Double Smoked Ham with Pineapple Ginger Glaze

By James Kimble November 15, 2023 11 mins read 201 Views

If you are looking for an epic ham with pineapple glaze recipe, well then you have come to the right place because this Twice smoked ham with pineapple ginger glaze recipe is a winning recipe that you'll want to bookmark to make again and again on your grill or pellet smoker or even in your oven!

But first, what does it mean to be “Double Smoked?”

When you buy a ham at the grocery store, you are most likely buying a ham that has already been cured, smoked, or baked. So, when you go to smoke a store bought ham, you are most likely smoking it again, hence why this recipe is called double smoked ham. I created this recipe for double smoked ham with pineapple glaze to showcase the power of smoke on everyone's favorite holiday meal – ham!

Putting your ham on the smoker is the best way to infuse it with smoke while also heating it up at the same time. While most people will just think to throw their ham in the oven, this is a missed opportunity to add smoke flavor. In this recipe, the ham is smoked on indirect heat until it reaches an internal temp of 145 degrees, which cooks pretty quickly for a boneless ham, (you can plan for your ham to take between 10-15 minutes per pound to cook).

I made this ham on my Weber Kettle where I set up direct and indirect zones, but if you are smoking ham on a Traeger or pellet smoker, then all you need to do is crank it to the temperature of 250 degrees. And if you are using a Big Green Egg or a Kamado Style Smoker, you will want to set your Egg for indirect cooking using the Conveggtor or Placesetter.

You will want to slather this delicious pineapple ginger glaze on all the things!

The Best Smoked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe

Let's talk about flavor profiles for a hot second before we get into the recipe. Why do people associate a ham glaze recipe with pineapple? Why does Pineapple go so well with Ham? If you've ever wondered why certain flavors go exceptionally well with others, then I recommend you check out my favorite of all favorite books for making me a better recipe developer – The Flavor Bible.

Funny story, I discovered the Flavor Bible as a recommendation from a Blogger friend before I went to compete on Chopped Grill Masters. I was very early on in my blogging and grilling career and that was quite an adventurous move on my part. Obviously I did not win Chopped Grillmasters but this book has been an invaluable tool in my recipe development career!

GrillGirl Robyn Medlin Lindars Chopped Grillmasters

Here I am competing on Chopped Grillmasters- needless to say I got chopped but it was a cool experience!

This book gives flavor pairings of known ingredients that compliment each other so as a cook you can think on your feet when putting dishes together instead of having to rely solely on a recipe. This is also great for looking into that refrigerator and the hodgepodge of ingredients and trying to figure out what to make for dinner without having to make a run to the grocery store. Buy this book, you will thank me later! The only book I reference more than the Flavor Bible is God's instruction manual, also known as The Bible.

Using The Flavor Bible has helped me navigate ingredients that pair well with each other, such as the combination of salty and smoky ham with the sweet kick of the honey ginger pineapple glaze.

I like to smoke nitrate free, Berkshire or Kurobuta hams for special occassions.

Ingredients for Double Smoked Ham with Pineapple Glaze Recipe

1 8-pound semi boneless smoked ham (I recommend Snake River Farms Kurobuta Hams for special occasions!)

Glaze Ingredients:

1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple (include the juice)
2/3 cup honey
1 tbsp. fresh grated ginger
1 cup pineapple preserves (I used Melinda's Pineapple Preserves)
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
2 tbsp rum

How to Make this Double Smoked Ham with Pineapple Ginger Glaze:

This ham is paired with a ginger pineapple glaze that goes on at the end, in addition to a nice dollop when serving. And, to take this recipe a step further, this ham will be the gift that continue to give if you make my Ham Biscuits with Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce for biscuits and brunch. Be sure to check out that recipe here because it will help you repurpose leftovers OR also make this ham go further when serving a crowd!

Without further ado, let's smoke some ham! If you give this recipe a try, definitely let me know what you think! And if you are making this ham for a big crowd and doing a full ham, not a half ham, then DOUBLE THE GLAZE RECIPE! It is always good to have more glaze versus less.

