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Have you ever tried cooking a spiral ham on a pellet grill? If not, you’re missing out on a delicious and flavorful meal that is perfect for any occasion. Pellet grills are known for their ability to smoke meat to perfection, and spiral ham is no exception. The low and slow cooking process of a pellet grill allows the ham to absorb a rich smoky flavor while remaining tender and juicy.

Before you begin, make sure you have a spiral ham that is fully cooked and ready to eat. The spiral cut allows the flavors to penetrate the meat more effectively, ensuring a moist and flavorful result. It’s also important to preheat your pellet grill to the desired cooking temperature. For a spiral ham, a temperature of 250°F (121°C) is ideal.

Once your pellet grill is preheated, place the spiral ham directly on the grill grates, making sure to position it fat-side up. The fat layer will baste the meat as it cooks, keeping it moist and tender. It’s a good idea to use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of the ham throughout the cooking process. The ham is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).

As the ham cooks, you can brush on a glaze or seasoning of your choice to enhance the flavor. Some popular options include a honey mustard glaze, a brown sugar and pineapple glaze, or a maple and bourbon glaze. Apply the glaze during the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow it to caramelize and create a delicious crust on the ham.

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Once your spiral ham is cooked to perfection, remove it from the pellet grill and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a moist and tender result. Serve the ham as a main course or slice it for sandwiches or salads. Either way, you’re in for a treat!

Preparing the Spiral Ham

Before cooking the spiral ham on a pellet grill, you need to properly prepare it to ensure it turns out delicious and tender.

Cleaning the Spiral Ham

Start by removing the spiral ham from its packaging. Thoroughly rinse the ham under cold running water to remove any excess brine or cure that may be on the surface.

Trimming the Fat

If desired, you can trim the fat on the spiral ham to your preference. Some people prefer to leave a thin layer of fat for added flavor and moisture during cooking, while others may prefer to remove more of the fat for a leaner ham.

Using a sharp knife, carefully trim away any excessive fat, leaving behind a thin layer if desired. Make sure to leave some fat around the edges to prevent the ham from drying out.

Scoring the Ham

Scoring the ham helps to infuse flavor and allows the glaze to penetrate the meat. Use a sharp knife to make shallow cuts in a crisscross pattern on the surface of the ham. Be careful not to cut too deeply, as you don’t want to cut through the meat entirely.

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Applying the Glaze

Next, prepare the glaze according to your chosen recipe. Brush the glaze generously onto the surface of the spiral ham, making sure to get it into the scored cuts and all around the meat. This will add sweetness and flavor to the ham as it cooks.

Once you have prepared and glazed the spiral ham, it is ready to be cooked on the pellet grill. Follow the cooking instructions for your specific pellet grill model and enjoy a deliciously cooked spiral ham.

Choosing the right spiral ham

When it comes to cooking a spiral ham on a pellet grill, choosing the right ham is essential. Here are some factors to consider when selecting your ham:

Type of ham

There are several types of spiral hams available, including bone-in and boneless hams. Bone-in hams tend to have more flavor due to the bone, while boneless hams are easier to carve. Consider your preference and the convenience factor when choosing between the two.

Size of ham

The size of the ham will depend on the number of servings you require. As a general rule, plan for about 1/2 pound of ham per person if serving as a main course, or 1/4 pound per person if serving as a side dish or in sandwiches.

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Note: If you have a smaller pellet grill, make sure the ham you choose fits comfortably inside the grill.

Quality of ham

Look for hams that are labeled as “fully cooked” or “ready to eat.” This ensures that the ham has already been cooked and just needs to be heated through on the pellet grill. Additionally, choose hams that are free from any visible flaws or excessive fat.

Tip: If possible, opt for hams that are made from sustainably raised, antibiotic-free, and hormone-free pork for a better tasting and more ethically sourced ham.

Trimming and seasoning the spiral ham

Before cooking a spiral ham on a pellet grill, it’s important to properly trim and season the ham to enhance its flavor. Follow these steps to prepare your ham for grilling:

1. Remove the packaging

Take the spiral ham out of its packaging and place it on a clean surface. Remove any plastic wrapping or netting, as well as any papers or labels that may be attached.

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2. Trim excess fat

Trim the excess fat from the surface of the ham using a sharp knife. Leaving a thin layer of fat will help keep the ham juicy during cooking, but removing any excessive fat will prevent it from becoming too greasy.

