A delicious, tender ham can be the star of any meal, whether it's for a big holiday get-together or for a casual weekend dinner. If you store ham in the refrigerator, you can easily make it into dinner! The preparation time required varies greatly, depending on whether you want the frozen ham to thaw first or to cook right away. Whatever the choice, frozen ham can be used as a delicious and simple main course.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Defrost Ham Safely
Step 1. Allow the ham to thaw in the refrigerator if you have time
This is the safest method of defrosting frozen ham, but it will take the longest. Place the frozen ham in a rimmed skillet or on a baking sheet to prevent water from spilling out while thawing. Place the ham in its container on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.
- Defrosting frozen ham in the refrigerator takes about 4-6 hours per 0.45 kg. If the weight of the ham exceeds 4.5-5 kg, it will take you up to 7 hours to defrost the 0.45 kg portion of the ham. Allow 4.5 kg of ham to thaw in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
- Once frozen ham has thawed, you can still store it in the refrigerator for 3-5 days before cooking. You can also freeze it again if you have any leftover ham beyond that time limit.
Step 2. Defrost the ham in cold water if you are in a hurry
Wrap the ham securely in airtight plastic. Turn on the faucet in the sink, then put the ham in it. Fill the sink with cold water. Drain and change the water every 30 minutes to keep it cool.
- The 0.45 kg ham took 30 minutes to thaw.
- Make sure the water used is cold, not warm or hot. If the water is not cold, the outside of the ham will reach 4 °C before the inside melts. This temperature can cause bacteria to multiply and cause food poisoning.
- Season the ham as soon as possible after thawing in cold water. Ham should not be refrozen after thawing with this method.
Step 3. Use the microwave as a last resort
Turn on the microwave on the defrost setting. Refer to the microwave manual to determine the appropriate heating duration for the weight of frozen ham you want to thaw.
- This method is not ideal for defrosting large pieces of meat. The meat will cook unevenly because the outside is cooked before the inside melts. Some parts of the meat may dry out and be overcooked. Do not defrost more than 1 kg of meat in the microwave.
- After the thawing process is complete, the ham should be cooked immediately. Don't freeze it again.
Step 4. Skip the disbursement process to save time
You can cook frozen ham right away without thawing it. You just need to cook it longer. Usually ham should cook 50% longer when frozen, depending on the size.
Method 2 of 3: Baking Frozen Ham in the Oven
Step 1. Set the oven temperature to 163 °C
Regardless of whether your ham is cooked or raw, you should heat it to the same temperature in the oven. Cooked ham should be reheated until the inside temperature reaches 60 °C. Meanwhile, raw ham should be cooked until the temperature inside reaches 63 °C.
All types of cooked ham can be eaten directly. However, it will taste better if heated first
Step 2. Place the ham in a foil-lined baking sheet
Place the paper on the bottom of the pan. Put the ham in it with the fatty side facing up.
Using foil as a base will make it easier for you to clean the pan after use
Step 3. Add about cup (120 ml) of water, then cover the ham with foil
The water will keep the meat moist. However, don't use too much water. The fat in the ham will also melt as it cooks and moisten the meat.
- In addition to water, you can also use fruit juice, vinegar, wine, or even cola. Don't be afraid to experiment.
- Make sure the paper you use covers the ham tightly so that the liquid doesn't come out.
Step 4. Put the ham in the oven and cook until done
The cooking time for ham varies greatly, depending on the type of ham and its weight. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the ham.
Cook the thawed whole ham for 18-20 minutes for a weight of 0.45 kg. Cook chopped ham for 22-25 minutes if it weighs 0.45 kg. Keep in mind that you will need to cook frozen ham 50% longer than normal ham cooks
Step 5. Brush the spices on the ham when the internal temperature reaches 57 °C
Open the lid on the pan. Apply the spices to the ham to taste with a kitchen brush. Choose your favorite seasoning.
- There are many recipes for basting spices that can be tried. The basic components usually consist of spicy herbs, mustard, and something sweet, such as brown sugar, honey, marmalade, juice, sherry, or maple syrup. You can also add other spices, such as cloves, garlic, or ginger.
- Make a thick basting with a paste-like texture so it doesn't run off the top of the ham. Add dry ingredients, such as flour or mustard powder, to help thicken the spread.
Step 6. Raise the oven temperature to 204 °C
Put the ham back in the oven. Don't close the pan. Bake until the seasoning spread on it looks cooked. This usually takes between 15-20 minutes.
Step 7. Remove the ham when it reaches 57-60 °C
This is a slightly lower temperature than the recommended minimum temperature for cooked meat. Let the ham sit for 10-15 minutes. The ham will cook more when you let it sit until it reaches the right temperature.
Removing the ham before it is fully cooked can prevent the meat from overcooking. Before serving, double-check the meat with a thermometer to make sure it reaches 63 °C after letting it sit
Method 3 of 3: Cooking Ham in a High Pressure Pot
Step 1. Place the ham in a pressure cooker
Place the ham on a trivet. Make sure the top is facing down for the best flavor.
Make sure the meat used fits in the pressure cooker. Do not cook meat that is too thick in a pressure cooker. You'll be overcooking the meat so that the outside is overcooked while the inside isn't fully cooked
Step 2. Pour the sauce or spread the seasoning on the ham
Sweet sauces go well with ham. You have to be creative in using ingredients.
Try a mixture of maple syrup, brown sugar, and fruit flakes or fruit juices, such as pineapple
Step 3. Put the lid on the pot and cook on high pressure for 35 minutes
Choose the “manual” setting, then set the cooking time to 35 minutes. Let the air pressure out before opening your pressure cooker.
Keep in mind that frozen ham should cook longer than thawed ham. The instructions above are made for cooking small frozen ham. The recipe you are using may assume that you are using unfrozen ham. So, adjust the recipe as needed. Cook frozen meat 50% longer than regular meat
Step 4. Remove the ham and thicken your sauce
Mix 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of starch with 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of cold water and mix until smooth. Set the setting for sautéing on the pressure cooker and add the mixture to the pan.
You can also thicken the sauce with a mixture of melted butter and flour instead of starch. Melt 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of butter in the microwave. Mix melted butter with 1.5 tablespoons (22 ml) flour. Put this mixture in a saucepan, then stir with the liquid in it
Step 5. Bring the sauce to a boil until it thickens
Keep stirring until the sauce thickens to your liking. Turn off the pressure cooker and pour the sauce over the ham.
