The holiday season is all about gathering loved ones around the table and sharing delicious, meaningful meals. This Holiday Glazed Ham with Sweet and Spicy Pineapple is the perfect centerpiece for your festive feast. With its mouthwatering glaze and flavorful pineapple topping, this ham is sure to delight your guests and become a new holiday tradition.
Why You’ll Love This Holiday Glazed Ham with Sweet and Spicy Pineapple
This show-stopping ham is the ultimate holiday showstopper. The sweet and tangy glaze infuses the meat with bold flavor, while the caramelized pineapple topping adds a bright, zesty contrast. It’s a cozy, indulgent dish that’s easy to prepare, but looks and tastes like it came straight from a gourmet kitchen. Serve this juicy, melty ham as the star of your holiday table, and watch your guests’ eyes light up with every bite.
Ingredients
This holiday glazed ham recipe calls for a few simple, high-quality ingredients that come together to create a truly epic flavor experience. You’ll need a bone-in, spiral-sliced ham, brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and fresh pineapple. The sweet and spicy pineapple topping is the perfect foil to the rich, savory ham.
- 1 (8-10 lb) bone-in, spiral-sliced ham – The spiral-slicing makes for easy, elegant serving.
- 1 cup brown sugar – Gives the glaze a deep, caramelized sweetness.
- 1/2 cup honey – Adds a touch of floral, complex flavor.
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard – Provides a savory, tangy balance to the sweetness.
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar – Brightens up the glaze with a subtle tang.
- 1 fresh pineapple, sliced into rings – The perfect complement to the ham.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Spiral-Sliced Ham: If you can’t find a spiral-sliced ham, you can use a bone-in, unsliced ham and slice it yourself.
- Mustard: You can swap in a different type of mustard, such as whole grain or honey mustard, if desired.
How to Make Holiday Glazed Ham with Sweet and Spicy Pineapple
This holiday glazed ham is surprisingly easy to make, but the results are truly impressive. Follow these simple steps for a show-stopping main dish that’s sure to delight your guests.
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by preheating your oven to 325°F and arranging the ham in a large roasting pan. In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, honey, Dijon, and apple cider vinegar to make the glossy, irresistible glaze.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Brush the ham all over with the glaze, making sure to get in between the slices. Then bake the ham for 12-15 minutes per pound, or until it’s heated through and the glaze is caramelized and shiny.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
While the ham is baking, prepare the pineapple topping. Slice the fresh pineapple into rings, then toss them with a bit of brown sugar and cayenne pepper. Arrange the pineapple rings around the ham during the last 30 minutes of baking.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Once the ham is cooked through and the pineapple is golden and caramelized, remove it from the oven. Let the ham rest for 15 minutes, then slice and serve immediately, spooning any extra glaze over the top.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Spices: For an extra layer of flavor, you can add a blend of warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and allspice to the glaze.
- Fruit Variations: You can swap in different fruit, like peaches or apricots, for the pineapple topping.
- Butter Glaze: If you want to make this dish even more indulgent, brush the ham with a bit of melted butter before glazing.
- Customization: No matter how you customize it, this holiday glazed ham is sure to be the star of your festive feast.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: This holiday glazed ham makes a fantastic main course, paired with your favorite holiday side dishes like roasted vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad.
Storage: Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, and can be enjoyed in sandwiches, omelets, or casseroles.
Reheat: For best results, reheat slices in the oven or a skillet until warmed through.
Make-Ahead: The glaze can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge. Simply reheat it before brushing it onto the ham.
Nutrition Information
This holiday glazed ham is a hearty, satisfying dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd. Each serving provides a generous portion of protein, along with a boost of vitamin C from the pineapple. While it’s an indulgent dish, the sweet and spicy flavors make it truly craveable and memorable.
- Serving Size: 4 oz. (1/8 of 8-10 lb ham)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Protein: 35 g
- Carbs: 17 g
- Fat: 12 g
- Sodium: 1,430 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I bake the ham?
The baking time can vary depending on the size of your ham, but as a general rule, plan for about 12-15 minutes per pound of ham. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F.
Can I make the glaze in advance?
Absolutely! The glaze can be made up to 3 days ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Simply reheat it before brushing it onto the ham.
What side dishes pair well with this ham?
This holiday glazed ham is delicious with a variety of classic holiday sides, like roasted Brussels sprouts, creamy mashed potatoes, or a fresh winter salad.
Can I use a different type of ham?
While a spiral-sliced ham works best for this recipe, you can use a bone-in, unsliced ham as well. Just be sure to adjust the baking time accordingly.
How can I store leftovers?
Leftover ham can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. It also freezes well for up to 3 months.
Try These Next
Print
Holiday Glazed Ham with Sweet and Spicy Pineapple
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 120 minutes
- Total Time: 150 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: 🎉 Festive & Seasonal Feasts
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Holiday Glazed Ham with Sweet and Spicy Pineapple is a festive masterpiece that brings together the sweetness of pineapple and the warmth of spices for a truly delicious centerpiece.
Ingredients
– 1 (8-10 lb) bone-in ham
– 1 cup brown sugar
– 1/2 cup honey
– 1 cup pineapple juice
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
– 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
– 1 can (20 oz) sliced pineapple, drained
– Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
1.
2. 1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
3. 2. Score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern and place it in a roasting pan.
4. 3. In a bowl, mix the brown sugar, honey, pineapple juice, cinnamon, cloves, and cayenne pepper until well combined.
5. 4. Brush the glaze over the ham, making sure to get it into the scored areas.
6. 5. Arrange the pineapple slices on top of the ham and secure them with toothpicks if necessary.
7. 6. Cover the ham loosely with foil and bake for about 1.5 to 2 hours, basting with the glaze every 30 minutes.
8. 7. Remove the foil during the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow the glaze to caramelize.
9. 8. Once cooked, let the ham rest for 15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
– For a sweeter glaze, add more honey.
– Leftovers can be used for sandwiches or added to salads.
– Always let the ham rest before slicing to retain moisture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: ham, holiday, glaze, pineapple