How to Cook a Pre Smoked Ham to Perfection

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Today, I am going to show you how to slow cook a precooked ham in the oven. With this method you’ll get a perfectly baked ham slathered with a homemade Brown Sugar Glaze. You can make this tasty and easy dish in the oven for a holiday meal or a special occasion. It’s always a crowd-pleaser and makes Christmas or Easter dinner extra special with no muss or fuss. Let’s get started!.

Cured, smoked, and baked are all indicators that the ham you’re about to buy has been pre-cooked. Most of the ham you buy at the store is already safe to eat; you just need to heat it up. Plus around Easter or Christmas, they tend to go on sale!.

I always buy a spiral-cut, fully cooked ham with the bone in because it saves me time and effort. But taking a few extra steps while baking your ham can bring it from good to great. I love the Kirkland Signature Ham from Costco because the flavor and price can’t be beaten.

Cooking a pre smoked ham may seem intimidating, but with a few simple tips you can achieve ham perfection. This step-by-step guide will walk you through choosing, preparing, and cooking a pre smoked ham, plus provide serving ideas and storage tips.

Choosing the Right Pre Smoked Ham

When selecting a pre smoked ham, you want one with good marbling that is evenly distributed with fat The fat content enhances moisture and flavor as the ham cooks. You can choose bone-in or boneless, depending on your preference Bone-in hams have more flavor, while boneless are easier to carve. Look for a ham that weighs 6-8 pounds to serve a crowd.

Tips for selecting a pre smoked ham:

  • Choose one with good marbling and fat distribution
  • Decide between bone-in for more flavor or boneless for easier carving
  • Select a 6-8 pound ham to serve a large group

Preparing the Ham

Proper preparation is key to maximizing the flavor of your pre smoked ham. Start by removing all packaging and rinsing the ham under cool water. This removes excess salt and impurities. Pat the ham dry thoroughly with paper towels.

Next, score the fat cap by making diagonal cuts in a diamond pattern about 1/4 inch deep. This allows the fat to render and the glaze to seep into the meat. Apply a glaze, like maple syrup and brown sugar, pineapple jam, or a spicy mustard glaze Massage it all over the ham for maximum coverage

Preparation steps include

  • Rinse the ham under cool water and pat dry
  • Score the fat cap in a diamond pattern
  • Apply a sweet or savory glaze all over ham

Cooking the Ham to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 325°F. Place the glazed ham in a roasting pan and cover tightly with foil. This seals in moisture. Cook for 15-20 minutes per pound, until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.

For the last 30 minutes of cooking, remove foil and raise the temperature to 400°F. Baste the ham with glaze and pan juices to form a crisp, caramelized crust.

Follow these cooking tips:

  • Preheat oven to 325°F
  • Cook covered at 325°F for 15-20 minutes per pound
  • Uncover for the last 30 minutes, raise temperature to 400°F and baste
  • Cook until internal temperature reaches 140°F

Serving Suggestions

Once cooked through, allow the ham to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving so juices can redistribute. Slice and serve with classic side dishes like roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, biscuits, and a fresh salad. Offer homemade sauces like maple mustard, fruit chutney, or bourbon glaze for dipping.

Delicious sides and sauces to serve with ham:

  • Mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, salad
  • Warm biscuits, corn bread, or rolls
  • Maple mustard, fruit chutney, bourbon glaze

Storing Leftover Ham

Refrigerate leftover ham in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Slice and add to omelets, pasta, pizza, sandwiches, and more. For longer storage, wrap ham slices individually and freeze for 2-3 months.

You can also freeze carved ham in portions like cubes, slices, or chunks for easy addition to soups, casseroles, eggs, etc. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.

Storing and using leftover pre smoked ham:

  • Refrigerate in airtight container for 3-4 days
  • Freeze slices or pieces of ham for 2-3 months
  • Use in omelets, pasta, pizza, sandwiches, soups

With these tips you can cook a perfect pre smoked ham with delicious results. Just be sure to choose a quality ham, properly prepare and glaze it, and follow the cooking guidelines. Your guests will be impressed with your skill in preparing this holiday centerpiece.

how to cook a pre smoked ham

Bake and Baste Ham

Place your ham in a roasting pan, flat cut side down. Bake in the oven 12-15 minutes per pound (or cook according to specific package directions). During cooking, baste the ham a few times with the juices that have built up in the pan. Be sure to separate the slices as you baste. This ensures the ham will stay moist.

As the ham cooks, many recipes say to baste it with the glaze. But I’ve found that it works better to baste it with the cooking liquid from the ham juices to keep everything moist, and then finish with the glaze.

how to cook a pre smoked ham

What Else Do I Need?

  • When cooking big cuts like this one, you need a meat thermometer. Get a good one like this one, and it will last a long time.
  • This Brown Sugar Ham Glaze is the last thing you’ll need for this recipe. Just adding that one thing makes this ham taste even better. You can use any glaze you want, but this one is my favorite because it combines garlic with maple syrup, brown sugar, and mustard in the best way. Most glazes should do the same thing, which is to make the outside caramelize and add more flavor. Some (maybe most?) precooked ham comes with a glaze packet. That will work, but I really like the taste of my glaze MUCH more.

how to cook a pre smoked ham

Smoked Pre-Cooked Ham With Apricot Glaze

FAQ

How do you cook a pre-cooked smoked ham?

If the ham is labeled “fully cooked” (does not require heating), heat it in the oven for about 10 minutes per pound, or to an internal temperature of 140 F. If the ham is labeled “cook before eating,” heat in an oven set no lower than 325 F to an internal temperature of at least 145 F.

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

Wrap 6 to 8 ounces of sliced leftover ham in aluminum foil. Preheat the air fryer to 325°F. Place the wrapped ham in the air fryer basket and heat for 6 to 8 minutes or until heated through. ( Wrapping in foil helps prevent the ham from drying out.)

Is a smoked ham fully cooked?

The answer, in short, is if it is cured, smoked or baked, ham is considered “pre-cooked,” and would not technically need to be cooked. This includes the ham that is purchased at the deli. In fact, most ham that is sold to consumers is already cured, smoked or baked.

How long to cook a 10 lb fully cooked ham?

Plan on baking your pre-cooked ham at an oven temperature of 325 degrees Fahrenheit, covered with foil, until it reaches a safe internal temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit, as recommended by the USDA. A pre-cooked 10-pound ham, bone-in will need about 2 1/2 hours.

How do you smoke a precooked Ham?

Prepare: While your smoker is getting up to temp, allow your precooked ham to come up to room temperature, and apply any additional binders, rubs, or sauces. Smoke: Get a probe into your precooked ham and place it in the smoker fat side up for up to about 2-3 hours. Since it’s precooked already, you only need to cook it to at least 145°F.

Is honey baked ham as good as regular ham?

The addition of honey will affect the calorie content of the food. One tablespoon of honey contributes to approximately 64 calories. In addition, the use of heat when making baked ham will reduce the quality of the honey.

Can precooked Ham be smoked?

Yes, precooked ham can be smoked. Even if it’s precooked and presmoked ham, you can go ahead and double smoke that bad boy. However, one thing to keep front of mind is that the ham is ALREADY cooked. So, what you’re really doing is reheating the precooked ham in the smoker, adding that delectable smokey flavor and extra caramelization.

Can you cook a pre smoked ham on a grill?

Yes, you can cook a pre-smoked ham on a grill. This method adds a smoky flavor to the ham while allowing the fat to render and create a crispy exterior. Use indirect heat and cook the ham for approximately 15-20 minutes per pound, maintaining a temperature of around 325°F (163°C).

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