Tiffany Haney
It is perfectly safe to cook a frozen ham in a roasting pan. This can be done in an oven or an electric roaster oven. Cooking a frozen ham in an oven takes about 50% longer than cooking a thawed ham, and it is recommended to add water to the bottom of the roasting pan to prevent burning. Electric roaster ovens are a good option for cooking ham because they free up oven space for other dishes. Spiral hams are the easiest to cook and serve, but any ham can be cooked in a roaster.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Possibility of cooking frozen ham in a roasting pan | Yes |
| Oven temperature | 325°F |
| Roasting pan preparation | Add an inch of water to the bottom of the pan |
| Ham preparation | Wrap the top of the pan with aluminum foil |
| Internal temperature | 140°F for pre-cooked hams, 145°F for uncooked ham, 165°F for leftovers |
| Cooking time | 18-20 minutes per pound |
| Other methods | Pressure cooker, slow cooker, electric roaster oven |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking times and temperatures
Cooking a frozen ham in a roasting pan is perfectly safe. However, it is important to note that cooking a fully frozen ham will take about 50% longer than cooking a thawed ham.
First, preheat your oven to 325°F. While the oven is heating up, place your ham in a roasting pan and add about an inch of water to the bottom of the pan. If your roasting pan has a rack, this will hold the ham above the water. If not, you can add some onions and carrots to the bottom of the pan to prop up the ham. Wrap the top of the pan tightly with aluminum foil to lock in moisture and stop the ham from drying out.
Once the oven is preheated, place the roasting pan in the oven. The general rule of thumb is to cook the ham for 18 to 20 minutes per pound. However, it is important to determine the finished temperature of the ham based on the type of ham and whether it is leftover or not. The USDA advises an internal temperature of at least 140°F for pre-cooked hams, 145°F for uncooked ham, and 165°F for leftover ham or meat that has been re-packaged.
If you are using an electric roaster oven, you can preheat it to 250°F-275°F and cook the ham for 12-15 minutes per pound. If you are using a slow cooker, cook the ham on a low setting for 6-8 hours, or up to 12 hours for a larger ham.
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Glazing
Yes, you can cook a frozen ham in a roasting pan. It is perfectly safe to do so, but it takes about 50% longer to cook a fully frozen ham.
Firstly, decide on your glaze. Honey, brown sugar, maple syrup, and mustard are all popular choices, and you can add ingredients like orange juice, pineapple juice, cloves, vinegar, or butter to taste. You can also buy a glaze or use a packaged one that comes with your ham, but making your own is recommended.
Next, cook your ham in the roasting pan as you normally would, but add a little water to the bottom of the pan to prevent the drippings from burning. Cover the pan tightly with foil to lock in moisture and prevent the ham from drying out.
When your ham is nearly done, remove the foil and increase the oven temperature to 425ºF. Brush the glaze over the ham at least twice during the final 30 minutes of cooking.
Finally, let the ham rest for 20 minutes before carving and serving.
You can also use the leftover glaze. Add it to the pan drippings with a little flour or cornstarch to make a sauce to accompany the ham.
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Using an electric roaster oven
Electric roaster ovens are a great option for cooking a frozen ham, especially if you're preparing a large meal and need the extra oven space. They're essentially a smaller version of a regular oven, powered by electricity.
Here's a step-by-step guide to cooking a frozen ham in an electric roaster oven:
Step 1: Prepare the Ham
You can use any type of ham, but spiral-cut, precooked ham works best and is easier to serve. Score the ham diagonally with a sharp knife about 1/2 inch deep to allow the glaze to penetrate the meat.
Step 2: Add Water to the Roaster Oven
Adding water to the roaster oven is crucial for creating steam and keeping the ham moist. Use about 2 cups of water for a 10-pound ham.
Step 3: Wrap the Ham in Foil
Wrap the ham in foil, leaving the top open. This helps lock in moisture and prevents the ham from drying out.
Step 4: Place the Ham in the Roaster Oven
Place the wrapped ham on the rack in the preheated roaster oven. Set the timer for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Step 5: Apply the Glaze
After the initial cooking time, unwrap the ham and brush half of the glaze over it. Wrap it again and continue roasting for another hour. The glaze will caramelize and create a sticky coating.
Step 6: Finish with a Glossy Finish
For the final touch, remove the foil, add the remaining glaze, increase the heat to 425°F, and roast for 15 minutes. The ham is done when it has a glossy finish and has reached an internal temperature of 140°F.
