Pineapple Brown Sugar Ham
The perfect show-stopping entree for Christmas or Easter, today’s Brown Sugar and Pineapple Ham is a succulent, juicy ham with a to-die-for brown sugar-honey glaze that forms a crisp, caramelized layer around the ham. Decorate with pineapples and cherries for the ultimate retro touch.
Oven Baked Brown Sugar and Pineapple Ham Recipe
While I have been known for my crazy kitchen concoctions, sometimes I like to revisit the classics – like with this Baked Pineapple Brown Sugar Ham.
Pineapple and ham are a classic combination because the sweetness and acidity of the pineapple plays off the salty, umami flavors of the pork beautifully. Add in a brown sugar-honey glaze (spiced up and balanced with some dijon mustard, cloves and apple cider vinegar) and you have a mouth-watering ham that the whole family will be begging for seconds of.
For today’s recipe, I opted for a bone-in, cured whole ham rather than the spiral hams I usually buy. The result is a juicier, more succulent ham that doesn’t have the same risk of drying out. While some people claim the bone-in makes these hams more flavorful, I really don’t notice a difference but the ham bone is great for using to make ham bone soup later on.
Note: while fresh pineapple may sound more gourmet and delicious, fresh pineapple contains enzymes that tenderize meat and can result in a mushy ham. Use canned pineapple for the best cooking experience.
The preparation method below outlines how I cooked my bone-in, cured ham in the oven. If you are using a spiral ham or want to use a crockpot, you can use the same ingredients and preparation method for the glaze but you will have to adjust the cooking time accordingly. (If you are both using a spiral ham and a crockpot, use the cooking method outlined in my Crockpot Root Beer Glazed Ham recipe, just swap in these ingredients.)
How long do I cook my ham for? For a bone-in, cured ham like ours, you will need to cook at 325°F for approximately 15-18 minutes per pound, until an inserted meat thermometer reads 145ºF. The ham has already been cooked (“cured”) so you’re just reheating it.
A spiral ham needs less cooking time, approximately 12-15 minutes per pound at the same 325°F temperature. Like cured hams, spiral hams are already cooked so you are just reheating it.
This is the meat thermometer I have been using for the past 6 years – I’ve never had to change a battery and it’s super sturdy and reliable. It was a bit pricey, but unlike the $15 models that you can buy, this one isn’t going to need replacement. It is waterproof and comes with a two-year warranty. (Thermoworks also has a $15 pocket-sized model if you want to try that out first before investing in the MK4.)
For more information on different types of ham and recommended cooking times, this article from Southern Living is a good resource and this chart from Recipe Tips is useful, too.
Do I need to score the ham? While it may seem tedious, not only does scoring the ham make it look beautiful, it is essential for the pork to render (melt) and cook into the meat, resulting in juicy ham. And with a glazed ham, it also allows the flavors of the glaze to be imparted beyond just the outside of the ham.
How do you freeze leftover ham? Simply place the cooked ham in freezer-safe ziptop bags and remove as much air as possible. You can also wrap the ham in tinfoil before placing it in the bag. Freeze for up to three months. (This set of freezer containers is a crazy bargain.)
Recipes for Leftover Ham
There are so many delicious ways to re-purpose leftover holiday ham into unique and flavorful meals the whole family will love. I tend to put a few slices aside for grab-and-go leftovers and then cut the rest of the ham into 1″ cubes and freeze so it’s ready to go whenever I want to use it. Here are some of our favorite leftover ham recipes:
- Hawaiian Pasta Salad
- Ham and Cheese Lunch Pockets
- Ham Salad
- Ham and Cheese Scones
- Ham and Corn Chowder
- Ham and Spinach Quiche
This Pineapple Brown Sugar Ham is one of the 32 recipes, crafts and decor ideas included in our free Easter Planning Ebook available to our e-mail subscribers:
Brown Sugar and Pineapple Ham Ingredients
- Bone-in Ham
- Brown Sugar
- Honey
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Dijon Mustard
- Cloves
- Pineapple Rings <– use canned pineapple as fresh pineapple contains enzymes that tenderize meat and can make your cooked ham mushy
- Maraschino Cherries
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.
Tip: allow the ham to come to room temperature before preparing the recipe to ensure even cooking and prevent it from drying out during cooking.