Prepare a charcoal grill for smoking, setting up direct and indirect heat zones, opting for a temperature of 250 degrees.
Add cherry or apple wood chips to the fire to create additional smoke.
Place the ham, flat side down, on the indirect side of the grill, letting it grill until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees with an internal read thermometer; this should take about an hour and a half for an 8-pound ham. A good guideline for smoked ham to heat is 10-15 minutes per pound.
After you have placed the ham on the grill, make your glaze. Combine the crushed pineapple, honey, ginger, vinegar, pineapple preserve and rum in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Let the pineapple glaze simmer on medium for about 20 minutes to combine and reduce.
Once the ham has reached an internal temperature of 135 degrees, go ahead and add half of the glaze to the ham via a basting brush or spoon.
When the ham has reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees, remove the ham from the grill.
Slice the ham and serve with additional glaze.

ham with pineapple glaze recipe

Tools Needed

Check out my “Grilling Tools” page for my recommended tools for serious grillers. This includes my favorite way to start a fire, my favorite meat thermometers, and recommended tools for smoking meat.

Grill or oven
Fruit wood for smoking
Internal Meat Thermometer, I recommend the Thermapen
Dalstrong Knife, for slicing- my favorite knives!

Double Smoked Ham with Pineapple Glaze FAQ

What is double smoked ham ? Double smoked ham is a popular dish made by smoking a precooked ham twice to enhance the flavor and texture. The ham is first smoked with hickory or applewood to infuse a smoky flavor, and then glazed with a mixture of honey, brown sugar, mustard, and other seasonings for a sweet and tangy taste.
How do you prepare a double smoked ham with pineapple glaze? To prepare a double smoked ham with glaze, start by scoring the surface of the ham with shallow cuts in a diamond pattern. This will allow the glaze to seep into the ham. Smoke the ham for a few hours until it's heated through and has a deep brown color. Then, apply the glaze and continue smoking until the glaze is caramelized and the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F.
How Long to Cook a Smoked Ham? Allow for about 10-15 minutes per pound (this will of course vary based on the consistency of your grill and temperature variations). So a 10 lb ham would take 100-150 minutes (1 hr 40 min – 2 hr 30 min). Use a meat thermometer and heat until the ham reaches 140°F.
Can you use any type of ham for double smoking with glaze? Yes, you can use any type of ham for double smoking with glaze. However, it's recommended to use a fully cooked bone-in ham as it will hold up better during the smoking process. You can choose from a variety of cuts such as spiral-cut, shank, or butt portion.
What type of wood should I use for smoking a double smoked ham with glaze? Hickory and applewood are two popular choices for smoking a double smoked ham with glaze. Hickory provides a strong, smoky flavor while applewood offers a slightly sweeter and milder taste. You can also use a combination of woods for a unique flavor profile.
How do you store leftover double smoked ham with glaze? To store leftover double smoked ham with glaze, wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days or frozen for up to three months. When reheating, wrap the ham in foil and warm it in the oven at 325°F until it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F.

double smoked ham with pineapple glaze recipe

So, let's get back to the ham!

And, if you are looking for more ham recipes, check out our Bourbon Fig Glazed Double Smoked Ham Recipe– it's also a winner!

Double Smoked Ham with Pineapple Ginger Glaze

Author: Robyn
Total Time: 1:45
Yield: 12-16 people

[TAG8] Print Recipe

Description

Nothing pairs more perfectly than ham and pineapple and this pineapple glaze for smoked ham recipe does not disappoint! Pairing pineapple, ginger, honey, rum, pineapple preserves and a splash of rice wine vinegar, this glaze is oh-so-good on ham and also ham biscuits the next day for a post holiday brunch!

Ingredients

1 8-pound semi boneless smoked ham

Glaze Ingredients:

1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple (don't drain the liquid!)
2/3 cup honey
1 tbsp. fresh grated ginger
1 cup pineapple preserves
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar

Instructions

Prepare a charcoal grill for smoking, setting up direct and indirect heat zones, opting for a temperature of 250 degrees.
Add cherry or apple wood chips to the fire to create additional smoke.
Place the ham, flat side down, on the indirect side of the grill, letting it grill until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees with an internal read thermometer; this should take about an hour and a half for an 8-pound ham.
After you have placed the ham on the grill, make your glaze. Combine the crushed pineapple, honey and ginger in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Let the pineapple glaze simmer on medium low for about 20 minutes to combine and reduce down the glaze.
Once the ham has reached an internal temperature of 135 degrees, go ahead and add half of the glaze to the ham via a basting brush or spoon.
When the ham has reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees, remove the ham from the grill.
Slice the ham and serve with additional glaze.

Notes

Pro tip: Ham goes great on a biscuit with honey mustard or Carolina Gold style BBQ sauce for breakfast or brunch the next day. Leftover ham is a great for addition to omelets, quiche or adding extra flavor to leafy vegetables like collard greens!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1:30 (depending on size of ham)
Category: smoked ham, double smoked ham
Method: smoke, grill, bake
Cuisine: American