How to heat up a ham in the oven

If you’ve got a few slices of ham leftover, you may be wondering what’s the best way to reheat them and restore their former glory.

I tested five different methods to answer this (critical) question.

Keep reading to get the low-down on how to reheat your ham so it stays succulent and moist. Just like day 1.

Ready? Let’s jump right in.

A note on my experiment

I had a whole ham hanging out in the freezer begging to be used – so I grabbed it and left it in the fridge overnight to thaw out.

The next day, I tested reheating it:

• In the oven (great for large quantities)
• In the microwave (OK for a quick lunch or snack)
• In a skillet (great flavor and texture)
• In a steamer (fast and produces moist meat)
• In an air fryer (quick but be careful not to overheat)

The oven was the slowest method, but it produced great overall results, and it was consistent.

My favorite method was the skillet, but it requires more work than other options. 

Note: I always advise slicing your ham before reheating it. It will reheat quicker, so there’s less risk of it drying out.

Reheating ham slices in the oven

Take the ham out of the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature while the oven is preheating to 300°F (150°C). Drizzle a few tablespoons of stock or gravy over the ham before wrapping it in foil. Put the ham straight on a wire rack in the oven and heat for around 10-15 minutes.

How to reheat ham slices in the oven:

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F (149°C).
2. Allow the meat to come to room temperature if you have the time.
3. Drizzle a few tablespoons of liquid (stock or gravy) over the ham.
4. Wrap the ham slices in aluminum foil.
5. Place the package of ham on a wire rack in the middle of the oven. 
6. Heat the ham for approximately 10-15 minutes. Timings will vary depending on how much ham you have and how thick the slices are.

I like using a wire rack because it means the meat can heat evenly from all sides.

If you prefer, you can place your ham slices in a baking dish and cover it tightly with foil to trap the steam.

Leftover Kentucky Legend ham can be an epic ingredient for assembling sandwiches, salads, casseroles, soups and more. (Need recipe ideas? Click here!)

Since all Kentucky Legend hams are precooked as part of our legendary double-smoking process, you’re really never “cooking” a Kentucky Legend ham for doneness.

In fact, you could cut cold slices right off our hams straight from the store to use for sandwiches or salads if you like.

Rather, when “cooking” a Kentucky Legend ham, you’re really just warming it up to a preferred temperature for texture and flavor.

From that perspective, the best way to reheat leftover ham is the same as the best way to heat it for the first time around.

So what’s the best way to (re)heat a Kentucky Legend ham?

• Place in an oven-safe baking dish.
• Cover top of ham with loosely wrapped aluminum foil to keep moisture in.
• Bake at 275 degrees F at 10 minutes per pound–or until meat thermometer reads 135 – 140 degrees.

While reheating leftover ham with your microwave is possible, microwaves also tend to remove a lot of the moisture, drying ham out. But, if you’re just trying to warm a few slices for a quick bite, who’s going to stop you?

So you just finished eating a holiday feast complete with a juicy oven-roasted ham as the main course but ended up with a few extra pounds of ham leftover. Since it lasts up to a week in the fridge, you can easily makeover the juicy ham by adding it to a pot of soup or pasta, but sometimes you want another plain slice the next day that isn't dry or tough. Not to worry, reheating ham that's just as tasty as it was right out of the oven is possible. Use one of our Test Kitchen's methods to reheat cooked ham on the stove, oven, or slow cooker that's still super juicy and flavorful.

Our Best Ham Recipes

How to Reheat Ham in the Oven

Preheat oven to 325°F. Arrange slices in a single layer on a greased baking pan. Add a couple of tablespoons of broth or water and cover with foil. Bake for about 10 minutes or until heated through, turning slices once.

How to Reheat Ham in the Microwave

Arrange slices in a single layer on a plate. If the dish is deep enough, add 1 tablespoon of broth or water. Cover slices with a damp paper towel and microwave 30 to 60 seconds or until heated through.

How to Reheat Ham on the Stove Top

Reheating ham via skillet is an easy way to get a few slices nice and hot in a flash. To reheat ham slices on the stove, add a few slices at a time to a skillet over medium-high heat. Add up to ½ cup of chicken broth to keep the meat moist or opt for a couple of tablespoons of butter or oil to give the ham a nice sear.

How to Reheat Ham in a Slow Cooker

The USDA doesn't recommend reheating leftovers in a slow cooker. Though if you're warming up pre-cooked ham, you can put it in your slow cooker to heat through with just enough water or broth to cover the bottom of the liner. Make sure the ham is kept at a minimum temperature of 140°F for safe consumption. You can also check the package for specific directions on timing and liquid amounts.

Enjoy those juicy reheated ham slices with your other leftover sides, with veggies, or fried eggs for a quick meal.

How long does it take to heat up a ham in the oven?

How do you reheat a store bought ham?

Do you have to heat up fully cooked ham?

Do you cover a ham when heating in the oven?