How To Slow Cook a Precooked Ham In The Oven

Learn how to slow cook a precooked ham in the oven so it stays tender, juicy, and full of flavor. This easy oven-baked ham is finished with a sweet and savory homemade Brown Sugar Glaze that caramelizes beautifully on top. It’s a delicious centerpiece for Christmas, Easter, or any special dinner when you want an impressive ham that’s simple to make.

All About Baked Ham

Cured, smoked, and baked are all indicators that the ham you’re about to buy has been pre-cooked. In fact, most ham you buy at the grocery store is already safe to eat, and you just have to reheat it. Plus, around Easter or Christmas, they tend to go on sale!

I always buy a fully cooked, bone-in, spiral-cut ham because it’s an easy way to have most of the work already done for me. But taking a few extra steps while baking your ham can bring it from good to great. I love the Kirkland Signature Ham from Costco because the flavor and price can’t be beaten.

Ingredient Notes

Here’s a quick look at what each ingredient adds to this easy baked ham.

• Bone-in spiral ham: A precooked bone-in spiral ham makes this recipe easy, and the slices are already cut for serving.
• Brown sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a delicious caramelized coating as the ham bakes.
• Maple syrup: Brings a warm maple flavor and helps keep the glaze smooth and glossy.
• Yellow mustard: Adds a little tang to balance the sweetness, but you can also use Dijon or whole grain mustard.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic adds a savory flavor that keeps the sweet glaze from tasting too sugary.

How to Bake a Precooked Ham

For the full recipe, including exact measurements, check the recipe card below. Here’s what to expect as you make this easy slow-cooked ham.

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prep the Ham

Preheat the oven to 275°F. Since a precooked bone-in spiral ham only needs to be warmed through, cook it gently to help keep it from drying out.

Place the ham cut side down in a baking dish or roasting pan, then cover it tightly with aluminum foil. The foil helps trap the moisture while the ham reheats, keeping the slices tender and juicy.

Step 2: Slow Cook the Ham

Bake the ham for 12–15 minutes per pound, or follow the package instructions if they differ. Since the ham is already cooked, the goal here is simply to warm it through without drying it out.

Step 3: Baste with the Ham Juices

As the ham cooks, spoon some of the juices from the bottom of the pan over the ham once or twice. Gently separate the spiral slices as you baste so the juices can reach between the slices and keep everything moist.

Pro Tip: I’ve seen lots of different recipes that tell you to baste with the glaze as the ham cooks, but I’ve found better results basting with cooking liquid that comes from the ham juices to keep everything moist, and then finishing with the glaze.

Step 4: Make the Brown Sugar Glaze

While the ham is in the oven, add the brown sugar, maple syrup, mustard, and garlic to a small saucepan. Stir over medium heat and simmer until the sugar melts and the mixture becomes syrupy, about 1–2 minutes.

Step 5: Glaze the Ham

Once the ham has finished slow cooking, carefully remove the foil. Instead of using the premade glaze that comes with the ham, I opt for my Brown Sugar Glaze Recipe and brush it generously over the ham, separating the slices as you go so the glaze gets into all those little spaces between them.

Step 6: Increase the Oven Temperature

Turn the oven up to 425°F. This higher temperature gives the glaze a chance to caramelize and turn sticky without keeping the ham in the oven for much longer.

Step 7: Finish Baking the Glazed Ham

Return the glazed ham to the oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the glaze looks sticky and set. Watch it closely during this final step so the glaze doesn’t burn.

Step 8: Rest and Serve

Remove the ham from the oven and cover it loosely with foil. Let it rest for 10–15 minutes before carving and serving.

How to Carve Bone-In Baked Ham

Baked ham with a bone running right through the center can be a real pain if you don’t know what you’re doing. The only way to get the meat off is to work with the bone and cut around it.

1. But first things first: let your ham rest 10-15 minutes after glazing, tented with foil.
2. Transfer ham to a carving board (or cutting board with a kitchen towel underneath).
3. Place ham bottom side up, locate the center bone, and cut around it completely.
4. There are natural sections of meat, separated by fat all around the bone. Cut through these separations to get slices. Place onto a serving tray.

Tips for Success

Here are a few little things I like to keep in mind when making this ham to help it turn out juicy and nicely glazed.

• Keep the glaze for the end: Add the glaze near the end of baking so the sugar has time to caramelize without burning before the ham is warmed through.
• Watch the final bake: Once the glaze starts bubbling and turning glossy, keep a close eye on the ham since it can go from caramelized to too dark quickly.
• Use a sharp carving knife: A sharp blade makes it easier to work around the bone and follow the natural sections of meat without shredding the slices.

Side Dishes to Serve with Baked Ham

And of course, you can’t have baked ham without:

• Scalloped Potatoes – Creamy potatoes are a classic match for the salty, sweet ham.
• Funeral Potatoes – Cheesy, crispy, and comforting, these make the meal feel extra hearty.
• Mom’s Potato Rolls – Soft homemade rolls are perfect for soaking up the extra glaze and ham juices.
• Traditional Deviled Eggs – Their creamy, tangy filling adds a nice contrast to the sweet ham.
• Hot Cross Buns – Their lightly sweet flavor works especially well with the maple and brown sugar glaze.
• Colorful Carrot Salad – A fresh, slightly sweet salad helps balance the richer parts of the meal.
• Maple Glazed Carrots – The maple flavor pairs naturally with the sweet glaze on the ham.
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts – Roasted Brussels sprouts bring a savory, slightly crisp element to the plate.
• See 20+ Best Sides for Ham

…and some Carrot Cake for dessert.

Now you have all my tips and tricks for serving a juicy, tender ham. Save this recipe for your Easter or Christmas dinner table. The printable recipe card is below. Have a great day, friends!

Tools You’ll Need

You only need a few basic tools for this ham, but the right ones make the process a little easier.

• Meat thermometer – This makes it easy to check that the ham is heated through without leaving it in the oven longer than needed.
• Large baking dish or Roasting pan – A roomy dish gives the ham enough space to sit flat and catch the juices for basting.
• Pastry brush – Helps spread the glaze evenly and get it into the spiral slices.
• Small saucepan – Just the right size for warming the brown sugar glaze without making a mess.

More Holiday Dinner Main Dishes to Try!

• Simple Sunday Meatloaf
• Pineapple Glazed Ham – with pineapple juice in the glaze!
• Slow Cooker Ham Recipe
• Perfect Roast Turkey
• Smoked Turkey
• Garlic Pork Loin Roast
• Prime Rib
• Lamb Roast
• Double Smoked Ham

Storing and Reheating Leftover Ham

Have leftovers? Let the ham cool completely, then store it in a covered airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the ham for 1–2 months when wrapped well.

To reheat, thaw it in the refrigerator and warm it gently, covered with foil, in a 275°F oven until heated through. If you’d rather turn those leftovers into another meal, try my Ham Salad or Ham and Bean Soup.

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.