So, what temp should you cook a ham to? The short answer is 140°F (60°C) for a fully cooked ham that you’re just reheating. But if you’ve got a raw, “cook-before-eating” ham, you need to hit 145°F (63°C) and let it rest for three minutes. Yes, three. Set a timer.
Ignore the old-school “well-done” myth. Nobody wants a hockey puck of pig. The USDA has spoken, and they’re way more chill than your grandma’s cookbook.
Why “Time” Is a Liar
Your oven runs hot or cold. Your ham’s shape is weird. Even the same brand of ham can cook differently based on how thick the bone is. That’s why time is a suggestion, but temp is the law.
Buy a reliable meat thermometer. Not the one from 1993 that’s bent in three places. A digital instant-read one costs less than a latte and will literally save your dinner.
