Combining rich flavors, this Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham is the ultimate centerpiece for any special dinner! This recipe combines rich and savory ham with tangy pineapple and a caramelized brown sugar glaze.
The result is a beautiful dish that’s as tasty as it is pretty! If you’re looking for a main course for a holiday feast or special family dinner, this crowd-pleasing and comforting classic is surprisingly easy to make.
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🩵 About This Recipe
One incredible main course, three super simple ingredients. It's really that easy! This pineapple glazed ham is your new favorite holiday entree or Sunday night dinner staple.
With the perfect blend of savory flavor and tangy sweetness, this pairs well with any side dish you choose to create an unforgettable dinner. The whole family will adore this super easy ham!
You can even use the leftovers to make this Baked Egg Frittata with Ham or a Bacon and Hash Brown Casserole for breakfast the next day!
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- bone-in spiral ham - look for hams with a light pink color and visible marbling.
- pineapple - you'll need both the pineapple slices and pineapple juice, so buying canned pineapple is actually ideal for this dish.
- brown sugar - adds a layer of rich sweetness that pairs perfectly with the ham.
🔪 Let's Make Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham!
(Or click here to jump right to the recipe card with measurements!)
Arrange Fruit
Place the slices of pineapple between the slices of ham and drizzle with juice from the can.
Bake
Rub the brown sugar over the pineapple and ham, then bake covered with foil for 1 to 1 ½ hours.
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- Cooking time can vary depending on the size of your ham and the power of your oven. You'll want to cook it until the ham is heated all the way through and the flavors have developed nicely.
- You can also cook this ham in the slow cooker for 4 to 6 hours if you want a more hands-off approach.
- Garnish with fresh rosemary for a prettier presentation and a bit of extra flavor as well.
❔ FAQs
Yes! This recipe calls for bone-in spiral ham, which has already been cooked. The cooking process is just to get it nice and hot again, as well as to infuse it with the sweet flavors from the sugar and pineapple.
This depends on your preference! Light brown sugar will give you a slightly sweeter and lighter glaze, while dark brown sugar will provide more of that rich molasses flavor.
Select a weight based on your expected number of diners. A good rule of thumb is about ¾ pound per person. But you can go larger if you want more leftovers!
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- For even more flavor, mix the brown sugar with other spices like cinnamon or cloves.
- Make the glaze even richer by combining the sugar with some honey or maple syrup.
- Give your glaze a unique tangy-sweet flavor by including Dijon mustard and/or balsamic vinegar.
Kristin’s Kitchen Tip
As the ham cooks, you can occasionally redistribute all of the juices to ensure everything stays nice and moist!
🥡 Storage and Reheating
If you have leftover ham, wrap tightly with foil or plastic, or transfer to an airtight container. It will last about 4 days in the fridge, or it can be frozen in a freezer bag for 3 months or so.
To reheat, place the ham back in the oven until heated through. Allow frozen ham to thaw in the fridge first, then reheat as normal.
Keep It Handy
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🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
This dish pairs well with a wide variety of side dishes, but I recommend pairing it with these Mashed Potatoes and Parsnips or a nice and festive Christmas Salad if you're serving around the holiday. Other good choices include these Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes or Oven Baked Crispy Green Beans.
😋 More Holiday Entree Recipes You'll Love
- Slow Cooker Whole Chicken - Seasoned to perfection, you can easily cook a juicy and tender chicken right in your slow cooker.
- Beef Rump Roast - This dish includes potatoes and carrots for a fantastic all-in-one meal.
- Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Legs - A great alternative to the classic Thanksgiving centerpiece.
- Spanish Roasted Lamb - Try something different with this recipe from Spanish Sabores!
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Pineapple Glazed Ham
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📋 Recipe Card
Irresistible Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham
Ingredients
- 10 pounds bone-in spiral ham (pre-cooked)
- 20 ounces pineapple slices in juice (1 can)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Remove the packaging from the pre-cooked ham and place it in an oven safe casserole dish. Place the slices or pineapple between the slices of ham, then pour the pineapple juice from the can over it.10 pounds bone-in spiral ham, 20 ounces pineapple slices in juice
- Rub the brown sugar evenly over the pineapple slices and ham. You can adjust the amount of brown sugar based on your sweetness preference.¼ cup brown sugar
- Cover the ham with aluminum foil and let it cook for 1 ½ hours in the oven.
Notes
- Check the ham periodically. You can baste it with the juices that collect in the dish to ensure it stays moist and flavorful.
- The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the ham. You want the ham to heat through and the flavors to meld.
- Combine the brown sugar with a pinch of cinnamon or ground cloves enhance flavor.
- Slow Cooker Option: Place the ham in a slow cooker on low for 4-6 hours for hands-off cooking.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup to the brown sugar for a richer glaze. Or include Dijon mustard or balsamic vinegar for a tangy-sweet balance.
- Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs if desired.
Additional Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with creamy mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, or roasted root vegetables.
- Pair with stuffing, cranberry sauce, and a light salad for a holiday-worthy spread.
- Use leftover ham slices for sandwiches, breakfast omelets, or as a topping for baked potatoes or pizzas.
- Store leftover ham in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in foil in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze sliced ham in resealable freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Heat slices in the oven at 325 degrees F, covered, until warmed through, or microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes.
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Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
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Kristin King says
This is so delicious and perfect for a Sunday dinner or a holiday spread. I love serving this to guests - it always gets rave reviews!