Honey- and Brown Sugar-Glazed Ham
Create an unforgettable double-smoked ham with honey brown sugar glaze in three hours. A budget-friendly holiday centerpiece that’s simple yet spectacular.
Honey- and Brown Sugar-Glazed Ham
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Category
Dinner
Cuisine
American
Servings
12
Prep Time
15 hours
Cook Time
3 hours
Calories
350
I’m excited to share one of my favorite holiday recipes: a double-smoked ham with a killer honey brown sugar glaze that’ll have your family fighting over the leftovers.
This simple recipe delivers incredible results. All you need is $25, a sharp kitchen knife, and just over three hours, and you’ll have a show-stopping centerpiece for your holiday table.
Author:This recipe comes from Matt Pittman, CEO of Meat Church BBQ, YouTube personality, and friend of Montana Knife Company.
Ingredients
- 1 bone-in spiral sliced ham (9–10 lbs.), fully cooked
- Your favorite BBQ rub (I use a honey and sweet BBQ blend)
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1 cup sweet BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- Your favorite kitchen knife (make sure it’s sharp!)
- Reliable instant-read thermometer
- Silicone basting brush
- Smoker
For the Ham:
For the Honey Brown Sugar Ham Glaze:
Essential Tools:
Directions
Smoking Process
Fire up your smoker to 250°F. I’m partial to hickory for this cook, but pecan or any fruit wood will work beautifully with this honey brown sugar glaze for ham.
Take your ham out of its packaging and season it generously. Let that seasoning really get to know your ham for at least 15 minutes — or if you’re planning ahead, wrap it and let it hang out in the fridge overnight.
The Magic of the Honey Brown Sugar Glaze
When your ham reaches 100°F internal, it’s time to apply the honey brown sugar glaze. Mix brown sugar, BBQ sauce, and pineapple juice in a small pot over medium heat, stirring until the mixture becomes sticky.
Baste this honey brown sugar ham glaze 3–4 times during the cook. Each layer builds up that sweet, sticky exterior.
Timing and Temperature
Keep smoking until your ham reaches 140°F internal. Remember, we’re working with a pre-cooked ham here, so we’re really just warming it through while adding layers of flavor with our smoke and honey brown sugar ham glaze.
Let it rest for 15 minutes before carving. This gives that honey brown sugar glaze time to set up on the exterior.
Recipe Note
Pro Tips for Honey- and Brown Sugar-Glazed Magic
- Don’t skip the thermometer readings. Temperature is key for a perfectly heated ham.
- If you’re worried about the mess, place the ham on a rack over a sheet pan to catch drips.
- The glaze will thicken as it cools. If it gets too thick, just warm it up a bit.
This double-smoked ham with honey brown sugar glaze has become a holiday tradition in my house, and I bet it will in yours, too. There’s something special about transforming a simple spiral ham into an extraordinary dish with just a few ingredients and some smoke.
