Ham is pretty easy to cook and easy to tailor to your taste with seasonings and glazes. And did you know that ham is easy to get in grocery stores all year round?
And no matter the time, it makes an impressive centerpiece.
Ham comes from the legs (hind) of a pig. Boneless ham is generally pieces of leg meat that are jelled together and then wrapped in a casing of a large piece of ham meat.
It is easy to cook and slice as it doesn’t have bones for you to work around. Therefore, if it’s your first time hosting, opt for boneless ham – it’s much less hassle.
So, how long do you cook a boneless ham in the oven? Well, it takes 20 minutes to cook a pound of boneless ham at 350 degrees F.
How Much Boneless Ham Should You Buy?
With boneless ham, ½ pound is enough for one person. This means that if, for instance, you have 20 guests, a 10-pound boneless ham will be enough.
Always buy ham that is the right size for the number of people you’re feeding.
Storing and Thawing Your Boneless Ham
It would be best if you stored ham properly to prevent the growth of bacteria. And do you know that you can actually store boneless ham in the fridge for up to a week?
If buying ham in advance of the date you intend to cook it, freeze it. But first, ensure that it’s vacuum-packed or well-wrapped.
You can freeze uncooked ham for up to 6 months and cooked ham for 2.
And once you decide to thaw it, ensure that you do so safely. Never defrost ham at room temperature, as this can lead to rapid bacteria growth.
To thaw it correctly, place it in the refrigerator or submerge it in cold water(it should be in a Ziploc bag).
How to Cook Whole Boneless Ham
To cook your boneless ham in the oven, you need:
- Boneless ham( 5 -6 lb)
- A knife
- Chopping board
- Seasonings
- Foil
- Baking dish/tray
- Pastry brush
Preparing the Ham
Remove the packaging from your ham and place it on a chopping board, fatty side up. Score it with a knife in a diamond pattern. Ensure that the slices are about 6mm to 12 mm deep.
You don’t want to cut deep into the meat when scoring, just into the skin and fat layers. This not only creates a decorative effect but also allows flavors from the glazing to seep into your meat.
Although some people prefer to trim the extra layers of fat before cooking the ham, it’s unnecessary. In fact, roasted fat can add flavor and appearance and reduce your meat’s drying from within.
Place the boneless ham in a baking tray. It would help if you lined the tray with aluminum foil as it helps catch any juices from the meat. It also makes cleanup easy.
Place the boneless ham fat side up and leave it uncovered. The fat from the ham will melt and run down the sides, making the ham baste in the process.
And now, it’s time to glaze the ham!
Use your seasoning to glaze the boneless ham. Use a cooking brush to apply the glaze (set 1/3 of the glaze aside). Work the glaze in between the scored lines as well.
Cooking instructions
Preheat the oven (350 degrees F) and place the ham in the oven for baking. The cooking time will depend on the size of your ham.
Baste the ham after every 30 minutes to add flavor. Repeat the process until you get the entire preserved glaze on the ham.
Remove your boneless ham from the oven and leave it to rest for 15 minutes. This allows your ham to finish cooking and the meat to settle.
Once the ham has rested enough, slice and serve your guests.
How Long to Cook Boneless Ham
Precooked Boneless Ham
Precooked boneless ham usually weighs 6 to 12 pounds. It cooks at 10 to 18 minutes per pound at 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
The meat’s internal temperature should be 140 degrees F.
Uncooked Boneless Ham
Uncooked boneless ham weighs anywhere between 2 and 8 pounds depending on the cut. A shoulder roll cut weighs between 2 and 4 pounds. You should cook the ham at 325F for about 40 minutes per pound.
Boneless ham shoulder is usually larger and weighs between 5 and 8 pounds. It cooks at 30 to 35 minutes per pound at 325 degrees F.
When cooked, the internal temperature should read 145 degrees F.
FAQs
Q. How long to cook semi-boneless ham in the oven?
Cooking semi-boneless pre-cooked ham in the oven takes 15 to 25 minutes per pound at 325 degrees F.
Q. How long to cook boneless spiral ham in the oven?
Pre-cooked spiral boneless ham in the oven takes 10 to 14 minutes per pound at 325 degrees F.
Q. How long does boneless ham take to cook?
The cooking time of boneless ham depends on the size and state of the ham (pre-cooked or uncooked). A pound of precooked boneless ham takes about 10 to 18 minutes to cook in the oven at 325 degrees F.
Raw boneless ham takes 30 to 35 minutes to cook in the oven at 325 degrees F.
Q. How long do you cook boneless ham at 350?
You should cook a pound of uncooked boneless ham for 20 minutes at 350 degrees F. A pound of precooked boneless ham should be ready in 10 minutes.
Q. What’s the best way to cook precooked ham?
The best way to cook pre-cooked ham is by using an oven. It should take you 10 minutes to cook a pound of the precooked ham at 325 degrees F.
Conclusion
Understanding the time boneless ham takes to cook will help you prepare the delicacy to perfection. You don’t want to serve your loved ones undercooked or burnt ham, right?
After going through the post, we believe that you now know how to prepare ham and the time it’ll take you to cook it.
Well, it’s time you surprised your loved ones with perfectly cooked boneless ham. All the best!
Resource
https://www.allrecipes.com/article/prepare-the-perfect-ham/