3. Score the ham

Using a sharp knife, gently score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern. This will allow the flavors of the seasoning to penetrate the meat while cooking.

4. Season the ham

Generously season the ham with your preferred blend of spices and herbs. A common seasoning mixture for spiral ham includes brown sugar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper. Make sure to rub the seasoning mixture evenly all over the surface of the ham.

5. Let it rest

After seasoning, let the ham rest for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse into the meat.

By trimming and seasoning your spiral ham before cooking it on a pellet grill, you’ll ensure that it’s flavorful, tender, and delicious when it’s done.

Preparing the Pellet Grill

1. Clean the grill: Before cooking on the pellet grill, make sure to clean the cooking grates and remove any residue or debris. This will ensure optimal cooking and prevent any unwanted flavors from transferring to the ham.

2. Fill the pellet hopper: Fill the pellet hopper with your choice of pellet flavor. Popular options for ham include hickory, apple, or cherry. Make sure to use food-grade pellets specifically designed for pellet grills.

3. Preheat the grill: Preheat the pellet grill to a temperature of 225°F (107°C). This low and slow cooking temperature will allow the ham to cook slowly and evenly, resulting in a tender and juicy final product.

4. Set up for indirect cooking: If your pellet grill has the option, set it up for indirect cooking. This means ensuring that the heat source is not directly under the ham. This will prevent the ham from drying out and burning.

5. Place a drip pan: Place a drip pan on the grill grates below where the ham will be placed. This will catch any drippings from the ham, making cleanup easier and preventing flare-ups.

6. Close the lid: Once the grill is preheated and set up for indirect cooking, close the lid and allow the grill to continue heating to the desired cooking temperature.

Preheating the pellet grill

Before you start cooking your spiral ham on a pellet grill, it’s important to properly preheat the grill. This will ensure that the grill is at the correct temperature and ready to cook your ham evenly.

Follow these steps to preheat your pellet grill:

1. Clean the grill grates

Start by cleaning the grill grates with a grill brush to remove any leftover debris from previous cooking sessions. This will help prevent any flavors from transferring to the ham and ensure a clean cooking surface.

2. Fill the hopper with pellets

Next, fill the hopper with your choice of wood pellets. The type of wood pellets you use will add a unique flavor to your ham, so choose according to your preference. Make sure to fill the hopper enough to last for the entire cooking duration.

Note: The general rule of thumb is to use 1 pound of pellets per hour of cooking time.

3. Set the temperature

Turn on the pellet grill and set the temperature to 250°F (121°C). This temperature will allow the ham to cook evenly without drying out.

4. Preheat the grill

Close the lid of the grill and let it preheat for about 15 minutes. This will allow the grill to reach and stabilize at the desired temperature.

Tip: Use a pellet grill with a built-in thermometer or attach a grill thermometer to monitor the internal temperature throughout the cooking process.

Once the grill has preheated to the desired temperature, it’s time to start cooking your spiral ham!

Setting up the grill for indirect cooking

Before you start cooking your spiral ham on a pellet grill, it’s important to set up the grill for indirect cooking. This method of grilling allows the heat to circulate evenly around the ham, ensuring that it cooks through without burning.

To set up your pellet grill for indirect cooking, follow these steps:

Once your grill is preheated and set up for indirect cooking, you’re ready to start cooking your spiral ham. The indirect heat will gently cook the ham, allowing it to become tender and juicy while developing a delicious smoky flavor.

Q&A

What is a spiral ham?

A spiral ham is a type of ham that has been sliced in a spiral pattern around the bone, making it easy to serve and eat.

Can I cook a spiral ham on a pellet grill?

Yes, you can cook a spiral ham on a pellet grill. The pellet grill provides a smoky flavor and even cooking temperature, resulting in a delicious and tender ham.

How do I cook a spiral ham on a pellet grill?

To cook a spiral ham on a pellet grill, preheat the grill to 250°F. Place the ham, cut side down, on the grill grates. Close the lid and cook for about 10-12 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F. Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.

What kind of pellets should I use for cooking a spiral ham on a pellet grill?

You can use any type of wood pellets for cooking a spiral ham on a pellet grill. Popular choices include hickory, apple, cherry, and maple. The type of wood will impart a different flavor to the ham, so choose according to your preference.