Easy Smoked Ham: Your Ultimate Guide to a Delicious Holiday Meal

Discovering the magic of smoked ham has been a revelation in our kitchen. For years, holiday meals often featured classics like smoked Prime Rib or Smoked Turkey, but adding smoked ham to the repertoire has quickly made it a new family favorite. The rich, savory aroma combined with a hint of sweetness from the smoker creates an unforgettable dish that’s surprisingly simple to prepare.

Why Smoke Your Ham?

While a crockpot ham is undeniably convenient, especially when feeding a crowd of ham-loving kids, smoking a ham introduces a whole new dimension of flavor. The slow-cooking process on a smoker infuses the meat with a distinctive smoky essence that simply can’t be replicated by other methods. This article will guide you through smoking a perfect ham, whether you’re using a Pit Boss Pro 1100 like mine or any other pellet, electric, or charcoal smoker.

Investing in a quality pellet grill can elevate your outdoor cooking experience. Many brands offer excellent performance at various price points:

Pit Boss Pellet Grills |
Traeger Pellet Grills |
Z Grills Pellet Grills

Essential Ingredients for Smoked Ham

Crafting the perfect smoked ham requires just a few key ingredients, allowing the natural flavors to shine through beautifully.

• Ham: For smoking, I generally prefer a bone-in ham over a spiral-cut ham. While spiral hams are convenient, their pre-sliced nature can make them prone to drying out or falling apart when handling on the smoker. If you opt for a spiral ham, exercise extra care when transferring it. Look for a fully cooked ham, as this recipe focuses on adding flavor and re-warming, not cooking from raw. The bone also adds depth to the flavor and can be used for future recipes. For a quality ham, consider options like Omaha Steaks Bone-In Ham.
• Pineapple: A classic pairing with ham, pineapple introduces a delightful sweetness and a touch of acidity that complements the smoky, salty pork. You can use fresh pineapple chunks or canned pineapple chunks, which are incredibly convenient. The juice from canned pineapple can also be used in a glaze if desired. Fresh or canned pineapple works wonderfully.
• Optional Glaze Ingredients: While simple pineapple works wonders, you can enhance your smoked ham with a simple glaze. Consider brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, or even a splash of bourbon or apple cider for added complexity.

Preparing Your Ham for Smoking

Before the smoke session begins, a little preparation goes a long way to ensure your ham is perfectly moist and flavorful.

• Unpack and Inspect: Remove your ham from its packaging. If it comes with a glaze packet, set it aside; you can use it later or make your own. Pat the ham dry with paper towels.
• Score the Ham (Optional): For bone-in hams, scoring the fat cap in a diamond pattern can help render the fat, allow smoke to penetrate better, and provide a beautiful presentation. Be careful not to cut too deep into the meat itself.
• Consider a Brine (Optional, for uncooked hams): If you’re starting with an uncooked ham, a simple brine can significantly enhance moisture and flavor. However, most hams available for smoking are pre-cooked and pre-brined, making this step generally unnecessary for convenience.
• Pre-heating: Allow your ham to come to room temperature for about 1-2 hours before placing it on the smoker. This promotes more even cooking.

Step-by-Step: How to Smoke a Ham on a Pellet Grill

Smoking a ham on a pellet grill is an incredibly straightforward process that yields impressive results with minimal effort.

1. Set Up Your Smoker and Preheat

Begin by getting your smoker ready to produce a consistent, clean smoke. I use my Pit Boss Pro 1100, which offers excellent value and performance comparable to higher-priced brands like Traeger. You can find Pit Boss grills at various retailers including Walmart, Amazon, or directly from the Pit Boss website. This method is also suitable for electric or charcoal smokers.

• Temperature: Set your pellet smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit (107 degrees Celsius). For Pit Boss models, a P setting of P7 typically works well for a consistent smoke at this temperature.
• Wood Pellets: Choose wood pellets that complement ham. Apple, cherry, hickory, or a fruitwood blend are all excellent choices, imparting a sweet and mild smoky flavor.

2. Place the Ham on the Smoker

Once your smoker reaches the target temperature and is producing a steady stream of thin, blue smoke, it’s time to introduce your ham.

• Carefully place the ham directly on the grill grates. Ensure there is enough space around the ham for proper air circulation and smoke flow.

3. Add Pineapple for Sweetness (Optional but Recommended)

This simple step adds a lovely layer of sweetness and moisture to your smoked ham. While optional, it’s highly recommended for an extra burst of flavor.

• Using toothpicks, carefully attach pieces of pineapple to the surface of the ham. Arrange them evenly across the ham for consistent flavor distribution.

4. Monitor and Smoke the Ham

The key to a perfectly smoked ham is patient, low-and-slow cooking.

