This Brown Sugar and Pineapple Glazed Ham recipe is the perfect centerpiece for your holiday dinner table. With a sweet and tangy pineapple glaze, it’s a festive main course that’s easy to prepare and loved by both kids and adults.
Frequently Asked Questions about Brown Sugar and Pineapple Glazed Ham
Yes, you can prepare the ham and glaze it the night before. Store it covered in the fridge and bake before serving for best results.
Bone-in ham provides better flavor and moisture, but boneless works too—just reduce the cook time accordingly.
Absolutely! Use fresh pineapple rings and add extra pineapple juice or water to replace the liquid from the can.
Mix brown sugar, honey, mustard, cloves, and pineapple juice. Score the ham, spread the glaze over it, and top with pineapple slices. Bake while basting with pan juices for a glossy, flavorful finish.
Pineapple adds a sweet, tangy flavor and its natural enzymes help tenderize the ham, enhancing texture and taste.
Apply brown sugar glaze before baking and again midway through cooking. For a caramelized finish, baste the ham with glaze and uncover it for the final 30 minutes.
You glaze it before cooking and optionally reapply during baking. For extra shine and depth, add a final glaze layer 10–15 minutes before removing from the oven.
Ingredients
- 1 whole bone-in ham about 8-10 pounds
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 can pineapple slices in juice, 20 oz
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup mustard yellow
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice reserved from can
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients.
![Ingredients for brown sugar and pineapple glazed ham, including smoked pork shoulder, whole pineapple, pineapple juice, and brown sugar, arranged on a table.]()
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Place the ham in a roasting pan and score the surface in a diamond pattern.
![Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C) and place the ham, cut-side down, into a roasting pan.]()
- Trim the pineapple by cutting off the skin and removing any remaining brown eyes. Slice it into 1/2-inch rings, core each ring, and prepare them for pinning onto the ham with toothpicks
![Trim the pineapple by cutting off the skin and removing any remaining brown eyes. Slice it into 1/2-inch rings, core each ring, and prepare them for pinning onto the ham with toothpicks]()
- In a medium bowl, mix together the brown sugar, honey, mustard, ground cloves, and reserved pineapple juice.
![In a medium bowl, mix together brown sugar, honey, mustard, ground cloves, and reserved pineapple juice until smooth and well combined.]()
- Spread the glaze over the ham, pressing the mixture into the cuts.
![Spread the brown sugar and pineapple glaze over the scored ham, pressing the mixture into the cuts for maximum flavor.]()
- Arrange pineapple slices on top, securing with toothpicks.
![Arrange pineapple rings on top of the glazed ham and secure each slice with a toothpick to hold in place during baking.]()
- Cover with foil and bake for about 1.5 hours, basting occasionally with the pan juices.
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- Uncover and bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until nicely glazed.
![Brown sugar and pineapple glazed ham sliced and served in a white dish, garnished with caramelized pineapple rings and fresh herbs on a dark wooden table.]()
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This ham recipe is amazing! The glaze was perfect and everyone loved it at Thanksgiving. Will definitely make again!
I’m glad to hear it turned out great! I made it last year too and everyone loved it. Definitely a keeper recipe!
I followed the recipe but it turned out too sweet for my taste. Maybe try using less brown sugar next time.
Ham is too dry. You gotta keep an eye on it! Not following the times like the recipe says.
I agree! The timing is super important. I’ve made ham before and if you leave it too long, it dries out fast. Gotta watch that!
This ham recipe was a hit at my family dinner! It was super juicy and everyone loved the pineapple glaze. Will definitely make again!
Yum! My kids devoured this! Pineapple and ham is a classic pairing!
Yum! I love pineapple on ham. Adding it to my holiday feast!
I totally agree! Pineapple on ham is a classic combo. Can’t wait to try this recipe! 🎉
I don’t get why everyone loves this. I found it too sweet for my taste. Plus, the mustard and pineapple combo is just weird.
