Grilling a ham is a simple and tasty way to serve this holiday staple. However, it can be tricky to cook a ham properly without overcooking or drying out the meat.

The temperature of the grill and distance from the heat source are important in ensuring that the ham is cooked through. It’s also a good idea to pre-heat the grill before placing the ham on it.

Precooked Ham

If you’re looking for an easy way to prepare a ham for your next holiday meal, grilling is a great option. It requires a lot less work than boiling or baking, and it will also yield results that are both juicy and flavorful.

You can grill a precooked ham in a pan or on a roasting rack. The total cooking time will vary depending on the size of the ham and the oven temperature, but it should take between 1.5 and 2.5 hours to achieve the desired internal temperature.

Pre-cooked hams should not be cooked above 145 degrees. Cooking it over this temperature will dry out the ham and cause it to become hard and tasteless.

To prevent this, make sure that you preheat your oven and the ham before placing it in the oven. It’s also a good idea to coat the ham with a glaze before placing it in the oven, which can help the ham maintain moisture while cooking and add an extra layer of flavor.

Glazes can be as simple as brushing maple syrup on the ham or more complex sugar and flavor mixes. They can also include ingredients like garlic and ginger to give the ham a kick of flavor.

For the most flavor, it’s best to use a glaze that has a mix of spices in it. These spices will add a lot of flavor and will help your ham stay moist while grilling.

Another option is to add a citrus-based glaze. For this, combine lime juice, ginger, and pineapple juice in a saucepan until the liquid reduces to a half cup. Then, add apricot preserves and mustard to the mixture after straining.

Aside from being delicious, a pineapple-apricot glaze is also low in fat and calories. It’s a fantastic way to serve ham, especially when the whole family will be at your table.

Once your ham is finished grilling, baste it with the remaining juices and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Slice it and serve with your favorite sides or desserts to round out your holiday menu!

Cooking on a Gas Grill

Ham is one of the easiest meats to grill and is a perfect option for any holiday or family dinner. Using the grill gives you a new dimension of flavor that an oven-baked ham just cannot match.

There are a variety of gas grills on the market, and they cook quickly and easily with minimal effort. They are powered by either propane or natural gas and use metal burners to heat the cooking surface. Most gas grills have lidded cooking boxes mounted on a wheeled cart for easy portability and come with all the basics you need to cook your favorite dishes.

Gas grills are a great choice for summer entertaining because they are easy to use and provide quick results. They come with a range of cooking options, from grills for smaller dishes to larger grills that can cook a whole chicken or a rack of ribs.

The best way to cook a ham on a gas grill is to use indirect heat. Indirect heat slows down the process and allows the center of the ham to cook thoroughly without burning the outside. This method is best for larger cuts of meat, such as a smoked whole ham or an applewood-smoked half ham.

Using a grill thermometer to check the internal temperature of the ham before cooking is essential. The ham should be cooked to at least 135 degrees. If it is not, remove it from the grill and place back in the oven to cook until the ham is cooked to the desired temperature.

You can also use a sugar-based glaze to enhance the grilled ham’s flavor. However, keep in mind that sugar burns at a high temperature and will ruin the crust of the ham.

When basting a grilled ham, make sure to get the glaze into between the ham’s slices. This will help to keep the ham moist, allowing it to absorb more of the glaze as it cooks.

After basting, let the ham sit for 10 minutes before cutting into it. This will allow the juices to re-hydrate the meat and mellow it out.

Cooking on a Charcoal Grill

Using a charcoal grill is an excellent way to cook your ham. It sears the surface of the ham to create meat with a delicious crust. The heat from the coals also adds a hint of smoky flavor to the meat, which is especially effective when grilling with hickory or mesquite woods.

The first step is to preheat your charcoal grill, making sure that it has enough fuel to maintain its temperature. This requires about a half-hour. Many models feature dampers that can be adjusted to control the flow of air through the grill and, in turn, the temperature inside.

Once the fire is burning, use a long metal spatula or brush to move coals around as needed to keep the temperature consistent and prevent flare ups. Generally, the more coals you use, the hotter your fire will be.

For a small or portable grill, about 30 briquettes should be sufficient. For a larger barrel or Kettleman grill, at least 50 briquettes should be used.

You can also use lump charcoal in addition to briquettes for more intense searing. This type of charcoal is typically made from a single kind of wood, such as hickory or mesquite.

Some models of charcoal grills have a door that allows you to add more coals during the cooking process. This can make it easier to control the amount of heat you need for different foods.

Alternatively, you can place a pan over the flames for indirect heat. This method is good for foods such as kabobs, vegetables and meats that don’t require a lot of cooking time.

A grilled ham is a simple yet elegant meal that pairs well with classic sides, such as baked beans or potato salad. It is a great choice for a summer dinner.

When cooking a ham on a charcoal grill, it is important to keep the temperature low and use a sugar-based glaze. This will help ensure that the ham cooks evenly and retains its moist, tender texture. It also helps to add a smoky flavor that complements the ham’s natural sweetness.

Cooking on the BBQ

Cooking a ham on the grill can be an excellent way to add flavor and depth to this classic meat. It is also a great option for preserving the juices in your ham.

While cooking a ham on the BBQ, there are some things that you should keep in mind to ensure that your ham is cooked to perfection. These include cooking times and temperature.

Precooked hams: The most common hams available in the grocery store are wet-cured, which means they have been injected with a brine of salt and other flavors and then pre-cooked. These hams are very safe to cook on the grill, but you should check the temperature before you begin.

Direct heat: The direct heat method of grilling is a great way to grill smaller cuts, such as ham slices. These meats are cooked quickly over medium coals, and should be watched carefully to prevent overcooking.

A hot grill surface can dry out the ham, so make sure to preheat your grill before grilling. Coating the ham with oil or marinating it before grilling will help keep it moist.

Smoked ham: If you like, you can smoke your ham before grilling it to enhance its flavor. It’s a very easy process and will provide a deliciously smoky flavor to your ham.

The smokiness will not only add flavor to the ham, but it will also create a moisture-rich environment that will help your ham cook faster. It will also keep the ham moist, which is important because it will continue to cook once it’s removed from the heat.

Wrapping your ham: To get a good seal on your ham, wrap it in foil. To do this, cut a piece of foil about 2 1/2 feet long and fold it in half lengthwise. Place the flat side of your ham on the foil and pour about 1/2 of the mixture over it. Crimp the edges to secure it tightly.

Glaze: For an extra-special touch, coat your ham with a glaze before putting it on the grill. This will ensure that your ham is super juicy and will keep it warm while you’re carving it.