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For a classic holiday meal, let the centerpiece be this Brown Sugar Pineapple Glazed Ham. The sweet and tangy glaze also has apple cider and pineapple juice, making it a festive and delicious main dish for your Easter or Christmas menu this year!
Classic Pineapple Glazed Ham
There is nothing more satisfying than walking to the table with your family gathered around and presenting them with an absolute showstopper. You know, the kids of dish that make everyone turn their heads and ooh and ahh as you carry it into the room.
It could be a perfectly roasted turkey. Maybe you’ve made a grand prime rib recipe. But some occasions call for a glorious baked ham like this one.
The best part about this glazed ham recipe, like many of those centerpiece dishes, is that it is actually easier than it looks. And of course, it tastes just as amazing as it looks. Maybe even better!
What kind of ham do you need?
For this recipe, you will need a pre-cooked ham. You’ll be looking for the shank or butt end with the bone in. This is also known as a “city ham”, which is usually brined and smoked.
Since the hams are fully cooked, you can actually slice it and eat it cold. In fact, many are sold pre-sliced. For this recipe, you DO NOT want a spiral sliced ham.
Ingredients
This entire ham plus the glaze can be made with just a handful of ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the baked ham:
- Bone-in smoked ham – shank or butt end, not spiral sliced.
- Cloves
- Canned pineapple rings in juice – reserve the juice for the glaze.
- Onion – cut into rings.
For the pineapple ham glaze:
- Hard apple cider – you can substitute non-alcoholic sparkling cider.
- Pineapple juice – reserved from the can of pineapple rings
- Brown sugar
- Mustard
How to Make Pineapple Glazed Ham
While it does take some time in the oven, your hands-on time is only about 15 minutes to end up with a sweet and tangy baked ham that is coated in a luxurious glaze and packed with amazing festive flavors.
Prepare the ham for baking
If your ham has a rind, you can trim it off, but be sure to leave a thick layer of fat. Place the ham in a deep baking pan.
Then with a paring knife, lightly score the fat/meat into a diamond shape, being sure not to cut too deep. Press cloves into the ham and secure pineapple rings to the outside with toothpicks.
REMEMBER: save the juice from the can of pineapple!
Start baking the ham
Pour the hard cider and pineapple juice over the ham and scatter sliced onions around it. Now bake at 325°F for about 15 minutes per pound.
Make the ham glaze
Make the glaze by mixing the brown sugar and mustard with a couple of tablespoons of the juices from the baking pan to make a smooth paste.
Brush the glaze over the ham and return to the oven for another 30 minutes or so to caramelize the glaze and heat the ham all the way through to an internal temperature of about 140°F.
Let it rest
Before serving, let the pineapple glazed ham rest for about 30 minutes. Serve with the pineapple slices and the drippings on the side as an au jus if desired.
Tips for Success
- Do NOT buy a spiral sliced ham. You want to be able to cook it long enough for that glaze to sink in and thicken. If you cook the spiral ham this long, it will dry out.
- Remember to save the pineapple juice. Do not drain the juice out of the can of pineapple rings when you take them out to place on the ham. You will need it for the glaze.
- You can make it without alcohol. While the alcohol will technically cook off, if you want to avoid it altogether, just use 1 1/2 cups of sparkling cider.
- Remove the toothpicks and cloves before serving. We don’t want any accidents!
Make it a Meal – side dishes to serve with ham
Vegetables
- Horseradish Cheddar Mashed Cauliflower
- Honey Roasted Carrots
- Cornmeal Crusted Asparagus or Oven Roasted Asparagus
- Pineapple Glazed Green Beans with Pecans
Potatoes and starches
- Corn Pudding
- Scalloped Sweet Potatoes and Apples
- Gluten Free Cornbread with Apple Butter
- Broccoli Cheese Twice Baked Potatoes
Is ham gluten free?
While the meat itself is naturally gluten free, the ingredients used in the brines to make the hams of the glazes that come with them may not be. This is why it’s a good idea to make your own, and why I am sharing this apple cider glazed ham recipe using ingredients that don’t contain gluten.
You just need to be sure to buy a ham that does not have gluten-containing ingredients or is a high risk for cross-contamination. While most brands won’t state that their products meet the definition of gluten free, they will typically disclose gluten-containing ingredients.
However, it is best to stick with those that are certified gluten free. Look for hams from brands like Cook’s and Jones Dairy Farms, which are gluten free at the time of this writing. Be cautious with brands like Smithfield, Hormel, and even HoneyBaked Ham Company, which could be a risk.
Storing Leftover Ham
If you have any leftover ham, be sure to wrap it tightly, and you can keep it in the refrigerator for about a week. You can also wrap it and place it in a plastic freezer storage bag and freeze for up to two months.
What can you make with leftover ham?
- Pineapple Ham Cheese Ball
- Broccoli Ham and Cheese Egg Muffins
- Hawaiian Pizza
- Hawaiian Scrambled Eggs with Cheese
- Cheesy Ham and Broccoli Rice Skillet from The Salty Marshmallow
And don’t throw away that ham bone. You can use your ham hock to make Split Pea Soup with Ham.
Hard Apple Cider Brown Sugar Glazed Ham
Ingredients
- 10-15 lb. cooked smoked ham , shank or butt end, not spiral cut
- 1 Tablespoon whole cloves
- 20 oz. can pineapple rings , do not drain
- 12 oz. bottle of hard apple cider
- 1 medium onion , sliced thin
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 3 Tablespoons yellow mustard
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- If the ham has a rind on the outside, trim this off if you prefer. Do not trim off all the fat, make sure there is still a thick layer of fat on the outside. Using a paring knife, score the fat/meat in a diamond shape all around the ham. Do not cut too far into the meat, just a light scoring.
- Place the ham cut side down into a large baking pan with deep sides. Press the cloves into the ham every couple of inches. Attach the pineapple rings with toothpicks.
- Pour the hard cider and remaining pineapple juice over the ham. Add the sliced onions to the bottom of the pan.
- Cover everything in foil and bake for 15 minutes per pound.
- Remove the foil. In a small bowl whisk together the brown sugar and yellow mustard. Add a couple of tablespoons of the ham drippings to help make a smooth paste. Brush the glaze all over the ham.
- Place the ham back in the oven to caramelize the glaze, up to 30 minutes. Keep an eye on it because it might burn. You are looking for an internal temperature of about 140°F.
- Let the ham rest for 30 minutes before slicing. Make sure to remove the cloves and toothpicks before slicing. Serve with the drippings on the side as an au jus.
Did you make this?
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