Are you looking to add some smoky flavor to your holiday ham? Smoking a ham in a Masterbuilt electric smoker is a great way to achieve that delicious, savory taste.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, this guide will walk you through the steps to create a perfectly smoked ham that will have your guests coming back for seconds.
From preparing the ham to creating the perfect glaze, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s fire up that smoker and get started!
How To Smoke A Ham In A Masterbuilt Electric Smoker?
Step 1: Preparing the Ham
Before you start smoking your ham, you need to prepare it properly. Remove the ham from its packaging and give it a light rinse under cool water to remove any preservatives and excess seasoning. Pat it dry with paper towels.
If you want to score the ham, do so at 45 degrees in a diamond pattern that penetrates approximately 1/2 inch into the ham at 1-1/2 inches apart. This will help the glaze to stick better and infuse into the ham.
Step 2: Preparing the Smoker
Place water in the pan at the bottom of your smoker and fill the drawer or tray with wood chips. Preheat the smoker to 250°F.
Step 3: Smoking the Ham
Place the ham in the lower section of the smoker, allowing room for the sides on the racks above. Place a digital thermometer in the thick portion of the ham and open the top vent. Cook the ham until it reaches an internal temperature of 130°F, which may take 90 to 150 minutes depending on the size of the ham. Replenish the wood chips and water approximately every 45 minutes, if needed.
Step 4: Creating The Glaze
While the ham is smoking, prepare your glaze by whisking together and simmering honey, brown sugar, mustard, or any other ingredients you prefer in a saucepan until just slightly thickened so it will stick to a pastry brush and the ham.
Step 5: Glazing The Ham
Remove the ham from the smoker at 130°F and completely coat it with the glaze using a pastry brush. Be generous. Return the ham to the hot smoker and cook until the internal temperature reaches 140°F and the glaze is dark but not burned. This should take an additional 60 to 90 minutes (approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours).
Step 6: Resting And Serving The Ham
Remove the ham to a cutting board and tent it with foil for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Serve with smoked potatoes and pineapple rings.
Choosing The Right Ham For Smoking
When it comes to smoking a ham, choosing the right type of ham is crucial. The best ham for smoking comes from the leg of the pig and should be bought boneless, uncured, and cut in half. When buying a ham, try to buy directly from a butcher as this will give you the best chance of getting hold of a raw cut of ham, which is best for this recipe. If you can’t do this, buying a cured whole or half ham is fine, but avoid pre-smoked hams as they have already been smoked and can result in unpleasant double-smoked flavors.
When selecting a ham for smoking, pay close attention to the size. Half hams always work best for smoking as their smaller size makes smoking more manageable, and they have more exposed surface area to cook. If you’re feeding a large group, then by all means get a whole ham, but ask your butcher to slice it in half. Alternatively, you can do it yourself with the use of a good home meat slicer.
When it comes to the type of ham, an uncut ham is your best option to prevent losing moisture and dryness during the smoking process. However, if you’re short on time, a spiral-cut ham smokes slightly faster and could get your family to the dinner table quicker. Regardless of which type of ham you choose, make sure it is not low-sodium as ham is best enjoyed salty. Additionally, avoid any hams that have been injected with a smoke-flavored liquid or have been pre-smoked as this can result in double-smoked flavors that are unpleasant.
Preparing The Ham For Smoking
The first step in smoking a ham in a Masterbuilt Electric Smoker is to properly prepare the ham. Start by removing the ham from its packaging and giving it a light rinse under cool water to remove any preservatives and excess seasoning. Pat it dry with paper towels.
If you wish to score the ham, use a paring knife to cut diamond marks in a pattern that penetrates approximately 1/2 inch into the ham at 1-1/2 inches apart. This will help the glaze to stick better and infuse into the ham.
Once you have prepared the ham, it is time to move on to preparing the smoker. Fill the water pan at the bottom of your smoker with water and fill the drawer or tray with wood chips. Preheat the smoker to 250°F.
When the smoker has reached its desired temperature, place the ham in the lower section of the smoker, allowing room for sides on the racks above. Place a digital thermometer in the thick portion of the ham and open the top vent. Cook the ham until it reaches an internal temperature of 130°F, which may take 90 to 150 minutes depending on the size of the ham. Replenish the wood chips and water approximately every 45 minutes, if needed.
While your ham is smoking, prepare your glaze by whisking together honey, brown sugar, mustard, or any other ingredients you prefer in a saucepan until just slightly thickened so it will stick to a pastry brush and to the ham.
Once your ham has reached an internal temperature of 130°F, remove it from the smoker and completely coat it with glaze using a pastry brush. Be generous with your glaze. Return your ham to the hot smoker and cook until its internal temperature reaches 140°F and its glaze is dark but not burned. This should take an additional 60 to 90 minutes (approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours).
