How to Cook & Carve the Perfect Holiday Ham

There’s nothing better than a beautiful ham gracing your table as the centerpiece of any holiday gathering. However, the cooking and carving of the ham is not only critical to the overall success of the meal but can be downright intimidating too! We’re here to help with guidance of our very own Philip Jones, who also happens to be a Paris-trained chef and a master of ham preparation.

Ham Cooking Basics

• Fully cooked hams should be heated to a serving temperature of approximately 125 – 130°F — about 12 to 15 minutes per pound in a 325°F oven.
• Uncooked hams (often labeled as “cook before serving”) should be heated to a recommended internal temperature of 160° — about 30 minutes per pound.  
• Tip: after baking, transfer ham to a cookie sheet or cutting board, cover loosely with aluminum foil and let stand about 15 minutes before carving since the internal temperature will continue to rise 5°.
• If heating or cooking in the over, ensure it’s in a deep set pan.
• Hams can be heated or cooked in a crock-pot, too.

Philip Jones, 6^th Generation CEO, recommends:

• Stud the ham with cloves to add flavor and give a nice overall appearance.
• Using pastry brush, lightly brush glaze over ham to keep it moist during cooking.
• Garnish as desired. Philip’s favorite includes glazed apples, grilled pineapple, herb or parsley bunches.

How to Cook a Bone-In Ham

How to cook a bone-in ham like the Jones Bone-in Ham:

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• Remove ham from package.
• Place ham fat side up in a roasting pan.
• Cut a checkerboard pattern on the top of the ham if desired stud with cloves.
• Loosely cover the ham with tin foil.
• Cook 12-15 minutes per pound, or until internal temperature reaches 125°F.
• Remove foil and allow to rest for at least 10 minutes before carving.

How to Carve Bone-In Ham

• Place ham on its side on a large, firm cutting surface.
• Steady the ham with a large fork and cut several long slices off the thin side.
• Turn the ham onto the flat, cut surface for easy carving.
• Make perpendicular slices to the leg bone to a desired thickness. 
• To loosen the slices, cut horizontally along the leg bone, removing each slice with a fork.
• Arrange ham slices on a serving plate, separate from the bone, and garnish.

How to Cook a Boneless Ham

How to cook a boneless ham like the Jones Uncured Ham:

• Estimate four-to-five servings per pound.
• Preheat conventional oven to 325°F.
• Place fully cooked boneless ham into roasting pan, fat side up.
• Place a large piece of foil loosely over the top of pan, do not seal edges.
• Bake for 1 hour or until an internal temperature of 125 – 130°F is reached.

How to Carve a Boneless Ham

• Place ham on its side on a large, firm cutting surface.
• Steady the ham with a large fork and cut several long slices off the thin side.
• Turn the ham onto the flat, cut surface and slice ham to desired thickness.
• Arrange the slices around the uncut portion of the ham on a platter and garnish as desired.
• Tip: cut enough ham for immediate use only since ham remains moister and juicier when left uncut.

Need more help carving a ham? Watch Philip as he walks you through some simple tips for how to carve up a delicious holiday ham.

Check out our recipe section for many delicious ham and other holiday dishes!