How do you defrost a frozen Honey Baked Ham?

Quick Answers

Here are some quick answers to common questions about defrosting a frozen Honey Baked Ham:

Defrost in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours depending on the size of the ham.

Allow about 5 hours per pound of ham.
Keep the ham in its original packaging while defrosting.
Place the ham on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any dripping liquids.

Never defrost at room temperature or in warm water.
The ham can also be defrosted in the microwave if needed faster.

A frozen Honey Baked Ham needs to be properly defrosted before cooking and serving to ensure food safety and the best texture and flavor. Defrosting should be done gradually in the refrigerator, allowing enough time for the ham to thaw completely through to the center while still cold. Rushing the defrosting process can lead to uneven cooking or foodborne illnesses.

This article will provide step-by-step instructions for the recommended methods to safely thaw a frozen Honey Baked Ham purchased from the store. Tips are included for planning ahead and determining the right defrosting time based on the ham’s weight. Proper handling and storage advice is also provided.

How Long Does it Take to Defrost a Frozen Ham?

The defrosting time for a frozen ham depends on the size and weight. The generally recommended defrosting time is around 5 hours per pound of ham.

For example:

5 lb ham = 25 hours to defrost
10 lb ham = 50 hours to defrost
15 lb ham = 75 hours to defrost

These time frames allow for gradual and even defrosting when using the refrigerator method. Expect a bone-in spiral cut ham to take a little longer compared to a boneless ham.

Quick Defrost Times

For quick defrosting, allow approximately 30 minutes per pound if using the cold water method or 5 minutes per pound if defrosting in the microwave.

Refrigerator Defrosting

Refrigerator defrosting is the safest method and maintains optimal food quality. Here are step-by-step instructions for defrosting a frozen Honey Baked Ham in the refrigerator:

Remove the frozen ham from any wrapping but leave it in the original packaging. This helps keeps the ham clean while defrosting.
Place the ham on a rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan to catch any liquid that may drip during the defrosting process. This prevents cross-contamination.
Put the ham on a refrigerator shelf, ideally the bottom shelf to prevent the drippings from contacting other foods.

Allow the ham to defrost slowly over 24-48 hours, allowing around 5 hours for each pound. A 10 lb ham will need about 50 hours.
Check periodically and drain any accumulated liquid. Tilt and rotate the ham to allow even defrosting.
The ham is fully defrosted when it feels soft, thawed through and is pliable when pressing the center.

Cook the ham fully to an internal temperature of 140°F before eating.

Tips for Refrigerator Defrosting

Plan ahead – Start defrosting in the refrigerator 1-2 days before you plan to cook the ham to allow adequate time.
Avoid overcrowding the refrigerator, as this slows cooling and defrosting.

Place any ham packages on lower shelves where temperatures are coldest.
If needed sooner, a frozen ham can defrost in 1-2 days using the cold water method.

Cold Water Defrosting

The cold water method speeds up defrosting a frozen ham compared to the refrigerator but requires more monitoring. Follow these steps:

Remove any packaging but leave the frozen ham sealed in the original Cryovac or vacuum sealed bag.
Submerge the ham in a sink or tub of cold water, ensuring it is fully covered.
Allow 30 minutes per pound of ham, changing the water every 30 minutes so it stays cold. Weigh the ham with packaging to determine time.

Check frequently and turn or massage the ham bag to speed thawing.
Once defrosted, remove the ham from the bag and pat dry. Refrigerate until ready to cook.
Cook fully to 140°F internal temperature before serving.

Tips for Cold Water Defrosting

Use ice to help keep the water cold, especially for larger hams.
Never use hot or warm water, which can cause bacteria growth.
A boneless ham defrosts faster than a bone-in variety.

Let large hams sit in cold water for 15-30 minutes after defrosting to allow inner areas to thaw.

Defrosting in the Microwave

A frozen Honey Baked Ham can be quickly defrosted in the microwave when needed faster. Follow these microwave defrosting tips:

Unwrap the frozen ham and place it in a microwave-safe dish.

Microwave on the defrost setting, allowing 5 minutes per pound.
Turn and rotate the ham several times during defrosting to prevent hot spots.
Drain any liquid during defrosting and cover warm areas with smaller pieces of aluminum foil.

