How Long to Cook Every Type of Ham

Not sure how long to bake your 10-pound ham? Our charts have the helpful time and temperature info you need.

pomegranate glazed ham with jammy cipollinis

A mainstay of many Easter dinners, a large, burnished roast of savory ham is a beautiful and low-effort way to anchor just about any holiday menu. It's an all-around crowd-pleaser; everyone will want to scoop a slice or two of this classic onto their plate. What's more, hams typically come in larger weights, so you won't need to worry if there will be enough to feed your crew. You're more likely to have generous leftovers for everyone to take home.

How to Cook Ham

Ham is a very forgiving protein and the perfect project for beginners as well as seasoned cooks who would rather focus on the side dishes. Even so, there are ideal times and temperatures at which to cook ham so it comes out moist and juicy every time.

Wondering how long to cook that 10-pound ham for? It depends on what type of ham you have; a pre-cooked ham will cook for less time than an uncooked ham. Read on for cooking tips that are tailored to the types of ham available at the grocery store.

How Long to Cook Pre-Cooked Hams

Pre-cooked hams are the most common type of ham you'll find at a supermarket. Often imbued with a pleasant smoke flavor, these hams are an excellent candidate for an easy glaze to brush on top and are the easiest and most convenient way to make a special holiday meal.

To make things even easier, opt for a spiral-cut ham so you won't need to bother with carving it before the meal.

Oven Temperature and Internal Temperature

Plan on baking your pre-cooked ham at an oven temperature of 325 degrees Fahrenheit, covered with foil, until it reaches a safe internal temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit, as recommended by the USDA. A pre-cooked 10-pound ham, bone-in will need about 2 1/2 hours.

Pre-Cooked Ham Weight Cook Time Oven Temp Internal Temp
Whole, bone In 10-14 lbs 15-18 min/lb 325°F 140°F
Half, bone in 5-7 lbs 18-24 min/lb 325°F 140°F
Spiral cut, whole or half 7-9 lbs 10-18 min/lb 325°F 140°F

How Long to Cook Uncooked Hams

How do you know if a ham is uncooked? Check the label on the ham at the grocery store and it will usually read "cook before eating." Often smoked, these hams need a little extra time in the oven to reach a safe temperature for eating.

Oven Temperature and Internal Temperature

Bake an uncooked ham at an oven temperature of 325 degrees Fahrenheit, covered, until it reaches a safe internal temperature of 145 degrees. An uncooked 10-pound ham, bone-in will need about 3 hours.

Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your ham to ensure it's cooked to perfection. This ensures the meat is safe to eat and maintains its full flavor and juiciness.

Uncooked Ham Weight Cook Time Oven Temp Internal Temp
Whole, bone in 10-14 lbs 18-20 min/lb 325°F 145°F
Half, bone in 5-7 lbs 22-25 min/lb 325°F 145°F
Arm picnic shoulder, boneless 5-8 lb 30-35 min/lb 325°F 145°F
Shoulder roll (butt), boneless 2-4 lb 35-40 min/lb 325°F 145°F

Line roasting pans with aluminum foil for easy clean-up and use extra glaze when basting instead of pan drippings.


For a better taste, leave the rind on for the first two hours of cooking. And if you have a bone-in variety, save the ham bone for Split-Pea Soup.


Finally, be sure to use a knife with a long, thin blade when carving.

Ham Recipes

Try these recipes for cooked half and spiral hams, as well as for a Virginia country ham.

01 of 06

Brandied Ham

med105087_1209_hol0_brandiedham.jpg

This is one of our favorite recipes for a fully cooked bone-in half ham weighing about 6 pounds. Like many ham recipes, it calls for the meat to be baked covered initially to keep the ham moist. Then, the ham is brushed with glaze and baked uncovered until the glaze is sticky and the ham has browned.

02 of 06

Pomegranate-Glazed Ham With Jammy Cipollinis

pomegranate glazed ham with jammy cipollinis
Credit: Justin Walker

A 6- to 8-pound spiral-cut ham is roasted at 325 degrees Fahrenheit, then finished with high heat to crisp the glaze of pomegranate molasses, brown sugar, honey, mustard, and allspice.

03 of 06

Baked Easter Ham

easter ham

Martha's classic recipe for baked ham starts with a bone-in, 12- to 14-pound uncooked smoked ham. She glazes it with the simple yet sophisticated combination of cognac and brown sugar during the last 1 1/2 hours of cooking.

04 of 06

Virginia Ham With Honey-Mustard Glaze

102802595.jpg
Credit: Anna Williams

This spectacular ham weighs in at about 18 pounds. It cooks at the same temperature as a smaller ham but will take longer to reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. It's definitely worth the wait for the salty deliciousness of a Virginia country ham.

05 of 06

Apricot-Bourbon Glazed Ham

apricot-bourbon-glazed-ham-med108164.jpg
Credit: Romulo Yanes

This sweet and smoky take on ham uses real bourbon and apricot jam to create a glaze that goes directly on the ham once the rind is removed. You can have most butchers remove the rind for you when purchasing, making this an easy recipe for any spring meal.

06 of 06

Bourbon-Glazed Ham

Bourbon-Glazed Ham

Not a fan of apricot? Try a standard bourbon glazed ham. This recipe calls for a few key ingredients including Dijon mustard and brown sugar to make another smoky glaze guests won't soon forget.

Updated by
Victoria Spencer
Victoria Spencer, senior food editor, decorvow.com
Victoria Spencer is an experienced food editor, writer, and recipe developer. She manages the decorvow recipe archive and is always curious about new ingredients and the best techniques. She has been working in food media for over 20 years.

Related Articles