Best Whole Baked Ham Recipes

BAKED HAM

Steps:

• Ham labeled "Cook Before Eating"
• Preheat the oven to 325°F. Place the ham on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. For a whole 10- to 15-pound ham, allow 18 to 20 minutes per pound; for a half--5 to 7 pounds--about 20 minutes per pound; or for a shank or butt portion weighing 3 to 4 pounds, about 35 minutes to the pound. In all cases, cook uncovered until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. For an attractive, quick finish, remove the ham from the oven about 30 minutes before it is done and glaze as directed below.
• II. Ham labeled "Fully Cooked" or "Ready to Eat"
• Preheat the oven to 325°F. To heat the ham, place it on a rack in a shallow roasting pan, and bake uncovered. For a whole ham, allow 15 to 18 minutes to the pound; for a half, 18 to 24 minutes per pound. The ham will be ready when the internal temperature reaches 140°F. To glaze the ham, remove it from the oven about 30 minutes before it is done, and increase the oven heat to 425°F. Remove all the rind but a collar around the shank bone. Slash the fat in the top of the ham in a diamond pattern, and cover the surface with brown sugar, dry mustard moistened with cider vinegar, prune juice, wine or ham drippings.
• Stud the fat at the intersections of the diamonds with whole cloves. Or decorate with alternating half pineapple rings studded with cranberries and stars cut from preserved orange peel.
• Return the ham to the oven, reduce the oven heat to 325°F again, and cook about 30 minutes. Place on a platter. Garnish with: Slices of jellied cranberry sauce topped with thin orange or pineapple slices.

GLAZED BAKED HAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Score the surface of the ham about 1/8-inch deep in a diamond pattern. Insert a clove into the middle of each diamond.
• Bake the ham for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or longer depending on package directions.
• Heat the brown sugar, mustard, vinegar and soda in a small saucepan until bubbly. Cook until thick, about 15 minutes.
• After 2 hours of baking time, brush the glaze on the ham in 20-minute intervals until nice and glossy.

BAKED HAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place ham in a roasting pan, and press whole cloves into the top at 1 to 2 inch intervals. Pack the top with a layer of brown sugar. Pour enough water into the bottom of the roasting pan to come to a 1 inch depth. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil or a lid.
• Bake for 4 1/2 to 5 hours in the preheated oven (about 22 minutes per pound), or until the internal temperature of the ham has reached 160 degrees F (72 degrees C). Make sure the meat thermometer is not touching the bone. Let stand for about 20 minutes before carving.

WHOLE BAKED HAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F If necessary, remove all skin, leaving a thin covering (about 1/4 inch) of fat.
• With a sharp knife, score a diamond pattern into fat and insert cloves to decorate. Place ham in a shallow roasting pan, fattest side up, with 2-3 cups water.
• Cook for about 15 minutes per lb., or until meat thermometer registers 140°F.
• Meanwhile, mix remaining ingredients for the glaze. During last half hour of cooking, raise temperature to 350F and brush ham liberally with glaze. Add more water if bottom of pan starts to burn. Repeat glazing after 15 minutes.
• When cooked, allow ham to rest 15 minutes before carving. Use leftovers for salads, sandwiches, or in a pasta dish., It can also be frozen for future meals.