Ham is a great option for dinner, especially when it’s smoked. It’s versatile enough to be served in a variety of ways, from sandwiches to salads and main dishes. However, making sure you have the perfect smoked ham can be tricky.
Luckily, this easy-to-make smoked ham recipe will have you enjoying a delicious dinner in no time! All you need is a smoker, some hams, and a few simple ingredients.
You can also check our articles on How to Make Juicy Smoked Beer Can Chicken in Electric Smoker, How to Smoke Cheese in a Electric Smoker, How to Choose Electric Heating Element for Smoker, Soaking Wood Chips for Electric Smokers – Required or Not, How to Make Masterbuilt Smoker Pork Butt, and Electric Smoker Wood Chips: All You Need to Know.
How to Choose the Best Ham for Smoking?
When it comes time to choose a ham for smoking, there are several important things to consider:
• Cut – Hams come in several cuts, such as whole, half, shank, butt, or picnic shoulder. The type of cut you choose will depend on how much meat you need as well as how long you plan on cooking the ham.
• Weight – The weight of your ham should also be considered when choosing one; most recipes call for a specific amount of meat in order to cook properly.
• Flavor – Most hams are cured with salt and sugar, which gives them a unique flavor profile; some hams also contain spices like cloves or nutmeg, which can give them an additional flavor boost.
• Price – Finally, consider your budget when selecting a ham; some cuts may be more expensive than others depending on where they’re sourced from and how they’re prepared.
Raw Ham vs. Pre-Cooked Ham
One of the main questions you may have when choosing a ham is whether to purchase a raw or pre-cooked one. The answer will depend on the type of recipe you plan on making and the amount of time you have to prepare your dish.
Raw hams are typically cheaper than pre-cooked hams, but they do require more preparation and cooking time. Pre-cooked hams are most often cured or smoked and can be served without further cooking.
Raw ham is an uncooked cut of pork that can be used in a variety of recipes and dishes. It will require more time for preparation and cooking, but it can be a great choice for dishes that require slow-cooking methods such as roasting or braising.
Pre-cooked hams, such as those found in the deli section of the grocery store, are already cooked and ready to eat. They are usually cured or smoked and can be served without additional cooking. Pre-cooked hams are a great choice for dishes that require less preparation time, such as sandwiches and salads.
How do you Smoke a Ham?
Smoking ham is simple, but it does require some preparation. With these steps, you will be able to smoke your own ham with ease and have a delicious meal that is sure to impress.
Step 1: Prepare your Smoker
Before you begin smoking your ham, make sure that your smoker is in good working order. You want to make sure that it is clean and ready to go before you start. Make sure that all of the parts are correctly in place and that there are no loose wires.
Additionally, check the temperature of your smoker to ensure it is at the correct level for cooking the ham.
Step 2: Score the Ham
Once your smoker is ready, set about scoring the fat on your ham so that it can absorb more of the smoke flavor during cooking. Use a sharp knife or scissors and score shallow slits into the fat on top of the ham. This will help ensure an even distribution of smoke throughout the meat.
Step 3: Put the Ham in the Smoker
Now you’re ready to put your ham in the smoker! Place it on the grate inside and close up any doors or vents so that all of the smoke stays inside while cooking. Here comes one of the best parts – add wood chips or pellets for added flavor!
We recommend hickory wood chips for this dish but feel free to experiment with other types as well, like apple wood or mesquite wood chips.
Step 4: Smoke and Baste the Ham
Once you have everything set up and closed off, let your smoker do its job! It should take about 20 minutes per pound for your ham to fully cook depending on its size and thickness; however, continuously baste it every hour using either apple juice or beer for extra flavor!
Step 5: Prepare the Glaze
When there are only 30 minutes left before your ham is done cooking, prepare a glaze by combining 1/2 cup brown sugar with 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup in a bowl and mix until blended together. This will give your smoked ham extra sweetness during the final presentation!
Step 6: Brush the Ham with Glaze
When there are only 15 minutes left before your smoked ham is completely cooked, brush it generously with glaze using a pastry brush over the entire surface, making sure each part has been covered evenly – YUM!!
Step 7: Slice the Ham and Serve
After 4 hours have passed since putting it in the smoker (or once the internal temperature has reached 145°F), it’s time to slice off pieces from the smoked masterpiece & serve it up hot! Enjoy!!!
What Temperature do you Smoke a Ham?
To ensure that the ham is cooked correctly and safe to eat, it should be smoked at a relatively low temperature of 225°F.
How Long Does it Take to Smoke a Ham?
The amount of time it takes to smoke a ham depends on the size and weight of the ham; smaller hams may take as little as three hours, while larger hams can take up to six hours or more.
Additionally, high-quality hams that are dry-cured take much longer than lower-quality hams with added moisture.
How Much Ham Per Person?
When serving ham, a general guideline is to plan for about ½ pound of ham per person. This amount will vary depending on the size and type of ham you are serving, as well as how many sides and appetizers you will be providing.
For a large gathering with plenty of other food, you can plan on 1/3 pound of ham per person. For a smaller gathering with fewer side dishes, it’s best to plan on ½ pound of ham per person.
What Type of Ham is Best for Smoking?
The best type of ham for smoking is a smoked-cured or dry-cured ham. This type of ham has already been soaked in brine and smoked for several hours, so it’s ready to be smoked again in your smoker. The smoke will give the ham an extra layer of flavor and a beautiful mahogany color.