Made this for Christmas and it was a hit. The sweet glaze caramelized beautifully and the pineapple rings looked so pretty on the ham.
I don’t have a roasting pan, can I use a regular baking dish? Not sure if it’ll work right…
Ham? Pineapple? This is some tropical vibes right here! Love it!
Is 325°F really enough to cook a big ham? I feel like I’d burn it. Just seems off.
Glaze was great! I added some extra spices, tho. Try it with cumin!
Coudn’t get pineapple slices, so used canned peaches. Turned out great! Who knew? LOL
Absolutely delicious! The brown sugar and pineapple combo is out of this world!
My brown sugar wasn’t packed right (oops), so the glaze turned a little runny. Still tasty though—should’ve just stirred longer and let it thicken. Would make again.
Yasss! This ham is fire! I could eat the glaze with a spoon!
Yum! Pineapples and ham are my fav combo! Perfect for holiday feasts! 🍍🍖
I didn’t have pineapple slices, used apples instead… it worked out ok but not the same. 😅
Apples?! That’s a bold choice! I’ve never tried that, but I’m glad it turned out ok for you. Would love to see a pic next time! 🍏
Sounds weird, apples on ham? Pineapple is kinda the star here, but I’m glad you made it work. Just not the same, huh?
Wow this is so much better than the ham I made last xmas, wowza! Thanks!
Gonna try this with my BBQ sauce instead of mustard, sounds fun! 🤩
Wait, you put mustard on ham? That doesn’t sound right. I’m skeptical.
Mustard adds a tangy flavor that goes well with the sweetness of the brown sugar and pineapple! You should give it a try before knocking it!
Ham? More like ham-azing! 🙂 I love the sweetness from the pineapple. Definitely doing this for the holidays.
I’m not sure this is healthy at all. All that sugar…nah, I’ll pass.
This is the best ham recipe I’ve tried! The glaze was so sweet and delicious. My family loved it!
This tastes good but the instructions are a little confusing—like step numbers jump (8, 9, then 3). Also “brown eyes” on pineapple? I’m guessing they mean the fibrous bits.
So good! 10/10 would recommend to all my friends, can’t wait to make it again! 🙂
This recipe was okay, but the glaze was too sweet for my taste. I prefer less sugar.
I thought it would be too sweet but it is perfect! My husband loved it.
Glad to hear it turned out great! I was worried it would be too sweet, too. How much did you use? I might try it this weekend!
Sounds nice and all, but I think ham should be savory, not sweet! Who wants dessert for dinner? 😂
Real easy to make. Omitted the cloves since I hate them, but still turned out yum!
Never thought about using pineapple on ham before but wow it works! Gonna make this for every holiday now.
This recipe was a hit at our family gathering! The brown sugar and pineapple combination is genius! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ngl I didn’t love pineapple on ham last time (too sweet for me). But if you’re using reserved pineapple juice in the glaze, it might balance better than just chunks.
Mmm, ham. I love ham. Is there a way to make it quicker tho? Like, in a microwave?
I don’t think you can cook a whole ham in the microwave. It needs time to cook right, ya know? Maybe try a smaller piece? Good luck!
I cooked ham once, but its not easy. A lotta work for just meat! 🥴
I didn’t have mustard, so I used mayo instead. Not great. Don’t recommend changing ingredients.
So sweet and savory! Family loved it! Will definitely make again! 😋
Yummy! But I didn’t have cloves, so I used cinnamon instead. Does that even matter? Haha!
I dunno, I thought ham was supposed to be savory, not sweet?? Just not for me.
Super easy! I didn’t have pineapple slices, so I used fresh pineapple instead. Came out awesome!
I tried it and it was way too sweet for my taste. Maybe less brown sugar next time.
This ham recipe is a game changer! The brown sugar and pineapple combo is just divine!
I totally agree! That glaze is the best part! Can’t wait to try it for my holiday dinner.
