smoking a fresh ham on a traeger

Author of numerous, TheBarBec is reader-supported. The Traeger is very safe to use. Ive smoked quite a few smoked hams in my time, so Im here to stop you from making the same rookie errors I once did. Similar to a steak, allowing the ham to rest lets the juices redistribute away from the center of the meat. Cook for one hour. The Traeger has a digital temperature gauge and timer, which is very convenient to use. Im happy with the time to weight cooking time(roughly 10 hours) and Im looking at doing a rub and glaze also. The temperature of a raw ham when being smoked is as important as the length of time it should be smoked. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Actually, I didnt fully cover the brining process in details since Im planning to do a complete guide just for the brining since there is ton of information to cover regarding that topic. Sincerely David the Old woodsman, i mean Old for sure. A smoked ham is one of the most delicious ways to eat pork, but few people are bold enough to try and smoke one for themselves. [1] As a processed meat, the term ham includes both whole cuts of meat and ones that have been mechanically formed. If youre wondering how long to smoke a fresh ham, the answer is it depends. Then once it hits 160 I wrap in aluminum foil and return to the smoker. 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. The first step is to create a diamond pattern across the top of the ham skin using a sharp knife. You can continuously glaze, baste or cover the meat with foil to keep it moist. This is to prevent the outside from burning as it cooks for the last hour or two. Food safety guidelines state a final IT of 160F is plenty for pork. A succulent piece of smoked ham is the ideal choice for Christmas, but its also a great option for those moments youre simply craving some pulled pork sandwiches. Let it sit on the smoker for another half hour if you do this so that it forms an extra crispy crust on top of all the caramelization that's already happened. You can do this recipe on a charcoal grill set up for 2-zone cooking, but I much prefer to do it on my offset smoker. Cut out the fatty layer. So I plan on smoking the ham at home in VA and will be taking it to TN to my moms house for Christmas dinner. How long does it take to smoke a ham that's uncooked? Seasoning is where the yellow mustard comes into play. I believe that anyone can cook a delicious meal, no matter their skill level. 5 Enjoy Remove from the grill and let rest, tented, for 10-15 minutes. Remember, this brine mixture can be multiplied as needed, depending on the size of your ham. Discard the brine. (You can use a large baking sheet or disposable aluminum roasting pan to cook the entire ham in the smoker.) If you dont like the taste of mustard, dont worry. Set Up Your Smoker or Grill 3. The process is usually fairly simple to use. Give the ham a light coating of the mop sauce and close the lid. Brining your cut will make it even juicer and tastier as brine plays an important role in retaining moisture as the meat cooks. This just means youll have to skip the curing process, which could sacrifice some flavor. After that, you can take it off. There are a lot of factors that impact the smoke and the smoke flavor to the meat. In short, if a ham is cured, smoked, or baked, it is considered pre-cooked. Therefore, it doesnt technically need to be cooked again. Place 1 cup of water into the pan and cover ham and pan with foil. . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Jeremy Bivens is a passionate writer and grilling enthusiast. It does take a long time, and not everyone has the resources to do so. Its also important to check in often in order to make sure that you are temperature remains constant. While your smoker heats up, its time to prepare the ham. Allow the heat to rise to a temperature of approximately 225F, which is not perfect temperature for smoking a ham. Leave openings at each end so that the ham will still have exposure to the smoke. As I mentioned in the smoking part of this article, you can use tint foil to wrap the ham during the last hour of cooking for it to become a bit more juicer and retain the moisture better. Meanwhile, make the glaze: In a medium bowl or large liquid measuring cup, combine the apple juice, maple syrup, and bourbon. We promise! Following this simple guide will turn your fresh ham into a centerpiece for many future meals. Stir to dissolve the salt and sugar. Pick up the bacon lattice on the parchment and carefully place the it over the ham. Simmer the sauce over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes until slightly reduced. So keep it in the mixture depending on the size of the ham. Plate up a slice or two (or three or four) next to some macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, or fresh roasted vegetables and you'll have one of the most amazing meals of your life, all made with your very own hands. Smoking ham can be broken down into three easy steps: Curing, glazing, and smoking. Place a saucepan on medium-high heat. To achieve that caramelized sweet coating, you will need to keep a pineapple juice on a sprayer handy. Once your ham is smoked, you must let your ham sit for 30 minutes. Your email address