Double check the ham is fully defrosted by ensuring it feels softened throughout when pressing the center.
Cook the ham immediately after microwaving and do not refreeze.

Microwave Defrosting Tips

Only defrost for the minimum time needed to prevent cooking the ham.

Let the ham stand for 10-15 minutes afterward to finish defrosting.
Use a lower power level if your microwave does not have a defrost setting.
The ham may be warm or partially cooked on the outer areas after microwaving.

How to Tell When a Ham is Fully Defrosted

Here are ways to check that a frozen ham is completely defrosted before cooking:

Press into the center of the ham, it should feel soft and thawed all the way through.
Check the ham is pliable when bending the smaller end.

A bone-in ham is done when the bone moves freely.
No hard or frozen areas should remain.
The ham may still feel chilled but not icy or frozen.

If thick parts feel frozen, leave in cold water or the refrigerator longer until fully softened and pliable. It is important to fully defrost the ham to ensure even cooking.

How to Store a Thawed Ham

Proper storage of a defrosted ham prevents bacterial growth and keeps it safe prior to cooking. Here are some storage guidelines:

Refrigerate the ham immediately after defrosting, ideally for no longer than 1-2 days.

Keep thawed ham in the coldest part of the refrigerator, usually the bottom shelf.
Place the defrosted ham in a shallow pan or on a plate to catch any drips.
If the ham was vacuum sealed, rewrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil.

Do not refreeze a thawed ham without cooking it first.

Ham Defrosting FAQs

Can you cook a ham without defrosting it first?

It is not recommended to cook a frozen ham without defrosting first. The center will likely still be frozen, preventing even cooking. Continue cooking a partly frozen ham can also lead to bacterial growth.

Can you refreeze a defrosted ham?

Refreezing a raw ham that has been defrosted is not advised. The ham must be cooked fully first before it can safely be refrigerated and frozen for later use.

How long is a thawed ham good for in the fridge?

An uncooked ham that has been thawed in the refrigerator should keep for 1 to 2 days. The ham should be safe if cooked fully after this time but quality may start to decline.

What temperature should a ham be cooked to?

Cook all raw hams to an internal temperature of at least 140°F before eating. Reheating fully-cooked hams to 140°F is also recommended.

Defrosting Chart for Honey Baked Ham

Use this defrosting time chart as a quick reference for planning when to move a frozen Honey Baked Ham to the refrigerator:

Ham Weight	Refrigerator Time	Cold Water Time	Microwaved Time
5 lbs	24-30 hours	2.5 hours	25 minutes
7 lbs	35-40 hours	3.5 hours	35 minutes
10 lbs	50 hours	5 hours	50 minutes
12 lbs	60 hours	6 hours	1 hour
15 lbs	75 hours	7.5 hours	1.25 hours

Tips for Defrosting Honey Baked Ham

Follow these top tips for easy and safe defrosting of a frozen Honey Baked Ham:

Allow 5 hours defrost time per pound of ham.
Defrost slowly in the fridge for best quality.

Place ham on a rimmed sheet pan to catch drips.
Turn the ham during defrosting for even thawing.
Check the ham is pliable all over before cooking.

Cook fully to 140°F internal temperature.
Refrigerate thawed ham for 1-2 days maximum.
Never leave a ham at room temperature during defrosting.

Common Defrosting Mistakes

Here are some defrosting errors to avoid with a frozen Honey Baked Ham:

Not allowing enough time – Hams require long, gradual defrosting over 24-48 hours typically.
Failing to contain drips – Always place on a rimmed baking sheet or in a pan.

Defrosting on the counter – Room temperature defrosting allows bacterial growth.
Using hot water to defrost – This starts cooking the ham prematurely.
Not checking ham is fully defrosted – Make sure no icy spots remain.

Refreezing without cooking – Only refreeze cooked ham, not raw defrosted ham.

Conclusion

Defrosting a frozen Honey Baked Ham properly is an essential first step for safety, quality and delicious flavor. While it takes some advance planning, allowing the refrigeration method time for gradual thawing results in the best texture. Monitor the defrosting closely and don’t rush the process. With the right techniques, you can enjoy a juicy, fully-cooked ham ready to serve a crowd or plenty of meals throughout the week.