Planning & Prep
Ham Cooking Time Calculator: Baking, Curing & Storing Explained
Making the perfect piece of ham is a piece of cake when you follow the correct cooking times. Not sure how long to cook a ham? Use our simple ham cooking time calculator to find the exact baking time for your piece of meat.
To use the calculator, all you have to do is input the type of ham, cut of meat and its weight. You’ll then find out the cooking time in minutes.
Ham cooking time calculator
1. Ham type
Select the type of ham
2. Ham cut
Select the cut of ham
3. Ham size
Insert weight of ham (whole numbers only) and select unit of weight
Cooking time estimated:
Recipes listing cook times are approximate. Use food thermometers to ensure safe cooked food temperatures. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase the risk of foodborne illness. Please refer to the USDA Safe Minimum Food Temperature Chart for further information.
Any allergen claim is assumed. Read all food ingredient labels for allergy concerns.
You can learn more about how to stay healthy with these easy and safe meal preparation steps.
How do you calculate ham cooking time?
According to the USDA, you calculate ham cooking time by the weight and cut of meat. For example, it takes 15 to 18 minutes per pound of smoked ham to cook fully. Our ham cooking time calculator takes the weight of the meat and converts it into the average number of minutes it will take to reach a safe internal temperature.
Ham cooking time chart [printable]
Our ham cooking time calculator tells you the average time to cook your meat. You can also use our printable ham cooking time chart to ensure you’re using the correct times.
Smoked ham, cook before eating |
|||
Cut |
Weight (lbs) |
Minutes/lb |
Minimum internal temperature & rest time |
| Whole, bone in | 10 to 14 | 18 to 20 | Cook to 145 F and allow to rest for at least 3 minutes/lb |
| Half, bone in | 5 to 7 | 22 to 25 | |
| Shank or butt portion, bone in | 3 to 4 | 35 to 40 | |
| Arm picnic shoulder, boneless | 5 to 8 | 30 to 35 | |
| Shoulder roll (butt), boneless | 2 to 4 | 35 to 40 | |
Smoked ham, cooked |
|||
| Whole, bone in | 10 to 14 | 15 to 18 | Reheat cooked ham packaged in USDA-inspected plants to 140 F and all others to 165 F. |
| Half, bone in | 5 to 7 | 18 to 24 | |
| Arm picnic shoulder, boneless | 5 to 8 | 25 to 30 | |
| Canned ham, boneless | 3 to 10 | 15 to 20 | |
| Vacuum packed, boneless | 6 to 12 | 10 to 15 | |
| Spiral cut, whole or half | 7 to 9 | 10 to 18 | |
Fresh ham, uncooked |
|||
| Whole leg, bone in | 12 to 16 | 22 to 26 | Cook to 145 F and allow to rest for at least 3 minutes |
| Whole leg, boneless | 10 to 14 | 24 to 28 | |
| Half, bone in | 5 to 8 | 35 to 40 | |
Country ham |
|||
| Whole or half: Soak for 4 to 12 hours in the refrigerator. Cover with water and boil 20 to 25 minutes per pound. Drain, glaze and brown at 400 F for 15 minutes. | |||
| Source: USDA | |||
How to store ham
Protect the health of you and your family by storing your ham properly and safely. Check out this chart provided by the USDA to learn more about refrigerating and freezing your specific type of ham.
