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Perfect Baked Ham

If you’re preparing ham for a feast, you’ll want to ensure that it’s moist and tender. In this article, we’re sharing some tips on how to prepare a ham as well as a guideline for the appropriate internal temperature.
Total Time1 hour
Keyword: Ham Internal Temperature
Servings: 22
Author: Izzy

Ingredients

  • 1 bone-in ham 7-11 pounds fully-cooked
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • ¼ cup pineapple juice

Brown Sugar Glaze

  • ½ cup pineapple juice
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch

Instructions

  • Remove the ham from the fridge 1-2 hours ahead of time to sit at room temperature.
  • Preheat the oven to 325°F, placing the oven rack in the lower middle of the oven. Set aside a roasting pan fitted with a rack or trivet.
  • Place the ham fat-side up on a work surface. Remove the plastic disk if there is one on the bone.
  • Using a sharp knife, score the fat about ¼-inch deep in a criss-cross pattern spaced 1-inch apart. (Cut into the fat only without cutting into the meat.)
  • Mix the Dijon mustard and pineapple juice in a cup. Then brush over the top of the ham.
  • Place the ham flat-side down in the prepared roasting pan. Bake for 1 to 1 ½ hours using the general rule of 12 to 15 minutes per pound. The internal temperature should reach 110°F before the next step.
  • About 15 minutes before it’s done, it’s time to glaze the ham. Remove the ham from the oven and raise the temperature to 400°F.
  • Place a small saucepan over medium heat and add the pineapple juice, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, ginger and cornstarch. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer, letting it bubble for a minute or two until the sugar is fully dissolved.
  • Remove the foil from the ham and brush all over with the glaze until used up.
  • Put the ham back in the oven uncovered and bake for 10 to 20 minutes until caramelized and the internal temperature of the ham reaches 140°F if the ham was fully cooked already (or 150°F if it was partially cooked).
  • Serve immediately. To slice a bone-in ham, you can start by cutting around the bone. Then use a chef’s knife or ham slicer to cut slices from around the bone.

Notes

Save the ham bone to make soup.