Tasty Brown Sugar Baked Ham with Pineapple

Growing up, holiday hams in our house always came from the grocery store’s deli counter, pre-sliced and ready to eat. My mom wasn’t much of a cook, and the idea of baking a whole ham seemed too overwhelming.

But here’s the thing about baked ham – it’s actually one of the easiest holiday dishes you can make. All you need is a good ham, some brown sugar, and pineapple. The oven does most of the work, and the result is a juicy, flavorful ham that’ll make you wonder why you ever settled for the deli counter version.

What Kind of Ham Should I Use?

For a classic baked ham, you’ll want to start with a bone-in ham that’s already fully cooked (sometimes labeled as “ready to eat” or “city ham”). These hams are wet-cured and smoked, giving them that traditional ham flavor we all know and love. The bone adds extra flavor during cooking and helps keep the meat moist – plus, you can use it later for soup! Most grocery store hams come in two cuts: the shank end (which is easier to carve but a bit tougher) or the butt end (which is meatier but trickier to cut). Either one works great for this recipe, though the shank end tends to look prettier on a holiday table. Just make sure to check the label for any added water content – hams with less added water will give you better flavor and texture.

Options for Substitutions

This classic ham recipe can be adapted with several easy swaps if needed:

• Bone-in ham: While bone-in ham gives the best flavor, you can use boneless ham instead. Just reduce cooking time by about 30 minutes since boneless cooks faster.
• Canned pineapple: Fresh pineapple works great too – you’ll need about 2 cups chopped. Just add 1/4 cup of pineapple juice or orange juice to make up for the missing canned juice. You can also swap pineapple for canned mandarin oranges or peaches if you prefer.
• Brown sugar: Out of brown sugar? Mix 1 1/2 cups white sugar with 1 1/2 tablespoons molasses. Maple syrup or honey can work too, but reduce the amount to 1 cup since they’re more liquid.
• Dijon mustard: Regular yellow mustard or whole grain mustard work just fine. If you’re not a fan of mustard, try 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar instead for that tangy kick.
• Ground cloves: If you don’t have ground cloves, try 1/4 teaspoon of allspice or nutmeg, or a mix of both. You can also leave it out if you’re not fond of that spice note.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest mistake when baking a ham is not scoring the fat in a diamond pattern – this crucial step allows the glaze to seep into the meat and creates those appealing crispy edges everyone loves. Another common error is baking the ham uncovered for the entire cooking time, which can lead to a dry, overcooked exterior – instead, keep it covered with foil for most of the cooking process, removing the foil only in the last 30 minutes to caramelize the glaze. To prevent the sugary glaze from burning, avoid applying it too early in the cooking process – wait until the last 30-45 minutes of baking time, and baste the ham every 10 minutes during this final stretch. For the juiciest results, let your ham rest for 20-30 minutes after removing it from the oven, which allows the meat’s internal temperature to stabilize and keeps those flavorful juices from running out when you slice it.

What to Serve With Baked Ham?

When it comes to serving baked ham, classic side dishes like creamy mashed potatoes or sweet potato casserole are always crowd-pleasers. The sweetness of this brown sugar and pineapple ham pairs really well with green vegetables – try roasted Brussels sprouts, green beans, or asparagus to balance out the meal. For a complete holiday-style spread, add some soft dinner rolls (perfect for making mini ham sandwiches with the leftovers!) and a simple mac and cheese that the whole family will love. If you want to embrace the tropical vibe from the pineapple, a fresh fruit salad makes a great addition to round out your plate.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: After your holiday feast, wrap the leftover ham tightly in aluminum foil or place it in an airtight container. It’ll stay good in the fridge for 4-5 days. The pineapple-brown sugar glaze helps keep the meat moist, which is perfect for sandwiches throughout the week!

Freeze: Got more ham than you can handle? Cut it into smaller portions, wrap them well in plastic wrap and then foil, and pop them in the freezer. They’ll keep nicely for up to 2 months. This way, you can thaw just what you need for future meals.

Enjoy Later: When you’re ready to use your frozen ham, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. To serve, you can eat it cold in sandwiches, or gently warm it in a 325°F oven, covered with foil, until it reaches your desired temperature. Just be careful not to overheat, as this can dry out the meat.

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	90-105 minutes
Total Time	105-125 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 3500-4000
• Protein: 200-220 g
• Fat: 220-250 g
• Carbohydrates: 300-350 g

Ingredients

• 1 bone-in ham, 8 to 10 pounds
• 1 can pineapple pieces, undrained (20 oz)
• 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon dijon-style mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves, ground

Step 1: Prepare the Ham

Preheat your oven to 325°F.

Take your ham and place it cut side down in a baking or roasting pan.

Using a sharp knife, score the top of the ham diagonally, creating a cross-hatch pattern with lines about 1-inch apart and ¼-inch deep.

Set the ham aside for now.

Step 2: Make the Pineapple Glaze

In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the pineapple (and its juice), brown sugar, mustard, and ground cloves.

Stir the mixture occasionally and bring it to a boil.

Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and let the glaze thicken, which should take about 10-15 minutes.

Step 3: Glaze and Bake the Ham

Once your glaze has thickened, brush it over the scored ham, making sure to get some of the glaze in between the slices.

Reserve about 1/4 of the glaze for later.

Place the ham in the oven and bake until it is heated through and the glaze has caramelized, approximately 90 minutes.

Be sure to brush the ham with additional glaze every 30 minutes to keep it moist and flavorful.

Step 4: Finish and Serve

After the baking time is complete, remove the ham from the oven and brush it with the remaining reserved glaze for a final touch of flavor.

Let it cool slightly before serving to allow the glaze to set.

Slice and enjoy your beautifully glazed ham with your family or guests!