My ham turned out really dry. I think I overcooked it. Might’ve messed up something in the steps.
It’s not bad, but I’d cut the honey in half. Too sweet for me. Also, 325°F seems low—maybe raise it the last 15 minutes so the top caramelizes more.
I didn’t have honey so I used maple syrup. Still turned out good but not as sweet. 😅
I think honey should be left out, there’s already enough sweetness. 🤷♂️
I tried this for Christmas dinner and everyone raved about it! Will make again for sure.
That sounds delicious! I will definitely try this for my family gatherings. Thanks for sharing!
Really? Everyone liked it? I found it a bit too sweet. Maybe I did somethin’ wrong.
I think this recipe could’ve been better if it had more spices. It was kinda bland for my family. Just my opinion.
Honestly, what’s the point of mustard in a ham?! Doesn’t make sense. I’d skip it next time!
I tried something similar once and the scoring helped a lot, so I like that you press the glaze into the cuts. The toothpick part is kinda tedious but worth it.
Tried it but the glaze was too sweet for my taste. Maybe less sugar next time?
Followed the recipe step by step but it was super dry. What did I do wrong?
Maybe you didn’t baste it enough? That can really help keep it moist. Also, don’t cook it too long!
I followed this recipe too and mine turned out great! Are you sure you did every step right? Sometimes the oven temp can be wrong.
Super easy! I didn’t have mustard so I used barbecue sauce and it still came out great!
This ham recipe is divine! The sweet glaze makes everything pop. Definitely a hit at our holiday dinner!
Sounds good, but I’m not a fan of sweet ham. I prefer it more savory. Did it really turn out that good?
I totally agree! The glaze is everything. I made it for my family last week and they couldn’t get enough!
Not sure about the mustard amount—1/2 cup feels like a lot. I’d probably cut it down or use a milder mustard, unless you really like tangy ham.
Followed the recipe but my ham turned out dry. Any tips for keeping it moist?
Just made this for Sunday dinner—sweet, sticky, and the pineapple actually cuts through the richness. The diamond scoring helps so much with flavor soaking.
I don’t understand how folks can approve this. Too sweet for my taste. Will stick to my savory recipes.
My toothpicks kept popping out while basting, lol. I ended up just laying the pineapple on top without securing and it still held. Less work, still delicious.
Haha same here—those toothpicks never want to cooperate. Laying the pineapple on top is genius if it still holds! 🌟
Um, what’s with the cloves? Is that really necessary? Might just skip that next time.
I followed it mostly, but I didn’t core the pineapple rings and they browned a bit too much. Still tasty though—just not as pretty on top.
My oven is old and it took way longer to cook, but oh my! The glaze was delicious!
This sounds extra yummy! But do I really need that much honey? 🤔
Yummy!!! My kids loved it 😍. I left out the cloves, tho, didn’t have any. Still turned out great!
So glad to hear that! 👏 I also omitted some ingredients once and it still turned out fine. Cooking is all about adapting!😊
Cloves? 🤔 I thought they were essential for this dish… but if it worked out for you, then maybe it’s not that crucial? Just my two cents.
I was skeptical at first, but honestly this was way too sweet for me. I think it needs something salty to balance it out.
Scoring the diamond pattern is cool, but I worry it dries the edges out? Mine stayed juicy though, so maybe I’m overthinking.
Honestly I don’t think the diamond scoring dries it out by itself—325°F + foil is doing the heavy lifting. If anything, drying is more from overbaking or not basting enough. Mine didn’t dry and I barely basted lol.
I was nervous about that too, but scoring actually helps the glaze get in. As long as you cover with foil for most of the bake and baste, it stays pretty juicy. Your “mine stayed juicy” checks out.
I had to substitute the ham with turkey because I couldn’t find one. It was still decent but I’m sure it would be better with ham.
Soo good! But I would recommend baking it a bit longer for a crispier glaze.
I totally agree! A crispier glaze makes it so much better! Thanks for the tip!
