Baked picnic ham (pork shoulder ham) is one of my favourite types of ham to cook. It is a different cut of pork than a regular ham, but it tastes a lot like a ham because it has been cured and smoked the same way. In the end, it tastes just amazing and a great ham to serve the family.
I cook ham a lot, especially in the winter when I don’t mind leaving the oven on for long periods of time. A full-sized ham would be too much for my family to eat, so a picnic ham is perfect! I buy two of the smoked picnic pork shoulder hams whenever they go on sale and store them in the freezer.
Smoked picnic hams are the perfect size for my family. Our family of five usually eats two full meals from these hams, which weigh between 5 and 8 pounds. I love having the bone to use in my Instant Pot or slow cooker to make soup!!
Lay the picnic ham in a roasting dish. I use my large lasagna pottery baking dish. It is the perfect size for the ham. Make sure that you lay it down, fat side up. Just put the ham in the baking dish. If there was cheesecloth or anything else in the package, take it out.
Smoked daisy ham, also known as a Boston butt or cottage ham, is a delicious and versatile cut of pork that’s perfect for feeding a crowd. When properly prepared, this cut becomes meltingly tender with a wonderful smoky flavor If you’re looking to make this for your next gathering, follow this step-by-step guide to cooking a smoked daisy ham
Selecting the Right Ham
You can find smoked daisy hams sold bone-in or boneless For the juiciest results, choose a bone-in ham between 5 to 8 pounds The bone helps retain moisture during cooking. Look for a ham with thick fat on top and deep pink meat showing. Avoid hams with large dark spots or dried edges.
Prep the Ham
Start by removing the ham from any packaging and rinsing it under cool water. Pat it completely dry. For a bone-in ham, wrap the exposed bone tip tightly in foil to prevent burning.
Place the ham fat side up in a foil-lined roasting pan. The fat will baste the meat as it renders. Fill the pan with 1 cup of apple juice, cider, or broth. This will help the ham stay moist.
Score the Fat Cap
Scoring the fat cap is an important step that allows seasonings to penetrate while allowing the fat to crisp up Use a sharp knife to cut shallow crosshatch slashes about 1 inch apart across the fat cap Be careful not to cut into the actual meat,
Season the Ham
For a flavor boost, you can apply a dry rub, wet brine, or glaze to the ham. Try these easy seasoning options:
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Dry Rub: Cover the ham all over with a mix of brown sugar, salt, pepper, and spices like nutmeg or cinnamon.
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Wet Brine – Soak ham overnight in a broth mixture of salt, sugar and herbs. Rinse and pat dry before cooking.
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Glaze – Brush ham with a glaze like brown sugar, pineapple juice and mustard. Reserve some to brush on halfway through baking.
Cook the Ham
Cooking times vary based on size. Follow these guidelines:
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Preheat oven to 325°F.
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For a 5 lb ham, bake around 2 hours 20 minutes.
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For an 8 lb ham, bake around 3 hours 30 minutes.
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Bake 15-20 minutes per pound until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
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If glazing, apply final coat 30 minutes before done.
Let Ham Rest
Once your smoked daisy ham reaches the target temp, remove it from the oven and tent loosely with foil. Let it rest for at least 15 minutes so the juices can redistribute. The temperature will rise about 5°F as it rests.
Carve and Serve
Use an electric knife or long, thin blade to slice the ham across the grain. Cut thin, even slices around 1⁄4 inch thick for the most tender texture.
Serve your smoked daisy ham warm or at room temperature. Pair it with classic sides like potato salad, baked beans, cornbread, and collard greens. The possibilities are endless!
Now that you know how to cook up the perfect smoked daisy ham, you can impress your family at the next celebration. Dig in!
Helpful Tips and Tricks for Smoked Daisy Ham
Cooking up a perfect smoked daisy ham requires a few special tricks. Follow these tips from start to finish for the juiciest, most flavorful results every time.
Choose the right size – For feeding a crowd, select a bone-in smoked ham between 10 to 15 pounds. Smaller hams under 8 pounds work well for smaller groups.
Watch the clock – Stick to 15-20 minutes per pound cooking time for the ideal juicy texture. Setting a timer helps avoid overcooking.
Use a meat thermometer – Don’t rely solely on time. Always double check the internal temp reaches 160°F.
Glaze with care – Wait to apply sugary glazes until the last 30 minutes to prevent burning. Brush on lightly and evenly.
Rest is best – Letting the ham sit after cooking allows juices to reabsorb for moist, tender meat. Don’t skip this step.
