How to make your own ham. This is better than anything you can buy at the store. It takes a little while to finish due to the curing process, but it is definitely worth it. This recipe is designed for a smaller pork butt. If you want to make a whole ham, use a wet brine.
3percent by weightCure Rub3% of the total weight of the meat (1 pound of meat is 453.59 grams). If the meat is one pound you will need 13.6 grams of cure. This is important to calculate the correct amount of cure
¼cupBrown Sugar
The Glaze
1cupSoftened Butter
2cupsBrown Sugar
The Meat
Boneless Pork ButtI like 3 pounds or less to reduce the curing time.
Instructions
Make the Cure
If not already completed, mix all the cure ingredients together and store in an airtight container. You will have extra if you follow my recipe.
Cure The Meat
Measure 3% of the total weight of the meat (1 pound of meat is 453.59 grams) of cure. If the meat is one pound you will need 13.6 grams of cure. This is important to calculate the correct amount of cure
Mix ¼ cup brown sugar with the cure from the previous step
Apply all the set aside cure to the pork butt. Rub it on all sides of the pork. It is important to apply all the set aside cure to the meat, or the meat will not fully cure
Vacuum seal the cured meat. You can also tightly wrap the meat with Saran Wrap
Place the meat in the refrigerator for at least 14 days. Flip the meat 1-2 times daily. The cure will penetrate the meat at approximately ½ and inch per 5 days.
After the meat is done curing, pull the meat from the refrigerator and rinse off any remaining cure with cold water. The meat should have turned a redder color.
Pat the meat dry and return it to the refrigerator for one more overnight period
The Glaze
Mix the softened butter and the brown sugar
Smoke the meat
Preheat your smoker to 225°F - 275°F using your favorite heat/smoke fuel. Use a lower temperature for a smokier flavor.1
Rub the meat with the glaze you made above.
Smoke the meat until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F
Pull the meat and let it rest overnight in the refrigerator wrapped in Saran Wrap
Serve the ham
Using a meat slicer, slice the ham into uniform slices and serve.
Notes
1 - I like 225ºF for a smoky flavor.
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