Ham with Pineapple Glaze is a holiday favorite that blends the rich, salty flavor of baked ham with the tropical sweetness of pineapple. This classic dish often takes center stage at festive gatherings, from Easter brunch to Christmas dinner, and it’s easy to see why. The sticky, golden glaze caramelizes beautifully in the oven, adding both visual appeal and mouthwatering flavor to every slice.
The pairing of ham and pineapple might seem unexpected, but the balance of sweet and savory is what makes this dish so popular. The natural saltiness of the ham is offset by the bright, sugary notes of the pineapple glaze, which often includes ingredients like brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and a hint of clove or ginger. As the ham bakes, the glaze thickens and coats the outside, creating a glossy finish that seals in moisture and flavor.
This dish is not only visually striking but also incredibly easy to prepare, especially if you’re using a pre-cooked or spiral-cut ham. The glaze can be brushed on in layers during baking, allowing it to soak into the meat and develop a beautiful, sticky crust. Pineapple rings or chunks can be arranged over the ham, adding texture and a juicy bite that contrasts with the dense, meaty slices.
Ham with Pineapple Glaze pairs wonderfully with classic sides like creamy scalloped potatoes, roasted green beans, or sweet potato casserole. The tropical sweetness also complements rice dishes or a simple garden salad with a tangy vinaigrette. Leftovers are a bonus—thick slices can be used in sandwiches, chopped into omelets, or diced into soups and stews for days after the main event.
This dish is a celebration in itself. With its rich aroma, gorgeous presentation, and satisfying flavor, Ham with Pineapple Glaze turns any gathering into a special occasion. It’s a timeless recipe that brings comfort, joy, and a touch of sweetness to the table.
Ingredients
- 5 pounds ham fully cooked and bone-in
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves ground
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Place the ham in a roasting pan and score the surface in a diamond pattern.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, Dijon mustard, and ground cloves. Stir until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is well combined.
- Brush the prepared glaze over the entire surface of the ham.
- Bake the ham in the preheated oven, basting with the glaze every 30 minutes, until it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C), about 1.5 to 2 hours.
- Remove the ham from the oven, let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing, and serve warm.
Nutrition
This recipe is amazing! The glaze really brings out the flavor of the ham. I will definitely make this for our next family gathering. 😊
This ham recipe was a hit at my family gathering! The glaze was so tasty, it made the ham super juicy. Definitely doing this one again!
I don’t get why everyone loves this so much. It was okay but felt too sweet with all the honey and pineapple. Just not my thing, I guess.
I don’t know about mixing ham with pineapple… It sounds weird to me. I’m skeptical but might try it. Anyone tried it with a different glaze?
This recipe is amazing! The ham turned out so sweet and juicy. Everyone loved it at the family gathering. Definitely a keeper!
Honestly, I don’t get what the big deal is. It sounds too sweet with all that honey and brown sugar. Not my thing.
I tried this recipe too and it was a hit! The glaze really makes a difference. Thanks for sharing!
Love this dish! My grandma used to make ham with pineapples every Christmas. Brings back good memories! 🍍
I think the recipe is too complicated for just ham. Like, can’t you just throw it in the oven?
I think you could use ham steak too, right? It might be easier than a whole ham! 🤷♂️
Ham + pineapple = instant classic!! Will def make again!
Absolutely! Ham and pineapple is just meant to be! Enjoy every bite!
Ham don’t go with pineapple! But my family liked it so I guess it’s a thumbs up from us.
I totally get it, ham and pineapple is a classic debate! But yay for family approval! 🍍❤️
I was skeptical about the honey and mustard combo, but it actually worked! Surprised.
Sounds like a lot of sugar! Is it really necessary? I usually don’t add honey to ham, just seems weird to me.
I dunno, kinda seems like too much sugar to me. Ham is sweet enough on its own! 🤨
Best ham recipe I ever tried. The glaze is sooo good, I want to put it on everything!
How long u gotta bake it for? I don wanna mess it up! 🤔
Very easy to follow! 10/10 would recommend for holidays. Thank you for sharing!
Looks good but isnt ham unhealthy? I dunno, just saying. I prefer turkey for holidays.
I totally agree! This ham recipe is a hit at our family gatherings. It’s always gone before dessert! 😋
Tried this for Easter, my friends were impressed! Gonna make it again! 🐷❤️
What if I skip the cloves? Do I need it? Asking for a friend. 😜
I followed the recipe, but my ham ended up dry. Maybe I cooked it too long? Not sure what I did wrong.
I think the cooking time is really important! Maybe you left it too long. Try checking the internal temp next time. Keep it juicy!
Dry ham? Hmm, I dunno, maybe you added too much sugar? That can make it dry sometimes. 🤷
Absolutely delicious! The glaze was the highlight of the meal.
Meh, not my favorite. I prefer my ham with a savory glaze, not sweet. Too much honey and sugar for me.
I totally get where you’re coming from! Savory glazes are definitely a classic. Have you tried a mustard or herb rub? It’s so much better than sweet!
I thought the glaze would be too sweet, but it was perfect! The cloves added a nice kick!
Is 1 cup of honey for real? That seems way too much. I only used half that amount and it was still sweet.
This ham was a hit at our family gathering! The glaze was so tasty.
Too sweet for my taste, next time I’ll cut down on the brown sugar.
Couldn’t agree more! I thought it was too much sugar too. Maybe half a cup next time?
I actually love it sweet! Maybe use a different glaze next time?
Yummy! Got the pineapple juice from a can, still turned out great! 🌟
Very easy to make! My whole family loved it. Will definitely be making again!
I don’t get the whole ham with pineapple thing, but this recipe turned out okay.
I used to think the same about ham and pineapple, but I gave it a shot and it blew my mind! Glad your recipe turned out alright!
The texture was a bit off for me, like kinda mushy? Maybe I did something wrong.
This ham is absolutely delicious! I made this for our family gathering and everyone loved it!
I burnt my ham because I forgot to set a timer. Not your fault tho, the glaze was in my dreams. Lol.
My dog wouldn’t even eat it… Just ended up getting takeout. 👎
Maybe your dog just has bad taste? 😂 This recipe is really good!
I dunno, it was kind of sweet for my taste. Maybe cut back on the honey next time.
I think it’s perfect just like it is, but I get that sweet isn’t for everyone. Maybe try using less honey next time, like you said!
This recipe was a hit at our family dinner! Everyone loved the glaze. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Is it really safe to eat ham cooked like this? I mean, who knows how long it was sitting in the store.
The ham is pre-cooked, so it should be safe as long as you heat it to the right temp. Just follow the recipe! 😊
I don’t know man, ham can sit out too long and it’s not good. I’d be careful with that…
Delish!!! Slapped it on a sandwich, and it was like a taste explosion! 💥
Taste explosion? More like taste overload! Ham doesn’t even need glaze!
I can’t wait to try this on my sandwiches! Sounds amazing! 😍
Is it really necessary to glaze it every 30 minutes? I’m lazy 😅
My husband loved it, but I found it too cloyingly sweet. 😩
Too sweet? I thought that’s what makes it good! Any hints for making it less sweet? 🤔
I can see how it might be too sweet for some, but my family loved it! Did you try adding some spices to balance the sweetness?
Yum! I didn’t have any Dijon mustard, so I used regular mustard instead and it still turned out great!