This Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham is the perfect centerpiece for any special occasion or holiday meal. Juicy spiral-cut ham gets a sweet, tangy upgrade with pineapple slices and a brown sugar rub. It's easy to make and packed with flavor, ensuring everyone at the table will love it!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Family-Friendly: A classic dish that’s loved by all ages.
- Effortless Elegance: Minimal prep with maximum flavor makes this dish a showstopper.
- Sweet and Savory: The combination of brown sugar and pineapple creates the perfect balance.
🥘 Ingredients
- Bone-In Spiral Ham: Juicy, pre-cooked ham that’s easy to prepare and absorbs flavors beautifully.
- Pineapple Slices: Adds a tangy, tropical sweetness to the dish.
- Brown Sugar: Caramelizes during baking, creating a sweet glaze.
- Pineapple Juice: Keeps the ham moist and infuses it with flavor.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Honey Mustard Glaze: Mix honey and Dijon mustard with the pineapple juice for a tangy glaze.
- Maple Glaze: Replace brown sugar with maple syrup for a deeper sweetness.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the brown sugar for a sweet-and-spicy twist.
- Herb Infusion: Add fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs to the baking dish for a subtle herbal note.
🔪How To Bake Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham
Step One: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the packaging from the pre-cooked spiral ham and place it in a large, oven-safe casserole dish. Open the can of pineapple slices and arrange the slices between the layers of the spiral-cut ham.
Step Two: Pour the juice from the can over the ham to keep it moist while cooking. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over the top of the pineapple slices and ham. Adjust the sugar amount depending on your desired sweetness.
Step Three: Cover the ham tightly with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 1.5 hours, or until heated through. Cooking time may vary based on the size of the ham. Check the ham periodically and baste it with the juices from the dish to ensure it stays moist and flavorful.
Step Four: If your ham came with a glaze packet, mix it with a few tablespoons of pineapple juice and brush it over the ham during the last 15 minutes of cooking for extra flavor. Once the ham is heated through, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. Slice and serve with the pineapple slices.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Check Temperature: The ham should reach an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C) for optimal serving.
- Use Fresh Pineapple: For a fresher flavor, substitute canned pineapple with fresh slices and juice.
- Prevent Dryness: Baste the ham every 20-30 minutes with the juices to keep it moist.
- Foil is Key: Covering the ham tightly ensures it stays juicy and prevents it from drying out.
💭 FAQs
Spiral-cut ham is preferred because it absorbs the flavors more effectively and is easier to serve. However, you can use a whole ham and score the surface to allow the glaze to penetrate.
Absolutely! You can prepare the ham, including the pineapple slices and brown sugar rub, up to a day ahead. Cover it tightly with foil and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.
When reheating, cover the ham tightly with foil and add a splash of pineapple juice to the dish to keep it moist. Heat at a low temperature (325°F) until warmed through.
If you’re not a fan of pineapple, try using orange slices and orange juice or even apple slices with apple juice for a different twist on the recipe.
Store leftover ham in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To freeze wrap ham slices tightly in foil or plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
🧂Serving Suggestions
Here are some great sides to serve with spiral ham:
- Potatoes: Pair with mashed potatoes, parmesan au gratin potatoes, or roasted sweet potatoes.
- Vegetables: Serve with green beans, roasted brussels sprouts with maple syrup or glazed carrots.
- Bread: Offer dinner rolls or jalapeno cornbread to soak up the juices.
- Fruits: Complement with a kiwi fruit salad or a side of cranberry orange sauce.
- Salads: Serve with charred corn salad or a creamy goat cheese and apple salad.
- red cabbage coleslaw: The tangy crunch of this coleslaw perfectly balances the sweetness of the ham.
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Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham
Ingredients
- 1 Bone-In Spiral Ham Pre-Cooked
- 1 Can Pineapple Slices With Juice
- ¼ Cup Brown Sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the packaging from the ham and place it in a large oven-safe dish. Arrange the pineapple slices between the layers of ham.
- Pour the pineapple juice over the ham. Sprinkle brown sugar on top of the ham and pineapple slices, adjusting the amount for your preferred sweetness.
- Cover the ham with aluminum foil and bake for 1.5 hours, or until heated through. Baste the ham with its juices occasionally to keep it moist.
- If your ham has a glaze packet, mix it with a little pineapple juice and brush it over the ham in the last 15 minutes of baking.
- Once done, remove from the oven, let it rest for 5-10 minutes, then slice and serve with the pineapple slices.
