Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham always brings warmth to my family gatherings. I love its rich, caramelized glaze. The sweet pineapple blends beautifully with the smoky ham. This recipe is my go-to for festive occasions.
Contents
Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham recipe
Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham is a popular dish, particularly during holiday celebrations. It’s known for its sweet and savory flavor profile. It includes pre-cooked ham coated with brown sugar and pineapple. The glaze caramelizes during baking and creates a sticky, flavorful crust.
This dish is beloved for its combination of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. Brown sugar balances ham’s saltiness, and pineapple enhances the taste with a fruity tang.
This dish has become a crowd-pleasing centerpiece for many families during holiday gatherings. Here’s how to make Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham:
Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham
Ingredients
- 6-8 lb bone-in ham
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 cup pineapple rings canned, in juice
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp ground cloves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Place the ham in a roasting pan. Score the top in a diamond pattern.
- In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, pineapple juice, Dijon mustard, honey, cinnamon, and ground cloves. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves and the glaze thickens (about 5-7 minutes).
- Pour half of the glaze over the ham, make sure it covers all the scored areas.
- Cover the ham with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour, basting with the remaining glaze every 20 minutes.
- During the last 20 minutes of cooking, place pineapple rings on the ham and pour the remaining pineapple juice from the can over the ham.
- Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Nutrition
SIMILAR RECIPES
Pairing suggestions
Here are some recommended foods and drinks to serve alongside this flavorful ham:
- Side Dishes
- Mashed Potatoes are a traditional favorite. The dish complements the sweetness of ham.
- Green Bean Casserole adds crunch and savory flavor to balance ham’s sweetness.
- Cornbread enhances the meal’s flavor.
- Stuffing pairs well with glazed ham.
- Coleslaw offers a refreshing contrast.
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts add crunch and earthy flavor.
- Funeral Sandwiches use leftover ham.
- Asparagus pairs well with ham.
- Cheesy French Onion Potatoes add a cheesy touch.
- Candied Jalapeño Deviled Eggs provide spice that contrasts with sweet ham.
- Drink Pairings
- Upside Down Pineapple Cocktail enhances tropical notes.
- Gewürztraminer harmonizes sweet and savory flavors.
- Dry German Riesling complements ham.
- Pineapple Ginger Ale provides sweet and spicy contrast.
- Spiced Rum Punch complements the glaze’s sweetness.
- Iced Tea with Lemon cuts ham’s richness and provides a refreshing balance.
Variations
Here are some interesting versions of Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham:
- Citrus-Bourbon Version
- Replace pineapple juice with orange juice
- Add 1/4 cup bourbon
- Use orange marmalade instead of honey
- Skip the pineapple rings, instead use orange and lemon slices
- Add 1 tsp of grated orange zest to the glaze
- Maple-Apple Version
- Replace brown sugar with maple syrup
- Replace pineapple juice with apple cider
- Skip pineapple rings, instead use apple slices
- Add 1 tsp of apple pie spice instead of cloves
- Keep the cinnamon
- Add 2 tbsp apple butter
- Cherry-Spiced Version
- Use cherry juice instead of pineapple juice
- Add 1/2 cup tart cherry preserves
- Replace pineapple rings with fresh or frozen cherries
- Add 1/4 tsp ground allspice
- Add 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- Reduce cloves to 1/2 tbsp
- Tropical Version
- Use mango nectar instead of pineapple juice
- Add 1/4 cup dark rum
- Use a mixture of pineapple and mango slices
- Add 1 tsp ground ginger
- Add 1/4 cup coconut sugar to the brown sugar
- Replace honey with guava paste
- Savory-Sweet Version
- Add 2 tbsp soy sauce
- Replace honey with maple syrup
- Add 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Skip pineapple rings
- Add 3 cloves of minced garlic
- Reduce cinnamon to 1 tsp
- Add 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, minced