Are you looking to spice things up for your next holiday dinner? If so, you’ll want to bookmark my Cherry Glazed Smoked Ham. Made with an uncured or “green” ham, this recipe lets the authentic flavor of pork shine. It’s smoked on Weber Searwood XL 600 and infused with a luscious blend of hickory and deep charcoal smoke. The ham is smothered in a homemade cherry glaze that caramelizes into a sticky-sweet coating, giving the meat the perfect finish.
Whether you’re cooking the Cherry Glazed Smoked Ham for an upcoming family feast or prepping meat for gourmet sandwiches, this recipe is the ticket! With a unique flavor profile and an unbeatable texture, you’re set for casual or fancy dining.
Cherry Glazed Smoked Ham | Heath Riles BBQ
If you’ve never tried a “green” ham before, you’re in for a treat! This ham has the same delicious flavor as cured hams, with a lot more room for flexibility. For example, your chosen glaze will shine through even more without the extra salt. Plus, its uncut surface means you get to trim the meat how you like. Experiment with different flavor combinations to see what your family likes best. I try to come up with new recipes every holiday!
The Ingredients
This tasty Cherry-Glazed Smoked Ham requires under 10 ingredients, including the homemade glaze! Here’s what you need to add to your shopping cart.
- Ham. For this cook, I chose a “green” ham that was whole, uncut, and uncured. This is a great option for those who prefer a nitrate-free option.
- Heath Riles BBQ Sweet BBQ Rub. This rub is ideal for pitmasters who can’t get enough of a sweet and savory flavor combination. It’s a great addition to hams, roasts, ribs, or chicken wings.
- Cherry glaze. I created a homemade cherry glaze with cherry preserves, brown sugar, orange juice, and Heath Riles BBQ Cherry Apple Habanero BBQ Glaze. This glaze was so much better than store-bought, and it was so easy to make.
The Smoker Setup
Here’s the main equipment I used for this recipe. More of my grilling favorites can be found in the Equipment and Tools section.
- Pellet grill/smoker. This Cherry Glazed Smoked Ham was cooked to perfection on the Weber Searwood XL 600. This new grill from Weber has the ability to smoke, sear, and roast - perfect for those who adore patio cooking. It even has a rotisserie accessory to turn your grill into a spit! I know you’ll love this innovative grill as much as I do.
- Charcoal. I stoked the grill with Royal Oak Charcoal Hardwood Pellets to give the Cherry Glazed Smoked Ham a kiss of hickory-blended smoke. This brand uses only pure ingredients, giving you great results every time. Grab a bag at your local big-box store and let me know what you think.
The Process for Making Cherry Glazed Smoked Ham
If you prefer a visual tutorial, check out my accompanying video. For now, here’s a brief rundown on how this beautiful Cherry Glazed Smoked Ham came together.
- Fire up the grill. I stoked the Weber Searwood XL 600 with Royal Oak Hickory-Blended Charcoal Hardwood Pellets and fired it up to 300℉.
- Season the meat. I took the ham from its packaging and patted it dry. I laid it on a baking rack set over a baking tray. I used my knife to cut a crosshatch into the meat so that the glaze could permeate every bite. I seasoned the ham on all sides with Heath Riles BBQ Sweet BBQ Rub.
- Smoke the ham. I set the Cherry Glazed Smoked Ham on the Weber Searwood XL 600 and let it smoke for 2 hours before checking it. Then, I set it back on the pit for 2 more hours before glazing.
- Make the glaze. To make my homemade cherry glaze, I combined the cherry preserves, brown sugar, orange juice, and Heath Riles BBQ Cherry Apple Habanero BBQ Glaze in a small pan.
- Glaze the ham. I set the ham in a large pan, so the grill stayed clean. Then, I liberally basted it with my homemade cherry glaze. I set the Cherry Glazed Smoked Ham back on the Weber Searwood XL 600 for 45 more minutes. At this point, my ham was at 140℉, giving me a total cook time of about 4 hours. I took the meat off the grill and let it rest before carving. The only thing left was to make a sandwich!
The Results
My Cherry Glazed Smoked Ham had an incredible taste. The pop of cherry was perfectly offset by the natural saltiness of the ham. This ham is bound to be a hit at your next family holiday.
Serving Suggestions for Cherry Glazed Smoked Ham
This ham makes delicious sandwiches, but if you’re looking for a real holiday feast, you can serve it with Apple and Sausage Stuffing or Smoked Bacon Mac and Cheese.
Storing Leftovers
You can store ham in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze it for up to 4 months. If you vacuum-seal your ham, it can last even longer.
Equipment and Tools
Weber Searwood XL 600, Royal Oak Hickory-Blended Charcoal Hardwood Pellets, cutting board, sheet pan, small pot, instant-read meat thermometer, and insulated gloves for handling meat.
