Sharpen Your Carving Knife! Here's How To Cut a Ham Like a Pro, Step-by-Step
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While you might have most things in order, it’s important not to forget the star of every major holiday— a big, juicy, ham! Big celebrations call for impressive hams, but knowing how to slice one up just right can be tricky. You don’t need any fancy tools, but as the ham is almost done in the oven, it’s important to have everything prepped and ready to keep the meat from getting cold.
While the majority of hams sold in grocery stores all come in the same form—cured, often smoked, and usually fully cooked–how you cut a ham depends on which type you get, so read on for step-by-step instructions on how to cut a ham, whether it has a bone or not.
Trust us—it's easier than you think! You'll feel like a seasonal slicing pro in no time.
What you’ll need:
A cutting board. Make sure it's large enough for the ham to fit on with room to maneuver. Bonus points if it has a rim to catch any juices—you’ll need those to pour over the ham later.
A carving set. While a traditional meat carving set works best, a knife and fork will do just fine should you find yourself without. Just make sure you have a long thin knife and a regular fork in place of the carving fork. If you’re feeling fancy this season, you may opt for an electric carving knife.
A platter to place your ham on when you’re done slicing.
A container for leftovers. Pro tip: You can save the bone for pea soup!
A ham. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes after taking it out of the oven so the juices can settle. Don’t wait too long, though, because the ham will cool significantly during the carving process.
How to carve a ham, step-by-step:
For a semi-boneless ham:
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1. Semi-boneless hams are easy to work around because they only include the center femur bone. Start by arranging your ham on the board with the pre-cut side facing out, so the bone is parallel to your cutting surface.
Related: How Long to Cook the Perfect Ham
2. Pierce the top corner of the meat using your carving fork for stability, and cut slices perpendicular to the bone. Stop when you hit the bone and leave the slices attached for a prettier presentation.
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3. When it's time to eat, simply make one horizontal cut along the bone and all of the sliced pieces will fall right off. Arrange them on a serving plate, if desired, or let guests cut off their own slices and serve themselves.
Related: 50 Holiday Ham Ideas
How to carve a boneless ham:
We recommend a boneless ham for those intimated by navigating a bone-in or spiral ham, since they’re so easy to cut—all you’ll need to do is slice the ham like a loaf of bread.
1. Lay your boneless ham on a cutting board.
2. Using a sharp knife or carving set, slice the ham into thin pieces like a loaf of bread. Tip: If a piece is too large, cut it in half before slicing it into thin pieces.
3. Keep slicing until the entire boneless ham has been cut, and arrange it on a serving platter.