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!