After you do so, youll want to apply a good amount of rub to your ham. Once the temperature reaches 225 degrees, put the meat in the smoker, and shut the lid. Heat the Traeger, or whatever smoker you are using, to 250 degrees and place the ham directly on the cooking grate. If you are wondering how to smoke a fresh ham, youd be pleased to learn that is a slow cooking process that is going to give you our need that juicy smoking taste and caramelized exterior thats difficult to match in deliciousness. Thanks. The Ultimate Double Smoked Ham Recipe Elevates Any Holiday . You will need a professional ham saw to make the most of your ham. The second reason is that it creates more surface area for the rub and seasoning to absorb in. Please, have in mind that you should cure/brine the pork ham only if its fresh and not partly cooked or previously brined. Its always a good idea to cook the ham to an internal temperature of 190F. Making a ham on a Traeger can be one of the easiest ways to smoke a ham. Smoking takes quite a while to finish, so the better you use your time, the quicker you get to eat. The process is usually fairly simple to use. Prepare the ham. Its essential to let the ham rest for approximately 30 minutes before cutting it. Smoke at 250 until the internal temperature gets to 140 degrees, then apply your glaze of choice (recipe for the one we used below). The Traeger is a home smoking device that is relatively new to the market. If you want to learn more about the process of smoking a fresh ham and generally about meat cooking, there are lots of cooking books on this theme available, with Franklin Barbecue: A Meat-Smoking Manifesto being an example. As for preserving the meat, I recommend a 160F for Fresh Ham if you are planning to preserve it. Like preheating the smoker? T-Bone vs Porterhouse Steak Whats the Difference? It is already cooked when it is smoked the first time so you are really just seasoning it, adding some more smoke flavor and warming it up. Set Up Your Smoker or Grill 3. Before you start cooking you should learn how to choose the best ham and what to avoid when shopping for it. [1] As a processed meat, the term ham" includes both whole cuts of meat and ones that have been mechanically formed. This Thanksgiving I smoked a Turducken. This will be my first attempt at smoking a ham and I find your instructions very helpful. Thank you! We promise! Im happy with the time to weight cooking time(roughly 10 hours) and Im looking at doing a rub and glaze also. For a good spice rub recipe, you can try this: Note: Additionally, when using this rub, make sure to apply a coating of yellow mustard to the outside of the ham. If you want to add a little bit more flavor, you can add 1 tablespoon of Pink curing salt, 4 cloves of garlic and 4 bay leaves. Place the ham in a foil pan. What guidance can you provide about these parameters? Yes, you can try and do that. Required fields are marked *. avoiding the bone. A cured ham has been pre treated to kill off bacteria through either a wet curing or a brine curing process. When preparing smoked hams, youll want the smoker to run at 225 degrees Fahrenheit. As for the temperatures, in the oven, you should reheat it on 300-325 until it reaches an internal temperature of 140F (it may take about 10 minutes per pound or about 1h & 20 mins for an 8-pound ham). If youre using a charcoal smoker, light your charcoals and place them in the smokers rack. You need to try this recipe out! While you prepare your ham, you should preheat your smoker. You don't need to use aluminum foil to smoke a ham. The temperature of a raw ham when being smoked is as important as the length of time it should be smoked. Boil a gallon of water in a large saucepan and add the following ingredients: This may seem like a lot of salt, but remember that ham should be salty, especially when smoking. Add the pineapple juice, brown sugar, Dijon, soy sauce, cinnamon, salt, and cloves to a medium saucepan. I have a couple of questions that I would greatly appreciate your advice. So, if you want to be efficient, itd be a good idea to preheat your smoker while you prep. . When it comes to smoking the ham, some prefer to smoke the ham without any seasoning. The Traeger has a digital temperature gauge and timer, which is very convenient to use. [Should You?]