• Smoking Time: A good rule of thumb for fully cooked ham at 225°F (107°C) is approximately 15 to 20 minutes per pound. For instance, a 15 lb ham will typically take around 3.75 to 5 hours. My 15 lb ham was perfectly done after 4 hours.
• Internal Temperature: Use a reliable meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature. Since most hams are pre-cooked, you’re primarily warming it through and adding smoke flavor.
• Glaze Application (Optional): If you’re using a glaze, apply it during the last 30-60 minutes of smoking. This allows the glaze to caramelize without burning.

5. Rest and Serve

Once your smoked ham reaches the desired internal temperature, it’s crucial to let it rest before carving.

• Carefully remove the ham from the smoker.
• Tent it loosely with aluminum foil and let it rest for 15-20 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and juicy ham.
• Slice, serve, and enjoy the incredible flavor of your homemade smoked ham!

How Long Does It Take to Smoke a Ham?

As a general guideline, at a smoker temperature of 225 degrees Fahrenheit (107°C), expect to smoke your ham for approximately 15 to 20 minutes per pound. This timing can vary slightly depending on the ham’s initial temperature, its shape, and your smoker’s efficiency. Smoking at higher temperatures, such as 250-275 degrees Fahrenheit, will decrease the overall cooking time, but may reduce the smoke penetration and increase the risk of drying out the ham if not carefully monitored.

What is the Safe Internal Temperature for Ham?

For a fully cooked ham, the goal is to warm it to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63°C). I typically remove my ham from the smoker when it reaches about 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60°C). The internal temperature will continue to rise during the resting period, bringing it up to the safe and juicy target. Always use a reliable meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham, avoiding the bone, to get an accurate reading.

Storing Leftover Smoked Ham

Leftover smoked ham is a treasure! Proper storage ensures you can enjoy its delicious flavor for days to come. After the ham has cooled, remove it from the bone and trim any excess fat. Cut the remaining ham into desired pieces – slices, cubes, or shredded – and store them in an airtight container or a heavy-duty zip-top bag.

• Refrigeration: Smoked ham can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to five days.
• Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the ham for up to three months. To prevent freezer burn, use a vacuum sealer or wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before placing in a freezer-safe bag.
• Ham Bone: The ham bone is excellent for making soups, broths, or bean dishes. However, remember that cooked ham bones are unsafe for dogs as they can splinter and cause digestive harm.

To maximize the freshness and convenience of your leftovers, consider using these storage essentials:

My preferred method for sealing in freshness is a food vacuum sealer. For non-vacuum-sealable items, an air-tight container or freezer Ziploc bag works great. I also find a food scale invaluable for dividing ham into perfect serving sizes for meal prep.

More Delicious Ham Recipes

If you’re a ham enthusiast, explore these other fantastic recipes that celebrate this versatile meat:

• Smoked Coca-Cola Ham – A unique brine gives this ham an irresistible sweetness and tang.
• Easy Smoked Ham – Our featured recipe, showcasing the delightful pineapple-infused smoke.
• Crockpot Ham Recipe – For those days you need a super simple, juicy ham with minimal fuss.
• Bourbon and Honey Slow Cooker Ham – A sophisticated flavor profile for a special occasion.
• Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Ham – Unexpectedly delicious, Dr. Pepper adds a fantastic caramel note.
• Instant Pot Ham – When time is of the essence, this recipe delivers flavor in just 30 minutes.

What to Serve with Your Smoked Ham

Smoked ham pairs beautifully with a wide array of side dishes. Here are some of our favorites, including a fantastic selection of Smoked Side Dishes:

Smoked Main Dishes (for inspiration or other occasions):

• Smoked Brisket With Brown Sugar Rub
• Smoked Turkey
• Smoked Prime Rib

Complementary Bread Options:

• Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread
• Garlic Parmesan Biscuit Pull Apart Bread
• English Muffin Garlic Cheese Bread
• Easy Cheesy Monkey Bread

Smoked Appetizers:

• Smoked Cream Cheese
• Easy Smoked Queso Dip
• Easy Smoked Refried Bean Dip

Hearty Smoked Side Dishes:

• Smoked Baked Potatoes
• Smoked Green Bean Casserole
• Smoked Sweet Potato Casserole
• Smoked Loaded Cheesy Potatoes
• Smoked Deviled Eggs
• Smoked Loaded Baked Beans
• Creamy Smoked Macaroni And Cheese

Delicious Grilled Side Dishes:

• Cheesy Grilled Asparagus
• Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
• Grilled Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes
• Grilled Corn On The Cob

Sweet Endings (Desserts):

• How To Smoke A Pie
• Coca-Cola Chocolate Cake
• Crescent Roll Peach Dumplings
• Pumpkin Bars

Creative Uses for Leftover Ham

The best part about smoking a large ham is the delicious leftovers! The smoky flavor carries over beautifully into a variety of other dishes, making meal prep for the week a breeze. Explore our collection of leftover smoked ham recipes for inspiration, which includes ideas like ham and bean soup, ham sandwiches, ham and egg breakfasts, or even adding it to casseroles and quiches.

Recipe: How to Smoke Ham