Spiral Ham Roasting: Timing For Tender, Juicy Perfection

how long do you roast a spiral ham

Spiral ham is a popular dish for Easter and Christmas dinner, often served with mashed potatoes or scalloped potatoes. Spiral hams are typically between 8 and 11 pounds and come pre-cooked, so you only need to heat them through. The best way to do this is on a low temperature—around 325°F—so that the exterior doesn't dry out before the interior is warmed. A 7- to 9-pound spiral ham will take two to three hours to heat through in an oven at this temperature.

Characteristics Values
Oven temperature 275°F to 350°F
Cooking time 10-15 minutes per pound
Total cooking time 2-3 hours
Internal temperature 140°F

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Spiral hams are pre-cooked, so you just need to heat them through

To heat a spiral ham, first, preheat your oven to a low temperature. 275°F, 325°F, or 350°F are all suitable temperatures. Place the ham in a roasting pan, cut side down, and cover it with foil. You can add a small amount of water to the bottom of the pan to create steam and keep the ham moist.

The ham should be heated for 12-15 minutes per pound. For a 10-pound ham, this equates to a cooking time of 2-2.5 hours. If you are cooking a quarter ham, this will take approximately 1.5 hours, a half ham will take approximately 2 hours, and a whole ham will take approximately 3.5 hours.

It is important to use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the ham reaches 140°F. This will ensure that the ham is properly heated through without being overcooked.

If you are glazing your ham, you should do this towards the end of the cooking time. Remove the ham from the oven 10-20 minutes before the end of the cooking time and brush the glaze over the ham. Increase the oven temperature to 425°F and cook the glazed ham, uncovered, for a further 10-20 minutes.

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Bake uncovered for a crisp exterior, or cover with foil for a moister ham

Spiral hams are typically already cooked, so you just need to heat them through. The best way to do this is to cook the ham on a low temperature so the outside doesn't dry out before the inside is heated.

You can bake the ham uncovered for a crisp exterior. This method will take closer to the longer cooking time of 12-15 minutes per pound at 325°F.

If you prefer a moister ham, cover it with foil during cooking. This will take closer to the shorter cooking time of 12-15 minutes per pound. If you're adding a glaze, remove the foil for the last 20-30 minutes of cooking to let the ham brown.

If you're glazing the ham, be sure to do it towards the end of the cooking time. The sugars in the glaze can burn if added too early.

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Use a roasting rack and add water to the bottom of the pan to prevent drying

Spiral hams are typically between 8 and 11 pounds and already come pre-cooked, so when you’re cooking a ham, your goal is to heat it through without drying it out. The best way to do this is to cook it on a low temperature so the outside doesn't dry out before the inside is heated.

To prevent your spiral ham from drying out, it's recommended to use a roasting rack and add water to the bottom of the pan. The water will help prevent the ham from drying out while it bakes. Place the roasting rack inside a large roasting pan and pour 2 cups of water into the bottom of the pan. Set the ham on the rack.

If you don't have a roasting rack, you can use foil, twisting it into cables and using them as a rack. You can also use vegetables, cookie cooling racks, or balls of aluminium foil under the meat to raise it up.

Cover the ham with foil and place it in the oven. Bake the covered ham for 12-15 minutes per pound or until the ham reaches 140°F. If your ham is done early, remove it from the oven and let it cool down so it doesn't keep cooking. Once slightly cooled, cover it with foil again and don't cut it until you're ready to serve.

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Bake for 12-15 minutes per pound at 325°F, or 10-15 minutes at 350°F

Spiral hams are typically between 8 and 12 pounds and come pre-cooked, so you just need to heat them through. The best way to do this is to cook the ham on a low temperature so the exterior doesn't dry out before the interior is heated.

To ensure your spiral ham doesn't dry out, cover it with foil and bake for 12-15 minutes per pound at 325°F. If you want a slightly crispier exterior, leave the ham uncovered, but be mindful that it will need to be cooked for longer.

If you're cooking your ham covered, remove the foil once you've added the glaze for the last 20 minutes. If your ham is done early, take it out of the oven and let it cool. Then, cover it with foil and don't cut it until you're ready to serve.

The shape of your ham can also affect cooking time. A larger, rounder ham may need extra cooking time compared to a flatter-shaped ham.

If you're in a hurry, you can bake your spiral ham at 350°F for 10-15 minutes per pound. This is a good option if you're taking your ham straight from the fridge, as it will ensure the centre of the ham is hot.

Remember, the most important thing is that your ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F. Use a meat thermometer to check this.

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Remove the ham when it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F

Spiral hams are typically pre-cooked, so you just need to heat them through. However, it's important not to overcook your ham, as this will dry it out. You should remove the ham from the oven when it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F. Use a meat thermometer to monitor this.

The time it takes to reach this temperature will depend on the size of your ham, the temperature of your oven, and whether or not you cover the ham while it cooks. For example, a 10-pound ham will need 2.5 hours to cook at 350°F. If you're cooking at a lower temperature of 275°F, a 10-pound ham will take 2 hours and 30 minutes. If your ham is smaller, at around 7-9 pounds, and you're cooking at 325°F, it will take 2-3 hours.

If you want to add a glaze to your ham, you should do so towards the end of the cooking time. If you glaze the ham too early, the sugars in the glaze could burn. The glaze will need an additional 10 minutes to set at 425°F.

Once your ham reaches 140°F, remove it from the oven and let it rest for at least 15 minutes before carving.

Frequently asked questions

It depends on the weight of the ham, but a good rule of thumb is 12-15 minutes per pound at 325°F.

It's recommended to cover the ham with foil to retain moisture and prevent it from drying out.

Preheat your oven to between 325°F and 350°F.

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the ham. It's ready when it reaches 140°F.

Yes, you can glaze a spiral ham. Apply the glaze towards the end of the cooking process to prevent burning.

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