Ultimate Guide to Pellet Smoked Christmas Ham: Perfecting Your Festive Feast

Smith Bros Pellet Smoked Christmas Ham with Baby Carrots

Kia ora and merry Christmas to all!

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect centrepiece for your festive table, look no further than our Smith Bros Pellet Smoked Christmas Ham with Baby Carrots.

This recipe brings together the wholesome goodness of free-range ham and fresh baby carrots, all lovingly cooked in a pellet smoker grill. The succulent ham, glazed in a rich mixture of apple cider, dark cane sugar, and butter, promises to fill your home with the most enticing aromas.

And let’s not forget about those adorable baby carrots, which snuggle up next to the ham, soaking up all the delicious flavours.

Whether you’re a seasoned pitmaster or new to the game, this recipe will guide you through creating a mouth-watering masterpiece that’s bound to impress your whānau and friends.

So, grab your apron, and let’s get smoking! 🎄🍖🥕

Ingredients

• 4kg free-range ham leg (pre-cooked)
• For the Glaze:
  • 1 can apple cider
  • 250g dark cane sugar
  • 100g butter
• 2 bunches baby carrots
• Water as needed

Equipment

• Pellet smoker grill
• Temperature probe

Instructions

1. Preparation:
   • Remove the ham from the fridge.
   • Preheat your pellet smoker grill to about 160°C.
2. Make the Glaze:
   • Combine apple cider, dark cane sugar, and butter in a small pot over medium heat.
   • Bring to a boil and reduce for 3-5 minutes or until slightly thickened.
   • Set aside to cool.
3. Prep the Ham:
   • Pat the ham dry.
   • Carefully loosen and remove the skin, leaving the layer of white fat.
   • If your ham has a knuckle end, wrap it in foil to prevent burning.
   • Score the ham in a checkerboard pattern, about 1/4-inch deep.
4. First Phase of Cooking:
   • Place the ham in a foil-lined roasting dish or grill pan, fat side up.
   • Brush the ham with half of the glaze.
   • Place the baby carrots around the ham in the dish.
   • Add a cup of water to the base of the dish or pan.
   • Cover with foil and cook in the smoker at 160°C for about 1 hour.
5. Glazing and Continuing to Cook:
   • After 1 hour, remove the foil and re-glaze the ham.
   • Continue cooking for another 30-45 minutes, adding water if the glaze starts to burn.
   • Rotate the ham occasionally for even cooking.
   • Internal Temperature Check: Insert the temperature probe into the thickest part of the ham, avoiding bone. The target internal temperature is around 60°C (140°F).
6. Final Smoking Phase:
   • Reduce the smoker’s heat to around 95-110°C.
   • Smoke the glazed ham for an additional 20-25 minutes.
   • Final Temperature Check: Ensure the internal temperature is maintained at or slightly above 60°C (140°F).
7. Resting:
   • Remove the ham from the smoker.
   • Let it rest, tented with foil and a tea towel, for 10-15 minutes.
8. Serve:
   • Thinly slice the ham just before serving.
   • Serve alongside the smoked baby carrots.

The baby carrots will absorb some of the ham and glaze flavours during the cooking process, enhancing their taste. Enjoy your smoked Christmas ham with this delightful addition!

If you’re contemplating buying a pellet smoker grill

If you’re contemplating buying a pellet smoker grill, you’re on the brink of elevating your cooking game to a whole new level. These ingenious devices blend the best of both worlds – the ease of a gas grill with the flavourful punch of classic wood smoking. I bought this one for my wife as a Christmas present last year.

Perfect for both novices and seasoned BBQ enthusiasts, a pellet smoker offers unparalleled consistency in temperature, ensuring your meats are always cooked to juicy perfection. Imagine serving up sumptuously smoked meats that boast a tantalising smoky aroma, all achieved with the push of a button.

Whether it’s a juicy Christmas ham, fall-off-the-bone ribs, or even a smoky apple pie, a pellet smoker grill opens the door to a myriad of culinary possibilities. So, if you’re ready to become the envy of your neighbours and the hero at family gatherings, diving into the world of pellet smokers might just be your next great adventure in the realm of cooking.

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