Uhh, I dunno about baking longer… I always thought it would dry out the ham.
I’m skeptical about this glaze… mustard and ham? Really? I might give it a shot if I can find a better recipe.
This recipe is a total game changer! The ham turned out so juicy and flavorful. My family devoured it!
I’m so glad to hear that! This ham recipe was a hit at my family gathering too! Thanks for sharing your success!
Really? I tried it and it was kinda dry… I don’t know if I did it wrong or what. Maybe I need to cook it longer?
Recipe says 1 cup brown sugar, I used 2. Why not? More sugar equals more yum.
More sugar means more sticky sweetness! Can’t argue with that logic. Can’t wait to try it your way!
Using 2 cups? Aren’t you worried it will be too sweet? I mean, I love sugar, but there’s a limit, right?
I don’t understand why you would add cloves in a ham. It overpowers the flavor!
I think cloves add a unique flavor! Not everyone appreciates it, but I love that spice in my ham. Gives it a nice kick.
Looks simple, but 325°F for 1.5 hrs plus 30 mins for a whole bone-in ham might not be right for everyone. Still, I’ll try it. If I’m wrong, it’s the oven’s fault.
I tried something like this once and the outside got way too dark before the inside was right. Bone-in cooks so different… I’d def use a meat thermometer and not just time.
Thanks for the heads-up—325°F + that timing seems pretty reasonable for an 8–10 lb bone-in ham. I’ll follow it and start checking for “nice glaze” around the 2-hr mark.
This ham was a hit at our family dinner! The glaze was sweet and sticky, just how we like it. Thanks for sharing!
This ham turned out amazing! The glaze was so delicious and everyone loved it! Definitely a crowd-pleaser.
I tried this but my ham was dry. Maybe I overcooked it? Not sure if I will try again.
It’s easy to overcook ham, especially if it’s a big one. Try using a meat thermometer next time to check for doneness! Don’t give up on this recipe; it can turn out great!
It was okay. Ham is ham, right? Was expecting more bang for my buck. Good but not great.
1 cup of brown sugar? Is that even healthy? I don’t eat sugar much.
Made this for Christmas and the glaze was unreal—sweet, sticky, and the pineapple really punches through. Scoring the ham made all the difference. 10/10 would glaze again.
Yes!!! Scoring the ham is the make-or-break step. I did this last Easter and the glaze got so caramel-y on the edges. Pineapple flavor is perfect—sweet but not cloying.
I made it for Christmas too and it was a hit. I’m glad you mentioned the diamond cuts because I rushed that part the first time and it didn’t soak in as well.
Just okay. I don’t know if I did something wrong but it didn’t taste like the ham I had at my aunt’s house. Plus, it took longer to cook than what my oven said.
I followed the recipe but it turned out too sweet for my taste. Next time I think I’ll cut back on the brown sugar.
Im not sure how I feel about the cloves. Kinda weird taste. Just my opinion.
Made this for dinner yesterday, everyone went nuts for it! Easy and delicious!
5/5! My whole family gobbled it up and I barely got any leftovers for myself! 😂
That’s awesome! It’s always the best when the family loves it. 🥳 What sides did you serve with it?
Too sweet for my taste. I’m a savory ham person. Next time, I’ll skip the honey.
Too sweet? Nah, that’s how ham should be! You got to embrace the sweetness, it’s a holiday ham!
I prefer savory too! Maybe try a spice rub next time? That could be more your style!
Just made this and it’s a total winner! 😍 The cloves really give it a nice kick.
Simply delicious! My whole family devoured it. Will save this for future celebrations. 🥳
Not a fan… it was too sweet for me. I would reduce the sugar next time. 🤷
Never thought to glaze ham with pineapple! It was really good but took too long to cook. Maybe I overcooked it? 🤷♂️
This recipe is amazing! The sweetness of the glaze was perfect and everyone loved it at the family dinner.
too much sugar. I think if you cut down on the brown sugar and hunny, it might be better. Just an idea!