Carve correctly – Slicing against the grain prevents stringy meat. Cut uniform 1⁄4 inch slices for pretty presentation.
Save the leftovers – Sliced ham stays fresh in the fridge for 3-5 days. Use leftovers for sandwiches, omelets, soups and more.
Simmer the bone – After carving, simmer the bone to make beans, broth, or split pea soup. Don’t let it go to waste!
Reheat properly – Bring leftover ham slices up to temperature in the oven or microwave without overcooking.
Follow these tips and you’ll have rave reviews every time you make a smoked daisy ham!
Common Questions About Cooking Smoked Daisy Ham
Smoked daisy ham is a delicious choice, but if it’s your first time cooking it, you probably have some questions. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about preparing this specialty pork cut.
How do you know when a smoked daisy ham is fully cooked?
- Use an instant read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach at least 160°F when done. If you don’t have a thermometer, check that the meat near the bone is no longer pink.
Should you cook the ham with the skin on or off?
- Cooking it skin-on will keep the meat more moist and tender. Just remove the skin before eating.
What’s the best way to reheat leftover smoked daisy ham?
- Slice the ham and seal it in aluminum foil with a little liquid like broth or juice. Warm it up gently in a 300°F oven until heated through.
Can you freeze smoked daisy ham?
- Yes, it freezes well for 2-3 months. Allow the ham to thaw in the fridge before reheating.
How long does an uncooked smoked daisy ham last in the fridge?
- Store it for 3-5 days maximum. For longer storage, freeze it.
What happens if you overcook a smoked daisy ham?
- It will dry out quickly and become tough. Follow the recommended cooking times to prevent this.
What sides go well with smoked daisy ham?
- Classic pairings include macaroni and cheese, scalloped potatoes, roasted vegetables, biscuits, and cornbread.
What’s the best way to carve up a whole smoked daisy ham?
- Use an electric knife to slice it thin across the grain. Cut at an angle to follow the muscular shape of the ham for nice presentation.
Got a question about cooking your smoked daisy ham? Hopefully these tips cleared up some of the common concerns. Now get ready to enjoy the wonderful smoky flavor of this specialty cut.
6 Delicious Recipe Ideas for Smoked Daisy Ham
A smoked daisy ham is incredibly versatile in the kitchen. Though delicious on its own, it also pairs wonderfully with many ingredients to make appetizers, main dishes, sides, and more. Here are 6 recipe ideas to inspire you:
1. Ham and Cheese Sliders
- Dice ham and mix with shredded cheddar cheese. Pile onto mini slider buns with a slather of mustard and pickle.
2. Breakfast Strata
- Layer ham, cheese, and cubed bread in a baking dish. Whisk eggs with milk and pour over top. Refrigerate overnight and bake in the morning.
3. Loaded Baked Potatoes
- Bake potatoes and halve them. Top with diced ham, cheddar cheese, bacon, scallions, and sour cream.
4. Ham and Bean Soup
- Simmer dried beans with ham bone and seasonings. Before serving, dice up ham and add it to the soup.
5. Ham Salad Sandwiches
- Chop ham and mix with mayo, chopped celery, parsley, lemon juice, mustard, and pepper. Serve on crusty bread.
6. Ham Quiche
- Line a pie crust with diced ham. Whisk together eggs, milk or cream, salt, and pepper and pour into crust. Bake until set.
With so many options for preparing smoked daisy ham, you could enjoy it several times a week without getting bored. It’s budget-friendly, satisfying, and downright delicious!
Step-by-Step Guide to Glazing a Smoked Daisy Ham
Glazing a smoked daisy ham adds gorgeous color and irresistible flavor. The sugars caramelize, creating a beautiful crust on the outside of the ham. Follow these simple steps for glaze success:
Choose your glaze
- For classic flavor, use brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup based glazes. Or get creative with jams, chutneys, or preserves swirled with mustard and spices.
Prep the ham
- Cook until nearly finished, about 10-15 minutes before it reaches optimal internal temperature. Score the fat in a diamond pattern so the glaze seeps in.
Make the glaze
- Combine your sticky sweet base like honey or pineapple juice with spices like cinnamon or nutmeg. Heat it up to dissolve any crystals.
Apply the glaze
- Liberally brush glaze over entire ham using a pastry brush or spoon. Work it into the scored crevices. Use all of the glaze.
Bake until caramelized
- Return ham to oven for remaining cook time. The sugars will bubble and caramelize into an amber crust.
Let glaze set
- Once ham has finished baking, let it rest at least 15 minutes before slicing so the glaze firms up and becomes tacky.