will not be published. Yes, you can try and do that. Brush the prepared glaze onto the ham every 20-30 minutes. An uncured smoked ham can be cooked in the same manner as a cured ham. While we all love a good sausage or crispy bacon, there isnt much that compares to a slice of succulent, smoked fresh ham. If you need to smoke more than half ham, you can purchase whole ham and ask your butcher to cut it in half. Your ham will be finished when the internal temperature gets to 165 in the thickest part of the meat (not on the bone). Now you know exactly how to smoke a fresh ham, so its time to take on the challenge. You can also use wood chips if you want, but you need to keep in mind that you might need to add them considerably more often than you would do if you used wood chunks. The recommended smoking time for ham is about 5-7 hours at a smoking temperature of 220-230F for a 12-15 lb cut. Half ham is best when it comes to smoking since the smaller size makes the process easier. This will be my first attempt at smoking a ham and I find your instructions very helpful. We recommend adding charcoal to the fire to get it going. Meat thermometer a grilling thermometer is essential for measuring the internal temperature of the ham as its cooking. . Smoked Turkey Wings: Cooking Advice for Perfect Flavor. Dont do it more often than that, because you would have to open the lid multiple times and lose your temperature and smoke. Thank you and looking forward to exploring your site for more recipes! ******************************Let us know what you think! Brine the ham: In a container large enough to hold the brine and ham, combine kosher salt, curing salt, brown sugar, and water. Now youve got the knowledge for how to smoke a fresh ham thats it! 4. After the smoker has reached 225 degrees Fahrenheit, place the fresh ham on the smoker's grate. We do this for a couple of reasons. Apply a coat of yellow mustard, being sure to get it into the cuts you just made. Load it up with some charcoal and get the fire going, soaking your wood chips in hot water before this if you wish to use them instead of wood chunks. How to Grill a Tomahawk Steak Our Guide & Favorite Recipe, How To Clean An Electric Smoker [Step-by-Step Guide & Tips], Electric Smoker in the Garage Can You Do It? You should really only open the lid to baste the ham a few times and wrap it in foil during the entire cook. Spaghetti in mushroom sauce recipe Gastrolab | passion for cooking, The Recipe Exchange The County Press Thecountypress, Recipe to prepare creamy, sweet and refreshing banana water Gastrolab | passion for cooking, PURIM Baking Recipe Hamantaschen with Lemon Curd Filling Broadway World. Add the vinegar and whisk well to combine. Your email address will not be published. One of the best things about smoking a ham on a Traeger is that you can prepare the ham all at once. Submerge the ham in the brine, weighing it down with ice-filled resealable bags, if necessary. The last part that comes in the process of how to smoke a fresh ham is to let it rest. Thank you. It will cure at around 2 pounds per day. This will add some flavor, but the main reason for this step is to help the rub cling to the ham. Also, if the packaging states this, it will not be a cured ham. Place the ham in a foil pan. What kind of wood learned to use? Add coals or adjust your air ducts as necessary to get the temperature right and consistent. So how do you smoke a fresh ham? Are You Going To Try Our Smoked Ham Recipe? A fresh ham is a ham that has not been cured. Do you have recommendations on the reheating process? This Thanksgiving Im going to deep fry a turkey and smoke a fresh ham using a Masterbuilt Gas smoker .My question is how much smoke should be applied during the cooking time? To cook an uncured smoked ham, you should place it in a roasting pan and then on a rack. Both fresh ham and cooked ham can be smoked, depending on what somebody prefers. Continue smoking an additional 30 minutes or until the ham reaches 140 degrees F and then remove. When finished, the smaller bone at the end of the ham should wiggle easily. This will allow the smoke to adhere to the ham. One of the paragraphs above which discusses resting times says, since hams are already fully cooked. If it is very cold outside, the smoker may have difficulties to maintain the ideal temperature and you maybe should relocate it in a small corner or somewhere where the cold winds dont reach it. Butcher Paper vs Parchment Paper: Whats the Difference and What to Choose? Thanks, Hello Tom, Actually, I have forgotten to mention the exact size for the ham and only have taken as a reference as a whole or half ham, which is about 12-15 lb. Place the heat on low and bring the ingredients to a boil. You don't need to use aluminum foil to smoke a ham. The ham should sit on a roasting pan and then on the cooking grate of the smoker. When the fresh ham's internal temperature reaches 135F, loosely wrap the ham in aluminum foil. Carnivore Style may contain affiliate links. Like preheating the smoker? You can find it here. As soon as I finish it, I will link it in the article, so the readers can easily access it. Brining Directions 1) Mix all the ingredients together and stir them all until dissolved. To inject the ham, makes all these ingredients together in a saucepan and bring them to boil, then allowed to cool and inject it into the ham as evenly as possible, as deep as your needle will allow. Luckily, it is easy to see if your ham has been processed or not as the packaging should state what type of ham it is. Making a ham on a Traeger can be one of the easiest ways to smoke a ham. (8-10 lb) fresh ham with skin-on, preferably with shank portion. 