Glazed spiral cut ham is the ultimate holiday or crowd-pleasing centerpiece. Smoked, sweet, and sticky with layers of juicy flavor, this ham brings comfort food vibes to your backyard cookout. It’s easy, impressive, and a total flavor bomb when finished with a caramelized glaze.
Glazed Spiral Cut Ham
When it comes to big-batch BBQ meals that make an impact with minimal effort, glazed spiral ham is a winner. It’s already pre-cooked, so all you’re doing is layering on smoky flavor and a sticky-sweet glaze. This recipe is a great option when you want to serve something fancy but don’t want to stress in the kitchen. The spiral cuts soak up the glaze beautifully, and the results are tender, juicy, and unforgettable.
How to Make Glazed Spiral Cut Ham
Warming Up the Ham
Preheat your smoker to 300°F. Place the spiral ham in a shallow baking dish to catch the juices and smoke it uncovered for 1 hour. During this time, mix your glaze in a bowl—typically made with pineapple juice, brown sugar, mustard, and a hint of spice.
Glazing the Ham
After the first hour, begin glazing the ham every 30 minutes for the next 2 hours. Use a basting brush to get a thick layer of glaze over the ham. Gently lift some of the spiral slices with a fork to help the glaze seep into every crevice. As the sugar in the glaze begins to caramelize, it creates that beautiful sticky crust. If some parts start to get darker than others, focus your glaze application there to even out the color.
Resting the Ham
Once your ham reaches a warmed internal temperature and has a glossy, caramelized finish, pull it from the smoker. Let it rest for 10 minutes—this gives the glaze time to firm up and keeps all that flavor in place when slicing.
Best Beer to Pair With Glazed Spiral Cut Ham
Amber Ale
Balanced, smooth, and slightly sweet—amber ales pair beautifully with the caramelized crust and salty ham.
Cider Beer
Hard apple cider or pear cider offers a crisp and fruity contrast that brings out the glaze’s sweetness.
Wheat Beer
Light and slightly citrusy, wheat beer cuts through the richness of the ham while enhancing the smoky glaze.
Glazed Spiral Cut Ham
Equipment
- Hickory Wood Pellets
- BBQ Gloves
- Louisiana Grills 1200 Premier
- You Need a BBQ Cutting Board
- Yonedas Raion Slicer
- Large Baking Sheet or BBQ Tray
Ingredients
- 10 lbs Whole Spiral Cut Ham
- ⅓ cup Pineapple Juice
- ⅓ cup Hive on Fire Hot Honey
- 2 tbsp Yonedas Red Seasoning
- 2 tbsp Yonedas Grannies Gold Mustard Sauce
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
Instructions
- Preheat smoker to 300°F
- Smoke spiral ham in a shallow dish for 1 hour
- Mix glaze in a bowl
- Glaze every 30 minutes for 2 more hours
- Rest for 10 minutes
- Slice and serve
Glazed Spiral Cut Ham FAQs
What can I use instead of pineapple juice for the glaze?
You can substitute apple juice, orange juice, peach nectar, cola, root beer, or even bourbon for a deeper, boozy note. Each one adds its own unique twist.
What if I can’t find spiral cut ham?
No problem! Use a whole ham and score it in a crosshatch pattern to allow the glaze to penetrate. It will still taste amazing and caramelize nicely.
How do I prevent the ham from drying out?
Keep it in a shallow pan to catch juices and baste regularly. The glaze helps retain moisture while building flavor.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! As long as your glaze ingredients (mustard, sauces, etc.) are certified gluten-free, this entire dish is celiac-friendly.