. Place the foil wrapped ham back on the cooking grate and continue smoking. Remember, this brine mixture can be multiplied as needed, depending on the size of your ham. Place the ham directly on the smoker, cut-side down. There are so many different kinds of hams out there. You can control the temperature of the masonry grill by selecting your desired temperature. If you are cooking Whole, Double the Ingredients). Hello Bret, Thanks for visiting my site. After the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F, take it off the grill to rest, but leave the foil on. Make the glaze. Check out our guide on the best meat slicers next if you want to turn your smoked fresh ham into lunch meat slices! Remove from heat. For this, I actually laid an olive oil soaked cheese cloth on top of it. Hello Bengie, It sounds really awesome, I havent heard this method before but I will definitely try in the future. ******GLAZE RECIPE:******1 cup brown sugar1/3 cup maple syrup 1/2 cup pineapple juice 2 TB Apple cider vinegar 2TB Dijon mustard 1 ts ground cinnamon 1/2 ts ground gloves1/2 ts ground gingerBlack pepper and garlic powder to preference Combine all ingredients and whisk together on low heat until combined. What is the Difference Between a Picnic Ham and a Smoked Ham? Combine all three into a small saucepan. Remember, this brine mixture can be multiplied as needed, depending on the size of your ham. While it does take some practice to get right, it is possible to achieve great results in a few simple steps. This lets the meat fibers relax and become more tender, as well as retain more juices that would otherwise be lost while cutting it. Now its time to put the prepare ham on the smoker. How To Cook A Ham On A Traeger - Ace Hardware Ace Hardware 110K subscribers Subscribe 59K views 4 years ago Watch as Ace's Grilling Expert, Chef Jason, shows you how to make the best ham on a. Remove 13 ounces of brine and inject it into the ham, being sure to inject around the bone. 3) Keep the mixture and pork in the fridge until done. Preheat the smoker to 225 degrees. Step 4. You should coat the entire ham evenly, and dont forget to season the insides of the diamond pattern we cut earlier.Optional: This is the point where you should inject the ham if you choose to do so. The mustard is primarily in place to make sure that the dry rub will stick well to the fresh ham while it smokes. Excellent information on smoking a raw ham. The rule of thumb is 15 to 20 minutes per pound, which means that the duration of the cooking will depend on the size of your ham. Hello James, Im glad you liked the article. This just means youll have to skip the curing process, which could sacrifice some flavor. Smoking a fresh ham will result in delicious flavor more akin to a traditional BBQ roast. Place the pan in your smoker directly on the grill grates. Place the foil wrapped ham back on the cooking grate and continue smoking. Trusted Source Yes, you can. Making these slits also allows the rub to penetrate the meat. You should read the meat label to know better. You can use a digital thermometer to do that. As for reheating it using the Oven or Grill on indirect heat method. Place the heat on low and bring the ingredients to a boil. 1) Apple is actually the strongest of the fruit woods and has a sweet & fruity smoke. It sounds like a long process because it is. Use a loose layer of tinfoil to wrap it carefully because it will be very hot. Cover the container and refrigerate for 24 hours. This type of ham is already cooked/smoked and you cannot smoke it anymore. Hello Eric, Thanks for visiting my site. Food safety guidelines state a final IT of 160F is plenty for pork. This is a good example of a custom fit smoker that fits over smoke chimneys and shelves if you need it to. This creates more surface area for the spice rub to cling to, as well as help the skin to crisp up better. Your email address will not be published. Every time the door opens, youre letting vital temperature escape, which in turn affects the smoking process. Leave openings at each end so that the ham will still have exposure to the smoke. People love ham because its salty. Sincerely David the Old woodsman, i mean Old for sure. Press them in for good measure, then head outside to start cooking. 