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How To Reheat Ham

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What’s the secret to reheat ham into a juicy and tender protein paradise? We know there’s lots of “tried and true’ tips out there. So, Dad says just don’t dry it out! Grandma says use lots of foil, and your mother-in-law swears by her slow cooker. Hey, they all are right. But then, the internet wants to know if you have a city or country ham. Don’t panic, we’ve done the work for you and made it easy. You’ll get quick and simple step by step instructions for how to reheat ham leftovers. The secret to keeping leftover ham juicy is adding back moisture while warming it to keep it moist. You can use your air fryer, slow cooker or crock-pot, stove top, traditional oven or microwave. Remember if you can read, you can make it delicious!

How To Reheat Ham

What’s The Best Way To Reheat Ham?

For all of us “non epicurean savants”, first things first. What on earth is a city ham? A city ham or “already cooked“ is ready to eat. Honey Baked Hams and spiral hams are examples of a “city” ham. Country hams are dry cured with spices and cooking them takes much longer than “city hams”.

Whenever you want to reheat ham, these methods will turn leftovers into tasty new dishes. A dry or overcooked ham is disappointing, but you’re about to discover just how easy it is to avoid this. We’ve put together the most practical and simple options. Your decision will most likely depend on what equipment your kitchen has, how much time you have and what results you are looking for. Rule number one, patience is your best sous chef here. Think low and slow. A tender, savory reheated ham also needs some necessary prep tips. A good cook will follow the recipe to the letter, a great cook loves what they are preparing. Hooray for the ham lovers.

How To Reheat Ham Leftovers Using

1. The Air Fryer

Using your air fryer is a smart choice because it eliminates the unnecessary fats from oils, and you won’t have a greasy mess. The dry, hot air circulates around the ham yielding an even cook. This is quicker than using a traditional oven. Using the air fryer will also give you a juicier and tender ham. Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Preheating is important, so do not skip this step. Arrange ham slices individually and in a single layer on the tray or air fry basket. Cook the slices for 3-5 minutes. Remember to flip the ham halfway through. Having a timer is very handy.

If you are reheating a slightly bigger piece of ham or don’t want slices, place the ham cut side down. Be sure to add a little bit of liquid to the bottom of the air fryer pan to keep the ham from drying out. Two tablespoons of any broth, or water should do the trick. Add more if desired. You may even have a homemade marinade that is delish, use it. Make a rim dish out of foil if you just have a wire basket. Cook the bigger piece of ham for 10 minutes on one side. Flip the ham and cook for another 10 minutes. For each 1 pound of ham, use 1/3 cup of water or broth. Remove the ham from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 5 full minutes or a tad more before slicing and serving. This is an important step, be a little patient here.

Reheating A Whole Ham In The Air Fryer?

You can reheat a fully cooked whole ham in your air fryer. Of course, it needs to fit in your air fryer properly. It cannot touch the heating elements. You don’t want to shove a bigger ham inside because you’re in a hurry. You can cut the ham into smaller pieces to make it fit properly. Preheat your air fryer to 325F for 3-5 minutes. Now here’s where grandma is right; wrap your ham tightly in aluminum foil. Set the timer for 10 minutes per pound. Every Air Fryer is different, you may need to add a little extra time. Remember to turn the ham over halfway through the time selected.

Chef’s Tip:

  • Use heavy duty foil to reheat ham.
  • Let your ham sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to take the chill off if it has been kept in the fridge. This helps the protein in the meat relax making it easier for the heat to thoroughly warm through the ham.
  • Dry ham? Another problem with dry ham is that it can be overcooked, causing it to break apart and have a tough texture. If your ham is extra dry, cover the top half of the ham with additional aluminum foil to seal in more moisture.

2. Reheating Ham in a Slow Cooker or Crock Pot

A slow cooker or the Crock Pot will reheat ham just fine. Using a slow cooker, you can influence the flavor by adding spices, fruits, herbs, and condiments. Most kitchens have one and operating a slow cooker can be less intimidating. Borrowing one is easy, too.  What’s the difference between the two? Because the term Crock-Pot is a registered trademark, most manufacturers use the term “slow cooker.” Crock Pot is the trademark brand name of a slow cooker owned by Sunbeam.

Place cooked ham slices on a low setting. Add a liquid to yield a savory taste. Try broth, barbecue sauce, hoisin sauce, orange juice, or apple cider. Even ginger ale will do the job. Cook until heated through. It’s ok to take a quick peek and taste to see if you’ve got it right. You may need to add a bit more liquid. Make sure the ham is kept at a minimum temperature of 140°F for safe consumption. It’s a good idea to read the package for recommended directions.

3.  Reheating Ham on the Stove Top

It’s the most familiar way to heat food for most, so the stove top is a popular option. Adding a cup of broth to your pot will make stove top ham softer and tender. Water is fine but ham won’t be as tasty. Cover and simmer on medium for a couple of minutes until heated through. Start low and slow with your temperature. You can also reheat ham on the stove top using a skillet. Add a few slices at a time to a skillet over medium-high heat. To keep the meat moist, add up to ½ cup of chicken broth or opt for a couple of tablespoons of butter or oil to prevent drying out. Reheat ham until desired texture and taste is reached. You may add foil as a makeshift top cover to lock in much needed moisture. Remove from stove with oven mitts and prepare to serve.

4. Reheating Ham in the Microwave

In a pinch? Nuke it! Using a microwave to reheat ham is the best time saving method. Whether your ham has been smoked, roasted, cooked, or sliced, using a microwave will give it the original taste and texture. Be sure to place slices apart and in a single layer. Do not overlap or crowd your slices. Choose a microwave safe dish that is a little deep.  You will need to add a liquid like ginger ale, broth, or water. We recommend using a microwave-safe container with a lid. If you do not have a lid, place damp paper towels, preferably doused in a tasty broth, over the slices.  Yes, you can also just use a microwave safe plate. Do not skip adding liquid or wet paper towels. Zap it for 30 to 60 seconds on medium until steaming. If needed, turnover slices and zap it for another 30 seconds. After that, use intervals of 10 seconds on each side if your ham needs to be reheated more. If the ham looks like it is overheating, stop microwaving and let it remain in the microwave while it cools. Every microwave is different, and the time and power level may need adjustment here. Start low and slow first.

5. Reheating Ham in the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 325°F. If you are reheating slices, arrange slices in a single layer on a baking pan that has parchment paper, is oiled a bit, or greased to prevent sticking. Add a couple of tablespoons of broth or water and cover with heavy-duty foil. Heat for about 10 minutes or until heated through. Be sure to turn the slices once halfway through cooking time.

If you are reheating a big piece of ham, use a large oven safe roasting dish and place ham cut side down. Add 1 cup of water or broth to the bottom of the dish. This step will add needed moisture and prevent your ham from drying out while reheating. Using heavy-duty aluminum foil, wrap it around your dish tightly. Yes, it’s best not to cheap out with flimsy foil; it won’t lock the moisture properly. Be sure to crimp the edges with a tight seal. Reheat ham for 20 minutes or 10 minutes per pound. Remove the foil and cook for an additional 20 minutes. Once cooked, remove the ham with oven mitts and let it sit for a few minutes. Slice and serve.

Serve Cold

Consider not reheating your ham and serving cold. Cooked hams are safe to eat cold and hams such as spiral-cut cooked hams are best served cold because reheating can dry out the meat.

Get More Reheating Tips Here!

Monique McArthur
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