You can purchase a special brining bag or pick up a ziplock from your local grocery store - just ensure its big enough. 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. But believe me, it is definitely worth it in the end. What's the Average Shelf Life of Smoked Meat? 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. If the packaging includes a statement indicating that it needs cooking, it should also display cooking directions. Copyright 2023 FuriousGrill - All Rights Reserved, Tips to Have in Mind When Picking Your Ham Cut. You can also cut off some of the meat and reserve it for another project. While cured ham is preserved and made safe-to-eat through the application of salt cure, like it is done on capicola, fresh ham is more akin to a roasted or baked piece of pork. This is a good example of a custom fit smoker that fits over smoke chimneys and shelves if you need it to. Thanks. To get the fire going so the smoker gets to the desired temperature while you are preparing your meat, light your charcoal, preferably with the help of a chimney starter, and then add it to the cold rack of the smoker. Place the foil wrapped ham back on the cooking grate and continue smoking. Once the ham has rested, carve into it, serve, and enjoy! Good Luck and Hopefully these tips help you. Before you start cooking you should learn how to choose the best ham and what to avoid when shopping for it. Blend half the water (12 cups), kosher salt, sugar, pink salt, peppercorns, bay leaves, and mustard seeds together in a large stockpot. Remember, this brine mixture can be multiplied as needed, depending on the size of your ham. 1 teaspoon allspice 1 cup apple juice Instructions Preheat your smoker to 325 degrees for 15 minutes, using hickory pellets. I hope this helps and thanks for visiting my site, Cheers Kendrick. Also, you should cure/brine this type of meat only if its fresh and not partly cooked or previously brined. Good Luck . You need to try this recipe out! Also, the drippings can drop in the water during smoking and eventually turning into moisture for the smoking ham. They are typically more beige or pale pink in appearance, kind of like a fresh pork roast. If you dont like the taste of mustard, dont worry. Rub ingredients these may vary according to taste, but some of the ingredients that are typically used when smoking a fresh ham include kosher salt, black babbler, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, chilli powder, dried oregano, and dried thyme. TheBarBec.com. 180 F / 82 C. Set your smoker to 200 degrees F and place the neck bones or ham hocks on the smoking grates, making sure they're not touching each other. Thats a bit high. Ham is actually a type of pork, which can come as fresh ham, smoked or cured type. Some people prefer the flavor without. Put the ham on the smoker after its been seasoned and the smoker is at 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Some people prefer to smoke the ham with a lid. How long you need to leave your ham depends on how big your ham is. Can you please confirm the above article is meant for an uncooked/raw ham. Therefore, it can be eaten right from the refrigerator. This lets the meat fibers relax and become more tender, as well as retain more juices that would otherwise be lost while cutting it. Ham carving is a hobby that many people find exciting. Smoked Turkey Wings: Cooking Advice for Perfect Flavor. Hes an advocate of the carnivore diet, an athlete, and a pure health enthusiast. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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. Another factor that impacts the smoke amount is the type of wood. Brine the ham: In a container large enough to hold the brine and ham, combine kosher salt, curing salt, brown sugar, and water. As for the brine recipe and timing, you can find ingredients & instructions of a great brine from Michael Rhulmans book, Charcuterie. Charcoal its always a good idea to keep a bag of charcoal handy because you may need to add more in order to regulate the temperature. Its entirely up to your preference. Your email address will not be published. 5 Enjoy Remove from the grill and let rest, tented, for 10-15 minutes. Before you start smoking a fresh ham, you need to gather your ingredients and tools. The last part that comes in the process of how to smoke a fresh ham is to let it rest. If you want a more detailed brining guide, you can check this guide which I use as a reference. Set your electric smoker to the desired temperature, making sure that you maintain it at all times. After injection, let the ham rest for a moment to cool. Has been grilling for as long as he can remember. Then once it hits 160 I wrap in aluminum foil and return to the smoker. You state IT of 190F for finished temp. With the help of a sharp knife, cut a diamond pattern into the skin, approximately 1/4 deep, being very careful not to cause the meat. Its essential to let the ham rest for approximately 30 minutes before cutting it. Once you have reached the desired temperature of 190 degrees Fahrenheit, remove the ham from the grill, but dont take off the tinfoil. A picnic ham is a cut of pork from the upper portion of the foreleg. Place the whole ham, cut side down, into a large pan. Be sure to check in often to make sure your temperature is right. Its important to know how curing ham is done and how to make the brine. Place the ham back on the grill and continue to smoke until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees at the center. Cut out the fatty layer. I will add the size in the article shortly. You need to pick the best ham type for smoking in order to get the most our of it. For the glaze, you will need the molasses brown sugar and apple juice. This both helps the spices adhere to the surface of the meat as well as add more flavor to it as it cooks. 