There’s something irresistibly comforting about a juicy, sweet-savory ham glazed to perfection—and that’s exactly why I’m so excited to share this Honey Pineapple Glazed Ham Recipe with you. The blend of honey’s golden sweetness with tangy pineapple gives this ham a flavor that’s simply unforgettable and perfect for any gathering.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
From the moment the glaze hits the ham in the oven, your kitchen fills with that warm, inviting aroma that signals a celebration is near. I’ve made this Honey Pineapple Glazed Ham Recipe more times than I can count, especially around holidays—and each time it impresses guests with its balance of flavors and stunning presentation.
- Perfect balance of flavors: The combination of honey, pineapple, cinnamon, and cloves creates a glaze that’s sweet, spicy, and tangy without being overpowering.
- Easy to prepare: It uses simple pantry staples and comes together with straightforward steps, making it accessible even if you’re pressed for time.
- Versatile for special occasions: Whether it’s for Sunday dinner, a festive holiday, or a casual family gathering, this ham fits the bill beautifully.
- Impressive presentation: With pineapple slices and maraschino cherries adorning the ham, it almost makes itself the centerpiece of the table!
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient adds a special something that helps build the flavor and texture of this dish. The sweetness of honey and brown sugar pairs perfectly with the acidity and juiciness of canned pineapple, while the spices bring warmth and depth. I recommend using quality ingredients for the best result—especially real honey and fresh pineapple juice from the can.
- Canned pineapple slices: Using canned pineapple means you get that delicious, concentrated flavor and enough juice to make the glaze, plus the slices double as a lovely garnish.
- Honey: Adds a natural, floral sweetness that caramelizes beautifully onto the ham.
- Brown sugar: Gives depth and a hint of molasses flavor that rounds out the glaze.
- Ground cloves: Just a pinch adds an almost mysterious warmth that you’ll notice but won’t overpower the other flavors.
- Cinnamon: Pairs perfectly with cloves for that classic holiday spice vibe.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken the glaze so it clings nicely to the ham instead of running off.
- Water: Used to make the cornstarch slurry, ensuring a smooth glaze.
- Fully cooked ham (bone-in, spiral cut preferred): The star of the dish—bone-in spiral-cut is ideal because it stays juicy and makes slicing a breeze.
- Maraschino cherries and toothpicks (optional): They add a pop of color and festive flair when placed on top.
- Foil: Needed for loosely tenting the ham during baking to retain moisture without sogginess.
Make It Your Way
While the classic Honey Pineapple Glazed Ham Recipe is my go-to, I’ve had fun experimenting with small twists that make it feel a little different every time. Feel free to tweak it to your preference—after all, the best recipes are the ones you own and make your own.
- Variation: I sometimes add a splash of fresh orange juice to the glaze for an extra citrusy brightness—it pairs beautifully with pineapple and honey.
- Spice it up: If you like a bit of heat, a pinch of cayenne or some crushed red pepper flakes in the glaze can give a nice kick without defeating the sweetness.
- Diet-friendly: You can swap brown sugar for coconut sugar or a sugar substitute, just adjust the sweetness to taste.
- Presentation: For a rustic spin, skip the cherries and use fresh pineapple rings with rosemary sprigs tucked between them for an aromatic touch.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Pineapple Glazed Ham Recipe
Step 1: Let the Ham Come to Room Temperature
This is a crucial step I don’t skip because it helps the ham heat evenly. I take mine out about an hour before baking—this way, the chilling cold doesn’t shock the meat and keeps it juicy. Just place the wrapped ham on your counter and let the magic happen.
Step 2: Prepare the Oven and Arrange Your Ham
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). If your ham isn’t spiral-sliced, I recommend scoring it now in diamond shapes about ¼ inch deep; this lets the glaze seep in. For spiral-cut hams, scoring isn’t necessary. Line a sheet pan or roasting pan with foil to catch drips and make cleanup easier—trust me, this step saves time!
