How to Cook Artisan Half Moon Boneless Smoked Ham to Perfection

Find out everything you need to know about How to Cook Smoked Ham and get our recipe for our holiday Smoked Ham with Maple Spice Glaze, which is naturally gluten-free and sugar-free.

When it comes to cooking a whole smoked ham, there are a lot of options and questions. A few years ago, when I first shared this maple spiced glazed smoked ham recipe, I was only thinking about how great it looked and tasted on the holiday table.

I added some of the most common questions about how to cook a bone-in smoked ham to this post because so many of you has asked them.

Bookmark this for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s or whenever you want to serve a whole ham.

An artisan half moon boneless smoked ham is a gorgeous centerpiece for any special occasion dinner. With its beautifully curved shape and smoky, salty flavor, this type of ham is sure to wow your guests. However, cooking it just right can seem intimidating if you’ve never done it before. Have no fear! With the right techniques, you can easily cook an artisan half moon boneless smoked ham to juicy, mouthwatering perfection.

Choosing and Preparing the Ham

When selecting your ham at the grocery store or butcher shop, look for one that is about 10 to 15 pounds. This size will feed a crowd while fitting nicely into a roasting pan. Choose a ham that has a nice shape with a good amount of fat marbling throughout since the fat keeps the meat moist and flavorful as it cooks.

Once you get your ham home, pull it out of the packaging and rinse it under cool water. Pat it completely dry. Using a sharp knife score the fat cap by making shallow X’s across the surface. This helps the fat render and crisp up as it cooks. Trim off any excess skin or fat so the ham has a tidy shape.

Making a Simple Brown Sugar Glaze

A sweet glaze goes perfectly with the salty smokiness of ham. For a classic flavor, you can’t go wrong with a brown sugar glaze spiced up with mustard, spices, and citrus.

In a small saucepan, combine:

1 cup brown sugar
1⁄4 cup whole grain mustard
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1⁄2 tsp ground cloves
Grated zest and juice of 1 orange

Warm the mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar dissolves. Set aside and let cool until ready to use.

Roasting the Ham

Preheat your oven to 325°F. Place the ham fat side up in a roasting pan. Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of the pan to keep the ham from drying out.

Roast the ham uncovered for about 15-18 minutes per pound, until the internal temperature in the thickest part reaches 140°F on a meat thermometer. Baste the ham with the glaze during the last 45 minutes of roasting time. If the glaze starts to burn, tent foil loosely over the ham.

Letting the Ham Rest

Once the ham reaches the target internal temperature, remove it from the oven. Tent it loosely with foil and let rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing. This resting time allows the juices to redistribute through the meat for better flavor.

Slicing and Serving

To carve the ham, carefully slice against the curve of the bone, making thin slices. Arrange the slices on a serving platter. Spoon any pan drippings over top and serve additional warmed glaze on the side.

Pair this elegant ham with classic side dishes like scalloped potatoes, roasted asparagus, and dinner rolls. The smoky, sweet ham also makes incredible sandwiches and is great for leftovers too.

With this simple roasting method and easy glaze, you can relax knowing your artisan half moon boneless smoked ham will turn out juicy, tender, and full of flavor every time. Your guests will be asking you for the recipe!

how to cook artisan half moon boneless smoked ham

WHAT IS SMOKED HAM?

Smoked ham is a piece of pork leg that has been cured in brine, hung in a smokehouse, and smoked over low heat for a long time to make it taste better.
Both fresh ham and cooked ham can be smoked.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A SMOKED HAM OR FRESH HAM?

The USDA requires that fresh hams be marked with the phrase “cook thoroughly” and that cooked hams be marked as “ready-to-eat” or “fully cooked.”
This recipe is for a SMOKED BUT UNCOOKED FRESH HAM!
If you go to the store and buy it, read the package. If you buy from a farmer or butcher, ask them!

Cooking Honey Glazed Carver Ham!

FAQ

How long do you cook a boneless smoked ham?

For the Shoulder Roll cut, the ham will weigh between two and four pounds and should cook at 325°F for 35 to 40 minutes per pound. The boneless ham shoulder will be larger, weighing between five and eight pounds—cook at 325°F for 30 to 35 minutes per pound.

Do you cook a smoked ham covered or uncovered?

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.

How to cook a fully cooked smoked ham?

Bake in a preheated 325F oven for 10-14 minutes per pound, or until a meat thermometer registers 135F. Remove from oven and let sit for 10 minutes before serving. If the ham came with extra glaze, follow the package directions for adding it and cooking the glaze.

What is the best way to cook a precooked ham?

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Place the ham on a rack in a large baking pan and add about 1/4- to 1/2 inch of water to the pan. 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.