It is important to identify the differences between fully cooked and uncooked ham to prevent foodborne illness.
Do you ever wonder if you need to cook a ham or if you can eat it straight out of the cooler without cooking? We buy ham from the deli and we don’t need to cook it, which can be confusing. The answer, in short, is if it is cured, smoked or baked, ham is considered “pre-cooked,” and would not technically need to be cooked. This includes the ham that is purchased at the deli. In fact, most ham that is sold to consumers is already cured, smoked or baked. As a deli meat, it can be eaten right out of the refrigerator, but other hams are typically reheated for improved flavor and texture. You can also buy fresh ham, and it would have to be cooked prior to eating.
You can identify if the ham has been processed as the package will say what type of ham it is. If a ham has the statement on the package label indicating that it needs cooking (ex. “cook thoroughly”), it should also display cooking directions. It should clearly state that cooking is required.
Even cured ham must be refrigerated at a temp of 40 degrees Farenheit or below. The exception is if the ham is canned or dry-cured, then it would be able to be stored at room temp. Country ham and prosciutto are examples of dry-cured ham. Most hams are safe to keep three to five days days in the refrigerator, and three to six months in the freezer, but specific times can be found online as there is some variation.
The USDA recommendations state, “Set oven temperature to 325°F. Cook all raw fresh ham and ready-to-eat ham to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F as measured with a food thermometer before removing meat from the heat source. For safety and quality, allow meat to rest for at least three minutes before carving or consuming. For reasons of personal preference, consumers may choose to cook meat to higher temperatures. Reheat cooked hams packaged in USDA-inspected plants to 140°F and all others to 165°F.”
Trichinella Spiralis is a parasite found in pork, but its presence is minimal because processing plants must follow USDA guidelines to kill the parasite. Regardless, Michigan State University Extension recommends that proper food safety practices should be followed when handling ham. For instance storing in a refrigerator at 40°F, not leaving out at room temperature for more than two hours and cooking and reheating according to the directions above.
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FAQs
Some are sold partially cooked or raw. It is important to check the product label to identify how the ham was processed. Partially cooked or raw hams will generally say “cook thoroughly” on the package in addition to displaying cooking directions and a safe handling instructions label.
How to tell if ham is cooked or uncooked? ›
How do you know if a ham is uncooked? Check the label on the ham at the grocery store and it will usually read "cook before eating." Often smoked, these hams need a little extra time in the oven to reach a safe temperature for eating.
What does a cooked ham look like? ›
Color changes: Due to the nature of ham, it's common for the meat to remain pink even after it's fully cooked. Some uncured products may look a little paler or even beige. On the flip side, any spot on the inside of the ham that looks gray, brown or green is a strong indicator of spoilage.
How do I make sure my ham is cooked? ›
Bake in the preheated oven for 4 1/2 to 5 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center, making sure it is not touching the bone, should read at least 160 degrees F (72 degrees C). Let ham rest for about 20 minutes before carving.
How can you tell if a ham is fully cooked without a thermometer? ›
What if I don't have a meat thermometer?
- The juices run clear.
- It is piping hot all the way through (it should be steaming)
- There is no pink meat left.
A sour or rancid smell Ham should smell enticing—fresh, salty, and smokey. If your ham smells like sulfur, gasoline, or skunk, throw it out. The sniff test is usually a pretty solid test to determine if ham has gone bad.
What happens if you undercooked ham? ›
Accordingly, eating meat raw or undercooked can lead to food poisoning. Even when the initial symptoms are light, food poisoning can abruptly become more severe. For example, Enterohemorrhagic E. coli can suddenly cause symptoms such as disruption of kidney function and impaired consciousness.
How long to cook a fully cooked ham? ›
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Place the ham on a rack in a large baking pan and add about 1/4- to 1/2 inch of water to the pan. If the ham is labeled "fully cooked" (does not require heating), heat it in the oven for about 10 minutes per pound, or to an internal temperature of 140 F.
Can you eat a fully cooked ham raw? ›
Cooked canned ham and cooked vacuum-packaged ham, both from federally inspected plants, can be eaten right out of the package. All of these along with spiral-cut cooked ham are safe to eat cold or can be warmed to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), as they are already fully cooked.
What's the difference between ham and cooked ham? ›
Hams can be ready-to-eat or not. Ready-to-eat hams which include prosciutto and cooked hams can be eaten right out of the package. While fresh hams and hams that have been only treated to kill trichinae must be cooked before they can be eaten.
If you are baking a precooked, bone-in spiral cut ham, the great news is it's already cooked and you're just basically reheating. The bad news is if you over bake it, you can dry it out easily.
Is my cooked ham still good? ›
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ham is good for three to five days in the refrigerator after it is cooked. If you need more time to use up those leftovers, ham will last up to two months in the freezer. The USDA also recommends wrapping up leftovers well.
Why does ham stay pink when cooked? ›
But what's the same in both of these methods is the presence of sodium nitrite (or less commonly sodium nitrate). It inhibits bacterial growth (the extremely dangerous kind that can cause botulism), ensuring the meat is safe to eat, and also causes the meat to retain a pinkish color similar to its raw state.
What does raw ham look like? ›
Ham, Fresh or Uncured: The uncured leg of pork. Since the meat is not cured or smoked, it has the flavor of a fresh pork loin roast or pork chops. Its raw color is pinkish red and after cooking, grayish white.
How to tell if a ham joint is cooked? ›
Use a knife to insert into the meat. You can tell if it is cooked if the meat is tender. If the knife springs back when you attempt to insert it, then you need to cook it for another 15 minutes before doing another test.
What is uncooked ham called? ›
But lately, I've been seeing more ham labeled “uncured” on grocer's shelves. What's going on? Uncured ham is also called fresh ham. It's the same cut as cured, but not embellished with any of the brine and smoke or other flavorings the more common city hams and gourmet country hams.
Can you eat a fully cooked ham without cooking it? ›
Cooked canned ham and cooked vacuum-packaged ham, both from federally inspected plants, can be eaten right out of the package. All of these along with spiral-cut cooked ham are safe to eat cold or can be warmed to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), as they are already fully cooked.
How long does it take to cook a ham? ›
The ham cooking instructions below cover all bases, but generally, a half ham will cook in 1½–2¼ hours, while a whole ham could need anywhere from 2½–4½ hours. Allow around 20 minutes per pound for an uncooked half ham; and 18–20 minutes per pound for an uncooked full ham.
Are all cooks hams fully cooked? ›
Cook's Bone-In Whole, Skinless Shankless and Semi-Boneless Hams are fully cooked and ready to eat, and may be served cold or heated as directed below. If frozen, thaw ham in refrigerator 2 to 3 days.
Is ham cooked or just cured? ›
In terms of cooking, the common understanding is that most hams sold to consumers are already cured, smoked, or baked, making them technically "pre-cooked". However, uncured ham may still require cooking, depending on its specific preparation and processing methods.
