How to Cook Turkey and Ham at the Same Time: The Ultimate Holiday Meal

Cooking turkey and ham together for holiday meals can seem daunting After all, they require different temperatures and cook times. However, with some planning and a few tips, you can easily cook both in the same oven or smoker at once. This allows you to cut down on time and dishes while still serving up perfect turkey and ham

Pick the Right Turkey and Ham

For best results, choose a boneless, fully-cooked ham This allows you to simply reheat the ham while the turkey cooks For the turkey, select a size that will fit on the lower rack of your oven or smoker below where you’ll place the ham. A 12-14 lb turkey works well.

Prepare the Oven

You’ll want to cook the turkey at a higher temperature, around 325°F, to get the skin crispy and fully cook the breast. The ham only needs to be reheated to 140°F.

Use a digital probe thermometer with two probes – one for the turkey and one for the ham. This allows you to monitor both temperatures.

Place the turkey on the lower rack with a pan below to catch the drippings. Put the ham on the upper rack. You can wrap it in foil or glaze it for added flavor.

Cook Times

Plan for the turkey to cook about 2-25 hours at 325°F until it reaches 165°F in the breast and 175°F in the thighs The ham will take about 1-1,5 hours to fully reheat,

Start checking the ham’s temperature after about 45 minutes. Once it hits 140°F, you can remove it from the oven and tent it with foil.

Let the turkey continue cooking until it reaches the proper internal temperature. Remove it from the oven, tent with foil, and let both rest 15-20 minutes before carving.

Smoker Tips

If using a smoker, put the turkey on the lower grate and the ham on the upper. Add your favorite wood for flavor. Maintain a temperature between 275-300°F.

Follow the same approximate cook times – 1-1.5 hours for the ham and 2-2.5 hours for the turkey. Use a digital thermometer to monitor.

The smoke will add wonderful flavor to both meats. Just watch the ham closely so it doesn’t oversmoke.

Handy Equipment

Having the right gear makes cooking turkey and ham together much easier:

• Digital probe thermometer with two probes
• Roasting pan with rack for the turkey
• Aluminum foil for tenting meats after cooking
• Oven mitts and carving knives
• Instant read thermometer to double check temperatures

Finishing Touches

Once both meats have rested, it’s time to carve and serve! Arrange sliced turkey and ham on a large platter. Top with your favorite sauces and sides.

Here are some tasty sauces that pair well with both meats:

• Cranberry sauce – tart and tangy
• Turkey gravy – rich and savory
• Honey mustard – sweet and spicy
• Apple chutney – fruity and complex

Don’t forget to round out the meal with classic holiday sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, roasted veggies, and cornbread.

Cook with Confidence

Cooking turkey and ham together takes a little planning but pays off with a spectacular feast. Follow these tips and you can serve up perfect meats – moist turkey and glazed ham worthy of any holiday spread. Skip the stress of trying to time everything just right. Let the oven or smoker do the work so you can relax and enjoy time with family and friends.