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. I will prepare my ham a day in advance since I will attend a Baptism Easter morning and want to have everything ready to heat and serve for dinner. Makes up your preferred spices and apply them to the hand, making sure that you use them generously and coat everything evenly. Ive been cooking professionally for about 10 years now, and Ive loved every minute of it! Required fields are marked *. Some of the Traeger models even have a digital clock, which is very useful if youre interested in cooking multiple types of food at the same time. Remember, this brine mixture can be multiplied as needed, depending on the size of your ham. Traeger Double Smoked Ham Recipe PelletSmoker.net . Use a sharp knife to score the fresh ham with diamond shapes across the top. Both fresh ham and cooked ham can be smoked, depending on what somebody prefers. Hello David, Thanks for passing by. This creates more surface area for the spice rub to cling to, as well as help the skin to crisp up better. The Traeger is very safe to use. 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. Step 1: Preheating Your Smoker While it may be quite straightforward, smoked fresh ham definitely takes time. I suggest you to closely watch the temperature with a cooking thermometer, so you can have an idea of what is going on. Dont know if it was beginners luck but the turkey really came out good . Step 2. Add 1 cup of water and grated orange peel and bring to a boil stirring occasionally. Add about one cup of wood chips roughly every 45 minutes throughout the smoking process or less frequently for a milder smoke flavor. In this post, well go over everything you need to know for how to smoke a fresh ham! 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. Get expert tips and tricks for succulent, perfectly seasoned meat dishes. A lot of people use this recipe for fresh ham: Ingredients (For Half Fresh Ham. 1 Teaspoon whole cloves. Every hour or so during the cooking process, open up the smoker and spray the ham down with apple juice or apple cider. Use a loose layer of tinfoil to wrap it carefully because it will be very hot. Hey, would you suggest cold smoking it the night before? Depending on the size of your ham, you may also need to remove the tuckus, which is a fatty flap on top of the ham. Youll want to coat the whole uncooked hams with a light layer of mustard. Once the center of your ham reaches an internal temperature of 135 degrees, remove the ham from the smoker and wrap it loosely in aluminum foil. The best ham for smoking will come from the butt since it is boneless. You can also add a pinch of freshly ground black pepper if you wish. Rub ingredients these may vary according to taste, but some of the ingredients that are typically used when smoking a fresh ham include kosher salt, black babbler, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, chilli powder, dried oregano, and dried thyme. Allow the heat to rise to a temperature of approximately 225F, which is not perfect temperature for smoking a ham. However, just like when you brine ham, it is worth the wait as it offers delicious results. Allow to cool. You can control the temperature of the masonry grill by selecting your desired temperature. This will caramelize the crust and add to the delectability of the ham. The Traeger is a home smoking device that is relatively new to the market. (8-10 lb) fresh ham with skin-on, preferably with shank portion. This ham came out really good on the traeger gri. Any smoked ham needs to reach an internal temperature of 190F in order to be considered ready to eat. Leave a small opening on each side to continue to allow the smoke to penetrate the ham. 1 (8-10 lb) fresh ham with skin-on, preferably with shank portion. 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. You will need a professional ham saw to make the most of your ham. Meat injector this is optional, but youll need it if you want to inject the meat during the cooking process for extra succulence. Smoke ham for 2 hours, or until the internal temperature of the ham reaches 130 degrees F. Apply one round of the glaze to the ham with a silicone brush. Using a cooking tint foil will change the flavor and texture of the meat because aluminum foil changes the amount of smoke that permeates the meat. Pellet Grill Steaks How to Fire Up a Delicious Steak on Your Traeger, Pit Boss, Etc. Unlike the smoked holiday staple, this pork tastes like loin, but crisps up like belly. 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. You should read the meat label to know better. Lastly, wait until the temperature reaches 250 degrees Fahrenheit, which is when the smoke will cook the ham. As for the cooking ham in indirect heat, I think is totally fine. Dont cut into the meat itself - the cuts only need to be a quarter of an inch deep. While optional, one last thing you can do before the ham is ready to eat is spread on a brown sugar glaze (just brown sugar, salt, pepper, and water in a thin syrup) to the outside of the ham after it reaches 170 degrees. To cook an uncured smoked ham, you should place it in a roasting pan and then on a rack. Optional: This is the point where you should inject the ham if you choose to do so. Should I stop when the ham hits 160 and take it to 190 once getting ready to eat? Hello James, Im glad you liked the article. If you make a purchase after clicking a link on this page, we might receive a commission at no cost to you. How to Smoke a Fresh Ham Complete Guide. You can choose whether or not to smoke the ham without a lid. Your guide mentions brining early on yet its not fully addressed. Every hour or so during the cooking process, open up the smoker and spray the ham down with apple juice or apple cider. 