Smoking a Cooked Ham

This is the best way of smoking a cooked ham in your pellet or electric smoker! Using a ham rub or leaving it as is. Smoked ham brings out the natural flavors. It is a great new way to cook your holiday ham this year. 

Smoked Cooked Ham

If you are new to smoking meats I will tell you that everything comes out amazing. Even if you don’t use a ham rub it gives it such amazing flavor!

You can see the  picture above and I will tell you that not only were the outside portions filled with rich apple wood smokey flavor, but it permeated throughout the meat.

To get your meats absolutely perfect we have this printable meat smoking chart to refer to so each and every time it will be fork tender.

If you are looking for unique ways to cook ham, this is it. We have tried and created many easy electric smoker recipes. This one is probably our favorite for Easter and Christmas.

I will start with the electric smoker we have and love. It is inexpensive but gets the job done. Plus there’s a built in probe you put into the meat. When it reaches the temperature desired it stops cooking on it’s own, and lowers the temperature to keep it warm!!

There are a variety of smokers out there at a range of prices. Honestly we think this is the best smoker especially for beginners. It’s easy to use and not an expensive unit.

How long to smoke a cooked ham at 225 degrees?

That depends on the weight but typically it will take 1.5-2 hours to warm thru to the very center. If yours is rather large and/or thick you should check after hour 2 with a digital thermometer. You need it to reach a safe 145 degrees F in the thickest part before removing and slicing.

Choosing good wood chips is key. If you’re using a pellet grill we like apple version. They come in a variety of types and “flavors”. For this smoked ham recipe we used a lighter apple wood you see above.

The variety box we buy is great because you can try different ones. Then see which you like best with which meat and go from there.

Can you smoke a fully cooked ham on a pellet grill?

Yes!! Directions on smoking a cooked ham are for an electric smoker or pellet grill are basically the same. Just remember that the desired temperature is 145-150 degrees. Slower and longer is better when it comes to smoking a ham or any other meat really in our opinion. If you have a probe that is attached to your machine it is easier to keep an eye on it and can even connect it to your phone so you are alerted!

This is what you need when smoking a cooked ham

1. Ham – ours was store bought, about 11 lbs., precooked, and uncut (not a spiral cut ham)
2. Wood chips – we buy this box with several types & used apple for this
3. Instructions if you want to make a sweet and savory 3 ingredient ham glaze – we didn’t use one this time

Should ham be room temp before smoking?

Yes, bringing ham to room temperature before smoking is recommended. Allowing the ham to sit out for about 30-60 minutes before smoking helps it cook more evenly. When it is at room temperature, it ensures that the center starts cooking sooner, which prevents the exterior from drying out while waiting for the interior to reach the right temperature.

Should you spray ham while smoking?

This is optional. Spritzing meat while smoking can be beneficial to keep it moist during the smoking process which prevents it from drying out. This can also enhance flavor if you use a liquid such as apple cider, pineapple juice or beer.

After you’re done with this and looking for more electric smoker recipes, you should give these a whirl

• Smoking a boneless pork loin is an amazing dinner
• How to smoke salmon we share here. With our dry rub it is out of this world.
• Sweet smoked pork ribs are fall off the bone delish.

Need to cook more than 1, try our bourbon glazed oven baked ham so you have 2 types to choose from. With a large bunch that is always nice.

Since this is precooked to begin with it’s essentially a double smoked ham. Ensure internal temperature in middle of ham is reaches 140 degrees at least.

Remove the ham from the smoker to take temp. properly. If it’s not hot enough, put ham back in, close the lid, and continue cooking. Honey glaze can be served along side on the table.