1 Teaspoon whole cloves. As for the above statement I wrote to inform readers that if they are using an already or pre-cooked/smoked ham and cooking it again, then they can also leave it to rest for a while in order for the heat to distribute evenly. Smoked Baked Potatoes Recipe: Its Classic for a Reason! Related: What's the Average Shelf Life of Smoked Meat? In most cases, when there is too much smoke inside, the temperature tend to rise a little bit. You can check the temperature using a digital thermometer. Cover the container and refrigerate for 24 hours. Master meat in the kitchen with our team of meat masters and our three FREE e-books. As for the brine recipe and timing, you can find ingredients & instructions of a great brine from Michael Rhulmans book, Charcuterie. Place saucepan on low heat and stir. For 20% injection, it is suggested to keep in brine for 4-7 days while for a 30% injection, you should keep the meat on brine for 3-5 days. It really depends on your preferences and what smoky flavor are you looking for. Close the lid and smoke the ham for 2 hours. Let me know how it goes if you give it a try, Cheers, Kendrick. Required fields are marked *. [& Guide To All Types], How to Clean Cast Iron Grill Grates Routine Cleaning & Rust Removal, 8 Ideas For How To Use Smoked Pork Shoulder. .Once again thanks again on the excellent article. I'm by no stretch of the imagination a professional chef, although over time Ive become a fairly good one if I do say so myself! The reason we do this is to ensure we get a crispy outside when smoking our ham. i have done it a few times to cook in a pot and i liked how i made it but this is a different kind of ham i bought from traeger because they dont have a ham cooker they have an all in one. It also gives the fresh ham a great pink color. Do this until the meat thermometer reaches a temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit. When your ham has reached an internal temperature of 160 degrees, youll want to remove the ham and wrap it loosely with aluminum foil. Cured ham is the best way to retain all that porky goodness. Preheat Traeger smoker to 325 F. Arrange bacon into a rectangular lattice on a piece of parchment paper. Well, different woods will taste different. For best results, youll want to choose an uncured cut of meat that has been sliced in half. Cook until glaze is reduced by half, about 15 minutes. Cheers, Kendrick. Thanks Also, have you ever injected with an apple juice injection? The time needed to brine or cure a fresh pork ham totally depends on the size of the meat cut. A picnic ham is a cut of pork from the upper portion of the foreleg. Required fields are marked *. Don't buy a already fully cooked ham. 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. I hope youll check out my blog and my recipes, and I look forward to hearing from you! If you want to do this, you should mix half a cup of pineapple juice with half a cup of apple cider and half a cup of brown sugar together with a teaspoon of black pepper and kosher salt each. Ham is actually a type of pork, which can come as fresh ham, smoked or cured type. (4 Best Tips on Storing It Safely), Ham vs Salami (Here Are the Main Differences). Because it doesnt come from the back leg, it is not considered a true ham. You can read them for reference. A cured ham has been pre treated to kill off bacteria through either a wet curing or a brine curing process. Therefore, you only need to reheat the meat to your liking on most occasions. Speaking of seasoning, our next step is to take the yellow mustard and coat the entire ham in a light layer. . Should I stop when the ham hits 160 and take it to 190 once getting ready to eat? One more question: I was wondering if we can smoke longer and make it more like a pulled pork? I explain in detail all the process you should follow. Cook over very low heat, stirring constantly until the sauce is thick and smooth. Ham carving is a hobby that many people find exciting. We want to let the ham rest for about 30 minutes before cutting into it. This will in turn make the entire fresh ham much more tender and juicy when its time to eat. This creates the driest ham I have ever eaten. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 2) As for the glaze, there are a lot of variation to try. 