Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham with Cherries

This post may contain affiliate links.  For more information, read my disclosure policy here  

This Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham with Cherries is the crowning glory of any table. The absolute perfect centerpiece to your holiday table. The best part is it that it tastes as good as it looks. 

A whole ham studded with pineapple and cherries.

SAVE THIS RECIPE!

Enter your email below and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.

Save Recipe Final

Serving the Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham with Cherries

This pineapple honey glazed ham with cherries is a beautiful presentation. With the glaze over the ham glistening and the smell of the brown sugar honey glaze wafting in the air will make your families and guest mouths water.

Why This Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham Recipe is a Keeper

This impressive Pineapple Glazed Ham is the perfect way to impress the in laws or to wow your family and have everyone asking for more.

By following the easy steps below, this dish is practically fool proof. Why is it so popular for holidays? Martha Stewart explains it the history.

  • Easy: There is very little hands on work required for this honey-glazed ham.
  • Easy Ingredients: All the ingredients for the brown sugar glaze is found in your pantry.
  • Family Friendly: Everyone LOVES this gorgeous ham. Perfect for ham and cheese sandwiches.
  • Honey Ham Makes Great Leftovers: This honey-glazed ham recipe is perfect for so many meals.

If you’re looking for more leftover ham inspired recipes, try these Ham Tetrazzini, Ham and Potato Casserole and Mac and Cheese with Ham.

Meal planning printables
Get Our Free Meal Planning Bundle

With over 200 easy and delicious dinner ideas, you'll never have to worry about what to make for dinner again.

Why Do People Pair Ham and Pineapple?

A Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham with Cherries.

The sweetness of the pineapple neutralize the ham’s saltiness, Plus it looks really amazing decorating the outside of the ham. This delicious honey ham is a true show stopper.

Ingredient Notes for Baked Ham with Pineapple and Brown Sugar Glaze

Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham with Cherries
  • Cooked ham: You can use any kind of ham, bone-in ham or a boneless ham, or a fully cooked spiral ham that is 15-18 pound.
  • Pineapple rings: A can of pineapple rings in pineapple juice for the glaze recipe.
  • Whole cloves: The whole cloves enhance the flavor of the ham along with brown sugar.
  • Maraschino cherries:  This is a decorative element that makes the ham a true centerpiece to your holiday table.

See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.

Variations for Holiday Ham and Substitutions for Honey-Glazed Ham with Pineapple Rings and Cherries

You can make this recipe with any cooked ham and you can adjust the recipe with several variations for the Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham with Cherries.

  • Type of Ham: Spiral-cut Ham, Bone-in ham or boneless ham are all great for this baked ham recipe. The glaze will soak into the spiral cut ham. Cook times will vary on the size of your ham.
  • Mustard: Replace the dijon with yellow mustard or grain mustard for top of the ham.

How to Make Pineapple Honey Baked Ham Glaze Recipe

Making a statement with a meal is what you are doing when you make a delectable ham glaze recipe. Ham is perfect for any holiday meal.

These are the basic steps for making pineapple glazed ham recipe. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.

Assembling the ingredients for the glaze for the ham.

STEP 1: Preheat

First, preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

STEP 2: Score Ham and Reserve Pineapple Juice

Second, score the surface of the whole ham in a diamond pattern about 1/8-inch deep. Then drain the pineapple juice from the pineapples and reserve and next stick 6 cloves in each pineapple ring. (this is a great activity for little helpers in the kitchen!)

STEP 3: Arrange the Canned Pineapple Rings and Maraschino Cherries

Next place the pineapple rings evenly around the surface of the ham, affixing them with toothpicks and then affix a single cherry in the center of each pineapple slice with a toothpick on the skin of the ham.

Studding the pineapple and the cherries.

STEP 4: Bake the Ham with Pineapple Juice and Brown Sugar

Finally, place the ham cut side down in a large roasting pan and add soda. Tent it with foil, and bake for 2 to 2/12 hours (as per the package directions).

STEP 5: Create the Sweet Pineapple Glaze Mixture

Meanwhile, put the brown sugar, Dijon mustard and reserved pineapple juice in a sauce pan. Cook over medium high heat until reduces and becomes thick, about 15 minutes.

