Holiday Honey-Glazed Smoked Ham with Festive Spice Rub
Holiday Honey-Glazed Smoked Ham with Festive Spice Rub
Transform your holiday gathering with this show-stopping honey-glazed smoked ham. The combination of our signature spice rub and sweet honey glaze creates a perfectly balanced flavor that will have your guests reaching for seconds.
Preparation Time
- Prep: 30 minutes
- Cook: 4-5 hours
- Total: 5-5.5 hours
- Serves: 12-15 people
Ingredients
For the Spice Rub:
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
For the Ham:
- 1 (10-12 lb) bone-in spiral ham
- 1/4 cup olive oil
For the Honey Glaze:
- 1 cup honey
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
1. Prepare Your Smoker
- Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C)
- Add your choice of wood chips - we recommend a mix of apple and cherry wood for a subtle, sweet smoke flavor
2. Prepare the Spice Rub
- In a medium bowl, combine all spice rub ingredients
- Mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution of spices
- Store any leftover rub in an airtight container for future use
3. Prepare the Ham
- Remove ham from packaging and pat dry with paper towels
- Brush the entire surface with olive oil
- Apply the spice rub generously, making sure to get into all the spiral cuts
- Let the ham sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to allow the rub to adhere
4. Smoking Process
- Place the ham in the smoker, flat side down
- Insert a wireless meat thermometer if available
- Smoke for 2 hours undisturbed
5. Prepare and Apply the Glaze
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine all glaze ingredients
- Whisk until butter is melted and mixture is smooth
- After the initial 2 hours of smoking, brush the ham with glaze every 30 minutes
- Continue smoking until internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C), approximately 2-3 more hours
6. Rest and Serve
- Remove ham from smoker and tent loosely with foil
- Let rest for 20-30 minutes before serving
- Brush with remaining glaze just before serving
Pro Tips
- Don't skip the resting period - this allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat
- If the ham starts to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with foil
- Save the bone for making split pea soup or ham stock
- Leftover ham will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
Perfect Pairings
Serve your holiday ham with:
- Smoked sweet potatoes
- Green bean casserole
- Honey butter cornbread
- Roasted winter vegetables
- Apple-cranberry sauce
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, wrap portions in foil with a splash of apple juice or chicken broth and warm in a 325°F oven until heated through.
Happy Holidays from Team BBQRubs.com!
