The BEST Thanksgiving & Christmas Ham Recipe

brown sugar

🥗Healthier: coconut sugar

💰Cheaper: white sugar

Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index.

pineapple juice

🥗Healthier: orange juice

💰Cheaper: apple juice

Orange juice offers a similar sweetness with a different flavor.

honey

🥗Healthier: agave syrup

💰Cheaper: corn syrup

Agave syrup is a lower-calorie alternative.

mustard

🥗Healthier: honey mustard

💰Cheaper: yellow mustard

Honey mustard adds sweetness without extra cost.

Score the outside of the ham with a knife, creating quarter-inch deep cuts in a checkerboard pattern.

Lightly spritz the ham with water.

Season the ham with a sweet barbecue rub, using a generous amount.

Insert a temperature probe into the thickest part of the ham, ensuring a solid connection.

Smoke the ham at 275°F for a few hours.

In a bowl, mix 1 cup of apple juice, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, and 2 tablespoons of bourbon to create the glaze.

Place the ham in an aluminum disposable baking dish to catch drippings.

Every 30 to 40 minutes, baste the ham with the apple bourbon glaze until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.

If the ham gets too dark, cover the top with foil to prevent further browning while it cooks.

Once cooked, cut the ham halfway through to remove the bone, then thinly slice the meat.

Assemble sandwiches with layers of sliced ham, Carolina mustard barbecue sauce, and homemade dill pickles on buns.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens