Cooking times for a 12 lb ham at 325°F
The USDA timetable gives minutes a pound for each kind of ham and the weights each row covers. Use a food thermometer: the times are approximate.
| Kind of ham | USDA chart weights | Min per lb | Time for 12 lb | Heat to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooked, whole, bone-in | 10 to 14 lb | 15 to 18 | 3 h to 3 h 36 min | 140°F |
| Cooked, half, bone-in | 5 to 7 lb (outside) | 18 to 24 | 3 h 36 min to 4 h 48 min | 140°F |
| Cooked, spiral-cut (whole or half) | 7 to 9 lb (outside) | 10 to 18 | 2 h to 3 h 36 min | 140°F |
| Cooked, boneless (vacuum packed) | 6 to 12 lb | 10 to 15 | 2 h to 3 h | 140°F |
| Cook-before-eating, whole, bone-in | 10 to 14 lb | 18 to 20 | 3 h 36 min to 4 h | 145°F |
| Cook-before-eating, half, bone-in | 5 to 7 lb (outside) | 22 to 25 | 4 h 24 min to 5 h | 145°F |
| Cook-before-eating, boneless arm picnic shoulder | 5 to 8 lb (outside) | 30 to 35 | 6 h to 7 h | 145°F |
What time to put a 12 lb ham in
For a fully cooked whole bone-in ham, using the long end of 3 h to 3 h 36 min so it is hot by dinner, then checking from the short end.
| Dinner at | Ham in | Start checking |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 pm | 8:24 am | 11:24 am |
| 1:00 pm | 9:24 am | 12:24 pm |
| 2:00 pm | 10:24 am | 1:24 pm |
| 5:00 pm | 1:24 pm | 4:24 pm |
| 6:00 pm | 2:24 pm | 5:24 pm |
How many people a 12 lb ham feeds
| Serving | Feeds |
|---|---|
| Bone-in, 1/3 lb a person (other dishes too) | 36 people |
| Bone-in, 1/2 lb a person (main dish) | 24 people |
| Boneless, 1/4 lb a person | 48 people |
| Boneless, 1/3 lb a person | 36 people |
A 12 lb ham for a crowd
A 12 lb whole bone-in ham feeds 24 to 36 people at the USDA servings and reheats in 3 h to 3 h 36 min. It is also at the top of the boneless chart: a 12 lb boneless ham takes 2 h to 3 h and feeds up to 48.
A ham this size takes most of a standard oven rack, so lower the rack before preheating. Leftovers go into the refrigerator within 2 hours of serving.
Fully cooked hams from a USDA-inspected plant are safe cold, so reheating is optional; leftover or repackaged ham goes to 165°F. Work out your own ham with the ham size calculator, or read how long to cook a ham and how much ham for 25 people.
Want to change anything else? The calculator above is the full Ham Size Calculator: How Big a Ham, Bone-In or Boneless: edit any number and the results update instantly.
Tools & materials for this project
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Frequently asked questions
How long to cook a 12 lb ham?
A fully cooked 12 lb whole bone-in ham reheats in 3 h to 3 h 36 min at 325°F, 15 to 18 minutes a pound, until it reaches 140°F.
How long to cook a 12 lb spiral ham?
2 h to 3 h 36 min at 325°F, at 10 to 18 minutes a pound. The USDA chart covers spiral hams of 7 to 9 lb, so check the label. Cover it with foil.
How many people does a 12 lb ham feed?
24 to 36 people as bone-in ham at 1/2 to 1/3 lb a person, or 36 to 48 as boneless.
Related sizes and guides
Estimates only. Results assume standard materials and simple shapes. Supplier products vary, and the final call on quantity, structure and safety is yours. Check your local code and your supplier's guidance before ordering.