Step 3: Whip Up the Glaze
Place a saucepan over medium-high heat and add the brown sugar, honey, all the pineapple juice from the can, cinnamon, and ground cloves. Stir continuously for 3-4 minutes until the sugars dissolve and the glaze is smooth. This is when your kitchen transforms with that cozy, sweet-spicy scent you know and love.
Step 4: Thicken the Glaze with a Slurry
In a small bowl, mix together cornstarch and water until smooth. Slowly pour this into your glaze, stirring constantly. This helps the glaze thicken nicely so it sticks to the ham instead of becoming runny. Keep stirring until you see it reach a syrupy consistency—usually just a minute or so.
Step 5: Glaze and Garnish
Place the ham on your prepared pan and brush or drizzle the glaze generously over the entire surface, getting it into the cuts if possible. Then secure pineapple slices and, if you like, maraschino cherries with toothpicks all over the ham. This isn’t just for looks—it also lets the pineapple caramelize beautifully during baking.
Step 6: Tent and Bake
Loosely tent the ham with foil, avoiding tight wrapping since you want the glaze to caramelize, not stick to foil. Bake it for about 1½ hours. Then, remove the foil and baste the ham again with remaining glaze. Pop it back in the oven uncovered for an extra 30 minutes to get that irresistible sticky crust.
Step 7: Let It Rest
This last step is key. Letting your ham rest for at least 20 minutes after baking lets the juices redistribute, making each slice juicy and tender. It’s the moment I always look forward to before serving—your family or guests will thank you.
Top Tip
After cooking this Honey Pineapple Glazed Ham Recipe a bunch, I’ve learned a few go-to tips that make all the difference. I’m sharing them here so your ham comes out just right every time—trust me, these little things helped me avoid some common pitfalls.
- Don’t skip room temperature: Cold ham straight from the fridge can heat unevenly and dry out. Give it time to warm gently before baking.
- Use a light hand with cornstarch: Add the slurry slowly and stir until thickened; too much will make the glaze gloopy.
- Tent with foil wisely: Wrap loosely—tight foil traps steam and softens the glaze, but loose foil helps retain heat while letting glaze caramelize.
- Don’t forget the baste: Brush the ham again after the first bake—this layer of glaze caramelization is what creates that gorgeous, shiny crust.
How to Serve Honey Pineapple Glazed Ham Recipe
Garnishes
I usually stick with the classic combo: pineapple slices from the can and bright red maraschino cherries pinned neatly on the ham. Not only do they look festive, but the caramelized pineapple adds a juicy burst in every bite. For a fresh twist, try sprinkling chopped fresh parsley around the serving platter to brighten it up visually and add a subtle herbal note.
Side Dishes
To balance all that sweet and spice, I like pairing the ham with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted carrots glazed with honey (echoing our ham’s flavors), and a crisp green salad with tangy vinaigrette. If it’s a holiday meal, buttery dinner rolls are a must-have to sop up every bit of that glaze.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I arrange the ham on a large wooden cutting board surrounded by fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme. Layer the pineapple slices and cherries artistically, placing sprigs of rosemary between pieces for aroma. I’ve even added edible flowers once for an elegant, unexpected touch when entertaining friends.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover ham is one of the best things to have around. I store slices in an airtight container in the fridge, adding a little extra glaze leftover so they don’t dry out. Keeping it refrigerated properly, the ham stays good for 3-4 days, perfect for quick sandwiches or reheated dinners.
Freezing
If you know you won’t finish the ham within a few days, freezing works well. I wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. When defrosted slowly overnight in the fridge, the texture and flavor stay surprisingly good—just reheat gently to keep it juicy.