This ham turned out amazing! The glaze was perfect and everyone loved it.
The instructions are confusing. Why score the ham? First time making it. Help!
I forgot to cover it with foil and it burned a bit…sadface. Follow the instructions, unlike me!
Isn’t honey and sugar the same thing? Not sure why there’s both in the recipe. 🤔
Yum! I used a different mustard and added some garlic. It was fabulous! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
That sounds delicious! I’ll have to try adding garlic next time. Thanks for the suggestion! 🙂
I’m skeptical about pineapple + cloves on ham, but I tried it and… okay I get it. The cloves are subtle and the crust formed nicely.
I was skeptical about mustard in a sweet ham, but wow—there’s just enough tang. Mine needed a little longer since my ham was closer to 11 lbs.
I don’t understand why there’s mustard in a ham recipe. Seems odd.
Sooo good! Made this for Easter, and everyone loved it! Will make again for sure. 👍
What type of ham do I need? Should I get smoked or just regular? 🤔
Honestly it’s pretty much the ham version of BBQ sweet sauce. If you like sweet glazes, you’ll love it.
That’s actually a good description. The pineapple + brown sugar combo does make it taste like a sweet BBQ-style glaze—minus the smoky BBQ vibe. I’ll take it 😄
This sounds dangerously good. Brown sugar + pineapple is such a classic combo for ham—going to try it for Christmas this year.
This glaze sounds dangerously good—brown sugar + honey + pineapple is basically a holiday cheat code. I’d still watch the last 30 minutes closely so it doesn’t burn.
I followed the recipe exactly, but my ham turned out dry. I think I maybe cooked it too long? Not sure I’ll try again.
Looks easy! I’m gonna try it for Thanksgiving. Fingers crossed! 🦃
Good luck! I’m sure your ham will turn out delicious! 🍖
Looks good!
I tried this and the glaze got super sticky and dark fast. I think my oven runs hot, so I’d watch it near the end.
Ham glaze? meh. Didn’t wow me. Pineapple was okay but mine came out too sweet.
8–10 pounds is a lot ham 😅 I’d need to adjust bake time depending on weight, but the 1.5 hours + 30 minutes seems close. I’m trusting the “baste and watch” method.
Pretty easy, but I think 1.5 hours + 30 min was a bit aggressive for an 8-10 lb bone-in. I kept basting and it still took longer before it was hot in the middle.
Maybe your oven runs cool? I used 325°F and mine was done right around the 1.5 + 0.5 mark. The key for me was checking with a thermometer, not the clock.
I agree—my 9 lb bone-in took closer to 2+ hours before it was truly hot in the center. The glaze looked amazing early though, so I think the timing is a bit optimistic.
I don’t know why everyone loves this recipe. The ham was way too sweet for me, and I could barely taste the ham itself. 🤷♂️
Super easy concept, and the flavors sound good, but my ham took way longer than 1.5 hours + 30 min. Next time I’ll go by internal temp instead of time alone.
Simple but delicious 😋! This is my go-to ham recipe now. Wish I could post a pic!
Followed it pretty much exactly, and the diamond scoring really helps the glaze sink in. My ham came out glossy and sticky. Only thing: mine took closer to 1 hr 45 min total, not 1 hr 30 + 30.
Nice! I’m glad the scoring made a difference—mine does get way more “soaked-in” after I really work the glaze into the cuts too. Timing can vary a lot with ham size and whether it’s fully cooked already.
Sticky/glossy is exactly how I like it 😄. I think 1 hr 45 sounds totally plausible. What size was yours (8 vs 10 lb)? Also did you baste during the covered time or mostly toward the end?
this is super easy and cheap! also it tastes amazing 🥳
Why do you have to score the ham? Does that even do anything? I just place it in the pan and it works fine.
