Looking to reheat ham without drying out? Whether it has been roasted, smoked or sliced, leftover ham from a Thanksgiving meal pairs well with all the other side dishes.
Oven baked ham can heat up in the microwave pretty easily without altering the texture and flavor. Within a matter of minutes, the ham is reheated and ready to eat.
How do you reheat ham in the microwave? Place a slice or two of ham in a single layer onto a microwave-safe plate. Cover the plate with a damp paper towel to prevent from drying it out while reheating.
Microwave the ham for 30 seconds on reheat setting, medium heat or 50% power level, then flip the ham over and continue to microwave for another 30 seconds. Repeat the process until the ham reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 74 degrees Celsius to be safe to consume.
Fully cooked ham is a favorite thanksgiving foods among all kinds of meat. However, the leftovers tend to not taste the same way the next day. It is common for the slices to not taste as good as when fresh.
To make leftover ham taste more delicious and juicy, reheat it in the microwave prior to serving. This article will address answers to frequently asked questions so you’ll know everything about reheating ham in the microwave safely and efficiently.
Can you reheat ham in the microwave?
Yes, you can reheat ham in the microwave. However, it should be reheated to the proper internal temp of 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit for it to be safe to serve.
At first glance, it’s may look hard to heat up a slice of cold ham in the microwave. This is indeed a very risky thing to do, however it turns out that reheating ham in the microwave is actually a viable option, as long as you safety handle the precooked meat.
With that in mind, there are two things needed to safely reheat ham in the microwave: First, the sliced ham must be heated on medium heat for 30 second increments per side or until fully reheated.
Is it safe to reheat ham in the microwave?
Yes, it is safe to reheat ham in the microwave. As long as the ham has been cooked, stored and reheated to 74℃ or 165℉ according to proper food handling procedures, then it is safe to reheat in the microwave.
There are two methods to reheat a cold ham in the microwave.
The first method is reheating a piece of cooked ham on high power for about 30 seconds per each side. It’s important to note that remove any excess fat and charred areas from the surface of the sliced ham, or else when they will be heated too much, causing them to become tough and rubbery.
The second method only requires microwaving a piece of cooked ham on the reheat setting or 50% power for a minute on each side. As a result of slow reheating process, you can easily control the texture and moisture content of ham while carefully increasing its temperature so it doesn’t dry out.
How long to heat ham slice in the microwave?
The size or weight of the ham and wattage of the appliance can vary the microwave timing. A slice or two of leftover ham should be reheated for 2 minutes in the microwave on medium heat or the reheat setting.
Ham has already been cooked and needs to reach a safe internal temperature to consume. Heating to the proper temperature ensures that reheated ham is safe from potentially hazardous food borne bacteria.
How to heat up a precooked ham in the microwave?
When it comes to heating a pre-cooked ham in the microwave, know first the amount of ham slices you need to reheat to serve.
Always place desired amount of pre-cooked ham on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel or drizzle spoonful of water onto the dish and cover tightly with microwaveable plastic wrap to keep it moist throughout the microwaving time.
Depending on the size of ham and microwave wattage, the cooking time will differ for each one. Stick with slices that are thinner than ½” and don’t heat more than two portions at a time to prevent overcrowding.
For instance, a 1 pound or 0.5 kg cooked ham takes about 4 to 5 minutes to be reheated in the microwave on medium 50% power. In the same way, a 1/2 pound or 0.22 kg pre-cooked ham takes about 2 minutes to be heated up in the microwave on medium power.
There are two important things you have to remember when reheating a pre-cooked ham in the microwave:
- Don’t heat it at high temperature or else the surface will burn or dry out quickly.
- Don’t leave it in the microwave for too long because it can become rubbery and tough to chew on.
Tips to reheat a ham in the microwave without drying it out
Microwave method is quite easy and straightforward compared to reheating in the oven or stovetop. But, there are critical things you must understand when reheating ham in the microwave.
Reheating ham slices for too long might result in an overcooked and rubbery piece of meat.
Here are microwave tips to reheat ham quickly:
- Store leftover ham on an airtight container to preserve the moisture content when reheated resulting in a better overall result.
- There’s no need to heat up cold ham strips in the microwave for too long. Since it’s already cooked, it needs to reach 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit so that it is ready to eat.
- Keep an eye on the ham. If it shows signs of becoming overcooked, stop the microwave and let it rest in the closed appliance so that it can carryover cook for an extra minute.
- Microwave thin slices of ham if necessary. Cut the cold ham slices into smaller portions to reheat more evenly in the microwave.
- It is advised to reheat 1 slice at a time. However, if microwaving more than 2 or 3 pieces, avoid overlapping by placing next to each other on a single layer to heat each piece equally.
- Use a microwave cover or lid to trap steam and heat the ham more evenly. A wetted paper towel or spoonful of water and microwave safe plastic wrap also work well.
Best ways to reheat ham in the microwave
Whether it is thin ham slices or Honey Baked Ham, the best way to reheat precooked ham is by simply microwaving. This will help to heat up evenly without drying out or altering to tender texture.
Transfer the ham slices to a microwave-safe container. Ensure the slices are placed on a single layer and do not overlap each other.
Cover the ham with a damp paper towel or add tablespoon of water onto the dish and cover with a microwaveable plastic wrap.
Set the microwave on medium heat or 50% reheat power level, and run the appliance for 30 seconds at a time. Turn the ham on the other side and continue microwaving at 50% power on the other side.
Repeat the process until the ham is fully reheated or reaches 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit so that it is safe to eat.
Once the ham is completely reheated, carefully remove from microwave and uncover the dish. Serve with a side of stuffing, green bean casserole or mashed potatoes of your choice.
Reheating Ham in Microwave: Conclusion
Reheating ham in the microwave is not as tricky as it sounds. Depending on the size of ham, it require different heat and timing to reheat fully and evenly.
When done properly, the microwave helps to slowly reheat the ham without drying out or changing it into a rubbery texture.
Heating up a slice of leftover cooked ham requires a minute on each side if microwaved on medium power or 50% setting. The best way to do this is by covering it with a damp paper towel and heating it up for 30 seconds before rotating the ham on the other side.
If paper towel is not available, pour tablespoon of water on the microwave-safe dish and cover with microwaveable plastic wrap to keep it moist.
Even though the ham is already cooked, ensure to reheat until the internal temperature reaches 74℃ or 165℉ for the food to be safe to consume.
Using the medium heat with short bursts of microwave time help to avoid drying up or changing the texture of the leftover ham. Sliced, roasted or honey baked, reheat ham in the microwave for a quick and easy meal prep that is ready to serve in minutes.