. Or use an oven roasting bag; follow instructions on the bag for preparation. Bake in a preheated 325F oven for 10-14 minutes per pound, or until a meat thermometer registers 135F.

How do you make cooked ham taste better? ›

Add 1/2-3/4 of a cup of wine or stock to the pan (you don't want the ham swimming in liquid) and throw some aromatics in there—a few whole cloves, some star anise, and cinnamon sticks are all good options. Cover the ham with foil and place in a 250-degree oven until it reaches an internal temperature of 100℉.

What can I put on my ham so it doesn't dry out? ›

So here's the hack: Add half a cup of wine or stock to the bottom of your pan before popping that ham in the oven. While the hack seems rather simple, there is a bit of science behind it when it comes to ensuring that you have a juicy ham for your Christmas dinner.

Do you rinse a precooked ham before cooking? ›

Whether you are cooking a bone in or boneless ham, pre-heat your oven to 325 degrees. Start by removing the packaging from the ham (and bone guard if you're cooking a bone in ham), and you can rinse the ham before cooking if desired.

Can I glaze a pre cooked ham? ›

Because most hams sold at grocery stores are smoked and fully cooked, they only require heating before eating. However, glazing a ham adds that special final touch if you want to wow your crowd with extra flavor and texture.

How to prepare Costco fully cooked ham? ›

To warm place ham face down in roasting pan & heat bonein spirals at 325° for around 4550 minutes (7 minutes per lb.). Heat, boneless spiral hams for around 30 minutes. Remember – ham is fully cooked – do not over warm ham. Make glaze according to instructions on glaze packet.

Do you cover ham when baking? ›

If you don't cover your ham while cooking it will quickly dry out. Instead: Put some aluminum foil over your ham while it's cooking. It is recommended that the ham is covered for at least half of the cooking process and only removed during the last half when you glaze it.

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