how long does it take to defrost ham
There are three safe ways to thaw ham: in the refrigerator, in cold water (in an airtight or leak-proof bag), and in the microwave. It's best to plan ahead for slow, safe thawing in the refrigerator. It will take about 4 to 6 hours per pound.Cold water thawing is faster than refrigerator thawing but requires more attention. Put ham in a leak-proof package or plastic bag and submerge it in cold tap water, changing the water every 30 minutes.Estimate about 30 minutes per pound of ham.If thawed completely by the cold water method, the food must be cooked immediately. When microwave-defrosting ham, plan to cook it immediately after thawing because some areas of the food may become warm and begin to cook during microwaving.stimate about 30 minutes per pound of ham. If thawed completely by the cold water method, the food must be cooked immediately. When microwave-defrosting ham, plan to cook it immediately after thawing because some areas of the food may become warm and begin to cook during microwaving.