Pineapple Glazed Ham-Holiday Perfect

Name: Pineapple Glazed Ham
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 150 min
Total time: 185 min
Ingredients: 1 15-18 lb fully cooked ham (bone in or boneless); 1 20 oz can whole pineapple rings; 60 whole cloves; 10 maraschino cherries (stems removed); 3/4 cups brown sugar; 1 tablepoon dijon mustard; 2 cups lemon lime soda (can substitute ginger ale)

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4.82 from 44 votes

Prep: 15 minutes

Cook: 2 hours 30 minutes

Resting Time: 20 minutes

Total: 3 hours 5 minutes

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This Pineapple Glazed Ham 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.

Pineapple Glazed Ham shot from the top on a white dish surrounded by pineapple and greens

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 here.

Easy: There is very little hands on work required.
Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry.
Family Friendly: Everyone LOVES this ham.
Makes Great Leftovers: Here are a few of my favorite leftover recipes

What You Need to Make Pineapple Glazed Ham

Close up of Pineapple Glazed Ham with slices take off

Ingredients

15-18 lb fully cooked ham – bone in or boneless
can whole pineapple rings
whole cloves
maraschino cherries
brown sugar
dijon mustard
lemon lime soda – can substitute ginger ale

Equipment

How to Make the Ham – Step by Step

Steps for Pineapple glazed ham, 1st scoring, them adding cloves to pineapple and then applying them to ham

Prepare Oven: First, preheat the oven to 325 F.
Score Ham: Second, score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern about 1/8-inch deep.
Pineapple: Then drain the 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!)
Arrange: Next arrange pineapple rings evenly around the surface of the ham, affixing them with toothpicks and then affix a single cherry in the center of each ring with a toothpick.
Bake: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).

Bowl of Brown sugar with other elements of glaze being added and them applying to ham for Glazed pineapple ham

How to make Ham Glaze

Glaze: Meanwhile, put the brown sugar, mustard and reserved pineapple juice in a sauce pan and then cook over medium high heat until reduces and becomes thick, about 15 minutes.
Brush: 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.
Rest: Finally, remove from the oven, baste with remaining glaze and allow to rest 15-20 minutes before carving.

Glazed Pineapple ham on a platter on a dinner table with red table cloth

LOOKING FOR MORE HAM RECIPES? TRY THESE FAVORITES

Looking for more? Check out all of the Quick and Easy recipes on It Is a Keeper.

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Common Questions About Ham

WHAT TYPE OF HAM SHOULD I USE?

For this recipe, you’ll want to select a cured ham – either bone-in or semi-boneless. For easy serving, you can even find spiral hams that come pre-sliced and ready to go. It’s a real time-saver.

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN MY HAM IS DONE?

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.

WHAT CAN I SERVE WITH MY HAM?

A perfect dinner in my house includes serving my Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole, Bacon Glazed Carrots and Buttery Rosemary Rolls.

HOW LONG CAN PINEAPPLE HAM SIT OUT FOR?

No longer than 2 hours. Promptly wrap leftover ham and refrigerate as soon as possible.

Expert Tips for Making Brown Sugar Glazed Ham

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.

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4.82 from 44 votes