The baking time for a ham depends on its weight, whether it is fully cooked or raw, and the oven temperature. Here are common guidelines for baking a fully cooked bone-in ham:
- At 325°F (163°C) : Bake about 10 minutes per pound. For example, a 10-pound ham would take approximately 1 hour 40 minutes, plus an additional 30 minutes at 425°F (218°C) for glazing and caramelizing the surface
- At 350°F (177°C) : Bake about 15 minutes per pound. For example, a 12-pound ham would take about 4.5 to 5 hours
- At 325°F (163°C) for whole bone-in hams weighing 10 to 14 pounds, baking time is about 18 to 20 minutes per pound until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C)
- For a bone-in fully cooked ham, cooking times of 12 to 14 minutes per pound are also common, with a recommended resting time of 15 to 20 minutes before carving
General method for baking a fully cooked ham:
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Place ham fat-side up in a roasting pan with about 1/2 inch of water, cover tightly with foil.
- Bake for the calculated time (about 10-15 minutes per pound).
- About 30 minutes before done, remove foil, increase oven temperature to 425°F.
- Brush ham with glaze (brown sugar, maple syrup, orange juice, or similar) twice during this time.
- Return to oven uncovered for the last 30 minutes to caramelize the glaze.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 15-20 minutes before carving
Important tips:
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 140-145°F for fully cooked ham to be safely reheated and juicy
- Glazing is usually done in the last 30 minutes to avoid burning the sugars
- Resting the ham after baking helps retain moisture
In summary, for a fully cooked ham, plan on about 10-15 minutes per pound at 325°F, finishing with a glaze at higher heat for about 30 minutes, and resting before carving. Adjust times based on your oven and ham size.
