How to Cook a Whole Ham with Bone

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Ham is a favorite main dish for many family dinners, celebrations and festivities. There are many different kinds of ham, but the one thing they all have in common is that they come from the leg of pork. For bone-in whole ham, the cooking time and temperature will depend on what type of ham it is: fully cooked smoked ham, smoked ham or fresh ham.

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Know what type of ham you have to appropriately cook a whole ham with bone.

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Things You'll Need

  • Adequate-Sized Baking Pan

  • Timer

  • Meat Thermometer

Step 1

Place meat in a shallow roasting pan with the fat side facing up. Do not add liquid. Leave the ham uncovered during cooking.

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Step 2

For a fully cooked whole ham with bone, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Cook the ham for 15 to 18 minutes per pound. Insert a meat thermometer near the center of the ham, but do not let the thermometer touch the bone. When the thermometer registers 140 degrees, remove the ham from the oven. If the ham was packaged by a non-USDA approved plant, heat the ham to a temperature of 165 degrees, advises the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.

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Step 3

For an uncooked, bone-in whole ham, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Cook the ham 18 to 20 minutes per pound. The ham is done when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees. Remove the ham and let it rest for at least 3 minutes.

Step 4

For a fresh whole ham with bone, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Cook the ham for 22 to 26 minutes per pound. Remove the ham once the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees. Allow the ham to rest for 3 minutes before carving.

Warning

Undercooking ham can result in the presence of foodborne pathogens.

Check out this related video from ExpertVillage on Youtube

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