Cooking times for a 5 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 5 lb | Heat to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooked, whole, bone-in | 10 to 14 lb (outside) | 15 to 18 | 1 h 15 min to 1 h 30 min | 140°F |
| Cooked, half, bone-in | 5 to 7 lb | 18 to 24 | 1 h 30 min to 2 h | 140°F |
| Cooked, spiral-cut (whole or half) | 7 to 9 lb (outside) | 10 to 18 | 50 min to 1 h 30 min | 140°F |
| Cooked, boneless (vacuum packed) | 6 to 12 lb (outside) | 10 to 15 | 50 min to 1 h 15 min | 140°F |
| Cook-before-eating, whole, bone-in | 10 to 14 lb (outside) | 18 to 20 | 1 h 30 min to 1 h 40 min | 145°F |
| Cook-before-eating, half, bone-in | 5 to 7 lb | 22 to 25 | 1 h 50 min to 2 h 5 min | 145°F |
| Cook-before-eating, boneless arm picnic shoulder | 5 to 8 lb | 30 to 35 | 2 h 30 min to 2 h 55 min | 145°F |
What time to put a 5 lb ham in
For a fully cooked half bone-in ham, using the long end of 1 h 30 min to 2 h so it is hot by dinner, then checking from the short end.
| Dinner at | Ham in | Start checking |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 pm | 10:00 am | 11:30 am |
| 1:00 pm | 11:00 am | 12:30 pm |
| 2:00 pm | 12:00 pm | 1:30 pm |
| 5:00 pm | 3:00 pm | 4:30 pm |
| 6:00 pm | 4:00 pm | 5:30 pm |
How many people a 5 lb ham feeds
| Serving | Feeds |
|---|---|
| Bone-in, 1/3 lb a person (other dishes too) | 15 people |
| Bone-in, 1/2 lb a person (main dish) | 10 people |
| Boneless, 1/4 lb a person | 20 people |
| Boneless, 1/3 lb a person | 15 people |
A 5 lb ham: the smallest half ham
5 lb is the bottom of the USDA chart for half hams, fully cooked or cook-before-eating. Fully cooked, it reheats in 1 h 30 min to 2 h; a cook-before-eating half ham of the same weight takes 1 h 50 min to 2 h 5 min and has to reach 145°F, then rest at least 3 minutes.
Check which one you have before you plan the day: the label says "cook before eating" or "fully cooked". The difference here is 5 min of oven time at the long end.
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 10 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
Affiliate links As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. These links do not change what you pay.
Frequently asked questions
How long to cook a 5 lb ham?
A fully cooked 5 lb half bone-in ham reheats in 1 h 30 min to 2 h at 325°F, 18 to 24 minutes a pound, until it reaches 140°F.
How long to cook a 5 lb spiral ham?
50 min to 1 h 30 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 5 lb ham feed?
10 to 15 people as bone-in ham at 1/2 to 1/3 lb a person, or 15 to 20 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.