Double-Smoked Ham with Chipotle Cherry Glaze Recipe

Featuring Station 1923 Honey Smoke All-Purpose Rub
Total Time: 2 to 2.5 hours | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: Varies by ham size

 

If you’re looking to shake up the holiday table with something that’s familiar but far from expected, this double-smoked ham with chipotle cherry glaze is it.

Bursting with Sweet, smoky bold flavor and the perfect kick, it’s the kind of main dish that makes people stop mid-bite to ask, “Wait—what’s in this?” The real secret? Station 1923’s Honey Smoke All Purpose Rub. It’s the foundation of this unforgettable flavor combo, bringing that perfect balance of sweet heat and savory depth.

Whether you're setting the table for Easter, Friendsgiving, or just a Sunday that deserves something special, this ham is the move.

Ingredients

For the Ham:

• 1 Half Ham, 4-5 lbs recommended (we use Kirkland Master Carve Boneless Half Ham because it's more affordable, and still delicious)

• Yellow mustard (for binder)

• Station 1923’s Honey Smoke All Purpose Rub

For the Chipotle Cherry Glaze:

• ¾ tablespoon Station 1923’s Honey Smoke All Purpose Rub

• 10 oz apple juice

• ¼ cup sugar

• ½ cup cherry preserves

• ½ tablespoon chipotle pepper paste or sauce from chipotles in adobo
  (Add more for extra heat and smokiness!)

• ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar

• 1 tablespoon butter

 

Things You'll Need

• Smoker
• Cutting board
• Knife
• Meat thermometer or temperature probe (optional but highly recommended)
• Measuring utensils
• Saucepan
• Whisk
• Basting brush
• Foil
• Gloves (optional)

Step 1: Prep the Ham

Prep is super easy and goes quick, so before you get started, fire that smoker up to 250°F.

Start by scoring the top of the ham in a diamond pattern—this helps the flavor soak in and looks great when it’s done. To make the diamond pattern, place the ham fat-side up and make diagonal cuts across the top of the ham, about 1/2 to 1 inch apart. Once you have one set of diagonal cuts in, rotate the ham 90 degrees and make another set of diagonal cuts crossing the first set.

 

Tip: Be careful not to cut too deeply into the meat. Scoring should be just deep enough to penetrate the fat layer.

Once your ham is scored, lightly coat it in yellow mustard to act as a binder, then generously apply Station 1923’s Honey Smoke All Purpose Rub all over, making sure to get into those cuts. You don't need a heavy hand with Honey Smoke — ham is already cured in salt.

 

 

Step 2: Render The Fat

Once the smoker has come to temp, place the ham cut-side down on the hottest part of the smoker, so the fat cap to renders down nicely and creates a beautiful char. This should take about an hour or so, depending on the size of the ham.

Once it's rendered and charred to your liking, flip the ham over so the scored side is facing up, and move it to the indirect heat side of the smoker.

3. Make the Glaze

While the ham is smoking, combine all the glaze ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat: (Station 1923’s Honey Smoke All Purpose Rub, apple juice, chipotle paste, sugar, cherry preserves, apple cider vinegar, butter). Stir frequently and let it simmer until slightly thickened—about 10–15 minutes. Set aside.

4. Glaze & Wrap

Once the ham hits about 110°F (which takes about an hour or an hour and a half, depending on the size of your ham), transfer it to a large piece of foil and brush it generously with the chipotle cherry glaze, then wrap the whole ham tightly in foil.

Return it to the smoker and continue cooking until it reaches 130°F internal temp. 

5. Final Baste

Once the ham reaches 130°F (about 45 minutes or so later), remove the foil and start basting with more chipotle cherry glaze. Continue smoking, basting every 10–15 minutes, until the ham reaches 140–145°F. This layering of glaze adds extra flavor and gives you that beautiful glossy finish.

 

6. Rest & Serve

Let the ham rest for at least 15–20 minutes before slicing. Serve it up and get ready for folks to ask for seconds — and the recipe.

 

Shop Station 1923 Honey Smoke All Purpose Rub

 

Looking for more holiday ham-spiration? Check out our Double-Smoked Maple Bourbon Ham recipe!

 

For more ways to use Honey Smoke All-Purpose Rub, click here!