Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham Recipe

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Cozy Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham Recipe, Made Simple

There’s something truly heartwarming about a ham glazed with brown sugar and pineapple, isn’t there? This Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham Recipe reminds me of those slow weekend mornings where the kitchen fills with a toasty, sweet aroma that just wraps you up like a warm blanket. Whether you’re preparing for a holiday feast or a comforting family dinner, this dish hits all the right notes—with a golden, buttery finish and a touch of tropical brightness.

I love how straightforward this recipe is—no fuss, just simple ingredients that come together beautifully. The pineapple slices provide a gentle tanginess, perfectly balanced by the rich caramel notes of brown sugar, creating an inviting glaze that seeps into every tender slice. You’ll find it’s a fantastic way to brighten a classic ham without scrambling for complicated steps or hard-to-find ingredients.

As you follow along, I’ll share little tips from my own kitchen that help keep this ham moist and full of flavor. So grab your apron, and let’s create a dish that’s both comforting and a bit special—just like those treasured weekend chats over coffee.

Ingredient Lowdown

• Bone-in spiral ham (pre-cooked): The star of the show. Its pre-cooked nature means we focus on glazing and warming through rather than long roasting.
• Canned pineapple slices (with juice): Adds a lovely tang and moisture—don’t skip using the juice for that tropical glaze!
• Brown sugar: Brings deep caramel sweetness and helps create that toasty golden crust that pairs wonderfully with the ham’s saltiness.

Set Up for Success

Before you dive in, get everything prepped and ready to go. Preheat your oven to 350°F so it’s nice and even when the ham goes in. Grab an oven-safe casserole dish that snugly fits your ham—this keeps all those gorgeous juices from escaping and makes basting easy. I like to remove any packaging carefully and have my foil sheets on hand for covering.

Step-by-Step: Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham Recipe

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. This moderate heat ensures the ham warms evenly without drying out.
2. Unwrap your pre-cooked ham and place it in your casserole dish. I like to pat it gently with a paper towel here to remove any excess packaging residue.
3. Open the can of pineapple slices and carefully tuck them between the spiral cuts of the ham. This not only infuses flavor but creates those beautiful pockets of golden sweetness that peek through the slices.
4. Pour the pineapple juice from the can all over the ham, letting it soak in for extra moisture and tang.
5. Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the pineapple and ham. I usually add a light layer at first, then sprinkle a bit more toward the end for that perfect, sticky glaze. Feel free to adjust sweetness to your liking—sometimes I add a pinch more if I want it really caramelized.
6. Cover the ham tightly with aluminum foil to keep in moisture. Bake for about 1½ hours, but remember that timing may shift based on your ham size. You’ll want to gently baste it every 20–30 minutes with the pan juices to keep it moist and build layers of flavor.

7. Once heated through, slice the ham and serve it with the caramelized pineapple slices arranged on top or alongside. The contrast of salty ham and the crisp, juicy pineapple is a crowd-pleaser.

Flavor Twists for Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham Recipe

• Add a dash of ground cloves or cinnamon to the brown sugar for cozy warm spice notes.
• Mix a tablespoon of Dijon mustard with the brown sugar for a subtle tang and depth.
• Swap pineapple slices for mandarin orange segments for a citrusy zing.
• Drizzle with a bit of maple syrup during baking for a rich, woodsy sweetness.
• Add crushed red pepper flakes if you want a gentle kick cutting through the sweetness.
• Top with toasted coconut flakes for tropical texture and flavor.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

• Refrigerate leftovers
• Freeze slices: Lay them flat in a freezer bag with parchment between layers to avoid sticking. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.
• Reheat low and slow in the oven at 250°F, covered with foil and a splash of pineapple juice to keep moist.
• Make ahead: You can prep the ham with pineapple and brown sugar the night before, cover tightly, and bake the next day—just add extra basting when warming up.

Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham Recipe FAQs

• Can I use a boneless ham? Yes! Just adjust baking time so it warms through evenly. The pineapple slices will still add lovely flavor.
• Do I need to soak the ham before cooking? Pre-cooked hams don’t require soaking. The pineapple juice in this recipe adds plenty of moisture.
• What if I don’t have brown sugar? You can substitute with coconut sugar or a mix of granulated sugar plus molasses for a similar caramel richness.
• How do I avoid a dry ham? Frequent basting and keeping the ham covered until the last few minutes help lock in juices and create that succulent texture.
• Can I double this recipe for larger gatherings? Absolutely—just make sure you have a large enough baking dish and increase baking time as needed. Keep basting for the best results.

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Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham Recipe

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This Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham is a sweet and savory baked ham recipe perfect for holiday gatherings or family dinners. The bone-in spiral ham is glazed with brown sugar and pineapple juice, then baked until tender and flavorful, with pineapple slices nestled between the cuts for an extra burst of tropical sweetness.

• Author: Emily
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 8-10 servings
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Ham and Glaze

• 1 bone-in spiral ham (pre-cooked, about 8-10 pounds)
• 1 can pineapple slices (with juice, approximately 20 oz)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to heat fully before baking the ham.
2. Prepare Ham: Remove all packaging from the pre-cooked bone-in spiral ham and place it in an oven-safe casserole or roasting dish large enough to hold it securely.
3. Add Pineapple Slices: Open the can of pineapple slices and carefully tuck these slices into the cuts or spiral slices of the ham, distributing them evenly to infuse flavor throughout.
4. Pour Pineapple Juice: Pour the juice from the pineapple can over the ham to moisten and add sweetness during baking.
5. Add Brown Sugar: Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the ham and pineapple slices. Adjust the amount if you prefer more or less sweetness.
6. Cover and Bake: Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil to keep moisture in and bake the ham for about 1½ hours, or until thoroughly heated. The exact time will depend on the size of the ham.
7. Baste Occasionally: During baking, check the ham once or twice and baste it with the juices collected in the dish to keep it moist and flavorful.
8. Apply Glaze (Optional): If your ham includes a glaze packet, mix the glaze with a few tablespoons of pineapple juice and brush it over the ham about 15 minutes before finishing baking to create a shiny, flavorful coating.
9. Serve: Once done, remove from oven, slice the ham along the spiral cuts, and serve with the pineapple slices for a deliciously sweet and savory meal.

Notes

• Make sure to cover the ham while baking to ensure it stays moist.
• Adjust brown sugar quantity to your desired level of sweetness.
• Use the glaze packet if included for extra flavor and shine.
• Check the internal temperature of the ham to ensure it reaches 140°F for safe consumption.
• Let the ham rest for 10 minutes before slicing to retain juices.