Finally, remove your ham from the smoker and let it rest for about 10 to 15 minutes before slicing it. Serve your smoked ham with smoked potatoes and pineapple rings for a delicious meal that everyone will enjoy.
Seasoning The Ham For Smoking
Seasoning the ham before smoking is an essential step to ensure that the flavors penetrate the meat and create a delicious taste. To start, mix together your favorite dry rub ingredients such as paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Rub the mixture generously all over the ham and make sure to cover every inch of the meat.
For a more intense flavor, you can also marinate the ham overnight in a mixture of apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and your preferred seasonings. This will help tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor.
After seasoning or marinating the ham, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight to allow the flavors to fully penetrate the meat.
When you’re ready to smoke the ham, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about an hour before placing it in the smoker. This will allow the ham to come to room temperature and cook more evenly.
By properly seasoning your ham before smoking, you’ll be able to achieve a flavorful and juicy meat that will be sure to impress your guests.
Setting Up The Masterbuilt Electric Smoker
To set up your Masterbuilt electric smoker for smoking a ham, follow these steps:
Step 1: Preheat the Smoker
Before you start smoking the ham, you need to preheat the smoker. Make sure that the water pan and wood chip tray are in place. Do not add water to the pan at this stage. Plug in your electric smoker and turn it on by pressing the power button once. Press the temperature button and set it to 250°F. Set the timer for 15 minutes. During this time, the smoker will heat up and burn off any dust or residues that may be present due to the manufacturing process.
Step 2: Add Water and Wood Chips
After 15 minutes, open the door of the smoker and add water to the water pan. Fill it up to the recommended level. Next, add wood chips to the wood chip tray or drawer. You can use any flavor of wood chips that you prefer, such as hickory, apple, or mesquite.
Step 3: Adjust Temperature and Time
Once you have added water and wood chips, adjust the temperature and time settings based on your recipe. For smoking a ham, set the temperature to 250°F and the timer for approximately 2-3 hours depending on the size of your ham.
Step 4: Monitor Temperature and Add Wood Chips
As the smoker heats up, monitor the temperature using a digital thermometer. You should aim for a temperature of around 130°F for smoking a ham. If needed, add more wood chips every 45 minutes to maintain a consistent smoke.
Step 5: Glazing The Ham
Once your ham has reached an internal temperature of 130°F, remove it from the smoker and apply your glaze using a pastry brush. Be generous with your glaze and return the ham to the smoker. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 140°F and the glaze is dark but not burned.
Step 6: Resting And Serving The Ham
Remove the ham to a cutting board and tent it with foil for 10-15 minutes before slicing. Serve with smoked potatoes and pineapple rings.
By following these steps, you can set up your Masterbuilt electric smoker for smoking a delicious ham with ease.
Smoking The Ham In The Masterbuilt Electric Smoker
If you’re using a Masterbuilt electric smoker to smoke your ham, the process is fairly simple. Once you’ve prepared your ham and preheated your smoker, it’s time to start smoking.
Place the ham in the lower section of the smoker, allowing room for the sides on the racks above. Place a digital thermometer in the thick portion of the ham and open the top vent. Cook the ham until it reaches an internal temperature of 130°F, which may take 90 to 150 minutes depending on the size of the ham.
Replenish the wood chips and water approximately every 45 minutes, if needed. This will help maintain a consistent temperature and smoke level throughout the cooking process.
Once the ham reaches an internal temperature of 130°F, it’s time to start glazing. Remove the ham from the smoker and completely coat it with your glaze using a pastry brush. Be generous with your glaze, as this will give your ham a delicious flavor.
Return the ham to the hot smoker and cook until the internal temperature reaches 140°F and the glaze is dark but not burned. This should take an additional 60 to 90 minutes (approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours).
Once your ham has reached an internal temperature of 140°F, remove it from the smoker and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the ham, resulting in a more tender and flavorful final product.
Creating The Perfect Glaze For The Smoked Ham
Creating the perfect glaze for your smoked ham is an essential step to elevate its flavor and make it more appealing. There are different types of glazes that you can use, but the most popular ones are honey, brown sugar, and maple syrup. You can also add other ingredients to the glaze to give it a unique taste.
To create a delicious glaze for your smoked ham, start by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and crushed garlic cloves to the butter and stir until they are well combined. You can also add spices like ground cinnamon and ground cloves to the mixture if you prefer.
Simmer the glaze for 10 to 15 minutes until it becomes syrupy. This will help the glaze to stick better to the ham and infuse into it. Once the ham is ready, remove it from the smoker and generously brush the glaze all over it using a pastry brush.
Return the ham to the smoker and cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F and the glaze is dark but not burned. This should take approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Once done, remove the ham from the smoker and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.
You can also try other glaze options like a balsamic glaze or a brown sugar glaze by combining different ingredients like orange or pineapple juice, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard. Just make sure that the glaze complements the flavor of your smoked ham.
