For the best holiday meal, learn how long to cook a spiral ham to perfection. Warming up a store-bought ham at home in the oven is so easy. All the tips, tricks, temperature times, & recipe information for a tender, juicy, & moist spiral ham with a delicious sweet crunchy glaze. Great for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, & brunch celebrations.
Remove the packaging and glaze packet, if included, from the spiral ham. Place it in a deep-rimmed baking dish or roasting pan. I suggest placing it with the bone & the cut side down. This allows the exterior of the ham to protect the exposed part from drying out. This also ensures the ham is ready for brushing the glaze on when it comes time.
Cover the ham with foil. Place in the preheated oven and cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 130°. It takes about 10-12 minutes per pound - see the guide above for time estimates.
Just before the ham is done - prepare the glaze. You can make it according to the store-bought packet instructions that came with your ham or make your own. Above is a recipe for a homemade glaze that I love. It makes a lot which allows for twice the brushing per the steps I shared above and in this recipe card.
Glaze the Ham
Remove the ham from the oven and uncover it. Now is the time to up the temperature on the oven to 400°.
Grab the glaze packet or make the recipe above for a homemade glaze. I like to divide glaze contents in half. Then brush the ham all over with ½ of the glaze.
Place the uncovered ham back in the oven and cook for 10 minutes. Do not baste or spoon juices over the ham during this stage.
After 10 minutes add the remaining glaze. Brush this on and create a second layer of that yumminess.
Leave ham uncovered to caramelize the exterior surface and bake until the ham reaches an internal temperature of around 135 degrees F, approximately 10 more minutes. The ham will then be ready to rest & during that time, it will reach the desired 140°.
Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing & serving. ENJOY!