Like with most holiday dinners, the leftovers are often just as delicious—if not even more satisfying—than the first time you eat them. And if you're going through all the effort to bake a big glazed ham, you don't want any of it to go to waste. As Ree Drummond puts it: "To me, that's one of the best parts of cooking a ham—just imagine all the possibilities!"
Once you finish that Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas feast, you’ll want to wrap up the leftover ham to use for sandwiches, mixed into soup, or just serve as-is alongside some side dishes the following day. There are so many ham recipes to consider to savor that salty goodness.
If you know how to cook a ham, you know there are a few secrets to keeping it moist. And it's much the same when you consider how to reheat ham. In order to prevent the ham from completely drying out, here are a few tips to keep in mind—and a few different appliances that you can use for reheating.
How to Keep Ham Moist When Reheating
Whether you’re reheating your leftover ham in an oven, in an appliance, or on the stovetop, one thing is a must—adding some liquid such as water or chicken broth or leftover glaze to the pan with your meat. This will help to keep it moist as it reheats. Be sure to cover the meat with a sheet of aluminum foil, which will also help to lock in the moisture from the liquid and residual heat so that it doesn’t dry out.
How to Reheat Ham in the Oven
To reheat ham in the oven, start by preheating your oven to 325°F. While it preheats, you can prep the ham. Arrange the ham slices in a deep baking dish and add about ¼ cup of water or chicken broth (depending on how much ham you’re reheating). Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and place in the preheated oven to cook for about ten minutes or until the meat is hot and juicy.
How to Reheat Ham on the Stovetop
Add two to four tablespoons of water or broth to a large skillet set over medium-low heat, then arrange the ham slices in an even layer. Cover the skillet and cook for five to seven minutes, flipping the sliced ham halfway through to ensure an even cook, until the meat is warmed through. Feel free to brush the meat with some of the glaze during the last few minutes of the cooking process so that it warms through and caramelizes nicely.
How to Reheat Ham in an Air Fryer
Your air fryer isn’t just a good way to make crispy vegetables or lightened up fried foods. You can also use it to reheat leftover holiday ham with ease. To reheat ham in an air fryer, preheat the appliance to 325°F. Wrap your sliced ham in a large sheet of aluminum foil, cover with a little bit of water or glaze, and seal the foil packet tightly. Place the wrapped ham in the air fryer basket and reheat for five to ten minutes or until it’s warmed through.
How to Reheat Ham in the Microwave
Although the microwave isn’t the best method for reheating ham, it is the quickest method. Place your ham in a deep microwave-safe dish or plate and add a few tablespoons of water or chicken broth, depending on how much meat you’re reheating and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave in 45-second increments until the meat is heated through (two to three minutes total).