Carve and serve
- Carefully carve thin slices of the ham, showing off the shiny, candied exterior. Pass any extra glaze at the table.
Glazing requires a bit of technique, but it takes a smoked daisy ham from great to spectacular. Your guests will be drooling over the glistening, caramelized crust you’ve created.
How to Use Leftover Smoked Daisy Ham
Leftover smoked daisy ham is a wonderful ingredient to have on hand. Here are some delicious ways to repurpose those leftovers:
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Dice it up to make omelets, frittatas, or breakfast wraps in the morning. The smoky flavor pairs nicely with eggs.
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Toss diced ham into pasta salads or grain bowls for an extra hit of protein.
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Stuff ham into sandwiches and paninis. Pair it with cheese, pickles, mustard, or honey for a lunchtime treat.
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Make ham hash by sautéing diced ham with potatoes, onions, and peppers. Top with a fried egg.
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Fold chopped ham into biscuit dough before baking for an extra savory treat.
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Simmer the ham bone into bean soups, vegetable broth, or collard greens for smoky flavor.
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Dice and mix ham into macaroni and cheese or scalloped potatoes to stretch the dish.
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Fry thin ham slices until crispy and eat as a snack, or use as a pizza topping.
With endless possibilities for enjoying those leftovers, you don’t have to worry about your smoked daisy ham going to waste. Get creative with the recipes!
Smoked daisy ham is delicious, versatile, and something to look forward to at special gatherings. Now that you know how to select, prepare, cook, and serve it properly, you can start your own tradition of serving this specialty meat. Impress your friends and family with your skill and watch those hams disappear bite by juicy bite.
Here are a few sides that are just ideal with a baked ham!
These recipes are great if you want to use the ham bone or extra ham meat in something.
How to Cook the Picnic Ham
Cover the roasting pan with foil. Bake the ham in a 350F oven for 1 hour. This loosens up the fat and allows the rind to be pulled off easily.
After baking for 1 hour, take the ham out of the oven and remove the foil. Peel up the rind from the ham and discard. The rind will be hot, so I used tongs. You can cut some fat off the fat cap if you want to, but I usually leave most of it on the ham.
Using a sharp knife, cut slits in a cross check pattern. Make sure you cut deep enough to cut through both the fat and the meat.
I puree the glaze in the blender so that it is smooth. Next, I use a BBQ brush to cover the ham in the glaze and make sure it gets into all the cracks.
I do not pour all the glaze on the ham. Instead I initially brush about 1/3 of the glaze before baking the ham. Then, twice while the ham is baking, I’ll brush more glaze over the top of it. This gives that ham a wonderful caramelized glaze all over the top and sides of the ham. The flavour is amazing!.
Bake the ham for another 2 hours.
After 1 hour, brush the ham with more glaze. About 30 minutes later, brush the ham with glaze one more time. Bake the ham for the remaining 30 minutes.
I let the ham rest for about 5-10 minutes after I take it out of the oven. Then, use a nice long carving knife to cut the ham into slices that are about 1/4 inch thick. I like to serve my ham with some dijon or creole mustard. Amazing! As you can see it is very easy for how to cook a picnic ham.
Ham is best served with sides that compliment the smoky and sweet taste of the ham.
Simple Smoked Picnic Ham
FAQ
How do you cook a already smoked ham?
Is a daisy ham already cooked?
Are smoked ham fully cooked?
How long to heat a precooked smoked ham?
How do you cook a daisy Ham?
1 teaspoon of thyme. 1 teaspoon of black pepper. 1 cup of chicken stock or broth. Using a stockpot or Dutch oven, place the daisy ham in and then add your water and chicken stock. Then, add every other ingredient except the cabbage, cover the pot, and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for a while—at least 10 minutes.
How do you smoke a daisy Ham?
To smoke a daisy ham, you will need a smoker and wood chips of your choice. Soak the wood chips in water for at least 30 minutes before use. Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Rub salt or seasoning into the ham, working it into the knife cuts as before.
Can You boil a daisy Ham?
Boiled daisy ham is all about putting the ham in a pot of water and allowing it to boil. Daisy ham is sometimes considered a smoked boned-pork cut. You could also bake it or use it in recipes like the ham and cabbage combination, though there is also the more popular way of making daisy ham—smoking it.
How do you make a pound of Daisy Ham?
Simple—first buy some raw daisy ham. Purchase a cut with less fat, like a long, narrow pork shoulder cut. Or, you could just purchase a regular cut and trim the excess fatty layer off before cooking it. To make a pound of daisy ham using your oven, first preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.