I made this and it was a hit. The cloves are subtle (which is good), and the pineapple flavor really comes through. 10/10 for a crowd-pleaser.
Yum! Pineapple and ham are a match made in heaven! I’m definitely making this for the holidays.
Totally agree! The sweet and savory combo is the best! Perfect for family gatherings.
I’m skeptical about pineapple + mustard, but it ended up tasting like a glazed ham from a fancy deli. Also, scoring the ham is oddly satisfying.
Mine took longer than 1.5 hours + 30 minutes for an 8-10 lb ham, so I’d suggest checking doneness sooner than the timing says.
This is good but not “wow” if you’re expecting savory depth. It’s more sweet than I usually like. Also, I used a smaller ham and the glaze almost ran out.
The cloves threw me off—like, I could taste them strongly. Still edible, but not my favorite flavor balance.
Yum! I used fresh pineapple instead from my garden, and it added a nice touch. Great recipe!
Yummy! The brown sugar and pineapple combo is just perfect. We usually have just plain ham, but this was a hit!
Don’t have mustard yellow so I used regular yellow mustard. It came out fine, but the color wasn’t as nice. Flavor was still sweet and golden.
Nice! I love that you still got the sweet golden flavor even with yellow mustard instead of mustard yellow. The color difference makes sense though—glazes can look so different depending on the mustard.
Used yellow mustard and it came out a bit sharper than I expected, but still tasty. Next time I’ll probably reduce the mustard slightly.
The instructions are clear, but the toothpick part is sketchy. I don’t wanna have people picking random toothpicks out of ham lol. Maybe I’ll just lay the pineapple on top and skip securing.
My family loved this! I added some cinnamon and a bit of ginger too. Next level!
Sounds complicated! Is it really worth the effort?
I think it’s worth it! The flavors must be amazing together. Plus, it’s perfect for family gatherings!
This ham was amazing! The glaze turned out perfectly sweet and sticky. Definitely making it again for the holidays! 🌟
Not gonna lie, the glaze was thick like candy almost immediately. Next time I’ll add a splash more pineapple juice or water so it spreads easier.
Yeah I had that happen too—mine turned into sticky caramel almost right away. Adding a little more pineapple juice helped a ton. Great call!
I like that you actually reserve some pineapple juice and push the glaze into the scored cuts. That’s the difference-maker right there.
My ham was closer to 9.5 lbs, so I baked a bit longer than the instructions. Still came out great, though I’d recommend checking for color at the 1.5-hour mark.
Mine came out way too thick and almost caramelized too hard on top. Next time I’ll baste more and maybe use a little less glaze or cover sooner—oven runs hot I guess.
The toothpick pineapple step is kinda tedious. I know it looks nice, but I’m lazy—does it still work if I just lay slices on top without pinning?
This glaze sounds dangerously good—brown sugar + pineapple is my kind of sweet. I’d probably baste a little more often so it doesn’t dry out. Can’t wait to try it for the holidays!
Wait—325°F for 1.5 hours seems a little low for an 8–10 lb bone-in ham? I’d be worried it won’t get hot through. Maybe I’m just impatient 😅
Yesss. Brown sugar + pineapple is such a classic holiday combo—this glaze is gonna be sticky in the best way. I’d baste too, especially toward the end so it stays glossy!
Not sure about that much mustard—sounds like it’ll taste like a hot dog. Pineapple can be sweet, but mustard + cloves? I’m skeptical.
No pineapple juice left in my can lol, so I skipped that part. Still edible though. Would not do it again exactly as written.
Honestly, skipping the pineapple juice makes sense if you’re out—glaze still sounds like it would caramelize from the brown sugar/honey. I’d probably do it too next time if I forgot to buy a can.
I think 1/2 cup mustard is a lot? Mine tasted kinda sharp at first, but after baking it mellowed. Would reduce it slightly next time.
This glaze is crazy good. I basted more often than the recipe said and it got super shiny. Only thing—my oven runs hot, so start checking early.