Mastering the Art of Cooking a Juicy Spiral Ham on a Charcoal Grill

As the weather warms up and backyard barbecues become the norm, bringing a perfectly cooked spiral ham to the party is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The sweet and salty meat with trademark crisscrossed slices is a classic favorite, but cooking it properly over charcoal requires skill and patience. Follow this guide to learn the secrets of grilling up a mouthwatering spiral ham on a charcoal grill.

Selecting the Ideal Spiral Ham

With so many options at the grocery store how do you choose that show-stopping ham? Here are a few tips

• Weight – Estimate 1⁄3 to 1⁄2 pound of ham per person. An 8 to 10 lb ham serves 16 to 24.

• Bone-in or Boneless – Bone-in hams retain more moisture. Boneless are easier to slice.

• Glazed or Unglazed – Glazed hams have a sweet sticky coating. Unglazed allow you to add your own flavor.

• Brand – Opt for a reputable brand like Smithfield for consistently delicious hams.

• Color – Look for a ham with deep pink flesh and white marbling for optimal flavor.

Prepare the Ham for the Grill

Prepping the ham ensures it cooks evenly and absorbs maximum smoky flavor:

• Unwrap ham and discard any plastic or netting. Place in a large pan.

• Score the ham by making shallow X-shaped cuts across the surface. This helps the glaze penetrate.

• Rub the ham all over with olive oil or vegetable oil. This prevents sticking.

• Generously coat the ham with your favorite glaze or rub. Get into the crevices.

• Allow the ham to come to room temperature before grilling for more even cooking.

Setting Up the Charcoal Grill

Arranging the coals properly is imperative for grilling success:

• Use enough charcoal to fill 2⁄3 of the grill. Lump charcoal lights fastest.

• Mound coals slightly to one side. This creates indirect cooking space.

• Open vents fully to allow proper airflow and combustion.

• Heat coals until covered with a fine, powdery gray ash. Use a starter chimney for quick lighting.

• Carefully distribute hot coals in an even layer using long grilling tongs.

Grilling Techniques for Spiral Ham Perfection

Now comes the fun part – tossing that beauty on the grill:

• Place ham over indirect heat, away from hot coals. Close lid to maintain temperature.

• Grill for 10-15 minutes per pound, rotating periodically. Use a meat thermometer to gauge doneness.

• Target an internal temperature of 140°F. This ensures a juicy, tender ham.

• Glaze ham with additional layers of flavoring each time you rotate it.

• If ham starts to burn or char, slide to cooler side of grill temporarily.

• During last 30 minutes of grilling, move ham directly over coals to caramelize glaze.

Serving Up Your Charcoal-Grilled Creation

You did it! Revel in the glory of your masterfully grilled spiral ham:

• Let ham rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to retain juices.

• Carve with an electric knife, cutting across the grain in thin slices.

• Serve with classic barbecue sides like baked beans, coleslaw, and cornbread.

• Garnish with fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme.

With the right prep, temperature control, and glazing techniques, you can achieve ham grilling greatness. A spiral ham hot off the charcoal grill is sure to be the highlight of any gathering. Just follow this guide for mouthwatering, foolproof results. Once you master the process, experiment with unique glazes and rubs to put your signature spin on this classic dish. Grilling ham over real hardwood charcoal infuses it with a lovely smokiness that is hard to replicate any other way. Roll up your sleeves, fire up the coals, and get ready for your best ham yet!