How To Smoke A Fresh Ham

Smoking fresh ham is a delicious way to cook this flavorful cut of meat. With a few simple steps, you can turn a fresh ham into a mouthwatering dish that will impress your family and friends.

In this article, we’ll look at what you need to know about smoking ham, the supplies you’ll need, and how to smoke fresh ham in three simple steps.

What do You need to Know About Smoking Ham?

Before you begin smoking fresh ham, it’s important to understand what this cut of meat is and how it differs from other pork products. Fresh ham is a pork leg not cured or smoked. It contains more moisture than cured ham and has a milder flavor.

When smoking fresh ham, you must add flavor and moisture to the meat by bringing or injecting it. Using wood chips or chunks in your smoker will also help to infuse the ham with a smoky flavor.

Supplies You’ll Need to Smoke a Fresh Ham?

To smoke a fresh ham, you’ll need a few supplies:

• A fresh ham
• Brine or injection solution
• Wood chips or chunks
• Smoker or grill
• Meat thermometer

How to Smoke a Fresh Ham (3 Simple Steps)

Step 1: Prepare Your Meat

The first step to smoking fresh ham is to prepare your meat. This involves either bringing or injecting the ham with a solution to add flavor and moisture.

For brining, you can use a mixture of water, salt, sugar, and spices. Submerge the ham in the brine for several hours or overnight in the refrigerator.

If you prefer to inject the ham, use a marinade injector to inject the solution throughout the meat. Be sure to inject the solution evenly into the ham.

Once your ham is brined or injected, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before placing it in the smoker.

Step 2: Set Up Your Smoker or Grill

Set up your smoker or grill for indirect heat. If using a smoker, fill the water pan and add wood chips or chunks to the smoker box or on top of the charcoal.

If using a grill, set it up for indirect heat by placing the coals on one side of the grill and the ham on the other side.

Preheat your smoker or grill to 225°F.

Step 3: Smoke Your Fresh Ham

Place the fresh ham on the smoker or grill grates, fat side up. Close the lid and let the ham smoke for several hours or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.

Check the temperature of the ham with a meat thermometer at regular intervals. If using wood chips or chunks, add more as needed to keep the smoke going.

Once the ham is cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F, remove it from the smoker or grill and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Smoke A Fresh Ham

Ingredients:

• 1 fresh ham
• Brine or injection solution
• Wood chips or chunks

Instructions:

1. Prepare your brine or injection solution.
2. Brine or inject your fresh ham with the solution.
3. Let your ham sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
4. Preheat your smoker or grill to 225°F.
5. Place your fresh ham on the smoker or grill grates, fat side up.
6. Smoke the ham for several hours or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
7. Check the temperature of the ham with a meat thermometer at regular intervals.
8. Add wood chips or chunks as needed to keep the smoke going.
9. Once the ham is cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F, remove it from the smoker or grill and let it rest for 10-15 minutes.
10. Slice and serve.

Nutrition:

Smoked fresh ham is a good source of protein, with about 27 grams per 3-ounce serving. It is also high in fat, with about 14 grams per serving. However, if you trim off some of the fat before smoking, you can reduce the overall fat content. A 3-ounce serving of smoked fresh ham contains about 200 calories.