Double Smoked Ham - Immaculate Bites

Double-smoked ham is succulent, infused with flavor, and super easy. Make your next holiday ham even more tender and juicy with an extra kiss of hardwood smoke. Amaze your family with a restaurant-quality meal at a fraction of the price.

My besties and I occasionally get together for a movie marathon. This weekend, it’s my turn to host, and luckily, I have everything ready. Since this only happens every once in a while, I’m going to serve a crowd-pleasing double-smoked ham.

Doubled Smoked Ham for the Holidays

Ham is traditional for the holidays. However, a good ham is impressive even when no holiday is in sight. And when you smoke an already-cured ham, it gets even better. Twice-smoked ham packs a real punch that enhances sandwiches, scalloped potatoes, and soups.

How to Glaze and Smoke Ham

1. Prep Ham – Remove the ham (a spiral-cut ham is even easier) from its packaging and discard the flavoring packet (if included). If using a bone-in ham, check the end of the bone for a plastic cap and, if present, discard. Let it come to room temperature for 2 hours if time permits. (Photo 1)
2. Preheat the smoker to 250℉ (120℃).
3. Glaze – In a saucepan, melt the glaze ingredients (butter, brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, Creole seasoning, allspice, ginger, cloves, and lemon juice) over medium heat. Stir often until brown sugar dissolves, 1-2 minutes, and set aside. (Double the glaze for extra to serve). (Photo 2)
4. Place ham cut-side down in a disposable aluminum pan.
5. Pour the glaze over the ham, reserving about ⅓ cup for basting. Generously spread the mixture to cover completely and place the ham flat-side down in the aluminum pan.
6. Smoke – Place the pan in the smoker on the middle rack and cook for 2-3 hours. Baste every 30-45 minutes with its own juice and extra glaze. Smoke until the ham reaches 140℉ (60℃) on an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part. (Photo 3-6)
7. Serve – Remove ham and place on a serving platter. Serve with roasted potatoes, gravy, and your favorite side. Enjoy!

Which Smoking Method Is Best?

The short, easy answer is whatever you have and love. There isn’t one specific way to perfectly smoke ham. Mixing and matching different aromas and flavors delivers the best smokey taste.

My Choice: Pellet Smoker

Pros 

• Set it and forget it. This smoker is one of the easiest I’ve used. Fire it up, add whatever you’re smoking, and occasionally check the internal temperature for doneness.
• Flavored wood chips. Pellets are compressed and flavored wood for customizable flavor profiles.
• Indirect heat for even smoking is always a good thing.

Cons

• Bulky. It does take up space, but if you have a dedicated smoking area, it’s ideal.

How to Use a Pellet Smoker

1. Load the hopper with pellets (2 pounds per smoking hour is recommended). Open the lid and light it. Prep your food while it heats.
2. Food. As soon as you see smoke, place the ham on a rack in the middle of the smoker. That ensures it cooks evenly without burning on one side.
3. Water pan. Add half a cup of water to the pan in the smoking chamber so your meat doesn’t dry out. This method also better infuses the woodchip flavor into the meat. (My favorites are apple, peach, or cherry for ham, but feel free to mix and match.)
4. Smoke. Shut the lid to trap that flavorful smoke and heat. Set a timer so you don’t forget it, then chill with a beer (optional).

Verdict: This way is by far the easiest to smoke. It automatically feeds pellets into the heater and fans the heat throughout the chamber. No need to get dirty; just check the meat occasionally!

I love my Traeger pellet grill because it’s one of the most versatile smokers on the market. They also offer a wide range of woodchip flavors.

Charcoal Grill

Pros

• Compact. The small size is truly convenient, especially if you live in a small space.
• Go green. Enjoy your favorite smoked recipe while in the great outdoors without using electricity.
• Low cost. Its low cost and low maintenance make it more affordable. Plus, it’s easier to clean!

Cons

• Direct heat. The charcoal is in the same chamber as the ham and can create hot spots. That can lead to roasting rather than smoking, which can burn one side of the meat if you don’t keep an eye on it.
• Mess. When done smoking, you’ll deal with hot coals, which can be a little dirty.

How Your Charcoal Grill Doubles as a Smoker

1. Heat the charcoal on one side of the grill. Putting a tin below the meat catches the juices that drip off.
2. Place the ham on the side of the grill furthest from the coals and put a water pan beside it.
3. Shut the lid and start smoking.

Verdict: I like this method because it’s convenient with no bulky unit in my backyard. Just add your favorite wood flavor to the charcoal, and you’re ready to go.

Electric Smoker

Pros

• Indirect heat. No open fire for this smoker, just woodchips and some heating rods.
• Thermometer. The built-in thermometer lets you see the smoker’s internal temp.
• Longer cooking time. It cooks longer and slower because of the lower maximum temperature. This is both a pro and a con because it depends on when you want your meal.

Cons

• Longer cooking time. It cooks longer and slower because of the lower maximum temperature.
• Electricity. Your electric bill may be higher when using this smoker.
• Taste. You may taste a slight difference without the authentic smoke from a burning woodchip, but it’s not a deal-breaker.

How to use an electric smoker

1. Preheat the unit with the woodchips of your choice.
2. Water pan. Place your water pan in the lowest possible place once the smoker reaches the desired temperature.
3. Smoke. Place the ham on the rack and close the lid or door.

Verdict: Electric grills may take longer because they cook at lower temperatures.

NOTE: If using a brand-new unit for the first time, season the racks with cooking oil and heat until the manufacturing residue dissipates.

Pro Tip: To hang your ham for smoking, simply remove the detachable racks and hang it on a meat hook.

Menu Suggestions

Double-smoked ham is fabulous with roast garlic mashed potatoes, easy dinner rolls, and Parmesan-crusted asparagus. Pecan pie for dessert takes it over the top.

More Delicious Ham Recipes to Try

By Imma

This blog post was originally published in March 2022 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video