Sweet and Tangy Ham with Pineapple Glaze

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 2 hours
🍽 Serves: 10
★★★★★
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This Sweet and Tangy Ham with Pineapple Glaze is a delightful twist on a classic holiday dish. The combination of pineapple, ginger, and cloves infuses the ham with a vibrant flavor that's perfect for special occasions. Let's dive into this easy and mouthwatering recipe!

Sweet and Tangy Ham with Pineapple Glaze

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Ingredients for Sweet and Tangy Ham with Pineapple Glaze

Ingredients for Sweet and Tangy Ham with Pineapple Glaze

Ham is the star of the show here, offering a savory base that's enhanced by the glaze. Make sure it's fully cooked and bone-in for the best texture and flavor.

Pineapple juice adds sweetness and acidity, working as the foundation of your glaze. It pairs beautifully with the ham.

Brown sugar brings a deep molasses sweetness that caramelizes beautifully in the oven.

Honey adds another layer of sweetness, complementing the brown sugar and pineapple juice.

Dijon mustard offers a tangy, slightly spicy kick that balances the sweetness.

Apple cider vinegar adds a touch of acidity, brightening the flavors and helping to tenderize the meat.

Ginger provides warmth and a subtle zing that makes the dish more complex.

Ground cloves offer a warm, aromatic quality that pairs well with the sweet ingredients.

Pineapple slices not only add flavor but also make for a beautiful presentation when arranged on the ham.

Maraschino cherries are optional but add a pop of color and additional sweetness.

Cornstarch and cold water are used to thicken the glaze, ensuring it clings nicely to each slice of ham.

Why This Sweet and Tangy Ham with Pineapple Glaze Works

In the oven, the ham slowly warms through instead of cooking hard and fast. Since it is already fully cooked, the gentle heat at 325°F keeps the meat moist while the outside dries just enough for the glaze to stick. As the ham heats, the fat under the skin softens and melts a bit, so the sweet and tangy glaze can soak into the scored cuts and around the bone.

On the stove, the pineapple juice, brown sugar, honey, mustard, vinegar, ginger, and cloves simmer until some of the water cooks off. The glaze becomes a little thicker and stickier, so it clings to the ham instead of sliding off. During baking, each basting coats the surface again, and the sugar on the outside starts to brown and form a shiny, slightly chewy layer.

Near the end, the foil comes off and the outside of the ham dries and browns more, while the inside stays juicy. After baking, the cornstarch slurry goes into the leftover glaze on the stove. As it heats, the cornstarch swells and turns the liquid into a smooth, spoonable sauce that stays on each slice instead of running all over the plate.

Sweet and Tangy Ham with Pineapple Glaze Tips & Tricks

  • Score the ham deeply enough to let the glaze penetrate but not so deeply that it falls apart.
  • If you're using a spiral-cut ham, be sure to tuck the pineapple slices in between the layers for added flavor.
  • For a more intense flavor, prepare the glaze a day in advance and let the ham marinate in it overnight.

Mistakes To Avoid

Letting the ham bake too long, especially past the 2-hour mark, dries it out even though it’s already fully cooked. The meat starts to tighten and squeeze out its juices, so the slices turn stringy and tough instead of juicy.

Cranking the oven hotter than 325°F to “speed it up” causes the glaze and pineapple on the outside to burn before the inside of the ham is warmed through. The sugar on the surface darkens too fast, turning bitter and sticky while the center stays lukewarm.

Skipping the foil cover for most of the baking time leaves the ham exposed to direct heat the whole time. The outside then hardens and shrivels, and the glaze can scorch on the pan instead of slowly soaking into the surface.

Adding the cornstarch directly into hot glaze without first mixing it with cold water makes it clump instantly. The sauce ends up with gummy lumps and never turns into a smooth, glossy glaze for serving.

Equipment Used:

Roasting pan, Saucepan, Basting brush, Toothpicks

Ingredients

  1. 5 lbs fully-cooked bone-in ham
  2. 1 1/2 cups pineapple juice
  3. 1 cup brown sugar
  4. 1/4 cup honey
  5. 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  6. 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  7. 2 tbsp grated fresh ginger
  8. 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  9. 1 can (20 oz) pineapple slices, drained
  10. 10-12 maraschino cherries, optional
  11. 2 tbsp cornstarch
  12. 1/4 cup cold water

Step-by-step Instructions

  1. 1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
  2. 2. Score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern and place it in a roasting pan.
  3. 3. In a saucepan, combine pineapple juice, brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, ginger, and cloves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
  4. 4. Remove from heat and brush the glaze over the ham, reserving some for basting.
  5. 5. Arrange pineapple slices and maraschino cherries on the ham, securing with toothpicks if necessary.
  6. 6. Cover the ham with foil and bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, basting every 30 minutes with reserved glaze.
  7. 7. Mix cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry, then add to the remaining glaze and cook until thickened.
  8. 8. Remove the foil for the last 15 minutes to allow the ham to caramelize.
  9. 9. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving with the thickened glaze.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a boneless ham?
Yes, a boneless ham works fine, though a bone-in ham tends to be more flavorful and juicy.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftover ham in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
What if I don't have fresh ginger?
You can substitute with 1 teaspoon of ground ginger, though fresh ginger is preferred for its vibrant flavor.

Serving Ideas for Sweet and Tangy Ham with Pineapple Glaze

This ham pairs wonderfully with classic holiday sides like mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, or roasted vegetables. For a more tropical twist, serve it with coconut rice and a fresh greens salad. It’s an elegant centerpiece for any festive table.

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This recipe is for informational purposes only. Always follow proper food safety practices, cook foods to safe internal temperatures, and store leftovers appropriately. Results may vary.