Tips:
- Bone-in ham will work just as well, but it may take longer to heat through, so adjust your cooking time accordingly.
- The amount of ham you can cook is limited by the size of your roaster oven. If it's big enough, you can cook two spiral-cut hams side by side.
- Electric roaster ovens are great for cooking large amounts of food, so feel free to experiment with other dishes like baked potatoes, stews, meatballs, and more.
- Remember to let your ham rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.
By following these steps, you'll be able to cook a delicious and juicy frozen ham in your electric roaster oven, freeing up your main oven for other dishes.
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Making ham broth
Yes, you can cook a frozen ham in a roasting pan. To do so, preheat your oven to 325°F. While the oven is heating up, place your ham in a roasting pan and add about an inch of water to the bottom of the pan. If your roasting pan has a rack, this will hold the ham above the water. If not, you can add some onions and carrots to the bottom of the pan to prop up the ham.
Once the oven is ready, put the pan in and cover the top of the pan tightly with aluminum foil. This will help to lock in moisture and prevent the ham from drying out. The cooking time will depend on the weight of the ham, but the rule of thumb is to cook for 18 to 20 minutes per pound. You can also calculate the cooking time based on the internal temperature of the ham. The USDA advises an internal temperature of at least 140°F for pre-cooked hams, 145°F for uncooked ham, and 165°F for leftover ham or meat that has been re-packaged.
Now, onto making the ham broth. Since your frozen ham will be in the oven for a while, all those pan drippings will likely have turned into ham broth by the time your ham is done. To make the broth, simply de-fat the drippings. You can then use this as a base for a tasty pot of soup.
If you want to add some extra flavor to your ham, you can glaze it during the last 30 minutes of cooking. To make a simple glaze, stir together 1/4 cup each of freshly squeezed orange juice, brown sugar, and maple syrup. Brush the ham with the glaze and return it to the oven for 15 minutes.
If you're short on time, you can also cook a frozen ham in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker. Simply place the ham in the pot cut-side down, along with the rest of your ingredients, and cook on high pressure for 30 to 35 minutes.
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Meat thermometers
Yes, you can cook a frozen ham in a roasting pan. It is perfectly safe to do so, but it takes about 50% longer to cook a fully frozen ham. Preheat your oven to 325°F and place your ham in a roasting pan with an inch of water at the bottom. The rack that came with your roasting pan should hold the ham above the water. If you don't have a rack, add some onions and carrots to the bottom of the pan to prop up the ham.
Now, for the meat thermometers:
A meat thermometer is the best way to guarantee that your ham is properly cooked. Forget timers, forget charts, and definitely forget the poke test. Temperature readings are accurate and unwavering. The USDA advises an internal temperature of at least 140°F for pre-cooked hams in their original packaging, 145°F for uncooked ham, and 165°F for leftover ham or meat that has been re-packaged.
When using a meat thermometer, you want to take the temperature of the centre of the meat, or the coolest part. In reality, this is hard to determine as meat is not a homogeneous sphere. It has connective tissue, fat, muscle, water, air, and bones, all of which have varying rates of heat transfer. A good trick is to aim for the right general area and push the thermometer all the way through until it emerges on the other side. Then, slowly retract the thermometer through the meat. As the tip enters the meat, the temperature reading will rise and then start to drop as you get closer to the centre.
Digital probe thermometers are beneficial because they can stay in the meat in the oven from the start of cooking, so you know exactly when it reaches the correct temperature. They are ideal for larger pieces of meat that cook for extended periods, like a ham, turkey, or large roast. Most have digital displays visible outside the oven and alarms to alert you when the desired temperature is reached. Instant-read thermometers, on the other hand, are designed to be used outside the oven, during cooking or towards the end, to confirm doneness. They are ideal for checking temperatures quickly and take up little space.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cook a frozen ham in a roasting pan.
Preheat your oven to 325°F. Place your ham in a roasting pan with an inch of water inside. Cover the top of the pan with aluminum foil to lock in moisture. Calculate the cooking time based on the weight of your ham—the rule of thumb is 18 to 20 minutes per pound. The internal temperature should reach at least 140°F.
It takes about 50% longer to cook a fully frozen ham. The cooking time depends on the weight of the ham and the desired internal temperature.
Wrap the top of the roasting pan tightly with aluminum foil. This helps lock in moisture and prevents the ham from drying out.