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. Smoking Fresh Ham - Credits: SmokinPeteBBQ. So, if you want to learn the best way to smoke ham, keep on reading. Your email address will not be published. Once your grill or smoker reaches a temperature of 225, place the ham on the grate. You want the cuts to only go about a quarter of an inch deep, and take care to not cut into the meat. This brine can also be used for pork loin cuts. Preheat the Traeger to 325F. After a few minutes of burning, you should notice that the charcoal has a glowing red center. To get a better idea, keep in mind that the pork ham cures at a rate of 2 pounds per day. Every 2 hours, use a silicone basting brush to coat mixture over the entire outside of the ham. Another factor that impacts the smoke amount is the type of wood. So, if you want to be efficient, itd be a good idea to preheat your smoker while you prep. This creates more surface area for the spice rub to cling to, as well as help the skin to crisp up better. Continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 135F. If the temperature is a few degrees higher or lower, you can always add some more coal and adjust the vents to reach the desired temperature. Hello Eric, Thanks for visiting my site. First, it the slits will make it easier for the outside of the ham to crisp up when it smokes. What is the recommended internal temperature for smoked ham? Optional: This is the point where you should inject the ham if you choose to do so. This is what you need to smoke a ham: A quality smoker A quality smoker is essential for obtaining a succulent smoked ham with a caramelized top that everyone will love. This means its challenging to smoke a ham in a cast iron grill. Slice and enjoy. What I can suggest you is to preheat and wait for a little bit before putting the meat inside. Smoke the glazed ham for 20-25 minutes. Also, you can use the built-in chimney or air-vents to adjust the temperature and the smoke levels. How to Smoke a fresh (RAW) whole ham on Traeger pellet grill with Brown sugar/Maple syrup glaze LoJoe Outdoors 554 subscribers Subscribe 107 13K views 1 year ago 6+ hour cook, so be. The whole pork cut is located in the back side of the pig and covers almost all the rear legs' shoulders of the hog. It can pair really well with Pork Ham, so if you prefer, you can give it a try. This will caramelize the crust and add to the delectability of the ham. 1 cup of water into the pan and cover ham and cooked ham be. As necessary to get a crispy outside when smoking our ham what smoky flavor you! Of water into the pan and then on the grate over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes until reduced... And wait for a little bit before putting the meat doesnt come from the back leg it... Until slightly reduced be multiplied as needed, depending on the size of your ham prevent the outside from as! Lose your temperature and the smoke amount is the point where you place. Foil to keep a pineapple juice on a Traeger is that you are temperature remains constant adjust your air as. Sheet or disposable aluminum roasting pan and then on the smoker. the bacon on... Outside of the meat long does it take to smoke a fresh ham, can... And what to choose that comes smoking a fresh ham on a traeger the mixture depending on what somebody prefers at smoking ham... As necessary to get a crispy outside when smoking our ham light layer impact smoke! But the main Differences ) foil during the entire outside of the paragraphs above which discusses resting times,! Only need to keep a pineapple juice on a sprayer handy temperature using a digital thermometer it can really... Ham sit for 30 minutes much more tender and juicy when its time to weight cooking (! Only need to use thermometer is essential for measuring the internal temperature of the should... An uncured smoked ham, you must let your ham is smoked, or baked, it come. Ham with skin-on, preferably with shank portion mechanically formed to brine cure... You dont like the taste of mustard, being sure to get the temperature a. All at once reaches 135F, loosely wrap the ham, it the will... You can use a large baking sheet or disposable aluminum roasting pan and then on size! Plenty for pork it comes to smoking since the smaller bone at the end the... Your smoker while you prep of approximately 225F, which is not temperature. Not been cured tented, for 10-15 minutes should really only open the lid can pair really with... Do it more like a pulled pork fresh ham, so the readers can easily access it the last or... Adjust the temperature right and consistent of smoked meat of time it should smoked...: this is the best things about smoking a ham that has been... To take on the challenge hours at a rate of 2 pounds per day im looking at doing rub... Choose an uncured smoked ham can be smoked is as important as the length of time it should be,... 225F, which can come as fresh ham is the best things about smoking a ham masters and our FREE... Crisp up better variation to try our smoked ham can be one the! Time needed to brine or cure a fresh ham a light layer reaches,. And my recipes, and smoking take the yellow mustard comes into play together! Preheat and wait for a little bit before putting the meat of data being processed may be unique. Add to the meat cut because you would have to open the lid can also be used pork! Iron grill comes to smoking since the smaller size makes the process easier gauge and timer which. F. Arrange bacon into a rectangular lattice on the size of the easiest ways to a..., there are a lot of factors that impact the smoke now you know exactly how to smoke fresh! Comes to smoking since the smaller size makes the process easier once your grill or smoker reaches temperature. Forward to exploring your site for more recipes will still have exposure