Sweet and smoky, this Smoked Spiral Ham is smoked with applewood pellets and glazed with maple. It’s the perfect choice for festive feasts. 

This recipe costs about $28.78 to make. The recipe makes ten servings for approximately $2.87 per serving. 

To finish your smoked ham feast, I recommend sides like buttermilk mashed potatoes, crockpot scalloped potatoes, or smoked corn on the cob.

The finished Smoked Spiral Ham on a serving platter.

Smoked Ham

It isn’t a holiday buffet unless you have a huge, luxurious hunk of smoked and glazed spiral ham! Especially one bathed in a sweet maple glaze that perfectly compliments the ham’s smoky and filling saltiness.

Not to mention conveniently cut into easy and appealing slices for serving up. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it. 

Best of all, smoked ham barely takes any time or hard work to prepare. Making the glaze doesn’t even take ten minutes of your time, and the ham basically cooks itself in just a few hours. So you’re bound to enjoy it time and time again, even outside of the holiday season.

The finished Smoked Ham on a smoker grill.

Ingredients and Estimated Cost

Per Serving Cost: $2.87

Recipe Cost: $28.78

  • 8-10 pound spiral ham – $24.93
  • 1 cup + 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar – $0.67
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar – $0.74
  • ½ cup maple syrup – $2.20
  • 2 Tablespoons mustard – $0.06
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce – $0.04
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves – $0.14

NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have. I updated the pricing for this recipe in February 2023.

All of the ingredients needed to make this recipe.

How To Make Smoked Spiral Ham

***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.

Note that I use a wood pellet grill for most of this process. More specifically, this recipe assumes you have a Traeger smoker/grill. I highly recommend applewood wood pellets for smoked ham!

  1. First, preheat the smoker to 250 degrees F. 
  2. Next, place the ham, cut side down, into a large pan and set it in the smoker.
  3. Cook the ham for one hour.
  4. When the ham is almost done cooking, add the brown sugar, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic cloves into a small saucepan to cook on the smoker for ten to fifteen minutes. 
  5. Stir the glaze frequently until the glaze comes together. 
  6. Then, brush the glaze liberally over the ham and cook for fifteen minutes, or until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees F. 
  7. Remove the ham from the smoker and tent with foil. Let the ham rest for thirty minutes.
  8. Finally, serve the ham with the reserved drippings on the side. 

A picture collage showing how to make this recipe.

Recipe Variations

  • Instead of dark brown sugar, you can use light brown sugar.
  • You can use Dijon, yellow, or grainy mustard in this recipe.

Storage Tips

SERVE: After you’re done smoking your ham, let it rest for about 30 minutes while tented in aluminum foil. Then serve it immediately!

STORE: When your smoked ham comes to room temperature, wrap it in a layer of tin foil, then plastic wrap. In the fridge, it will last up to 7 days.

FREEZE: Follow the instructions above, or use a freezer bag. It should be good for 3 months in the freezer.

Applewood Smoked Maple Glazed Spiral Ham Recipe FAQs

If any questions popped up while you were reading this post, here’s some additional info about this recipe that you’ll want to keep in mind!

How long does it take to smoke ham?

This recipe requires about 4 hours of smoking time. The prep, on the other hand, is only about 10 minutes.

Should I remove the skin on my smoked ham before cooking it?

Yes! You’ll want to remove all the skin if your ham has any. This is because all that skin will get in the way of the smoke! You’ll miss out on the rich flavors your pellets have to offer.

Should I brush the inside of each slice of my ham with the glaze too?

Lightly brushing on some extra glaze is tasty and a great way to use the leftover glaze. It helps keep the ham moist as well.

Should I fully cover my ham while it is in the smoker?

There’s no need to cover your ham fully, but you should ensure the lid to your Traeger smoker is kept sealed during cooking.

Why use applewood pellets for smoked ham?

Applewood pellets are the best choice for pork dishes, especially with this smoked ham. The sweet and fruity notes they impart pair well with the maple glaze!

What are the best hams to use for smoking?

Fresh, uncooked, and unsmoked ham gives you a lighter flavor and more control over the taste. When choosing a ham for smoking, it’s always best to go for bone-in ham. The bone provides more flavor than boneless hams. You need to remember to baste your ham well and regularly during smoking to prevent the slices from drying out.

How do I know if I have a fresh, uncooked ham or an already cooked ham?

The USDA legally mandates producers to label fresh hams with a “cook thoroughly” instruction label. On the other hand, cooked hams must be labeled as “ready to eat” or “fully cooked.” Look for the label!

A close up overhead picture of a Smoked Spiral Ham on a platter.

More Smoked Recipes

A close up picture of the sliced Smoke Ham.
5 from 6 votes

Spoked Spiral Ham

Recipe Cost $ $28.78
Serving Cost $ $2.87
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 40 minutes
10 people
Sweet and smoky, this Smoked Spiral Ham is smoked with applewood pellets and glazed with maple. It’s the perfect choice for festive feasts.

Equipment

  • Smoker grill
  • pastry brush
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • Large pan
  • Meat Thermometer
  • small saucepan

Ingredients
 
 

SPIRAL HAM:

  • 8-10 pound spiral ham
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar

MAPLE GLAZE:

  • 1 cup dark brown sugar packed
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons mustard
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions

PREHEAT SMOKER:

  • Preheat your smoker to 250 degrees F.

INITIAL SMOKE:

  • Place the ham, cut side down, into a large pan.
  • Place it in the smoker, and cook for one hour.

BASTE HAM:

  • Baste the ham with the apple cider vinegar after one hour and every 30 minutes until the ham has an internal temperature of 135 degrees F.

PREP GLAZE:

  • Prepare the glaze when the ham is almost done cooking. Combine all of the glaze ingredients in a small saucepan or cast-iron skillet.
  • Cook the glaze on the smoker for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently with a whisk, just until the glaze comes together.

GLAZE AND FINISH HAM:

  • Brush the ham liberally with the maple glaze.
  • Cook for 15 minutes or until the ham reaches 140 degrees F.
  • Remove from the smoker and tent with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 30 minutes.
  • Serve immediately with the reserved drippings on the side, if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 10ounces | Calories: 655kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 69g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 265mg | Sodium: 4249mg | Potassium: 1103mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 85mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 3mg

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5 Comments

  1. Lived this ham with mashed potatoes and cauliflower. Delicious recipe!

  2. Sarah James says:

    Your ham looks delicious and so economical too. I love the sound of the applewood for the smoking.

  3. This ham looks delicious and I can’t wait to try this recipe! The thought of the maple glaze is making my mouth water!

  4. Kushigalu says:

    What a lovely presentation and great recipe. This ham looks delicious. Thanks for sharing.

  5. Oh! Yes! I tested this out for Easter and I know it will be a hit with everyone. I loved it so much! Thank you!