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
- Roasting Pan
- Sharp Kitchen Knife
- Toothpicks
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Saucepan
- Whisk
- Basting Brush <– I like these because they are one solid piece and don’t have removable heads for bacteria to get trapped underneath. Plus they are heat-resistant and have a lifetime warranty.
How to Make an Easy Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham in the Oven
Preheat oven to 325F
Soak a small handful of toothpicks in warm water.
Use a sharp knife to score a grid-like pattern into the ham, about 1/2” to 1” into the ham.
Place the ham in a roasting pan or baking tray.
In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, honey, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard and cloves.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir until melted and completely combined – the brown sugar should not appear gritty at all.
Pour half of the brown sugar mixture over the ham and use a basting brush to ensure the syrup is coated all over the ham.
Using the soaked toothpicks, secure the pineapple rings all over the ham.
Place 1/2 cup of water in the roasting tray and cover the ham with tinfoil.
Bake the ham for 1 hour.
Place the brown sugar mixture back over the heat and continue cooking until reduced by half, stirring occasionally.
Remove the ham from the oven and remove the tinfoil.
Pour the remaining syrup over the ham and return back to the oven.
Baste or brush the ham with the syrup every 15 minutes, continuing to bake for 1 more hour, until ham reaches an internal temperature of 145F. (Keep in mind that the glaze adds flavor and moisture so don’t neglect it.)
For a crispier skin, you can increase the heat to 400F for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
Before serving, remove the toothpicks and insert a maraschino cherry into the centre of each pineapple ring.
Pin this Easy Oven Baked Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham recipe for a show-stopping holiday meal:
Grab your free printable recipe card for our brown sugar and pineapple ham recipe:
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Sugar, Spice and Glitter.
Pineapple Brown Sugar Ham
A delicious and simple recipe for brown sugar and pineapple ham baked in the oven. This show-stopping, retro ham recipe is a classic for a reason, combining sweetness, acidity, saltiness and umami flavors in one succulent, juicy ham.
Ingredients
- 8-10lb ham
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1 cup honey
- 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon cloves
- 800mL pineapple rings
- 1 cup maraschino cherries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F
- Soak a small handful of toothpicks in warm water.
- Use a sharp knife to score a grid-like pattern into the ham, about 1/2” to 1” into the ham.
- Place the ham in a roasting pan or baking tray.
- In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, honey, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard and cloves.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir until melted and completely combined - the brown sugar should not appear gritty at all.
- Pour half of the brown sugar mixture over the ham and use a basting brush to ensure the syrup is coated all over the ham.
- Using the soaked toothpicks, secure the pineapple rings all over the ham.
- Place 1/2 cup of water in the roasting tray and cover the ham with tinfoil.
- Bake the ham for 1 hour.
- Place the brown sugar mixture back over the heat and continue cooking until reduced by half, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the ham from the oven and remove the tinfoil.
- Pour the remaining syrup over the ham and return back to the oven.
- Baste or brush the ham with the syrup every 15 minutes, continuing to bake for 1 more hour, until ham reaches an internal temperature of 145F. (Keep in mind that the glaze adds flavor and moisture so don't neglect it.)
- For a crispier skin, you can increase the heat to 400F for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
- Before serving, remove the toothpicks and insert a maraschino cherry into the centre of each pineapple ring.
Notes
Allow the ham to come to room temperature before preparing to ensure even cooking and prevent your meat from drying out.
Use canned pineapple as fresh pineapple contains enzymes that tenderize meat and can make your cooked ham mushy.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1039Total Fat: 116gSaturated Fat: 22gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 58gCholesterol: 1451mgSodium: 592mgCarbohydrates: 73gFiber: 1gSugar: 71gProtein: 503g
Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.
More Whole Ham Recipes
If you’re not sure about this Pineapple and Brown Sugar Ham, check out some of our other whole ham recipes:
- Crockpot Mango Brown Sugar Spiral Ham
- Instant Pot Spiral Ham
- Crockpot Root Beer Glazed Spiral Ham
- Honey Brown Sugar Ham
For more delicious Easter recipes, check out our full collection here:
For more delicious pork recipes, check out our full collection here:
Juicy ham with a to-die-for brown sugar-honey glaze that forms a crisp, caramelized layer around the ham. Decorate with pineapples and cherries for the ultimate retro touch.
I love pineapple. I will try this recipt. Thank you for sharing it.