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pineapple glazed ham

Holiday Pineapple Glazed Ham (Sweet, Tangy, and Perfectly Caramelized)

A sweet and tangy pineapple glazed ham baked until golden and caramelized. Easy to make, full of flavor, and perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Rest Time 15 minutes
Total Time 3 hours
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Christmas, Easter, Main Course, Thanksgiving
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the ham:
  • 1 whole or half fully cooked ham (about 8-10 pounds - spiral or uncut both work)
For the glaze:
  • 1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon mustard (Dijon)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • Pinch of nutmeg

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 325℉ and place ham cut side down in a roasting pan.
  2. In a small saucepan, combine all glaze ingredients - crushed pineapple with juice, brown sugar, cornstarch, mustard, pepper, cloves, and nutmeg.
  3. Bring to a boil, stirring often, until the glaze thickens and turns glossy.
  4. Brush a layer of glaze over the ham, cover roasting pan loosely with foil. (save some glaze because you will be brushing the ham with more every 30 minutes while it bakes)
  5. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reached 140℉.
  6. Brush ham with more glaze every 30 minutes for that sticky, caramelized coating.
  7. For the last 10 to 15 minutes, remove the foil and brush one final coat to let it caramelize.

Notes

Make Ahead Tip for Pineapple Glazed Ham

If you are anything like me and need to prep before a big holiday meal (especially Christmas Day when the kitchen is in the state of chaos), then this section is for you.
You can make the glaze a day or two ahead of time and store it in a jar in the refrigerator. Just warm it slightly on the stove before using.
If you'd like to bake the ham early, you can cook it completely, let it cool, and then slice it. Store the slices with a bit of glaze drizzled over top to keep them moist. When your ready to serve, cover the dish with foil and reheat in a 300℉ oven until warmed through. Brush on a little extra glaze right before serving for a fresh from the oven shine.