Pineapple Glazed Ham A Sweet, Tangy, and Juicy Showstopper for Any Holiday Table 🍍🍖

Why You’ll Love This Pineapple Glazed Ham

✅ Perfect balance of sweet and savory
✅ Gorgeous golden caramelized crust
✅ Makes incredible leftovers (hello ham sandwiches!)
✅ Simple prep with minimal ingredients
✅ Great for holidays or any large gathering

---

Ingredients for Pineapple Glazed Ham

Main Ham:

• 1 fully cooked, bone-in spiral ham (8 to 10 pounds)

• Whole cloves (optional, for studding)

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup pineapple juice (from canned slices or bottle)

• 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)

• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard (or yellow mustard for milder taste)

• 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup

• ¼ tsp ground cloves

• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon

• 2 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

Optional Garnish:

• Pineapple rings

• Maraschino cherries

• Fresh herbs (rosemary or thyme)

---

How to Make Pineapple Glazed Ham

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
Place the ham in a roasting pan or baking dish, cut side down. Line with foil for easy cleanup.

If using whole cloves, stud them evenly across the ham for extra aroma and flavor.

---

Step 2: Make the Pineapple Glaze

In a medium saucepan, combine:

• Pineapple juice

• Brown sugar

• Dijon mustard

• Honey or maple syrup

• Cloves and cinnamon

Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring often, until thickened slightly. For a thicker glaze, mix cornstarch with 2 tbsp water and stir in.

🍯 Taste test the glaze—adjust sweetness or spice as desired.

---

Step 3: Score & Glaze the Ham

Use a sharp knife to score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern (only if not spiral-sliced). This helps the glaze penetrate deeper.

Brush the ham generously with glaze.

🍍 For extra flair, secure pineapple rings and cherries on the ham with toothpicks before baking!

---

Step 4: Bake the Ham

Cover loosely with foil and bake for 15 minutes per pound. For an 8 lb ham, bake about 2 hours.

Every 30 minutes, baste with more glaze.

During the final 15–20 minutes, remove foil and let the glaze caramelize and bubble. You can even broil it for 2–3 minutes for a crisp finish (watch carefully!).

---

Step 5: Rest & Serve

Remove ham from the oven and tent with foil. Let rest for 15–20 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.

Slice and serve with extra glaze spooned on top.

---

What to Serve with Pineapple Glazed Ham

Pair your ham with these festive side dishes:

• Scalloped potatoes or creamy mashed potatoes

• Roasted carrots, green beans, or asparagus

• Classic macaroni and cheese

• Buttery dinner rolls or cornbread

• Cranberry sauce or apple chutney

• Deviled eggs or holiday salads

🥂 This ham also pairs wonderfully with sparkling apple cider, white wine, or fruity cocktails!

---

Leftover Ideas – Don’t Let That Ham Go to Waste!

🥪 Ham Sandwiches – On brioche buns with cheese and honey mustard
🥘 Ham and Bean Soup – A hearty post-holiday classic
🥚 Ham and Cheese Omelet – Easy and protein-packed breakfast

🥗 Ham Salad – With mayo, mustard, celery, and onion
🍕 Ham and Pineapple Pizza – A sweet and salty twist

---

Tips for the Best Pineapple Glazed Ham

🔁 Use spiral-cut ham for easier serving and better glaze coverage
🔥 Don’t skip the basting – it keeps the ham moist and flavorful
🍋 Balance your glaze – add a touch of lemon juice if it’s too sweet
🧊 Let it rest – this locks in all that juicy goodness
📦 Freeze leftovers – ham freezes beautifully in airtight containers

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use canned pineapple instead of juice?
Yes! Use the juice from canned pineapple slices or chunks. It adds authentic tropical flavor.

What type of ham should I buy?
A fully cooked, bone-in spiral ham is ideal. It’s flavorful, easy to carve, and takes well to glazing.

Do I need to use cloves?
Not necessarily. They add aroma and warmth but can be left out or substituted with a pinch of allspice.

Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Absolutely. Place the ham in the slow cooker, pour the glaze over, and cook on low for 4–5 hours.

---

Final Thoughts

This Pineapple Glazed Ham is more than just a main dish—it’s a holiday tradition, a centerpiece, and a flavor experience. The sweet glaze made with pineapple juice, brown sugar, and warm spices creates a mouthwatering contrast to the salty, smoky ham.

Whether you’re hosting family or just want leftovers for days, this glazed ham recipe is guaranteed to impress.

---

📌 Save & Share

📍 Save this recipe to your Holiday Favorites or Main Dishes board
📷 Tag your ham masterpiece with #PineappleGlazedHam
💬 Comment below with your favorite side dish pairing!