It doesn’t get much better than this smoked spiral ham with a maple bourbon glaze. This ham is great whether you’re making it for a traditional Easter dinner or just because you want something tasty for the weekend.
Cooking a spiral cut ham on a pellet grill infuses it with delicious smoky flavor while keeping it incredibly moist and tender. The indirect heat and wood smoke are ideal for bringing out the best in precooked hams
Follow these tips to nail spiral ham on your pellet grill every time.
Benefits of Cooking Spiral Ham on a Pellet Grill
Cooking ham on a pellet grill offers several advantages over using an oven
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You can smoke the ham first to add incredible depth of flavor. The smoke adheres beautifully to the cured ham.
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The ambient heat is gentler than a hot oven, helping prevent the ham from drying out.
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Wood pellets add subtle smoky notes while imparting their own unique flavoring.
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Glazes caramelize perfectly in the pellet grill’s indirect heat.
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It frees up oven space for side dishes. You can even use the pellet grill as an oven.
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The ham gets incredibly moist and tender after hours of low and slow cooking.
How to Choose a Spiral Cut Ham for the Pellet Grill
When selecting a spiral cut ham for the pellet smoker, keep these tips in mind:
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Opt for a bone-in ham, as the bone adds extra flavor.
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Choose a fully cooked or ready-to-eat ham, not one that requires pre-cooking.
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Pick a ham without any seasoning or glaze already added so you control the flavors.
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Look for a thick, prominently visible fat cap, which keeps the meat super moist.
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Avoid very small or spiral sliced hams, as they can dry out on a pellet grill.
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Fresh hams require bringing the meat to temperature, so look for a cured ham.
How to Prep Spiral Ham for the Pellet Smoker
Before placing your spiral cut ham on the pellet grill, follow these prep steps:
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Rinse the ham under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
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Trim off any loose pieces or large fat deposits. Score the fat cap in a diamond pattern.
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Place ham in a foil pan and add 1⁄2 cup of liquid like beer, juice or stock. The liquid keeps the bottom from drying out.
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Tightly tent the pan with heavy-duty foil to seal in moisture. Poke a few small holes for ventilation.
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Refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days to allow flavors to permeate the meat.
Best Pellet Grill Settings for Spiral Ham
Cooking a spiral ham in a pellet grill requires lower, indirect heat. Here are some ideal smoker settings:
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225-250°F temperature – Low, indirect heat is essential to prevent drying.
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Smoke setting – Run your pellet grill on the dedicated smoke setting for 1-2 hours to start.
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Wood pellets – Opt for slightly sweet woods like maple, apple or cherry. Hickory and pecan also pair well.
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Add a smoke tube – Use an external smoke tube for extra smoke since pellet grills produce minimal smoke at low temps.
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Water pan – Adding a water pan orlining the drip tray with foil and filling with water helps increase humidity.
How Long to Cook Spiral Ham on a Pellet Smoker
Thanks to the low, indirect heat, spiral hams cook slower on a pellet grill than a conventional oven. Use these cooking time estimates as a guide:
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1 hour of smoke at 225°F.
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10-15 minutes per pound at 250°F until reaching 140°F internal temperature.
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30-60 minutes with glaze to set.
So, a 10 pound ham would take about 4 hours total. Always rely on a meat thermometer for perfectly cooked results.
Step-By-Step Guide to Smoked Spiral Ham on a Pellet Grill
Follow these simple steps for amazing smoked spiral ham every time on your pellet grill:
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Prepare the ham by trimming, scoring, and tenting with foil in a pan. Refrigerate overnight.
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Preheat your pellet grill to 225°F with smoke setting on.
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Place the tented ham on the grill and insert a temperature probe into the thickest part. Smoke for 1-2 hours.
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Increase heat to 250°F. Monitor temperature until the ham reaches 140°F internally.
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Remove foil, brush with your favorite glaze, and continue cooking 30-60 minutes until glaze sets.
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Remove from grill, tent with foil, and let rest 15-20 minutes before carving.
Serving Suggestions for Pellet Smoked Spiral Ham
A smoked spiral ham pairs wonderfully with these traditional side dishes:
- Glazed carrots
- Roasted potatoes or potato salad
- Mac and cheese or scalloped potatoes
- Green bean casserole
- Baked beans
- Cornbread, biscuits or rolls
- Fruit salad
Take your holiday meal to amazing new heights this year with pellet smoked spiral ham. Enjoy the smoldering smoke flavor and incredibly moist and tender meat. It takes some patience, but the results are beyond worth it.
Can You Cook a Spiral Ham in a Smoker?
Yes! You can cook spiral ham in a smoker! In fact, the spiral ham you purchase from the grocer is already cooked, so you’re simply looking to add your own sauce or glaze and re-heat the meat.
If you cook the ham in a smoker, it will taste like BBQ in a way that you won’t get from an oven or gas grill. Combine it with a great glaze, and you’ll have a dinner that tastes as good as it looks.
We’re adding as much flavor and moisture as we can to this spiral ham to go with the meat and smoke flavors. The ham is cooked in chicken stock, bourbon, and maple syrup, and then it is glazed with a sticky sweet sauce.
The final result is a meal worthy of any occasion. But don’t forget to invite your neighbors! An 8-pound ham can easily feed 14–16 people, so plan for a lot of people or tasty leftovers after dinner!
More Smoked Ham Recipes
Let Hey Grill Hey help you make the best meal of your life if you decide to smoke a ham for your next big event. Here are some of our favorite recipes.
Glazed Double Smoked Ham
How long do you smoke a spiral ham on a pellet grill?
The smoking time for a spiral ham on a pellet grill can vary, but a general guideline is to smoke it for about 2-3 hours at a temperature of 225-250°F. It’s important to use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the ham reaches 140°F. Should I glaze the spiral ham before or after smoking it on a pellet grill?
Can you use a pre cooked spiral ham on a pellet grill?
Yes, you can absolutely use a pre-cooked spiral ham on a pellet grill. Since the ham is already cooked, the goal of smoking it is to add flavor and warmth. Simply follow the smoking instructions and ensure the ham reaches the desired internal temperature.
How do you cook a spiral ham on a grill?
The ham is on the grill, smoke is rising, and the lid is closed so the heat and smoke can work their magic: What temperature do you cook a grill-glazed spiral ham? Grill time is 12-13 minutes per pound in a 325F degree grill (+/- 25F) or until the ham reaches 140F-150F internal.
How do you cook a Ham on a pellet grill?
Fill the pellet hopper with your preferred wood pellets. For a delightful smoky flavor, try hickory, applewood, or maple. Preheat the pellet grill to a temperature of 250°F (121°C) for a slow and steady cook. Place a drip pan filled with water under the grill grates to keep the ham moist throughout the cooking process.