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Ham-lovers, you need to try my Pineapple Glaze Recipe! This pineapple glaze for ham easily makes any ham recipe taste incredible. Loaded with flavor, simple ingredients, and ready in 10 minutes! I know you're going to love every bite!
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Pineapple Ham Glaze
I look forward to making ham every year for the holidays, and have made it every way you can imagine. Smoked, grilled, roasted, air fried, Instant Pot. You can't go wrong with a good ham recipe!
One thing I love to do every time I make ham is switch up the glaze I'm using, and out of all of the glazes I've made, one of my very favorites is this ham glaze with pineapple. I just love pineapple ham.
My pineapple glaze for ham is loaded with fresh pineapple, pineapple juice, brown sugar, and simple spices. It adds a sweet flavor to ham, with sticky, caramelized edges. Skip the store-bought glaze packets and try my pineapple glaze recipe for an amazing treat!
Pineapple Ham Glaze Ingredients
- Pineapple: You can use fresh pineapple or pineapple rings. The pineapple should be crushed or chopped.
- Pineapple Juice: Adds so much delicious pineapple flavor to the glaze! I recommend using fresh pineapple juice, but you can use the juice from canned pineapple chunks or pineapple slices, or purchase juice from the store.
- Cinnamon Powder: Combined with cloves, cinnamon adds the perfect touch of sweetness to a tangy pineapple glaze.
- Cloves: The flavor cloves bring to a pineapple glaze is unique and so delicious.
- Light Brown Sugar: You can use dark brown sugar, too, but keep in mind it will alter the flavor.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is best for this glaze.
How to Make Pineapple Glaze for Ham
- In a small skillet add freshly chopped pineapple and pineapple juice over medium heat. Mix together well.
- Add in brown sugar, cinnamon, and cloves. Stir to combine and continue cooking until your glaze begins to lightly boil.
- Turn down the heat to a low and cook for another 10 minutes, or until thickened.
- Finish off the glaze by adding butter and mix well until fully melted.
- Use glaze immediately on a ham or store it in the refrigerator.
Pineapple Glaze Recipe Tips
- Make Ahead: You can easily make pineapple ham glaze ahead of time by storing it in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for 2 weeks. Before using glaze, reheat it on the stovetop or microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until it reaches a thin consistency.
- You can replace the brown sugar in this glaze with regular sugar or use dark brown sugar.
- If you have leftover pineapple glaze, don't throw it out! Brush a little glaze over leftover ham to make it as delicious as the first time or make these easy and delicious ham sandwiches.
- Make sure to brush the sweet pineapple sauce in between the ham slices. You will love me for this tip!
Storing Pineapple Ham Glaze
- Refrigerator: Store my easy pineapple glaze for ham in an airtight container placed in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezer: Freeze any leftover glaze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Be sure to thaw completely and reheat before using.
Easy Brown Sugar Pineapple Glaze FAQ
You can glaze a ham both before and after baking, and even during! Some recipes will suggest you should not glaze a ham until the final 30 minutes in the oven, but as long as you cover the ham with foil, it won't burn. Glazing your ham ensures it will be moist and fork-tender every time. Brush between the slices, too!
You can easily substitute orange juice for pineapple juice when making pineapple glaze, and it will be just as delicious.
How to Use Your Ham Leftovers
Check out all my Side Dishes for Ham, and even more Leftovers for Ham!
If you enjoyed the recipe, leave a comment and a rating below!
Pineapple Glaze for Ham
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh pineapple - finely chopped
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 4-5 cloves
- ½ cup light brown sugar - packed
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- In a small skillet add freshly chopped pineapple and pineapple juice over medium heat. Mix together well.1 cup fresh pineapple,1 cup pineapple juice
- Add in brown sugar, cinnamon, and cloves. Stir to combine and continue cooking until your glaze begins to lightly boil.½ teaspoon cinnamon powder,½ cup light brown sugar,4-5 cloves
- Turn down the heat to a low and cook for another 10 minutes, or until thickened.
- Finish off the glaze by adding butter and mix well until fully melted.1 tablespoon butter
- Use glaze immediately on a ham or store it in the refrigerator.
Notes
- I recommend using fresh pineapple juice, but you can use the juice from canned pineapple chunks or pineapple slices, or purchase juice from the store.
- You can replace the brown sugar in this glaze with regular sugar.
- If you have leftover pineapple glaze don't throw it out! Brush a little glaze over leftover ham to make it as delicious as the first time.
Luanne Rayvals says
Doesn't this type of sauce need cornstarch?
Isabel Laessig says
Hi Luanne! No, it doesn't. It reaches a glaze-like consistency just from cooking it down in the pan. You could add cornstarch to thicken it further or more quickly, but it's not necessary and I wouldn't personally recommend it. Enjoy!
Kathy Winstead says
This recipe is just what I was looking for! Thank you for printing it!
Isabel Laessig says
Kathy, I am so glad to hear that! Thank you so much for leaving a comment.