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.]()
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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.
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!
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!
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! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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! 🥴