Learn how to make a tender double smoked ham with a sweet glaze, perfect smoke flavor, and easy step-by-step instructions for Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and family gatherings.
Quick Answer
Double smoked ham is a fully cooked, cured, and smoked ham that gets a second round of smoke at home. The best results come from a bone-in spiral ham cooked at 225°F to 250°F, finished with a sweet glaze, and reheated to the proper internal temperature.
Double Smoked Ham is one of the easiest ways to transform a fully cooked holiday ham into a smoky, juicy, glossy centerpiece. Instead of cooking raw pork from scratch, this method gently reheats an already cured and smoked ham while adding extra wood smoke and a flavorful glaze.
This recipe works beautifully for Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Sunday dinners, potlucks, and backyard celebrations. A bone-in spiral ham is usually the best choice because it is easy to serve and provides excellent presentation.
Double Smoked Ham Recipe Overview
| Recipe Detail | Best Practice |
|---|---|
| Best Ham | Bone-in spiral-cut fully cooked ham |
| Size | 7 to 10 pounds for most families |
| Smoker Temperature | 225°F to 250°F |
| Finish Temperature | 140°F for USDA-inspected cooked ham |
| Best Wood | Apple, cherry, maple, pecan, or light hickory |
| Glaze Style | Brown sugar, honey, Dijon, fruit preserves |
| Rest Time | 15 to 30 minutes |
What Is Double Smoked Ham?
Double smoked ham means the ham has already been cured, cooked, and smoked before purchase. The second smoking process happens at home, where extra wood smoke, heat, and glaze add more flavor.
Most grocery-store holiday hams are already fully cooked and ready to eat. The smoker mainly warms the ham slowly while adding additional smoky flavor and helping the glaze create a shiny coating.
Why Is It Called Double Smoked?
The name comes from the two smoking stages. The first smoke happens during commercial processing, while the second smoke happens in your smoker, pellet grill, charcoal grill, or gas grill.
Does Double Smoked Ham Taste Too Smoky?
No. When mild woods such as apple, cherry, maple, or pecan are used, the extra smoke adds balance instead of overpowering the natural ham flavor.