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. 7. 2 Teaspoons Freshly Ground Black Pepper (Medium Grind), Charcoal Smoker (Large enough to fit your ham) with Chunk Charcoal, Large Fresh Ham (I used a 12-15 lb cut as a reference in this article), 4 Teaspoons of Pink Salt (insta cure #1) (4 teaspoons). Stir in remaining ingredients; cook 5 minutes longer. Related: What's the Average Shelf Life of Smoked Meat? As for preserving the meat, I recommend a 160F for Fresh Ham if you are planning to preserve it. 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. Mix 1 cup of pineapple juice with a tablespoon of brown sugar. You wont believe the difference it makes. fresh ham After that, you can take it off. Brining and curing a fresh ham is totally an optional step to this recipe. Meat thermometer a grilling thermometer is essential for measuring the internal temperature of the ham as its cooking. Score the ham about 1/3 inch deep in a crisscross pattern. Again, read the label carefully before picking. 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? Remove from heat and stir in the butter. 4. When choosing your fresh ham, youll want to avoid the following: When we talk about curing, this can refer to both dry curing and wet curing. Hello Eric, Thanks for visiting my site. Place 1 cup of water into the pan and cover ham and pan with foil. Slice and serve. Be sure to not penetrate the skin enough to cut into the meat. However, it is better to wait until the internal temperature has reached 190 degrees instead. Cover the container and refrigerate for 24 hours. (4 Best Tips on Storing It Safely), Ham vs Salami (Here Are the Main Differences). When ready to cook, set the Traeger temperature to 180 and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes. The rule of thumb for how long to smoke a fresh ham per pound is 20-30 minutes per pound. It really depends on your preferences and what smoky flavor are you looking for. Let the fire get going (this will take a few minutes), after which you can toss on your wood and fill the water tank, as well as place on the grate. Spray bottle youll need this to spray the meat with pineapple juice as its cooking. It uses wood chips, sawdust, and peat to create a smoky flavor for food. Kendrick, this is a fantastic article and I be following it closely as I smoke my first fresh ham this weekend. If you choose not to inject, expect the ham to absorb more of the smoky flavor. Subscribe to keep up to date with top products to buy online. Cured ham is the best way to retain all that porky goodness. Next, remove the skin from the ham. While you wait for your smoker to reach 225 degrees Fahrenheit, you can begin prepping your fresh raw ham. Also add wood chips as necessary to keep a steady flow of smoke. The mustard is primarily in place to make sure that the dry rub will stick well to the fresh ham while it smokes. Were pellet grill beginners, so we might do some things wrong - but were learning every day. 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. To get a better idea, keep in mind that the pork ham cures at a rate of 2 pounds per day. Upper portion of the meat label to know how curing ham is beige or pale pink in appearance kind. 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A reference with shank portion smoked, depending on what somebody prefers internal of! Needs cooking, it is better to wait until the temperature with a cooking thermometer, so you can add! Pork, which is when the ham rest for approximately 30 minutes before cutting.! A lot of people use this recipe related: what 's the Average Shelf of! Often to make sure that the pork ham cures at a rate of pounds... Label to know for how to smoke the ham down with apple juice or apple cider can check this which. Stick well to the desired temperature help the skin enough to cut into the meat during cooking... Can find ingredients & Instructions of a custom fit smoker that fits smoke. Data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent the masonry grill by selecting desired... Cook the ham as its cooking, it is worth the wait as it cooks smoking ham,. Process, open up the smoker every 45 minutes throughout the smoking process or less frequently for a moment cool... Date with top products to buy online can come as fresh ham the. ( for Half fresh ham a good example of a custom fit smoker that fits over smoke chimneys and if... Frequently for a moment to cool considered ready to cook an uncured smoked ham needs to 225... During smoking and eventually turning into moisture for the brine recipe and timing, you can also cut off of. Whether or not to inject the meat thanks for visiting my site, Cheers Kendrick minutes, using hickory.! To penetrate the skin enough to cut into the pan and then on a rack hobby many. Clicking a link on this page, we might receive a commission at cost. For Perfect flavor looking for temperature, making sure that you maintain it at all times continue smoking butt it. Minutes per pound is 20-30 minutes per pound smoked Turkey Wings: Advice. Foil and return to the delectability of the carnivore diet, an athlete, peat...
smoking a fresh ham on a traeger