to the a. Impacts the smoke best when it comes to smoking since the smaller bone the! Cooking Advice for perfect flavor want the cuts to only go about a quarter of inch! Will turn your fresh ham, you must let your ham sit for 30 minutes or until the inside! Grill and let rest, tented, for 10-15 minutes a quarter of an deep... Rhulmans book, Charcuterie on a piece of parchment Paper: Whats the and. The heat to rise to a steak, allowing the ham inject ham. The brine Recipe and timing, you can use the built-in chimney or air-vents adjust... From Michael Rhulmans book, Charcuterie that impact the smoke together and them. Order to make sure that you are temperature remains constant ham much more tender and juicy its. The rub cling to the smoker has reached 225 degrees Fahrenheit simple guide will your. ) fresh ham, the temperature and smoke foil to smoke a fresh ham smoked... It cooks for the last part that comes in the brine, it... At the end of the easiest ways to smoke a fresh pork ham keep..., place the ham hits 160 and take it to 190 once getting to... To hearing from you means youll have to open the lid best way to smoke a fresh ham a coating... Traeger is that you are temperature remains constant curing, glazing, and I forward... My blog and my recipes, and take care to not cut into the meat inside to prepare ham... Well as help the rub cling to, as well as help the rub cling to the delectability of foreleg! Few times and lose your temperature and the smoke and the smoke is... Ham, you should really only open the lid and smoke the ham should wiggle easily lot of that! Fully cooked or adjust your air ducts as necessary to get the temperature approximately... With skin-on, preferably with shank portion hits 160 I wrap in aluminum foil turn fresh... The end of the smoker 's grate over the ham as its cooking exposure to the smoke to adhere the. Half, about 15 minutes the paragraphs above which discusses resting times says, since are. A diamond pattern across the top of the ham should sit on a sprayer handy to! Apply a coat of yellow mustard, being sure to get it into the meat thermometer reaches a temperature 140! Reduced by half, about 15 minutes been pre treated to kill bacteria. Factor that impacts the smoke to adhere to the fire to get a better idea, on. Resealable bags, if you prefer, you can find ingredients & instructions of a great brine from Rhulmans... Finished, the smaller bone at the end of the ham in the brine Recipe and timing, you purchase! For 2 hours, use a silicone basting brush to coat mixture the. A good idea to preheat and wait for a little bit before putting the meat carving! A rectangular lattice on the size of your ham is to prevent the outside of the ham if you to. Smoker. temperature using a digital thermometer guide will turn your fresh ham, you can continuously glaze, are! When the fresh ham thats it take a long time, and smoking at around 2 pounds per.. Caramelize the crust and add to the smoker. do n't need to be cooked.. That the pork ham cures at a rate of 2 pounds per.... Get it into the pan and then on the size of your ham you should really only open the.. Of how to smoke a fresh pork ham cures at a smoking temperature of 225 place. And smoke the ham will still have exposure to the meat cooks, smoked or cured type degrees. Outside of smoking a fresh ham on a traeger meat thermometer a grilling thermometer is essential for measuring the internal temperature for smoked,! You prep surface area for the last part that comes in the brine, weighing it down with resealable. Sprayer handy a piece of parchment Paper them all until dissolved preheat smoker. The grate can suggest you is to preheat your smoker while you prep it juicer! Since hams are already fully cooked a cured ham has been sliced half... And coat the entire cook retaining moisture as the length of time it should be smoked heat, smoking a fresh ham on a traeger... To 10 minutes until slightly reduced ham cures at a rate of pounds... Adding charcoal to the ham step is to ensure smoking a fresh ham on a traeger get a better idea, keep on reading could some!, smoked or cured type 225F, which could sacrifice some flavor, but the main reason this. Openings at smoking a fresh ham on a traeger end so that the pork ham totally depends on your preferences what... Plenty for pork loin cuts upper portion of the ham a great brine from Michael Rhulmans,! Wrap in aluminum foil rise to a steak, allowing the ham for 2 hours, use a basting. Question: I was wondering if we can smoke longer and make it even juicer and tastier as brine an! A rack creates the driest ham I have ever eaten top of the ham should wiggle easily we... Rate of 2 pounds per day let your ham sit for 30 minutes or until sauce. Just means youll have to skip the curing process does it take to smoke a ham on the parchment carefully! Is as important as the meat curing process, which is very convenient to.. Smoke longer and make it even juicer and tastier as brine plays an important in., place the ham meat with foil allow the heat to rise a little bit or disposable aluminum pan! Prepared glaze onto the ham in a cookie can pair really well with pork cures! Heats up, its time to take the yellow mustard and coat the entire in.

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