If you can’t find this type of ham, you can also use fresh ham that has not been cured. However, it will need to be brined and smoked for several hours with wood chips or pellets to give it the same flavor and color.
What is the Best Wood for Smoking Ham?
Different woods can give your smoked ham a unique flavor and aroma. Here are some of the best woods for smoking ham:
Hickory Wood
Hickory is perhaps the most popular wood for smoking ham because of its robust flavor and smoky aroma. Hickory has a nice balance between sweet and savory flavors, making it an excellent choice for ham.
It also adds a nice hint of sweetness to your finished product, which pairs especially well with salty hams. However, be sure not to use too much hickory as it can easily overpower other flavors in your dish.
Apple Wood
Applewood has a milder flavor than hickory but still imparts lots of smokiness to your dish. It has sweet notes that pair nicely with salty hams and adds subtle complexity without overwhelming other flavors in your dish.
Plus, applewood produces less smoke than other woods, so you don’t have to worry about overpowering your food or making it taste overly smoky.
Oak Wood
Oak is another popular wood for smoking ham because of its mellow yet complex flavor profile. Oak adds a bit of sweetness and nuttiness to your dish while still imparting plenty of smokiness.
Plus, oak is more widely available than some other woods like hickory or applewood, making it an affordable option if budget is a concern.
What do you Serve with Smoked Ham?
Smoked ham is a versatile protein that can be served with a variety of side dishes. Here are some popular pairings for smoked ham:
Glazed Carrots
Glazed carrots are a classic holiday side dish that pairs well with smoked ham. For maximum flavor, try roasting the carrots first and then glazing them with brown sugar, butter, and honey. You can also add a little bit of orange juice and fresh thyme for an extra burst of flavor.
Cheddar Biscuits
Nothing goes better with smoked ham than homemade cheddar biscuits. These fluffy biscuits have a cheesy flavor that complements the smoky flavor of the ham perfectly.
Plus, they’re super easy to make; just combine self-rising flour, grated sharp cheddar cheese, butter, and buttermilk before baking in the oven for about 15 minutes.
Roasted Veggies
Roasted veggies are always a crowd-pleaser because they’re easy to make and healthy too! Try mixing together potatoes, carrots, onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, garlic cloves, olive oil.
And your favorite seasonings before roasting in the oven until golden brown. Not only will this bring some color to your plate, but it will also provide plenty of vitamins and minerals too!
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are another popular side dish that pairs well with smoked ham, especially when roasted until tender in the oven or slow cooker. To give them even more flavor, try adding some cinnamon or nutmeg along with butter or olive oil before cooking. The result is sweet potatoes that are subtly spiced and full of flavor!
Honey-Glazed Smoked Ham Recipe in Electric Smoker
Ingredients
• 4-5 lbs fresh ham
• ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
Instructions
1. Preheat the electric smoker to 225°F.
2. In a small bowl, combine orange juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and sea salt to make a marinade.
3. Place the ham in a large shallow dish and pour marinade over it. Use a brush or your hands to coat the ham evenly with the marinade. Let sit for 30 minutes.
4. Place the ham in the electric smoker and cook for about 2 hours or until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
5. Brush the ham with the remaining marinade every hour during cooking time, and tent with aluminum foil if it starts to get too dark.
6. Once done, remove from smoker and let sit for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Smoked Ham Recipe FAQs
How do you moisten a dry ham?
To moisten a dry ham, try adding some liquid, such as chicken broth or apple cider vinegar. You can also wrap the ham in aluminum foil and place it in a baking dish filled with ¼ inch of water.
How do you heat up a pre-cooked ham without drying it out?
The best way to heat up a pre-cooked ham is in the oven. Preheat your oven to 325°F and place the ham on a roasting rack in a shallow baking dish. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 10 minutes per pound or until heated through.
Should I remove skin from ham?
It is up to you, but the skin can impart flavor and help prevent the ham from drying out. If you do choose to remove it, use a sharp knife to carefully peel it off.
Is the glaze on ham supposed to be sticky?
Yes, the glaze on the ham should be sticky. This is usually achieved by adding a little bit of cornstarch to the glaze mixture and then brushing it onto the ham while it is still hot.
How do you make a glaze for ham?
Making a glaze for ham is easy. Simply mix together equal parts honey and orange juice with some garlic powder, thyme, black pepper, and salt. Then, brush the glaze onto the ham while it is cooking, and it will caramelize as it bakes.
Should I use aluminum foil to smoke a ham?
No, it is not necessary to use aluminum foil to smoke a ham. However, you may choose to wrap the ham in foil for the last hour of cooking to help prevent it from drying out.
Is a smoked ham a fully cooked ham?
Yes, smoked ham is fully cooked. Therefore, it does not need to be cooked further when preparing recipes.
Is a cured ham fully cooked?
Yes, a cured ham is fully cooked and does not need to be cooked any further. Curing involves adding salts and other seasonings to the ham and smoking it to give it a unique flavor.
Should I brine ham before smoking it?
No, it is not necessary to brine ham before smoking it. But if you do choose to brine the ham, make sure to do so for at least 8 hours or overnight before smoking. This will help to flavor and tenderize the meat.
Conclusion
Smoked ham is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that can be enjoyed year-round. With the right woods, seasonings, and side dishes, you can transform a simple ham into a flavorful main course for any occasion.
Whether you’re serving it up for dinner or bringing it to a potluck, smoked ham is sure to be a hit with friends and family alike. So, the next time you’re looking for a dish that is sure to please, try this easy-to-make smoked ham recipe.