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With Easter just around the corner, this Orange Marmalade Ham is out of this world. The tenderness of the ham with with the crispy edges covered in this deliciously sweet and sticky glaze will be the perfect centerpiece for your next holiday gathering.
Looking for more Ham inspiration, try my smoked pineapple rum ham or maple bourbon ham. Both are full of non traditional flavors that work well on this protein.
Table of Contents
Holiday Ham.
There cannot be a holiday gathering without some ham. Baked or smoked, sweet or savory, spiral or whole, the variations and flavors are endless.
Ham comes from the butt or shank of the pig. Most commonly sold precooked, all this holiday protein needs is some flavor.
The beauty of pork is that it’s a very versatile protein and can be adapted to personal preference. While a traditional holiday ham has a sweet glaze with pineapples and cherries on top, there are so many other great and delicious options to choose from.
Ingredient List for a Orange Marmalade Ham
- Ham: for this recipe I used a whole bone-in ham spiral cut ham.
- Seasoning: I used an all purpose rub that pairs well with pork and brings in the traditional BBQ flavors.
- Juice: I used apple juice. It adds moisture and slight acidity to the savory ham meat as it smokes over low and slow heat.
- Orange Marmalade: adds sweetness to the outside of the glaze.
- Rum: adds notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak from aging in barrels, that contribute to a sweeter taste.
Step 1: Prep the Orange Marmalade Ham
Remove the ham out of the packaging and place it onto a wire rack inside a foil pan. The reason for the wire rack is to allow air to flow around the ham and allow the rendered juices to drip without making the bottom soggy. The secret to the tenderness and juiciness of this ham is the apple juice. As the ham cooks on the grill, the tartness of the juice start to evaporate and infuse into the meat creating a succulent dish.
Recipe Tip
You can substitute apple juice with orange, cranberry or even pineapple juice.
Generously season the outside skin and in between the slices with Dad’s All Purpose rub which will provide some savory notes and will counter the sweetness from the glaze.
Dad’s Seasonings
Must have grillin seasonings!
Step 2: How to smoke an orange marmalade ham
Preheat your grill to 300 degrees for indirect heat. Total cook time will depend on the size of the ham, but should take about 2.5 hours or until the internal temperature of the ham reaches 150 degrees and the edges start to crips up.
Recipe Tip
- Do not overcook the ham. Max temp should be around 140 degrees.
- Add liquid to the bottom of the pan to add additional moisture.
How to create an indirect heat set up on the grill
Indirect heat is created differently depending on the type of grill you have.
- Gas grill: Turn the burners on one half of the grill. For indirect heat, place food on the opposite end.
- Charcoal grill: position the heated charcoal to one half of the round bowl. For indirect heat, place the food on the opposite end.
- Komodo style grill: use a plate setter that will deflect direct heat from the food on the grates.
Step 3: How to make homemade marmalade sauce.
This sweet and spicy sauce is what made this dish for me. It has the perfect balance of sugar and holiday spice in a caramelized sticky glaze.
In a sauce pan, add a jar of your choice or marmalade and half a cup of rum. Simmer over low-med heat making sure to continuously whisk as the sauce thickens. This spiked sauce will fill the kitchen with island holiday vibes that will set the mood for a joyful holiday!
Recipe Tip
The alcohol content will cook off while on simmer making it safe to consume by children.
While the ham is still on the grill, pour this amazingly aromatic glaze over the meat and let it caramelize over the edges.
Carve and serve this delicious orange marmalade ham to family and friends. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions:
All my recipes can be replicated in the oven, stove top or gas grill. You do not need a big green egg or weber grill to replicate any of my recipes.
Remember that a store bought ham is already cooked. It can come in a spiral cut meaning it’s been pre-sliced or whole. You can enjoy it cold or if you are warming it up and adding a sauce or glaze, the ideal temperature is 145-150 degrees.
A great substitute for the rum is apple juice or simply just leave it out.
Similar ham recipes packed with flavor:
If you tried this Orange Marmalade Ham or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the📝 comments. I love hearing from you!
Orange Marmalade Ham
Ingredients
- 1 Spiral ham
- 1 cup Apple juice
- 2 tbsp All Purpose rub
Orange Marmalade Glaze
- 12 oz Orange marmalade
- 1/2 cup Dark rum
Instructions
- Remove the ham out of the packaging and place it onto a wire rack inside a foil pan.
- Pour apple juice on the bottom of the pan.
- Generously season the outside skin and in between the slices with Dad's All Purpose rub.
- 2.5 hours total cook time or until the internal temperature reaches 150 degrees and the edges start to crips up.
Orange Marmalade Instructions
- In a sauce pan, add a jar of your choice or marmalade and half a cup of rum. Simmer over low-med heat making sure to continuously whisk as the sauce thickens.
- Pour the glaze over the ham while still on the grill and let it caramelize over the edges.
Notes
Nutrition
Check out the Recipes Page for other tasty ideas!
