Honey Baked Ham is a popular pre-cooked ham sold by the HoneyBaked Ham Company. It is a spiral-cut, fully cooked ham that comes glazed with a sweet honey and brown sugar glaze. Many people enjoy Honey Baked Ham for holidays like Easter and Christmas when feeding a crowd.
One common question people have is whether you can cook a frozen Honey Baked Ham right from the freezer or if it needs to be thawed first. There are pros and cons to cooking a frozen Honey Baked Ham that are important to consider.
Can You Cook a Frozen Honey Baked Ham?
Yes, you can technically cook a frozen Honey Baked Ham without thawing it first. The ham is already fully cooked so it is safe to eat even when cooked from frozen. However, there are some potential drawbacks to cooking a frozen ham:
- It will take significantly longer to cook. A frozen ham needs to be cooked at a lower temperature for a longer period of time to allow it to thaw and heat through safely.
- The texture may suffer. Cooking from frozen can cause the ham to dry out.
- The glaze may not set properly. If cooked at too high of a heat, the glaze can burn or melt off.
- Slices may be difficult to cut. Trying to carve thicker frozen slices can be tricky.
So while it is possible to cook a frozen Honey Baked Ham, for best results it is recommended to thaw it beforehand.
Thawing a Honey Baked Ham
To thaw a Honey Baked Ham properly, plan ahead and allow enough time for it to thaw in the refrigerator. Depending on the size of the ham, this can take 24-48 hours.
Here are some tips for safe thawing:
- Keep the ham in its original packaging or place in a pan to catch any juices.
- Put the ham on a bottom shelf of the refrigerator so juices cannot drip onto other foods.
- Allow approximately 5-7 hours of thawing time per pound of ham.
- Do not thaw at room temperature or in warm water due to food safety concerns.
Once thawed, the ham is ready to glaze and bake to perfection.
How to Cook a Thawed Honey Baked Ham
Preheat oven to 325°F.
Remove ham from refrigerator and packaging. Place ham flat side down in a baking pan.
Score the ham by making light crisscross cuts across the top. This helps the glaze seep into the ham.
Apply the glaze packet all over the ham, coating evenly.
Cover ham tightly with foil. Place in oven and bake for approximately 10-15 minutes per pound.
For example, an 8 lb ham would bake for 80-120 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 140°F.
Remove foil during last 15 minutes to allow glaze to caramelize.
Once ham reaches desired internal temperature, remove from oven and let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing.
leftover ham storage tips
Leftover ham should be stored properly to maximize freshness and safety. Here are some storage tips:
- Allow ham to cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil.
- Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
- Use leftovers within 3-5 days.
- Store ham slices separately or they may dry out faster.
- The ham bone can be frozen for making soup stocks.
- Refreeze unused glaze in an airtight container.
- Cut ham into smaller pieces before freezing for easier use later.
Proper refrigeration and freezing will help leftover Honey Baked Ham stay fresh and tasty.
Can you refreeze a honey baked ham?
Yes, you can safely refreeze an already cooked Honey Baked Ham one time, but quality may start to decline after thawing. Here are some tips for refreezing ham:
- Make sure ham was thawed and handled properly before refreezing.
- Wrap ham tightly in plastic wrap or place in a freezer bag.
- Remove as much air from packaging as possible.
- Label package with type of ham and new freeze date.
- Use refrozen ham within 2-3 months for best quality.
- The ham may lose moisture during multiple freezings, affecting texture.
Refreezing is not recommended for any ham that has been left at room temperature for 2+ hours or shows signs of spoilage.
Can you freeze honey baked ham after cooking?
Yes, it is safe to freeze a cooked Honey Baked Ham. Freezing cooked ham allows you to enjoy the flavors long after the initial meal. Follow these steps:
- Allow cooked ham to cool completely, about 1-2 hours.
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, foil, or place in freezer bags.
- Store ham slices separately with pieces of wax paper between.
- Divide ham into portions based on expected use.
- Remove as much air as possible before sealing.
- Label package with type of ham and freeze date.
- Frozen ham maintains quality for 2-3 months at 0°F.
Freeze any uneaten glaze in an airtight container for reheating later. Frozen cooked ham can be used in many dishes like casseroles, soups, pasta, and more. Thaw ham overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Can you warm up honey baked ham?
Yes, leftover Honey Baked Ham can absolutely be warmed up and enjoyed again. Here are some reheating tips:
- Use sliced ham within 3-5 days for best quality.
- Place ham slices on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover with a paper towel to prevent drying out.
- Heat in 30 second intervals until warmed through.
- Alternatively, ham can be wrapped in foil and heated in a 300°F oven.
- Heat glaze with a little water to desired consistency.
- Brush glaze over ham slices to coat before serving.
Avoid overheating honey baked ham which can make it dry or rubbery. Use a meat thermometer to ensure ham reaches 140°F when reheating. Warm leftover ham makes for quick sandwiches, omelets, pizza toppings and more.
Honey Baked Ham Cooking Time Chart
| Ham Size | Uncooked Time (Minutes per Pound) | Cooked Time (Minutes per Pound) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 lbs | 18-20 mins | 13-18 mins |
| 6 lbs | 22-25 mins | 15-20 mins |
| 8 lbs | 25-30 mins | 18-24 mins |
| 10 lbs | 30-35 mins | 20-26 mins |
Use a meat thermometer and adjust cooking times as needed to reach safe internal temperatures. Let rest 10-15 minutes before carving.
Tips for Carving Honey Baked Ham
Carving a flawless Honey Baked Ham is simple with these easy steps:
- Place cooked ham flat side down on a cutting board.
- Using a sharp carving knife, slice vertically downwards along the ham.
- Make even slices about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.
- Slice perpendicular to the bone, cutting close along it.
- Aim for rectangular slices rather than wedge shapes.
- Cut slightly curved slices around the rounded ham ends.
Go slowly when meeting resistance from bones or cartilage. Let ham cool 15 minutes for easier slicing. Now you can serve professional-looking ham slices.
Conclusion
While it is possible to cook a frozen Honey Baked Ham, thawing it first in the refrigerator will provide much better texture, glaze set, and moisture. Allow 5-7 hours per pound for safe thawing. Cook thawed ham at 325°F approximately 15-20 minutes per pound based on size. Use a meat thermometer to confirm safe internal temp. Rest ham 10-15 minutes before slicing into beautiful cuts to serve warm or use later. Leftovers should be promptly refrigerated and can be frozen as well in an airtight package. Reheating honey baked ham is quick and easy for delicious subsequent meals. Follow proper cooking times and temperatures for best results.