Reheating
To reheat, I prefer oven warming at a low temperature (around 275-300°F) wrapped in foil with a bit of extra glaze or pineapple juice to maintain moisture. Microwave works in a pinch, but can dry the ham out fast—careful not to overdo it!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Fresh pineapple juice extracted by blending or mashing fresh pineapple adds a bright, natural flavor. However, canned pineapple often has a sweeter and more concentrated juice, which intensifies the glaze flavor. If you use fresh, you might want to add a little extra brown sugar or honey to balance the tanginess.
If you have a spiral-cut ham, scoring isn’t necessary since the slices are already separated. For whole hams without spiral cuts, scoring in a diamond pattern allows the glaze to penetrate deeper, creating extra flavor and a pretty presentation.
The trick is to tent the foil loosely over the ham rather than wrapping it tightly. This traps heat while preventing the glaze from sticking to the foil and pulling off during baking. You can also baste after removing the foil for a fresh glaze coating.
Yes! You can prepare the glaze up to a day ahead and keep it refrigerated. Rewarm gently before applying it to ensure the sugar is smooth and liquid enough for glazing.
Final Thoughts
This Honey Pineapple Glazed Ham Recipe is one of those dishes I find myself returning to because it balances tradition and a little tropical flair so beautifully. Whether you’re gathering family around the table or want to impress guests at a potluck, this ham delivers every time. Trust me, once you've made it a few times, you'll be the one folks ask to bring the ham to every celebration.
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Honey Pineapple Glazed Ham Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 20 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Southern
Description
A delicious baked ham recipe featuring a sweet pineapple and brown sugar glaze with warm spices. This recipe uses a pre-cooked ham that is glazed and baked to tender, flavorful perfection, making it ideal for holiday meals or family dinners.
Ingredients
Ham
- 10-12 pound fully cooked bone-in spiral cut ham
Glaze
- 20 oz canned pineapple slices (retain the pineapple juice)
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ cup brown sugar (dark or light)
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- maraschino cherries (optional)
- toothpicks
- foil
Instructions
- Bring ham to room temperature: Allow the fully cooked ham to come to room temperature, which usually takes about 1 hour. This prevents temperature shock when baking.
- Preheat oven: Set the oven temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking.
- Score the ham: If necessary, lightly score the surface of the ham to help the glaze penetrate.
- Make the glaze: In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine brown sugar, honey, all pineapple juice from the can, cinnamon, and ground cloves. Stir continuously for 3-4 minutes until the sugar dissolves.
- Thicken the glaze: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Slowly add it to the saucepan while stirring. Continue stirring until the glaze thickens.
- Prepare ham for glazing: Place the ham on a foil-lined sheet pan or roasting pan. Drizzle and brush the glaze generously over the ham, ensuring it gets into the cuts.
- Garnish with pineapple and cherries: Use toothpicks to secure pineapple slices and maraschino cherries onto the ham's surface.
- Wrap the ham: Tent the ham loosely with foil to insulate it without touching the glaze to avoid sticking.
- Bake the ham: Bake the ham covered with foil for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and baste the ham again with glaze.
- Final baking: Return the ham uncovered to the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes to set the glaze.
- Rest the ham: Let the ham rest for at least 20 minutes before carving and serving to retain juices.
Notes
- Bake a pre-cooked spiral-sliced, bone-in ham for 10 minutes per pound.
- For smoked, pre-cooked whole bone-in hams weighing 10-14 pounds, bake for 15-18 minutes per pound.
- For fresh, uncooked whole bone-in hams weighing 12-16 pounds, bake for 22-26 minutes per pound.
- Boneless hams should be cooked for 10-15 minutes per pound.
- Discard any glaze packet that comes with the ham and use this homemade glaze for best results.
- Scoring is optional for spiral-sliced hams because they are pre-sliced.
- Flour can be substituted for cornstarch, but it may cause clumping, so it is not recommended here.
- Whole cloves can be used instead of ground cloves by securing them on the ham with toothpicks.
- Bringing the ham to room temperature before baking prevents temperature shock and ensures even cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 150 g)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
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