Pineapple Glazed Ham (Sweet, Savory, and Holiday-Ready!)

This Pineapple Glazed Ham is a show-stopping centerpiece for any holiday meal or special occasion! It features a juicy, spiral-cut ham that’s baked to perfection and coated in a sweet and savory pineapple glaze. I love how the combination of brown sugar, cola, Dijon mustard, and spices creates a truly unforgettable flavor. This recipe is surprisingly easy to make, and it’s guaranteed to impress your family and friends. Get ready for a ham that’s bursting with flavor and sure to become a new tradition!

Why You’ll Love This Pineapple Glazed Ham

• Sweet and Savory Flavor: The pineapple glaze, made with brown sugar, cola, Dijon mustard, and spices, is the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
• Juicy and Tender: Baking the ham at a low temperature and basting it with the glaze ensures it stays moist and tender.
• Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
• Holiday-Worthy: This ham is perfect for Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any special occasion.
• Beautiful Presentation: The glistening glaze and the scored ham create a stunning centerpiece for your table.

Ingredients for Pineapple Glazed Ham

Here’s what you’ll need to make this show-stopping ham. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Pineapple Ham Glaze

• Dark brown sugar, packed (Sweetener)
• Cola (or Dr. Pepper) (Liquid/Flavoring)
• Apple cider vinegar (Acid)
• Low-sodium soy sauce (Condiment)
• Dijon mustard (Condiment)
• Grainy mustard (Condiment)
• Ground ginger (Spice)
• Onion powder (Spice)
• Crushed red pepper flakes (Spice)
• Kosher salt (Seasoning)

Spiral Ham

• Spiral-sliced city ham (Meat)
• Crushed pineapple (Fruit)

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)

Variations

I love this Pineapple Glazed Ham recipe as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:

• Different Soda: Use ginger ale or root beer instead of cola.
• Add Spices: Add a pinch of ground cloves or allspice to the glaze for a warmer flavor.
• Make it Spicy: Add more crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the glaze.
• Use a Different Type of Ham: You can use a bone-in or boneless ham, but a spiral-cut ham is easiest to glaze and serve.
• Add Cherries: You can add Maraschino Cherries.

How to Make Pineapple Glazed Ham

Let me show you how to make this incredibly flavorful Pineapple Glazed Ham:

Make the Pineapple Ham Glaze

1. I combine all the glaze ingredients (dark brown sugar, cola, apple cider vinegar, low-sodium soy sauce, Dijon mustard, grainy mustard, ground ginger, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, and kosher salt) in a medium-sized saucepan.
2. I bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
3. Then I reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, stirring often, for 20-30 minutes, or until the glaze is the consistency of syrup.
4. I remove the glaze from the heat and set it aside.

Prepare the Ham

1. I heat my oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. I use a sharp knife to score the surface of the ham with ½-inch-deep slices spaced 1 inch apart. This helps the glaze penetrate the ham and creates a beautiful presentation.
3. I cover with foil.
4. I bake for 1 hour.

Glaze and Bake

1. I brush half of the glaze over the ham, making sure to spread some down into each cut.
2. I spread the crushed pineapple over the ham, pressing it down gently.
3. Then, I pour half of the remaining glaze over the surface.
4. I bake the ham, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
5. Then, I repeat the glazing/basting process (once I’ve run out of glaze, I just baste with the glaze from the bottom of the pan) every 10 minutes until the internal temperature of the ham registers 140°F (60°C) on an instant-read thermometer. This could take a total of 40-60 minutes, depending on the size of your ham.

Serve

1. Serve

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Glazed Ham

Here are my secrets for making this ham truly spectacular:

• Use a Spiral-Cut Ham: A spiral-cut ham is pre-sliced, making it easy to glaze and carve.
• Score the Ham: Scoring the ham helps the glaze penetrate the meat and creates a beautiful presentation.
• Baste Frequently: Basting the ham with the glaze throughout the cooking process keeps it moist and adds flavor.
• Use a Meat Thermometer: The best way to ensure the ham is cooked to the perfect temperature is to use a meat thermometer.
• Let it Rest: Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute.

How to Serve

This Pineapple Glazed Ham is perfect for:

• Holiday Meals: A classic centerpiece for Easter, Christmas, or Thanksgiving dinner.
• Special Occasions: Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or any celebration.
• Sunday Supper: A comforting and flavorful meal for a Sunday supper.
• Buffets: A great addition to a buffet or potluck.

Make Ahead and Storage

You can make the glaze ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Leftover ham can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave. Leftover ham is also delicious in sandwiches, salads, and omelets.

FAQs about Pineapple Glazed Ham

• Can I use a different type of soda?
  • Yes, you can use ginger ale, root beer, or even a lemon-lime soda.
• Can I make this without the pineapple?
  • Yes, you can omit the pineapple, but it adds a delicious sweetness and texture to the ham.
• Can I use a boneless ham?
  • Yes, you can.

Enjoy this incredibly flavorful and easy-to-make Pineapple Glazed Ham! It’s a holiday classic that’s sure to impress.

Pineapple Glazed Ham

• Author: Caoimhe Byrne
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 10–14 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Cuisine: American

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Description

This Pineapple Ham features a spiral-cut ham baked with a sweet and tangy glaze made with brown sugar, cola, pineapple, and spices. The scoring technique and frequent basting ensure a flavorful and moist ham.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Pineapple Ham Glaze:

• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 12 ounces cola (such as Coca-Cola) or Dr. Pepper
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 1/2 tablespoons grainy mustard
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Spiral Ham:

• 1 (6-9 pound) spiral-sliced city ham
• 20 ounces crushed pineapple (1 large can), drained

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Instructions

• Make the Glaze: In a medium saucepan, combine all the glaze ingredients: dark brown sugar, cola (or Dr. Pepper), apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, grainy mustard, ground ginger, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, and kosher salt.
• Simmer Glaze: Bring the glaze mixture to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently, for 20-30 minutes, or until the glaze is reduced and has a syrupy consistency. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
• Score Ham: Place the spiral-cut ham on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to score the surface of the ham with 1/2-inch-deep cuts, spaced about 1 inch apart. This creates a diamond pattern and allows the glaze to penetrate the ham.
• Initial Bake: Cover with foil, Bake for 1 hour.
• First Glaze and Pineapple: Remove the ham from the oven. Brush half of the prepared glaze evenly over the ham, making sure to get some glaze into the scored cuts. Spread the drained crushed pineapple evenly over the glazed ham, pressing it gently into the cuts.
• Second Glaze: Pour half of the remaining glaze over the pineapple and ham.
• Bake Uncovered: Return the ham to the oven, uncovered. Bake for 15 minutes.
• Continue Glazing/Basting: After 15 minutes, remove the ham from the oven. Baste it with the remaining glaze (and pan juices once you run out of glaze) from the bottom of the roasting pan. Return the ham to the oven.
• Continue Baking and Basting: Continue baking and basting the ham every 10 minutes until the internal temperature of the ham reaches 140°F (60°C) on an instant-read thermometer. The total additional baking time after the first hour should be approximately 40-60 minutes.
• Rest and Serve

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Notes

• Spiral-Cut Ham: This recipe is designed for a spiral-cut, fully cooked city ham.
• Glaze: The glaze will thicken as it cools.
• Scoring: Scoring the ham helps the glaze penetrate and keeps the ham moist.
• Basting: Basting the ham frequently with the glaze and pan juices keeps it moist and flavorful.
• Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the ham is heated through to a safe internal temperature.
• Serving Suggestions: Serve this pineapple ham with your favorite holiday side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, or roasted vegetables.