Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham

The aroma of sweet, caramelized Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham wafting through your home is one of life’s simple pleasures that announces a special occasion is at hand. This gloriously glazed centerpiece combines the savory depth of spiral-cut ham with the tropical brightness of pineapple and the rich molasses notes of brown sugar. The magical transformation that happens when these ingredients meet creates a show-stopping main dish that’s both impressive and surprisingly simple to prepare. You’ll learn how to create the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors while ensuring your ham remains juicy and tender throughout the cooking process.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham recipe stands apart from ordinary holiday offerings for several compelling reasons. The contrast between the salty, smoky ham and the sweet, sticky glaze creates an irresistible flavor profile that appeals to everyone around your table. The pineapple doesn’t just add sweetness—it contains enzymes that naturally tenderize the meat, resulting in a ham that practically melts in your mouth with each bite.

What truly makes this recipe special is the textural interplay: the crackling, caramelized exterior gives way to succulent, juicy meat inside. The presentation is equally impressive, with glistening pineapple rings and maraschino cherries creating a retro-inspired yet timeless appearance that elicits “wows” before the first bite is even taken.

Best of all, despite its show-stopping appearance, this Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham requires minimal active cooking time. The oven does most of the work while you attend to other dishes or simply enjoy your gathering. It’s an effortless centerpiece that delivers maximum impact with minimal stress.

Ingredients

For the perfect Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham, you’ll need:

• 1 (8-10 pound) spiral-cut ham, fully cooked
• 1 cup (200g) brown sugar, packed (dark brown provides deeper molasses flavor)
• 1/2 cup (170g) honey
• 1/4 cup (60ml) pineapple juice (reserved from canned pineapple)
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 can (20 ounces) pineapple rings in juice (reserve juice for glaze)
• Maraschino cherries (1 jar)
• Whole cloves for studding (optional)

The spiral-cut ham is crucial as it allows the glaze to penetrate between the slices. Dark brown sugar contains more molasses than light brown sugar, creating a richer caramelization on the ham’s exterior. Fresh pineapple can be substituted for canned, but you’ll need to purchase additional pineapple juice for the glaze.

Pro Tips

Control the Temperature: The most common mistake when preparing Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham is cooking it at too high a temperature. Since your ham is already fully cooked, you’re simply warming it through while adding flavor. Maintain a low oven temperature (325°F/165°C) to prevent drying out the meat. Use a meat thermometer to achieve the perfect internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).

Perfect Your Glazing Technique: Apply the brown sugar glaze in layers, not all at once. Start with a base layer 30 minutes into heating, then add additional coats every 20 minutes. This creates a deeply flavored, caramelized exterior that won’t slide off the ham. Reserve some glaze for serving to maximize flavor impact.

Rest Before Serving: Allow your Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham to rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. This crucial step allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat instead of running out when sliced. Cover loosely with foil during resting to prevent heat loss while still allowing excess steam to escape, preserving that perfect outer caramelization.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ham
Remove your ham from refrigeration 1-2 hours before cooking to take the chill off. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a large roasting pan with aluminum foil (for easier cleanup) and place a rack inside. Using a sharp knife, score the ham’s surface in a diamond pattern about 1/4-inch deep, being careful not to cut through to the meat if using a spiral-cut ham. This scoring allows the glaze to penetrate more deeply.

Step 2: Create the Glaze
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, honey, reserved pineapple juice, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, and ground cloves. Stir constantly until the sugar completely dissolves and the mixture is smooth, about 3-4 minutes. Allow the glaze to simmer for another 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 3: Initial Ham Preparation
Place the ham cut-side down on the rack in your prepared roasting pan. If desired, stud the ham with whole cloves at the intersections of your diamond pattern for additional flavor and presentation. Cover tightly with foil and place in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

Step 4: Apply First Glaze
After 30 minutes, remove the ham from the oven and carefully peel back the foil. Increase the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C). Brush the ham generously with about one-third of your prepared brown sugar glaze, ensuring you get some between the slices of a spiral-cut ham. Return to the oven, uncovered, for 20 minutes.

Step 5: Add Pineapple and Final Glazing
Remove the ham again and brush with another third of the glaze. Arrange pineapple slices over the surface, securing with toothpicks if necessary. Place a maraschino cherry in the center of each pineapple ring, also securing with toothpicks. Drizzle remaining glaze over the pineapple and ham. Return to the oven for a final 20-30 minutes, until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C) and the glaze is beautifully caramelized.

Step 6: Rest and Serve
Remove your Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. This ensures the juices redistribute throughout the meat. Carefully remove all toothpicks before serving. If desired, spoon any pan juices over the sliced ham for extra flavor.

Variations

Spiced Rum Pineapple Ham: Add 3 tablespoons of dark spiced rum to your brown sugar glaze for a sophisticated flavor profile with warm, complex notes. The alcohol cooks off, leaving behind a richly flavored glaze that perfectly complements the tropical pineapple elements in this Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham.

Maple Bacon Pineapple Ham: Replace the honey with pure maple syrup and add 1/4 cup of crispy bacon bits to the glaze. Layer additional strips of partially cooked bacon between the pineapple rings for an irresistible smoky-sweet combination that elevates the traditional recipe.

Reduced Sugar Option: For those monitoring sugar intake, reduce the brown sugar by half and replace with a brown sugar substitute designed for baking. Increase the Dijon mustard to 3 tablespoons to maintain depth of flavor while using unsweetened pineapple packed in juice rather than syrup.

Storage and Serving

Properly stored, leftover Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham will maintain quality for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Wrap tightly in aluminum foil or place in airtight containers to preserve moisture. For longer storage, freeze individual portions for up to 2 months in freezer-safe containers.

When serving, pair this showstopping ham with complementary sides that balance its sweetness. Creamy scalloped potatoes provide a neutral counterpoint that soaks up the delicious ham juices. Bright, acidic sides like a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette or roasted Brussels sprouts with balsamic glaze cut through the richness perfectly.

For a complete holiday spread, serve your Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham with warm dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, and a selection of roasted vegetables. The leftover ham makes exceptional sandwiches, adds flavor to breakfast hash, or can be diced into fried rice for quick weeknight meals.

FAQs

Can I make this ham ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham up to 2 days ahead. Reheat covered at 325°F until warmed through (about 10 minutes per pound), adding a little water to the pan to maintain moisture.

My ham is too large for my oven. What should I do?
If your ham is too large, trim a portion from the shank end to fit your roasting pan. Cook the trimmed portion alongside or freeze it for later use in soups or casseroles.

Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?
Absolutely! Fresh pineapple provides excellent flavor, though you’ll need to purchase pineapple juice separately for the glaze. Cut fresh pineapple into rings approximately 1/2-inch thick.

How do I prevent my glaze from burning?
If you notice the glaze darkening too quickly, tent the ham loosely with foil, making sure it doesn’t touch the glazed surface. Also, ensure your oven rack is positioned in the middle, not too close to the heating element.

Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham recipe is naturally gluten-free, but always check your specific ham brand for any added ingredients that might contain gluten.

Conclusion

This Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham is comfort food at its finest — a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors wrapped up in a presentation that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. It’s the kind of dish that transforms ordinary gatherings into memorable occasions, bringing together generations around the table. Whether you’re serving this as the centerpiece of a holiday feast or preparing a special Sunday dinner, this recipe delivers both impressive results and the warm satisfaction that comes from creating a dish everyone will remember long after the plates are cleared.

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