Easter Hams 101

Your easy Easter Ham Guide, make it simple and easy and delicious!

Quick Guide:

Your ham is already fully cooked—you’re just reheating it. Aim for 140°F internal temperature and pull it out once it’s warmed through.
Add ½ cup of water, juice, or broth to the bottom of the pan before baking to help prevent dryness and keep your ham tender.
Brush on the glaze during the last 20–30 minutes of cooking. Too early and the sugar can burn. At the right time, you’ll get that sticky, caramelized finish.
If you bought a spiral ham, follow the natural cuts for easy serving and even slices. No extra carving skills needed.
Let your ham sit out for 20–30 minutes before baking. This helps it heat more evenly and reduces the chance of drying out.
Easy upgrades: add garlic powder, cloves, maple syrup, apple cider, or pineapple juice to give your ham even more holiday flavor.
Need it faster? Slice the ham before heating so it warms up more quickly and soaks up more glaze.
Save the bone for soups, beans, or lentils. It adds a ton of flavor and makes leftovers go even further.
Use leftover ham for breakfast scrambles, sandwiches, sliders, soups, or pasta for easy meals after the holiday.
Skip some of the prep with ready-made sides, bakery desserts, and heat-and-serve meals so you can spend more time with family.

Step One: Pick your ham!

  1. Smithfield Shank Portion: is a bone-in, fully cooked, lower-leg portion known for being flavorful, slightly fattier, and easier to carve than the butt end.
  2. Smithfield “Red Foil Label” Spiral Sliced Ham: easy to serve, pre-sliced.
  3. Smithfield Butt Portion: is a bone-in fully cooked, hardwood-smoked, and typically leaner cut of ham weighing roughly 7-8 lbs. ✔ Spiral-cut ham (best choice)
    ✔ Bone-in for more flavor
    ✔ Boneless for easy slicing

Step Two: Heat it Up!

Most hams are pre-cooked, so all you have to do is heat them up. Keep it simple!

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F
  2. Place ham cut-side down
  3. Cover with foil
  4. Cook for 10–15 minutes per pound

Keep it juicy! Add water or juice.

Step Three: Glaze it!

Just because the ham is pre-cooked, does not mean you can forget the flavor!

Mix:
• Brown sugar
• Honey
• Dijon mustard
• Pineapple or orange juice

Brush on during the last 20–30 minutes
Reapply every 10 minutes for best results

Step Four: Rest and Serve

Let rest for 10–15 minutes
Slice and serve