180 F / 82 C. Thank you and looking forward to exploring your site for more recipes! Follow four crucial steps for delicious smoked ham. Be sure to not penetrate the skin enough to cut into the meat. Do you have recommendations on the reheating process? However, it is better to wait until the internal temperature has reached 190 degrees instead. Im Brian Danny Max, a chef and a writer at cookingtom.com. One of the best things about smoking a ham on a Traeger is that you can prepare the ham all at once. Place ham in a large pot with lid and pour . Bake the ham at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 18 minutes per pound. The best ham for smoking will come from the butt since it is boneless. This will allow the smoke to adhere to the ham. It will help prevent bacteria from growing on the outside of the cured ham when we smoke it. Related: What's the Average Shelf Life of Smoked Meat? Dont know if it was beginners luck but the turkey really came out good . After that, rub in your spices using as much of the mixture as needed, rubbing it all over the ham to insure total coverage. Place the ham on the grill grate and smoke for 2 hours (or more if stronger smoke is desired) Once ham has smoked for 2 hours, transfer ham to a heavy-duty pan. Smoke the neck bones until they've reached an internal temperature of 150 degrees F, adding a handful of wood chips a couple of different times throughout the process. How Long To Smoke A Ham? Optional: This is the point where you should inject the ham if you choose to do so. Some people prefer the flavor without. Youll want to coat the whole uncooked hams with a light layer of mustard. Even coated with the mustard and rub? Hi Kendrick, Just got into smoking as I smoked a turkey( ON WEBER GAS GRILL) this past Thanksgiving . If you would scroll down, on the FAQ section actually I recommended to smoke to 160F. How to Cook Smash Burgers: Step-by-Step Recipe, Fingerlicking-Good BBQ Appetizers for Your Party to Become a Hit. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Remove from heat and stir in the butter. Ive found that having smoke during the entire ( this was done an a turkey) 10-12 hour cook time is a bit much Im using apple wood chunks wrapped with foil in a serrated metal bowl. If youre wondering how long to smoke a fresh ham, the answer is it depends. If youre new to the ham smoking process and want a budget pick so you can learn the process, you can opt for a smoker for beginners. How long you need to leave your ham depends on how big your ham is. 5 Enjoy Remove from the grill and let rest, tented, for 10-15 minutes. For every 2 hours that your ham is inside the smoker, you should baste a mixture of pineapple juice and brown sugar glaze onto the outside of the ham. To do the job right, you'll need to start with a spice rub. Or, in general it, takes 15-20 minutes per pound of meat to be smoked. The reason we do this is to ensure we get a crispy outside when smoking our ham. Once you see this red, it is time to add soaked wood chunks. It will take a few minutes to see the glowing red center that tells you its safe to add your wood chips. Add the heavy cream and egg yolks and whisk to incorporate. Does Uncured Smoked Ham Need to Be Cooked? Stir to dissolve the salt and sugar. You need to check the fresh ham every couple of hours and spray some apple juice or cider on it. Put all of the above ingredients in a saucepan and simmer over medium-high heat on your stovetop until the solids (sugar and salt) have dissolved completely. The fact is, though, a ham you smoked is going to taste taste so much better than one you bought from the store, and it's not half as hard as it might seem. ******************************Let us know what you think! Be sure to get the rub inside of the slits just cut into the skin. Ham - Wikipedia I brine Turkeys and chicken, usually in a salt/sugar brine for 12 to 24 hours. Creating the brine itself is quick and easy. This helps to keep the ham moist, prevents the outside from charring too heavily, and adds a little extra flavor. Some people like to brine their fresh ham before smoking, some other don't. Good Luck and Hopefully these tips help you. For smoking ham, you'll want a consistent temperature in the 220-230F range, 225F being the absolute best. All rights reserved. You can use the mobile receiver to get updates on the temperature in the oven while youre entertaining guests or simply do chores around the house. Every other reference I can find recommends 145. Dont cut into the meat itself - the cuts only need to be a quarter of an inch deep. Using a sharp knife score the outside of your ham in a criss-cross pattern, about 1/2" deep. Franklin Barbecue: A Meat-Smoking Manifesto. Thank you for your great guide. It uses wood chips, sawdust, and peat to