How To Bake A Bone-In Ham Recipe

Make your next celebration unforgettable with this mouthwatering baked ham recipe. I show you how to bake a bone-in ham with simple ingredients and big flavor, it’s the ultimate feast!

When it comes to holiday cooking, I’m always looking for something that will wow my guests but also make my life easier. Enter: a big, juicy baked ham. Whether it’s for Christmas, Easter or a big Sunday dinner, when I bake a ham, it’s always a crowd-pleaser.

It’s easy to prepare, takes just a few simple ingredients, and there’s something about that sweet, smoky flavor that makes it irresistible.

And hey, if you’re a fan of this recipe, I’ve got a whole bunch of delicious pork recipes lined up that you’ll absolutely love!

I realized I’ve never actually shared the recipe with you, so I thought now would be the perfect time to do that — and share all the little tricks I’ve learned over the years to make it extra special.

What I love most about a baked ham is how it fits into any kind of celebration. You can serve it with classic vegetables and salads like Roasted Potatoes or something a little more festive, like Sheet Pan Rosemary Sweet Potatoes And Mushrooms and Pomegranate Spinach Salad or Spicy Gherkin Chutney.

Bone-in hams are usually way juicier than boneless ones. The bone helps keep the meat moist and tender, plus it adds better flavor. It also slows down the cooking a bit, which gives the fat more time to melt and really infuse the meat with that delicious taste.

What to make with leftover ham

The best part? It doesn’t require constant babysitting. Once it’s in the oven, you’re free to focus on other things — like catching up with family or friends. Plus, I love how the leftovers make for a delicious Ham Tetrazzini Casserole or even a hearty low carb breakfast Frittata With Ham the next day.

So I have documented the whole process because I know you’ll love this ham as much as we do. Here’s everything you need to know to bake the tasty ham!

Instructions

*Free printable recipe card is available at the end of the post.

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We’re starting with a fully cooked smoked bone-in ham, so all we need to do is warm it up in a 325℉ oven for about 14-15 minutes per pound—easy enough, right? But before we pop it in the oven, let’s take a few extra steps to make sure it’s as juicy and flavorful as possible.

If your meat is frozen, you will need to thaw it in the refrigerator for 3 days in advance of when you plan to cook it. Leave it in the original packaging to avoid cross-contamination.

First, we’ll want to collect those irresistible drippings for a rich low carb Au Jus or, if you prefer, a Velvety Smooth Gluten-Free Gravy.

To do that, layer the bottom of your roasting/broiler pan with aromatic onion, garlic, and fresh herbs. This will infuse the meat with fantastic flavor as it cooks. Add about a cup of broth to the pan, which will create a steamy environment in the oven. This helps to keep the ham moist and tender, and preventing it from drying out.

Now, place your grill top or roasting rack on the pan. Then set the ham flat side down on top of it. This setup allows the heat to circulate evenly around the meat for even warming.

Next, tent it with parchment paper—this traps the moisture and keeps it nice and juicy. I prefer parchment over foil because it avoids any potential metallic taste that can sometimes come from foil reacting with the meat.

Plus, it’s a little more eco-friendly!

Since I’m working with a 9-pound ham, it’ll bake for around 2 1/4 hours. And let me tell you, the smell that fills the kitchen is absolutely mouthwatering!

Glaze optional

In my opinion, ham is already naturally sweet enough and low carb delicious. But if you want to take it up a notch, feel free to glaze it. Your ham may come with a packet of glaze. Do this during the last 15-20 minutes of baking for that sticky-sweet finish.

Today, I’m using a spiral-sliced ham, so no carving required—it’s ready to serve! 

Cut around the center bone to free up as many slices as desired. Then cut along the natural seams of the ham slices to remove sections of those slices you’ve already freed from the center bone.

But if you’re working with an un-cut whole bone-in ham like I did last Thanksgiving, you can check out the beautiful thin slices John carved in the next picture. Either way, it’s going to be a fantastic meal! 

Serve it with you favorite appetizers and side dishes.

Oh, and don’t throw the bone away! Check out my step-by-step guide to make a delicious Ham Bone Soup Recipe.

Pro tips and recipe notes

Can I cook the ham without a broiler pan and grill set? Yes, no worries if you don’t have a set like this. You can still cook the ham directly in the roasting pan. Just be sure to elevate the ham slightly by adding some onions and garlic underneath it to keep it from sitting directly in the juices. This helps it cook evenly.

How can I tell when the ham is done warming? Great question! Since the ham is already cooked, we’re just warming it through. To check, you can use a meat thermometer—it should read 140℉ when it’s properly heated. If you don’t have one, you can also cut into the ham to see if it’s heated all the way through.

How do I store leftover ham? You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Slice it up and cover it with a bit of the leftover gravy to keep it moist. You can also freeze leftover ham for up to 2-3 months.

Whether you’re hosting a big holiday meal or just looking for a comforting Sunday dinner, this recipe is a winner. Enjoy!

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5 from 1 vote

How To Bake A Bone-In Ham

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Discover the secrets to baking a bone-in ham! Tender and juicy, this easy low carb recipe is for holiday dinners or any special occasion.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 2 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings 12

Calories 123kcal

Author Barbara Bianchi

Ingredients

• 1 onion cut in quarters
• 1 whole bulb of garlic sliced in half
• fresh herb optional parsley, rosemary, or thyme
• 1 cup broth
• 9 pound bone-in ham

Instructions

• Pre-heat your oven to 325℉
• To ensure drippings and prevent them from burning away place onion and garlic along with fresh herbs in the bottom of your roasting/broiler pan. When the ham is done you will be able to make gravy with the drippings!

  Add broth that will create steam which helps keep the ham moist throughout cooking, preventing it from drying out.
  1 onion cut in quarters, 1 whole bulb of garlic sliced in half, fresh herb, 1 cup broth
• Then cover with the grill top and place the ham flat side down on the grill top.
  9 pound bone-in ham
• Tent the ham, trapping the moisture, with parchment paper or foil.
• Bake on the center rack of your oven for 2 1/4 hours.

  In my opinion, ham is sweet as it is. But if you want to add glaze, do that during the last 15-20 minutes.
• Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Can I cook the ham without a broiler pan and grill set? Yes, no worries if you don’t have a set like this. You can still cook the ham directly in the roasting pan. Just be sure to elevate the ham slightly by adding some onions and garlic underneath it to keep it from sitting directly in the juices. This helps it cook evenly.

How can I tell when the ham is done warming? Great question! Since the ham is already cooked, we’re just warming it through. To check, you can use a meat thermometer—it should read 140℉ when it's properly heated. If you don’t have one, you can also cut into the ham to see if it’s heated all the way through.

How do I store leftover ham? You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Slice it up and cover it with a bit of the leftover gravy to keep it moist. You can also freeze leftover ham for up to 2-3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 3ounce | Calories: 123kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 15g

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