STEP 6: Brush the Ham with Glaze made with Pineapple Juice

After 2 hours of baking, remove the foil and brush the glaze all over the ham. Leave foil off of the ham for the remainder of the baking time. Then repeat baste every 10 minutes until the ham is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees F.

STEP 7: Rest the Amazing Ham

Finally, remove from the oven, baste with remaining glaze over entire ham and allow to rest 15-20 minutes before carving the baked glazed ham.

Recipe FAQs for Baked Glazed Ham with Cherries

Of course, basting every 30 minutes with 1/2 cup of the glaze will enhance the flavor of the meat. Southern Living has even more tips. You will love this recipe.

Ham is finished cooking when it reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees F.  I use my favorite meat thermometer to ensure it’s at the proper temperature.

The ham last in the fridge for up to four days. Put the ham in an airtight container.

A top shot of honey glazed ham with cherries.

Expert Tips for Making This Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham with Cherries Recipe

This easy honey glazed ham is amazing. For the best ham follow the tips below.

  • Use a sharp knife to score the ham: A sharp knife will make ensure you don’t cut too deep.
  • Cover the ham with foil while it bakes: To prevent your ham from drying out, cover it with foil during most of the baking time.  Remove the foil while basting this Pineapple Glazed Ham and pineapple begins to brown.
  • Baste ham every 10 minutes during the last 30 minutes: Use a basting brush (this one is great because it cleans up easy) to coat the ham with the brown sugar ham glaze every time minutes.
  • Let the ham rest:  When the ham is cooked through, allow it to rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing into it.
  • Remove the pineapples and cherries before slicing:  These make a great garnish for presentation. Don’t forget to carefully remove all of the toothpicks before serving your guests.

What to Serve with the Best Ham and Pineapple and Cherries

A whole ham studded with pineapple and cherries.
4.84 from 48 votes

Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham with Cherries

Yield: 20 servings
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 2 hours 30 minutes
Resting Time: 20 minutes
Total: 3 hours 5 minutes
This Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham with cherries is the crowning glory of any table. The absolute perfect centerpiece to your holiday table. The best part is it that it tastes as good as it looks. 
Print Pin Rate Save
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!

Ingredients

  • 15 pound Cooked ham, bone in or boneless
  • 20 ounces Whole pineapple rings
  • 60 Whole cloves
  • 10 Maraschino cherries, stems removed
  • ½ cup Honey, or 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 cups Lemon lime soda, can substitute ginger ale

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325 F.
  • Score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern about 1/8-inch deep.
  • Drain the juice from the pineapples and reserve.
  • Stick 6 cloves in each pineapple ring. 
  • Arrange pineapple rings evenly around the surface of the ham, affixing them with toothpicks. 
  • Affix a single cherry in the center of each ring with a toothpick.
  • Place the ham in a large roasting pan and add soda.
  • Tent it with foil, and bake for 2 to 2/12 hours (as per the package directions).
  • Meanwhile, put the brown sugar, mustard and reserved pineapple juice in a sauce pan.
  • Cook over medium high heat until reduces and becomes thick, about 15 minutes.
  • After 2 hours of baking, remove the foil and brush the glaze all over the ham. Leave foil off of the ham for the remainder of the baking time.
  • Repeat baste every 10 minutes until the ham is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees F.
  • Remove from the oven, baste with remaining glaze and allow to rest 15-20 minutes before carving.

Expert Tips

  • Use a sharp knife to score the ham: A sharp knife will make ensure you don’t cut too deep.
  • Cover the ham with foil while it bakes: To prevent your ham from drying out, cover it with foil during most of the baking time.  Remove the foil while basting this Pineapple Glazed Ham.
  • Baste ham every 10 minutes during the last 30 minutes: Use a basting brush (this one is great because it cleans up easy) to coat the ham with the brown sugar ham glaze every time minutes.
  • Let the ham rest:  When the ham is cooked through, allow it to rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing into it.
  • Remove the pineapples and cherries before slicing:  These make a great garnish for presentation.
  • Remove all of the toothpicks before serving:  Don’t forget to carefully remove all of the toothpicks before serving your guests.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Calories: 412kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 57g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.002g | Cholesterol: 160mg | Sodium: 4599mg | Potassium: 1010mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 17IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 5mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!Follow Me: @ItsAKeeperBlog or tag #itisakeeper
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American

8 thoughts on “Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham with Cherries”

Leave a Comment

Rate this Recipe