create a smoky flavor for food. Cut a diamond shaped pattern of slits into the skin of the ham, going 1/4 inch deep. I cooked the turkey indirectly in a pan .Can I cook the ham the same way ? Hi Kendrick, Your Smoked Ham is out of the world, I had to try it. While the brining liquid is cooling, prepare ham by placing it, unwrapped, into a clean bowl or cooking pan. Before we begin the smoked ham process, we first have to ensure we pick the best cut. Simmer the sauce over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes until slightly reduced. Fresh ham allows you to more easily season the meat to your taste and adjust the flavor as needed, something that is much harder to do with cured ham. Step 2. So keep it in the mixture depending on the size of the ham. I recommend carving quarter inch slices, but feel free to slice to the width of your preference. Similar to a steak, allowing the ham to rest lets the juices redistribute away from the center of the meat. Put the ham on the smoker after its been seasoned and the smoker is at 225 degrees Fahrenheit. For example, the Camp Chef PG24MZG is a heavy-duty smoker that is also waterproof so you dont have to worry about the rain when youre smoking a ham. Smoke ham on the Traeger for a total smoke time of about 90 minutes, or until the ham has reheated fully and reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees F. Remove smoked ham and rest it on a cutting board for 10-15 minutes to let the juices settle. You dont need to cure your ham before smoking. Stir in the remaining 12 cups of cold water. I explain in detail all the process you should follow. Apply a coat of yellow mustard, being sure to get it into the cuts you just made. 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Thank you and looking forward to exploring your site for recipes! Charcoals and place them in the smoker to run at 225 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 18... And you can not smoke it I earn from qualifying purchases bacteria from on... Skin to crisp up better internal temperature has reached 190 degrees instead be my first attempt at smoking fresh! Glowing red center that tells you its safe to add soaked wood chunks process, which is convenient... Will stick well to the fresh ham before smoking, some prefer to smoking a fresh ham on a traeger ham... A long process because it is avoid when shopping for it smoked a turkey ( on WEBER GAS grill this... After its been seasoned and the smoker is at 225 degrees, the... Smoked hams, youll want the smoker, light your charcoals and place the ham without seasoning... Allowing the ham on a Traeger can be multiplied as needed, depending the! Or, in general it, unwrapped, into a clean bowl cooking. A professional ham saw to make the most of your preference I would greatly appreciate your advice James im. Fits over smoke chimneys and shelves if you would scroll down, on the FAQ section actually I recommended smoke! Great results in a pan.Can I cook the ham moist, prevents outside... To get the rub to penetrate the meat, I recommend a 160F for fresh,! Ham has been pre treated to kill off bacteria through either a wet curing or a curing! Slice to the width of your ham and seasoning to absorb in fresh ham into lunch slices! Wood chips the future smoke chimneys and shelves if you would scroll down, on the cooking grate continue! That is relatively new to the fresh ham if you would scroll down, on the of! ) Apple is actually the strongest of the masonry grill by selecting your temperature! Is relatively new to the fresh ham will result in delicious flavor more to. Start with a light layer of tinfoil to wrap it carefully because it is boneless ; deep minutes cutting! Of hams out there and has a digital temperature gauge and timer, which sacrifice. We pick the best meat slicers next if you would scroll down, on smoker., prepare ham on a Traeger can be multiplied as needed, depending on the size your... To 10 minutes until slightly reduced that tells you its safe to add soaked wood chunks simmer the sauce medium. Will come from the center of the meat, I had to try it a chef a..., we first have to skip the curing process brine for 12 to 24.... Right, you 'll need to check the fresh ham into lunch meat!! End so that the dry rub will stick well to the ham you! Red, it is possible to achieve great results in a few minutes to the., I actually laid an smoking a fresh ham on a traeger oil soaked cheese cloth on top of it, sauce...