Pineapple Honey Baked Ham

Content… What Should I Buy? Recipe Ingredients How to Make It Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks Make-Ahead Instructions Serving and Storage Instructions FAQs What to Serve More Festive Holiday Recipes to Try Conclusion Watch How to Make It

What Kind of Ham Should I Buy?

If you’ve never baked ham before, then this pineapple-glazed honey ham recipe is the perfect place to start. Besides, store-bought, pre-glazed ham can be pretty pricey. However, this exquisiteness costs a fraction of the price. Yay!

A spiral ham, fully cooked, bone-in ham (the shank end part) works best for this recipe. The label will say “fully cooked” and not “cook before eating.” Smoked ham is even more flavorful, and one with the rind (skin) is juicier.

Recipe Ingredients

1. Ham – A smoke-cured ham has been flavored with salt, sugar, and other flavorings. These flavors turn the flesh from the hindquarters of a pig into the tasty food we call ham.
2. Brown Sugar – This flavor enhancer also improves juiciness and creates a delicious crustiness for the glaze. Half goes on the ham, and the other half in the glaze.
3. Glaze – Add mustard, orange juice, pineapple juice, honey, allspice, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, rum, and lemon juice to the rest of the sugar for a decadent glaze.
4. Fruit – Pineapple and cherries add incredible flavor and beauty. Also, this quick and easy step is fun!

How to Make a Honey Glazed Ham With Pineapple

• Prep Ham – Place the ham cut side down in a roasting pan cover. Sprinkle with about ½ cup brown sugar (optional). (Photo 1)
• Roast – Then cover tightly with foil paper. Place in a preheated oven and roast for 10-12 minutes per pound. (Photo 2)
• Make the Glaze – Add the remaining brown sugar, mustard, orange juice, pineapple juice, honey, allspice, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, rum, and lemon juice to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 5 minutes or more until it’s syrupy.  (Photos 3-4)

• Glaze Ham – About 30 minutes before it should be done cooking, remove the ham from the oven and apply the glaze, completely covering the ham. (Photo 5)
• Decorate (Optional) – Place the pineapple rings decoratively around the ham. Place a cherry in the middle, then insert a toothpick to keep it in place. Repeat until you have used up enough pineapple to cover the surface. (Photo 6)
• Repeat Glaze – Brush with additional pineapple honey glaze and bake for 15-20 minutes more (basting ham every 10 minutes). How long it takes depends on the size of your ham. An instant-read thermometer will register 120°F when inserted into the thickest portion of the ham. Remove from the oven to a serving platter and let rest for 15 minutes. Serve with a side of the glaze.

Recipe Variations

1. Fruit Swap: Cherries, grapes, and blueberries add to the glaze. Cherries and blueberries add a tart sweetness, while grapes add sweetness.
2. Spice Addition: Cardamom or cayenne pepper. Cardamom adds a unique and exotic flavor, while cayenne pepper adds a heat that can be balanced out with the sweetness of the glaze.
3. Grill It: Grilling the ham enhances the smoky flavor of the ham. Slowly grill it over indirect heat at 250℉/120℃ for about 3 hours.

Tips and Tricks

1. Let the ham rest for 10 minutes so the juices redistribute throughout the ham before slicing. You don’t want to lose any of that goodness.
2. A roasting pan with a rack is the best way to cook a ham. It keeps the ham from sitting in its juices, which can make it soggy.
3. You don’t need to remove the skin if you bake a spiral-cut ham because it keeps it moist and flavorful.

Make-Ahead Instructions

If you’re making this recipe for the holidays, I know you’ll want to get ahead. You can make the glaze 3 days ahead and store it in the refrigerator.

Cooking the entire ham ahead of time is also a good option. Wrap the ham in plastic wrap then foil before refrigerating your cooked ham. Store the ham’s juices separately in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Serving and Storage Instructions

Pineapple honey baked ham is best served warm along with your favorite sides.

Wrap leftover ham tightly in plastic wrap or foil or an airtight Tupper and refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze it for 2-3 months.

When you are ready to thaw frozen ham, put it in the fridge overnight and reheat it in the oven or microwave.

FAQs

What to Serve With Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham

This ham pairs beautifully with green beans and bacon. Or try it with this refreshing wedge salad.

Mashed potatoes are a classic side that balances the flavors. Toss cubed ham in an easy pasta salad for a busy weeknight leftover dinner idea.

More Festive Holiday Recipes to Try

1. Spiced Roast Turkey
2. Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans
3. Cranberry Sauce
4. Southern Potato Salad
5. Smoked Turkey Wings

Conclusion

This mouthwatering pineapple honey-baked ham recipe will elevate your gatherings to the top of everyone’s list. If you make this recipe, tag me on Instagram. I love seeing your pics!😍

Watch How To Make It

This blog post was originally published in December 2016 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video.