Type of ham |
Refrigerate |
Freeze |
| Fresh (uncured) ham, uncooked | 3 to 5 days | 6 months |
| Fresh (uncured) ham, cooked | 3 to 4 days | 3 to 4 months |
| Cured ham, cook before eating; uncooked | 5 to 7 days or “use by” date | 3 to 4 months |
| Cured ham, cook before eating; cooked | 3 to 5 days | 1 to 2 months |
| Cooked ham, vacuum sealed at plant, undated; unopened | 2 weeks | 1 to 2 months |
| Cooked ham, vacuum sealed at plant, dated; unopened | “Use by” date* | 1 to 2 months |
| Cooked ham, vacuum sealed at plant, undated or dated; opened | 3 to 5 days | 1 to 2 months |
| Cooked ham, whole, store wrapped | 7 days | 1 to 2 months |
| Cooked ham, half, store wrapped | 3 to 5 days | 1 to 2 months |
| Cooked ham, slices, store wrapped | 3 to 5 days | 1 to 2 months |
| Spiral-cut hams and leftovers from consumer-cooked hams | 3 to 5 days | 1 to 2 months |
| Country ham, uncooked, cut | 2 to 3 months | 1 month |
| Country ham, cooked | 7 days | 1 month |
| Canned ham, labeled “keep refrigerated,” unopened | 6 to 9 months | Do not freeze |
| Canned ham, labeled “keep refrigerated,” opened | 7 days | 1 to 2 months |
| Canned ham, shelf stable, opened | 3 to 4 days | 1 to 2 months |
| Lunch meat ham, sealed at plant, unopened | 2 weeks or “use-by” date* | 1 to 2 months |
| Lunch meat ham, sealed at plant, opened | 3 to 5 days | 1 to 2 months |
| Lunch meat ham, sliced in store | 3 to 5 days | 1 to 2 months |
| Prosciutto, Parma or Serrano ham, dry Italian or Spanish type, cut | 2 to 3 months | 1 month |
Source: USDA |
||
Tips for baking ham
Cooking the perfect ham takes time, skill and patience (of course). Put these ham cooking tips and tricks to the test.
- Choose the right cut: Think about how you want to use the ham in your recipe. If you’re looking for the ham to be the main attraction, opt for bone-in for extra juiciness and flavor.
- Don’t overcook it: Make sure you’re using a ham cooking time calculator or a time chart to ensure your meat is cooked to perfection.
- Cool it: The easiest way to carve ham is by letting it cool for a few minutes first.
- Glazing and basting: Wait until the end of the cooking process to glaze your ham to add more flavor. Basting with the juices while it’s cooking can lend more saltiness.
Ham cooking supplies
When it comes to cooking a ham, you need to have the correct tools and supplies on hand. Here are a few ham cooking supplies you may need to invest in.
- Roasting pan and rack: You’ll need a roasting pan that is large enough to cook your ham comfortably. It’s also important to have a roasting rack to ensure the heat is circulating to cook your ham thoroughly.
- Meat thermometer: Avoid the guessing game and use a meat thermometer to measure the exact internal temperature of your ham. Make sure your ham reaches an internal temperature of 160 F.
- Carving tools: Forget the hassle of cutting ham with regular knives and invest in carving tools. Make sure to buy a set that includes a knife and fork to make the process easier.
- Cutting board: Sure, you can carve a ham without a cutting board, but it makes the process much messier. Look for a cutting board that has grooves on the edges to stop the juices from escaping as you carve.
Grab it now on Instacart:
Ham cooking time FAQ
Still unsure how to cook the perfect ham? Here are a few answers to commonly asked questions surrounding ham cooking times.
The amount of time it will take to cook a 10-lb ham will depend on the cut of the meat. A 10-lb whole bone-in smoked ham (cooked) will take 15 minutes, whereas a 10-lb boneless whole leg will take 24 minutes to cook. Use a ham cooking time calculator to find the exact time to cook your meat.
According to the USDA, the internal temperature of a ham should be 160 F.
Use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature of your ham to tell if it is cooked or uncooked. A ham with an internal temperature lower than 160 F is considered not safe to eat.
The exact time to cook smoked ham will vary depending on the weight and cut of the meat. A 5-lb half bone-in ham cooks in 18 minutes, whereas a 7-lb spiral-cut ham only needs 10 minutes to cook.
Final ham cooking thoughts to soak in
There are many factors to consider when cooking ham — think about the weight and even the cut of the meat. With our ham cooking time calculator, you can find out the exact time it will take to bake.
When it comes to prepping for a feast, you need to focus your time and effort on cooking the ultimate meal. Find all the ingredients you need online with Instacart. Place your online order today for your ham feast.
Not sure what to do with your ham leftovers? Check out our leftover recipe generator for ideas about what you can make with your scraps.
Instacart
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