How to Defrost Ham in Microwave? [Important Tips]

Do you have a ham in the fridge that you need to defrost for your holiday dinner? If so, you’re probably wondering how long it will take and if there are any tips you should know. Don’t worry, I’m here to help. Below, I’ll walk you through the process of defrosting a whole ham in the microwave, fridge, and cold water. Plus, I’ll share a few tips on ensuring your ham is perfectly cooked when it’s time to serve. So, how to defrost ham in a microwave?

To defrost a whole ham in a microwave, you should put it on a safe plate, turn on the low power and cook it for 15 minutes per pound. Make sure you turn the ham over halfway through cooking. For a sliced ham, add some water, cover it in plastic wrap, and set it to defrost mode for 5-15 minutes.

When it comes to defrosting a ham, there are a few different methods you can use. In this article, I’ll go over the various techniques and give tips on avoiding bacteria growth when defrosting your ham. So, I’ve got you covered whether you’re using the microwave, the fridge, or cold water to defrost your ham.

How to Defrost a Whole Ham in the Microwave?

The best way to defrost a whole ham is in the microwave. When you’re defrosting an entire ham in the microwave, it’s essential to take a few safety precautions. First, make sure to use a microwave-safe dish. If the dish isn’t microwave-safe, it could cause the dish to heat up too much and potentially break.

Second, always place the ham on the edge of the dish, never in the center. This will help ensure that the ham cooks evenly and doesn’t get too hot in any one spot.

Finally, be sure to cook the ham for the recommended time. If you cook it for too long, it could cause the meat to dry out.

Microwave the ham on low power for 15 minutes per pound. For example, if the ham weighs 10 pounds, microwave it for 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes). Turn the ham over halfway through cooking. After microwaving, allow the ham to rest for 10 minutes, so the juices don’t escape. 

Check the temperature with a food thermometer to ensure it’s at least 145°F (62°C) before serving. Then, carve and serve as desired.

How Long Does a Whole Ham Take to Defrost?

The approximate defrosting time of the whole ham depends mainly on the method you use to defrost it. The quickest one is using the microwave, while if you choose to defrost it at room temperature, you will have to be very patient. 

While microwaving is probably the most popular way to defrost a ham, if you’re looking for other methods, here are a few other ideas and how long it will take you to do that:

It will take around 15 minutes to defrost in the microwave for every pound of ham. However, it’s important to note that this may vary depending on your microwave model.

Defrosting a whole ham at room temperature will take the longest, usually around 24-48 hours. If you have the time, this is a good option, as it won’t heat your kitchen as the microwave will. However, I personally don’t recommend this method since this method can increase your risk for food-borne illnesses due to bacterial growth.

If you’re in a hurry, you can defrost a ham in the fridge, which will take around 4-6 hours per pound. Just make sure it’s in a sealed container or on a plate so that it doesn’t contaminate other food in the fridge.

Finally, you can defrost a ham in cold water, which will take about half an hour per pound of meat. Place the ham in a large container, fill it with cold water, and change it every 30 minutes or so until it is thawed.

How to Defrost Sliced Ham in the Microwave?

You might wonder if it’s safe to defrost a sliced ham in the microwave if you’re like me. And if it is, what’s the process?

While it’s safe to defrost a sliced ham in the microwave, there are a few things you need to know to ensure it comes out evenly defrosted and doesn’t get cooked in the process. Sliced hams can be a little trickier to defrost than a whole ham, but it’s still doable with some know-how.

First, make sure you place the ham slices in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate. This will help them to defrost evenly. And then, set your microwave to defrost mode and cook the ham for 2-3 minutes per pound. Check it periodically to make sure it’s not cooking too quickly—if it is, reduce the time.

To successfully defrost a sliced ham in the microwave, you’ll need to follow these steps:

• Remove the ham from its packaging and place it on a microwavable-safe dish.
• Add about 1/4 cup of water and then cover the dish with plastic wrap.
• Place the plate in the microwave and set it to Defrost or Thaw mode. This will help ensure that the meat doesn’t cook unevenly or become dry.
• Depending on the size of your ham, it will take between 5 and 15 minutes to defrost.
• Check on it periodically to ensure it’s not cooking too quickly or unevenly. Ham is ready when it’s no longer icy cold but still slightly firm to the touch.

How Long Does Sliced Ham Take to Defrost?

There are many ways to defrost sliced ham, but which is the best and the quickest? The most common method is by using the microwave.

How long it takes to defrost your ham depends on the slice size and the power of your microwave. It will take about 10 minutes to defrost it in the microwave.

Another way to defrost sliced ham is by leaving it out at room temperature. Room temperature ham-thawing is the process of thawing a sliced ham at a temperature close to, but not above, room temperature.

This is done by leaving the sliced ham in its original packaging and setting it out on a counter or table. Depending on the ambient room temperature and the thickness of the ham, it can take anywhere from eight to 24 hours for the ham to defrost.

You can also defrost sliced ham in the fridge, which will take around 12-24 hours. This is especially true for thinner cuts of ham, as thicker slices and hams could take up to 48 hours to fully thaw out.

And finally, you can defrost it in cold water, which will take about 30 minutes.

Can You Cook a Frozen Ham Without Defrosting It First?

You might be wondering if you can cook a frozen ham without defrosting it first. And the answer is yes, you absolutely can! This is an especially great option if you’re short on time but need to get dinner on the table. 

Just ensure to preheat your oven and increase the cooking time outlined in the recipe. You will need to cook the ham at least 50% longer than you’d usually do.

When you’re cooking a frozen ham, be sure to check it with a food thermometer at least once during cooking to ensure that it’s reached the safe minimum internal temperature of 145°F (62°C). The extra time it takes to defrost the ham in the first place will pay off by ensuring your meal is cooked thoroughly before eating.

One thing to bear in mind: If you’re cooking a frozen ham without defrosting first, you should be careful not to cook it together with anything else as it may cause uneven cooking temperatures and result in a subpar end result.

How to Thaw a Pre-Cooked Ham?

If you want to thaw a pre-cooked ham, the best way is to do it in the refrigerator. This will take up to 24 hours, but it is the safest option as it will keep your ham at a consistent temperature, preventing bacteria from forming.

You can also thaw your pre-cooked ham in cold water to speed up the process. Ensure the wrapped ham is submerged in a bowl filled with cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes and check if your ham is thawed. This should take about 2 hours — much faster than defrosting in the fridge!

If you’re really pressed for time, you can also try defrosting your pre-cooked ham in the microwave – but be aware that this method only works for smaller pieces of meat. Make sure to set your microwave to 30% power and check your meat often; otherwise, it can quickly dry out or become too soft.