I remember many holidays when my Grandma’s ham was the star of the show. Her signature recipe included a cola and brown sugar-glazed ham studded with fragrant cherries, pineapple, and cloves. It’s hard not to feel nostalgic with a main course like that! I wanted to give my family the same delicious memories, so I created this Pineapple & Cherry Double Smoked Ham.
Like Grandma’s recipe, my version uses pineapple and cherry flavors to create one sweet flavor profile. Instead of fresh or canned fruit, I used two of my newest BBQ glazes to give the ham the same feel but with a BBQ twist. A hint of savory pecan flavoring balanced the sweetness and gave the meat a rich, nutty flavor. If you’re looking for a modern-style ham that will take you down memory lane, try this Pineapple & Cherry Double Smoked Ham. Your family and friends will be talking about it for decades!
Pineapple & Cherry Double Smoked Ham | Heath Riles BBQ
Spiral-glazed hams are a holiday staple often served at Christmas or Easter. Of course, a few forgo Thanksgiving turkey for this hearty pork cut! This fun tradition goes back centuries, and while it’s hard to pinpoint where it originated, many believe it has European roots. As the story goes, fall and winter were hog-butchering seasons, and it was only natural to enjoy the fruit of your labor with a hearty feast.
Hams of the past were often served whole until the 20th century when spiral hams became a hot menu item. There are many ways to make a tasty ham (check out my collection of recipes), but this Pineapple & Cherry Double Smoked Ham has got many of them beat. Give it a try, and let me know what you think!
The Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you need to make the best Pineapple & Cherry Double Smoked Ham.
- Spiral-cut smoked ham. Spiral-cut hams are advantageous, especially if you’re using a glaze. The precut lines allow every bite to drip with sticky-sweet glaze. I find that this cut of pork has the best flavor, as whole hams only absorb the seasoning and glaze’s flavor on the surface.
- Heath Riles BBQ Cherry Apple Habanero BBQ Glaze. I spent 6 years perfecting this product, but it was worth it! This decadent glaze features a blend of bright cherries, sweet apples, zesty habaneros, and a little sweetener. Its bright color makes ribs, hams, and pork roasts shine!
- Heath Riles BBQ Pineapple Habanero BBQ Glaze. There’s nothing better than a sweet and spicy combo, and this glaze hits the nail on the head. You can use it on its own or blend it with BBQ sauce to give ribs, roasts, brisket, and hams a gorgeous shine.
- Heath Riles BBQ Pecan Rub. This pecan rub is one of the best savory rubs out there. It’s also perfect for those with allergies, as it doesn’t contain real nuts. It tastes great on burgers, ribs, salmon, vegetables, and chicken.
The Smoker Setup
Here’s the main equipment I used for this recipe. More of my grilling favorites are in the Equipment and Tools section.
- Pellet grill/smoker. I smoked my ham on the Traeger Ironwood XL. This spacious grill can be used to grill or smoke ribs, hamburgers, roasts, brisket, and just about anything else. It has many fun features, like a super-smoke button that gives each recipe maximum flavor. I love this grill because it allows me to cook large quantities of food without taking up much space on the patio. Traeger builds grills that last, and this pit is well worth the investment.
- Pellets. I stoked the pit with Royal Oak Charcoal Hardwood Pellets, which give the food a rich, deep flavor. Royal Oak doesn’t use fillers in their charcoal, giving you the purest cook. Their products are easy to find at your local big box store.
The Process for Making Pineapple & Cherry Double Smoked Ham
You’ll find a detailed demonstration of how to make this recipe in the video and recipe card. For now, enjoy this brief rundown of how I pulled this Pineapple & Cherry Double Smoked Ham together.
- Fire up the grill. I stoked the Traeger Ironwood XL with Royal Oak Charcoal Hardwood Pellets and fired it up to 275℉.
- Start smoking. I removed the ham from its packaging and patted it dry before setting it on a cooling rack. I didn’t add any binder or seasoning, but you can customize this method to fit your preference. I put the meat on the Traeger Ironwood XL to cook for 2 hours and 45 minutes, checking it once an hour.
- Make the glaze. To make the pineapple cherry glaze, I added Heath Riles BBQ Cherry Apple Habanero BBQ Glaze, Heath Riles BBQ Pineapple Habanero BBQ Glaze, and Heath Riles BBQ Pecan Rub to a small cast iron saucepan and stirred until smooth. I set the glaze on the Traeger Ironwood XL and let it warm for 15 minutes while the ham reached 120℉.
- Glaze the ham. I used a silicone brush to baste the ham, ensuring every crevice was coated in delicious glaze. I shut the lid to the grill, let the ham cook for 15 minutes, and added more glaze. I repeated the process again, then shut the Traeger Ironwood XL down and let the ham sit inside while it cooled. The only thing left was to let the meat cool before digging in!
The Results
My Pineapple & Cherry Double Smoked Ham emerged from the grill with a beautiful color and an even better smell. The ham had the perfect sweetness, with fruity notes running through every piece. Even though this ham uses modern techniques, it is reminiscent of the main courses I used to enjoy at Grandma’s house. If you want to leave a legacy, make this recipe!
Serving Suggestions for Pineapple & Cherry Double Smoked Ham
Are you searching for the perfect recipes to complement your Pineapple & Cherry Double Smoked Ham? Try one of these delicious dishes!
- Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans. Want something different from a traditional green bean casserole? If so, you’ll want to bookmark this recipe. The crisp bacon infuses the green beans with savory flavor.
- Smoked Gouda Mashed Potatoes. These cheesy potatoes are a sophisticated take on a holiday classic. They feature a mix of garlic, butter, salt, and pepper to please any palate. You can also add your herbs of choice, like rosemary or parsley.
-
Smoked Peach Cobbler. This mouthwatering dessert will go perfectly with the pineapple and cherry notes in the ham. It can cook right alongside the meat, saving you time. This cobbler requires minimal effort yet tastes totally gourmet. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Storing Leftovers
You can store leftover cooked ham in the fridge for up to five days or freeze it for up to five months. Leftovers taste delicious on sandwiches, omelets, quiches, breakfast tacos, or even your favorite pizza. You can also use them in potato soup or my classic Monte Cristo sandwich.
Equipment and Tools
Traeger Ironwood XL, Royal Oak Charcoal Hardwood Pellets, disposable cutting board, ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE, ChefAlarm, wire cooling rack, ThermoWorks Hi-Temp Silicone Brush.
