Have ham frozen for the upcoming holidays? Family dinner and need to thaw the ham? Here’s how to thaw ham, all kinds!
How to make spiral ham without drying it out
Why This Is How To Thaw Ham
- Ham will thaw easily
- Fast!
- You’ll save a ton of money by having ham on hand for family gatherings and dinner!
Here’s How To Thaw Ham
METHOD NUMER 1.
STEP 1.
Remove the Ham from the Freezer and place it into the refrigerator. Be sure to set it on a plate.
STEP 2.
Check the ham after 24 hours and see if it has thawed. A larger it is the longer it will take and may take as long as 3 days.
METHOD NUMBER 2.
STEP 1.
Remove the Ham from the Freezer and place into a large container filled with water.
STEP 2.
Check the ham every 30 minutes and change the water every 30 minutes until thawed. Then place into the refrigerator until ready to cook. Cook within 2 days.
Recipes for Thawed Ham.
We love to use our ham in these recipes!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
How Do You Thaw Ham?
It’s so easy to thaw ham, in fact, you won’t find an easier recipe on this website! Simply move it to the refrigerator a few days before you plan to cook it. Be sure to place a plate under the ham to catch any dripping juices.
How To Thaw a Frozen Ham Quickly
- If you need to start cooking your frozen ham quickly, the best method is to use (number 2 from above).
- For this method, you will need a large very clean container (cooler or plastic tub), fill it with cool water, place the ham in a large plastic bag with no holes, gently lower it into the cooler.
- Change the water every half of an hour. The ham should thaw at a rate of 1lb per 30 minutes.
How Long Does It Take To Thaw A Frozen Spiral Ham?
It takes 24 hours – 3 days to thaw a frozen spiral ham depending on the size. Take your ham from the freezer at least 3 days before you plan to cook it.
How Long is Thawed Ham Good For?
Thawed ham is good for 3-5 days before you cook it. Therefore, thaw it out and then be ready to use it. It will be good for another 3-5 days once you have cooked it.
How Long To Thaw a 10lb Ham?
A 10lb ham will thaw in about 3 days in the refrigerator. If you are doing it in water you can plan on a half hour per pound, therefore, that would be about 5 hours.
Can I Eat Ham That Has Been Frozen for 2 Years?
That is really a judgement call. Essentially, if the meat has been frozen at 32F, it should be fine. However, freezer burn can set in and that will ruin the meat. Check the meat well for freezer burn before preparing it.
How To Know If Frozen Ham is Bad
If you notice….
- The meat appears encased in ice crystals or frost
- Meat is very light colored and dry
- The meat has been in the freezer longer than 6 months.
- There was a lot of air in the package.
How Long Does it Take To Cook a Ham?
You’ll want to cook your ham according to the directions enclosed in the packaging, however, a good rule of thumb is 18-25 minutes per pound depending on the type of ham you have.
There’s a great chart included in this article from Parade Magazine
Tips and Tricks for How to Thaw Ham
- Plan ahead and place the ham into the fridge for about 3 days before you plan to use it.
- Be SURE to put a plate or towel beneath to collect any dripping juices as it does its thing in the refrigerator.
- Use the cooler method if you will need the ham more quickly.
- Double bag it in an unscented garbage bag to keep the water out if you are using the cool water method.
- Use a VERY CLEAN cooler, sink or a plastic tub for this work with the cool water method.
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How to Thaw Ham
Ingredients
- 1 10 lb ham
Instructions
Method 1 (Refrigerator)
- Remove the ham from the freezer.
- Place a large serving platter in the refrigerator with a kitchen towel on top of it.
- Lay the ham on top of the platter and towel.
- Allow to thaw in the fridge for 3 days before cooking
Method 2 (cool water)
- Fill a large container with cool water.
- Wrap the ham in two layers of unscented trash bags
- Lower the trash bags into the large container of cool water.
- Change the water every 30 minutes.
- Ham will thaw at a rate of 1lb per 30 minutes.
Notes
- Plan ahead and place the ham into the fridge for about 3 days before you plan to use it.
- Be SURE to put a plate or towel beneath the ham to collect any dripping juices as it thaws in the refrigerator.
- Use the cool water method if you will need the ham more quickly.
- Double bag the ham in an unscented garbage bag to keep the water out if you are thawing using the cool water method.
- Use a VERY CLEAN cooler, sink or a plastic tub for thawing the ham with the cool water method.
Wendi Spraker
Friday 25th of October 2019
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