Liquid Is The Key To Properly Reheating Ham

One of the absolute best parts of making a big meal is all of the leftovers you get to enjoy for the next few days. Some things, like soups and stews, are easy to reheat and often taste better the second time around. Other foods, like pizza or pasta, are a bit harder to reheat while still maintaining the flavor of the meal. 

Then you have meats — chicken, pork, steak, and turkey — which can all dry out if you don't reheat them the right way. Of course, you can always pop them in the microwave, in the oven, on your stovetop, or in a slow cooker, but if you really want to reheat meat the right way, you should make sure that you choose something that allows you to add some liquid to it. This is especially true for reheating ham, which needs moisture to help it retain its tender and juicy texture and salty, slightly sweet flavors.

One of the easier options to reheat ham is a slow cooker. You can simply place your cooked ham slices in the slow cooker and add something like broth, BBQ sauce, apple cider, or even a little root beer. Then, turn it on low and cook until the meat is heated all the way through. The liquid will simmer as it warms, helping to keep the ham from drying out.

The same method can be used for heating leftover ham on the stovetop, too. You simply add a cup of water or broth to your pan of ham and then simmer it for a few minutes, checking that it's thoroughly heated before serving. If you don't have a ton of time, you can heat ham in the microwave, but again — add liquid! Just put your ham and your liquid of choice in a covered, microwave-safe container and heat it until it is steaming, or about two to three minutes.

You might think you can throw a slice of that cold ham in a pan to warm it up without liquid. Chances are, you'll be disappointed. You'll end up with a much drier snack than you wanted because as meat cooks, it loses moisture (per USDA). The higher the cooking temperature, the more moisture you will lose in the cooking process. Once the meat is already cooked, it has even less natural moisture to lose, so it dries out faster. The liquid keeps it from drying out.

Furthermore, adding different liquids and seasonings can help you get a few different flavors from your leftover ham. Depending on what you are using it for, that ham can become a whole new meal when you flavor it the right way. 

According to Healthline, meat tastes better if it's been reheated at room temperature because the juices have time to resettle throughout the meat after being cold in the fridge. So, if you plan to heat your ham, let it sit out for around 10 minutes before heating it. It's important to reheat the ham until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that it is safe to eat.