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Perfect Brown Sugar Glazed Spiral Ham Recipe with Pineapple Easy & Delicious

brown sugar glazed spiral ham - featured image

A simple and delicious brown sugar glazed spiral ham with pineapple that delivers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, ideal for holidays, gatherings, or family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 810 pounds spiral cut ham, pre-cooked, bone-in
  • 1 cup (220g) packed brown sugar (preferably dark brown sugar)
  • 1 can (about 20 oz/565g) pineapple rings, drained (fresh pineapple rings can be used)
  • 1215 whole cloves
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup as a substitute)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • ½ cup (120 ml) water or pineapple juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
  2. Remove the spiral ham from packaging and pat dry with paper towels. Place it cut-side down in your roasting pan.
  3. Using a sharp knife, gently press whole cloves into the ham’s surface, spacing about 1-2 inches apart.
  4. In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey, and cinnamon. Stir until smooth and glossy.
  5. Brush a generous layer of the brown sugar glaze all over the ham, making sure to get into the spiral cuts.
  6. Place the pineapple rings over the top of the ham, securing each ring with a toothpick if needed.
  7. Pour about ½ cup (120 ml) of water or pineapple juice into the bottom of the pan to keep the ham moist. Tent the ham loosely with aluminum foil.
  8. Bake for about 1 to 1.5 hours, basting every 20 minutes with more glaze. Remove the foil in the last 20 minutes to let the glaze caramelize and get sticky.
  9. Check that the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, look for bubbling glaze and hot steam.
  10. Let the ham rest for 10 minutes before slicing to keep juices locked in.

Notes

Brush the glaze every 20 minutes for a rich, glossy finish. Tent the ham with foil to prevent pineapple from burning. Let the ham rest before slicing to keep it juicy. Use fresh pineapple rings for better texture if preferred. Substitute honey with maple syrup for a vegan-friendly option. Use lemon juice instead of apple cider vinegar for a dairy-free or vegan twist.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown sugar glazed ham, spiral ham recipe, pineapple ham, holiday ham, easy ham recipe, baked ham, glazed ham with pineapple