Hams are an affordable yet impressive centerpiece for any holiday meal. This Ham with Pineapple Glaze balances salty umami from soy sauce with the bright sweetness of pineapple and brown sugar. Whether you’re serving it for Easter, Christmas, or any special occasion, this pineapple-glazed ham makes a beautiful main dish.
Why I love this recipe:
Oi Gente!
I adore this Ham with Pineapple Glaze because it features two complementary sauces: a brown-sugar pineapple glaze that’s brushed onto the ham and a bright, slightly spicy pineapple serving sauce. Both are simple to make and add layers of flavor that transform an ordinary ham into something special.
Although the recipe involves several steps, they’re straightforward—mostly dump-into-pot and simmer steps that are easy to follow. Baked ham is forgiving; the main risk is drying it by overcooking, but even slightly crisp edges are delicious when coated in sticky glaze.
Follow the timing and thermometer guidance below, and your ham will come out moist, glossy, and flavorful. It’s a stunning centerpiece that pairs beautifully with classic holiday sides and seasonal fruit.
Beijinhos xx
Need a leftover ham idea? Try these: Brazilian Fried Rice with Ham and Egg, Croque Monsieur Sandwich.
Ingredients and Tools
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- 5–8 lb. bone-in ham — spiral-cut hams are convenient but not required.
- Fresh thyme
- Unsalted butter
- Brown sugar — light or dark both work.
- White wine — a dry unoaked white such as sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio.
- Whole cloves
- Pineapple juice
- Soy sauce — adds savory umami and saltiness.
- Bay leaf
- All-purpose flour — used to thicken the serving sauce.
- Crushed pineapple in juice — be sure it’s packed in juice, not syrup.
- Red pepper flakes — for a subtle spicy kick.
Tools:
- Roasting pan with high sides
- Two saucepans
- Meat thermometer
- Pastry brush
How to make this Pineapple Glazed Ham
Begin by warming the ham in a preheated oven. Keep it covered with foil to retain moisture. Plan on roughly 10–14 minutes per pound to heat through — for a 5–8 lb ham this is about 50 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes. The ham is ready when the internal temperature reaches about 110°F (43°C) on a meat thermometer.
About three-quarters of the way through heating, add the remaining wine and herbs to the roasting pan to infuse aroma and maintain moisture. If you like, flip the ham so the cut side faces down; this helps the glaze coat the entire surface evenly when you start glazing. Flipping is optional but gives a more consistent glaze coverage.
Make the ham glaze with pineapple juice
While the ham warms, prepare the pineapple-brown sugar glaze. Combine the glaze ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a boil, then reduce until the mixture is syrupy and coats the back of a spoon. This should take about 15 minutes.
Glaze the ham
When the ham is nearly warmed through, remove the foil and increase the oven temperature so the sugars in the glaze can caramelize. Brush a layer of glaze over the ham, return it to the oven at a higher temperature, and continue brushing every 10 minutes during the final stage of cooking. This builds up glossy, sticky layers of caramelized glaze.
After glazing and finishing in the oven, remove the ham and let it rest. While it rests, make the serving sauce: combine the sauce ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a boil, and reduce until syrupy. Serve the ham sliced with the pineapple sauce spooned over or alongside.
Decorate and Garnish
A glazed ham makes a striking centerpiece. Garnish with pineapple slices, fresh herbs, and seasonal fruit for color. I like to serve slices alongside sautéed greens like collards or kale and add fruit such as cranberries, pineapple, or apples depending on the season.
What to serve with Pineapple Glazed Ham
- Instant Pot Brown Rice
- Sautéed vegetables (collards, kale, or greens)
- Farofa
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Air-fryer butternut squash
- Baked asparagus with Parmesan
- Spinach Madeleine
Other Holiday Recipes to Try:
- Ham With Pineapple Sauce
- How to Spatchcock a Turkey
- Dry Brine Spatchcock Turkey
- Compound Butter for Turkey
- How to Carve a Spatchcock Turkey
- Grilled Turkey Breast
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Ham with Pineapple Glaze
Aline Shaw
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 5-8 pounds bone-in spiral ham
- 6 sprigs of fresh thyme
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup white wine divided
- 10 whole cloves or more to taste
- 6 ounces pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 bay leaf
Pineapple Serving Sauce
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 20oz can crushed pineapple in juice
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup pan drippings*
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
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Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
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Place the ham in a roasting pan and cover with foil. Bake until the center reaches 100–110°F (37–43°C), about 10–14 minutes per pound (approximately 1 hour 20 minutes for an 8 lb ham).
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While the ham heats, make the pineapple glaze.
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In a small saucepan, add 1/2 cup of the wine and the herbs; bring to a boil. Remove and reserve the herbs, then add soy sauce, pineapple juice, cloves, brown sugar, and butter. Boil until the mixture is syrupy.
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About three-quarters of the way through cooking, remove the foil and increase the oven to 350°F (176°C). Pour the remaining wine and the reserved herbs into the roasting pan and continue cooking until the ham reaches about 110°F (43°C) internal temperature.
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Flip the ham so the cut side is up, brush with about one-third of the glaze, then increase the oven to 400°F (205°C). Cook another 30 minutes, brushing with more glaze every 10 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches about 140°F (60°C).
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Remove the ham from the oven, brush once more with glaze, transfer to a platter, and let rest for 15 minutes before carving.
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Meanwhile, prepare the serving sauce by combining its ingredients in a saucepan and cooking until thick and syrupy. Adjust seasoning and water if pan drippings are very salty.