When it comes to special occasions like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, there’s no better centerpiece for the holiday table than a smoked sweet onion honey glazed ham on a pellet grill. The result is a delectable meal that’s sure to impress your guests. As the glaze infuses into the meat, it creates a rich, velvety texture and a depth of flavor that’s simply phenomenal.The combination of smoky, warm notes from the cooked ham and sweet, caramelized flavors from the glaze is nothing short of magical. And the best part? This recipe transforms a precooked ham into a dish that’s truly show-stopping. Whether you’re looking for a memorable Easter dinner or a standout Christmas feast, this smoked spiral cut ham with honey glaze is sure to hit the spot.Of course, no holiday table would be complete without some other delicious treats to accompany your main event. Why not try adding some pizza giana rustica, Easter bundt cakes, and coconut tequila cottontail cocktails to your menu? Whatever you choose, rest assured that your guests will leave feeling grateful for the incredible feast they enjoyed.
Why You’ll Love This
The pièce de résistance of any holiday meal, a well-cooked spiral-cut ham takes on new dimensions when smoked to perfection on a Traeger grill. It’s an experience that transcends ordinary ham, elevating it to extraordinary heights. The result is nothing short of divine, with every bite a testament to the magic of slow-smoking. Moreover, this show-stopping centerpiece leaves ample opportunities for creative leftovers, from savory sandwiches to fresh salads.
How to Make this Honey Ham Recipe
Now that you have the ingredients for your smoked ham with a brown sugar honey glaze, let’s dive into the cooking process. To start, generously apply a layer of brown sugar all over the ham – don’t be shy! This sweet and sticky glaze is essential to creating a beautifully glazed ham.Next, place the ham in a roasting pan along with some aromatics like onions, garlic, cinnamon, bay leaves, and coriander. Add pineapple juice and water, then smoke the ham for about an hour.While the ham is smoking, you can start preparing the glaze by pureeing some of the smoked onions and combining them with the remaining ingredients. Once the glaze has thickened to your liking, pour it over the ham and return it to the smoker or Traeger grill for a little while longer.After the ham has had time to absorb all that sweet and sticky goodness, let it rest before serving. I’m confident you’ll be amazed at how incredible this Traeger ham recipe turns out, whether you’re making it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any other special occasion.
A Closer Look at the Spiral Cut Smoked Ham Recipe
When cooking a spiral ham on the Traeger, it’s common to use a bone-in ham cut into one large spiral shape for easy cutting and serving. However, this presentation can also lead to dryness if the ham isn’t properly glazed. The solution lies in creating a sweet glaze that not only adds flavor but also helps retain moisture. This approach ensures that even when you warm the ham up, it won’t become dry and tough. Instead, the internal temperature will be reached, and the result will be a juicy, well-glazed smoked ham. By applying a mixture of brown sugar and other ingredients, you’ll achieve a tender and flavorful final product.
A Pellet Smoker or Traeger Grill is Perfect for Smoking a Ham
While reheating pre-cooked hams in the oven is an option, many enthusiasts argue that smoking a ham from scratch is where the real fun begins. The pellet grill has been around for over 40 years, with Traeger being one of the pioneers, and its popularity continues to grow.The appeal of pellet smokers like Traeger grills lies in their ability to maintain a consistent low temperature for extended periods without requiring constant adjustments or added fuel. This makes them perfect for slow-cooking tender meats like pulled pork, ribs, brisket, and of course, smoked sweet onion honey glazed ham.
Glazed Ham FAQs
When it comes to storing and reheating leftover ham, there are a few key considerations. First, you’ll want to keep your leftovers in the refrigerator for up to four days or in the freezer for about a month. When reheating, be sure only to reheat as much as you plan to serve – this will help prevent drying out. For example, 15 minutes in the oven at 325 degrees F should do the trick nicely. As a general rule of thumb, give your ham leftovers around 10 minutes per pound when warming it back up. Beyond reheating, there are plenty of creative ways to repurpose leftover ham, such as making sandwiches, soups, or even incorporating it into recipes like beans and ham. When deciding between a bone-in and boneless ham, the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference. However, if you’re looking for optimal texture and ease of use, I’d recommend opting for a bone-in ham from your local butcher or grocery store. The added benefit of using the bone in future recipes – like ham and cannellini bean soup – is a nice bonus. Ultimately, both types of hams can work well for this recipe, so feel free to choose whichever suits your taste.
Smoked Sweet Onion Honey Glazed Ham Recipe
Smoked Sweet Onion Honey Glazed Ham
For a mouthwatering meal that’s sure to impress on special occasions, look no further than smoked sweet onion honey glazed ham. Whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, this recipe is perfect for a pellet smoker or Traeger grill. The result is a juicy and flavorful dish that’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters. With only 10 minutes of prep time and a total cooking time of 1 hour and 40 minutes, this recipe is a great option for those with busy schedules. In fact, you can expect 10 generous servings from this delicious honey ham.
Instructions
To begin, preheat your smoker to 300°F and let it run for 15 minutes with the lid closed. Meanwhile, coat the ham in brown sugar, making sure it’s evenly coated. Place the ham into a roasting pan and surround it with aromatics like onions, garlic, coriander, cinnamon sticks, and bay leaves. Next, pour water and pineapple juice along the sides of the ham to create a flavorful environment.After 15 minutes, place the ham in the smoker for 1 hour and 15 minutes. At the one-hour mark, heat up a saucepan over medium heat. Remove 1 cup of sliced onions from the smoker and purée them in a food processor. Add the brown sugar, Madeira, sherry, and honey to the saucepan with the puréed onions. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer for 15 minutes.Once the glaze is ready, pour 3/4 of it over the ham, making sure it’s fully coated. Use the remaining glaze to brush between the slices of the ham. Finally, smoke the ham for an additional 20 minutes or until its internal temperature reaches 160°F. Let the ham rest for 15 minutes before serving.