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bacon jam ham sliders

Smoked Ham Sliders with Cranberry Bacon Jam

Sweet, smoky sliders with maple-glazed ham, cranberry bacon jam, and Swiss cheese.
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Ingredients
  

For the Smoked Ham:

  • 1 bone-in or boneless smoked ham 8-10 lbs, pre-cooked
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons coarse black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder

Maple Brown Sugar Glaze:

  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup pure maple syrup
  • ¼ cup Dijon mustard
  • ¼ cup melted butter
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1-2 tablespoons bourbon optional

Cranberry Bacon Jam:

  • 1 cup fresh or dried cranberries
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon diced
  • ½ cup diced sweet onion
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon bourbon optional
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Pinch of salt

For the Sliders:

  • 12-15 slider buns King's Hawaiian or brioche
  • 8-10 slices Swiss cheese
  • 4 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon sesame or poppy seeds optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat smoker to 250°F using cherry, apple, or pecan wood. Pat ham dry, coat with mustard, and season with pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  • Place ham on smoker cut-side down. Insert probe thermometer. Smoke for 1.5-2 hours until internal temperature reaches 130°F.
  • Make maple brown sugar glaze by simmering brown sugar, maple syrup, Dijon, butter, cinnamon, pepper, and optional bourbon for 5-7 minutes until thickened.
  • Brush ham generously with glaze when it reaches 130°F. Continue smoking, glazing every 20-30 minutes until ham reaches 140°F internal temperature.
  • Make cranberry bacon jam by cooking diced bacon until crispy. Remove bacon, leaving 1 tablespoon fat. Sauté onions until soft. Add cranberries, brown sugar, vinegar, bourbon, red pepper flakes, and salt. Simmer 10-15 minutes until thick. Stir bacon back in.
  • Rest ham 10 minutes. Slice thin.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Slice slider buns as a sheet. Layer bottom with Swiss cheese, sliced ham, and cranberry bacon jam. Add top buns. Brush with melted butter mixed with garlic powder. Sprinkle with seeds if using.
  • Cover with foil and bake 10 minutes. Remove foil and bake 2-3 minutes more until tops are golden. Cut into individual sliders and serve hot.

Notes

Make cranberry bacon jam up to 3 days ahead for better flavor and easier assembly. Use thick-cut bacon for better texture in the jam. King's Hawaiian rolls are ideal but brioche works too. Don't skip the baking step - melted cheese and toasted tops make these special.