Alton Brown’s City Ham – Recipe Diaries (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between a country ham and a city ham? ›

The difference between city and country ham comes down to how they're cured. Country hams are cured by dry-brining for several months, while city hams are wet brined for a much shorter amount of time and kept fresh thanks to the advent of refrigeration.

Though the actual temperature may range, a fresh ham is generally smoked low and slow, generally from 225°F to 325°F, in order to keep that big hunk of meat tender. Its internal temperature needs to reach at least 145°F, and that can take from 5 to 10 hours depending on the size of the ham and the cooking temperature.

Pre-heat to 300°F and bake 20 minutes per lb. or until 163°F internal temperature. When done, remove ham from vessel to cool, and (while still warm) remove skin or fat as desired.

Do not overcook the ham! — it will make the ham tough and dry. Many people who say they don't like fried country ham have simply been the victim of an overzealous cook: brown the meat, don't turn it to shoe leather. If the ham is too salty for your taste, soak the slices in milk or water for 30 minutes before cooking.

City hams are produced using modern moist-curing methods. The cure is injected into the ham in a brine form. The process takes much less time compared to that of country ham. The result is a moist and tender ham that is characterized by its sweet flavor.

Editor's Tip: For a fall-apart tender ham, let it cook longer; 10 to 12 hours on low. This method is perfect for families who prefer a more casual dinner of shredded hot ham and roll sandwiches.

Just like beef, chicken, or any other meat, hams can overcook, which leaves them dry and stringy. Since they're already cooked through, your only goal is to heat yours to an appropriate serving temperature.

Ham is traditionally baked in the oven. Cook for approximately 15 to 20 minutes per pound at 300 F. No matter the size of the ham and the temperature of the oven, it should be cooked until the internal temperature reaches 140 F. Covering with foil throughout the cooking process keeps it moist.

The goal is to reheat the ham without drying it out. The best way to do this is to place the ham on a rack in a roasting pan. Add water to the bottom of the pan and cover the whole thing tightly with foil. Bake at 325F for 16-20 minutes per pound, until a meat thermometer registers 135F.

However, if you want to reheat these cooked hams, set the oven no lower than 325 °F and heat to an internal temperature of 140 °F as measured with a food thermometer. Unpackaged, cooked ham is potentially contaminated with pathogens.

How long to cook a precooked 20 lb ham? ›

Allow around 20 minutes per pound for an uncooked half ham; and 18–20 minutes per pound for an uncooked full ham. In both of those cases, roast until the interior temperature reaches 160°F. For a precooked ham, reheat for about 18 minutes per pound to hit 140°F.

Cooking time will vary depending on the character and age of the ham, but it's done when a thermometer registers the internal temperature at 160 degrees. If you don't have a thermometer, you can tell it's done when the aitch bone comes loose. Don't overcook it.

BOILED COUNTRY HAM – whole or half ham

The country ham has lost a considerable amount of moisture--so we like to simmer--instead of bake. Have your meat department cut off approximately 3 inches of the hock to allow the ham to be easily covered with water in the cooking vessel.

Country hams are salt-cured (with or without nitrites) for one to three months. They are usually hardwood smoked (usually hickory and red oak), but some types of country ham, such as the "salt-and-pepper ham" of North Carolina, are not smoked.

Country ham is the dry- cured hind leg of a pig that harks back to the way food was preserved before mechanical refrigeration.

Hams are either ready-to-eat or not. Ready-to-eat hams include prosciutto and cooked hams; they can be eaten right out of the package. Fresh hams and hams that are only treated to destroy trichinae (which may include heating, freezing or curing in the processing plant) must be cooked by the consumer before eating.