Cider Glazed Ham {Smoked or Baked}

Juicy, double smoked ham with a cider glaze on it makes this easy ham recipe ideal for entertaining guests especially at the holidays. This Glazed Ham easy, delicious and always a show stopper with its glaze spiced with cinnamon and ginger that’s perfectly sweet from the molasses. Smoked it in your electric smoked or baked it in the oven, either way it’s delicious.

Every holiday meal needs a juicy, sweet and savory Glazed Ham, but so many of them turn out dry! This one is fool-proof with an easy glaze that you baste it with for a perfectly sweet and sticky finish.

The best part is you can prepare it on the smoked for a twice smoked ham or make it in the oven if you prefer preparing it that way.

Why this recipe works:

• Perfectly juice every single time when you follow our directions. No more dry ham at the dinner table!
• The sweet cider glaze makes it sticky and sweet. The perfect finish.
• You can use any ham you have for this recipe!

Ingredients for Cider Glazed Ham

• Bone-In Ham
• Cinnamon sticks
• Apples

Glaze

• Apple cider
• Dijon Mustard
• Honey
• Molasses
• Ginger paste
• Ground cinnamon
• Cayenne pepper
• Pepper

What type of ham should I use?

As far as the ham goes we grabbed a bone-in precooked ham. Technically we are double smoking this ham because it is already smoked before you buy it to cure it. By smoking it again you infuse it with more flavors and make it mouthwatering. You can also bake this glazed ham in the oven and it will still be delicious.

You can also use a spiral cut ham like we do in this Smoked Ham if you’d like. It is already cut so it gives you a chance to get the glaze right down in the ham by pulling it apart slightly when you pour the glaze on it or baste it. If you choose a spiral ham it will cook faster than a whole ham.

Another option is to go with a boneless ham which is easier to cut, but it won’t be as flavorful.

If there is a rind on your ham make sure you remove it to prevent it from becoming gummy when you cook it.

How to Make Cider Glazed Ham

1. Preheat – Either prep your smoker or oven for the baking process.
2. Make Glaze – Prepare glaze by adding 2 cups apple cider, Dijon mustard, honey, ginger, and molasses to a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Cook until reduced by ⅓, stirring often, about 5 minutes. After glaze is reduced whisk in cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and pepper. Remove from heat set aside for basting
3. Prep Ham – Slice apples and lay them in your roasting pan along with the cinnamon sticks. Place your ham on top of the apples. Pour remaining 1 c. of apple cider in the pan.
4. Cook – Place your ham in your preheated smoker or oven and cook according to directions.

How to Score a Ham

If you would like to get make a presentation of your ham and also get the glaze down into the ham simply score it.

With the tip of a knife make long cuts from the top of the ham down to the bottom making sure to cut through the skin. Then make a second set of cuts perpendicular to that. It will form a diamond pattern on the outside of your ham.

What Should the Internal Temperature of a Ham Be?

Technically you probably have a pre-cooked ham that you are using so you are just warming the ham. We recommend heating an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Make sure not to overcook the ham and go higher than this. That is what will give you that dried out, chewy ham you are trying to avoid.

Serving Suggestions

• No holiday meal is complete without Smoked Deviled Eggs. You’ll love that smoked flavor in a traditional side dish!
• Every holiday dinner needs a Cheesy Potato Casserole and this one is prepared on your smoker for the perfect hint of smoked flavor.
• An easy, yet impressive looking side is this Bacon Wrapped Asparagus that’s so delicious.