How to Bake a Ham in a Paper Bag

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Things You'll Need

  • Brown paper bag

  • Ham

  • 2 tbsp mustard

  • 2 tbsp brown sugar

Ham is delicious whether cooked or not, but one old-fashioned way to prepare it is by baking the ham in a brown paper bag. This allegedly makes the ham extra tender and delicious, without giving it a sweet flavor many other recipes do. If you choose to bake a ham in a brown paper bag be sure to use a glue and ink-free one and never use a recycled bag from the grocery store as these could release harmful fumes when heated.

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Step 1

Insert the ham into a plain (ink and glue free) brown paper bag and roll up the end to keep moisture from escaping the bag during the baking process. Place the bag inside a large baking pan.

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Step 2

Bake the ham at 325 degrees for 15 minutes per pound of ham. For a 3-pound ham, bake for 45 minutes, for example.

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Step 3

Remove the ham from the paper bag and score it.

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Step 4

Mix the mustard with brown sugar and slather the ham with this mixture. Bake for 30 more minutes in the baking pan without a cover.

Tip

Add cherries, pineapple chunks and cloves before baking the ham for the last 30 minutes for an exotic flavor.

Warning

The U.S. Department of Agriculture warns against using non-food-grade brown paper bags. "Do not use brown paper bags from the grocery or other stores for cooking. They are not sanitary, may cause a fire, and may emit toxic fumes." Always use brown paper bags specifically designed for cooking or storing food that are glue and ink free.

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