This Pineapple Ham Glaze with brown sugar and honey makes the most delicious, thick sauce to coat over a spiral ham. It's super easy to make in just 10 minutes.
You know that glaze packet that came with your spiral ham? Toss it right into the trash and make this sweet pineapple ham glaze instead!
I know it's tempting to save time and use the packet that comes with the spiral ham you already bought, but check out those ingredients. They are usually filled with lots of preservatives and even the texture leaves me wondering what I'm cooking up for my family.
This ham glaze recipe is seriously so easy and combines a lot of ingredients that you already have in your fridge and pantry. Trust me, it's way better tasting and better for you. It doesn't matter if you are oven baking a ham or making a smoked ham recipe, this recipe works for them all!
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Why You'll Love This Pineapple Glaze Recipe:
- It has a sweet and fruity flavor, which pairs perfectly with ham.
- This pineapple glaze only takes 10 minutes to make.
- The ingredients are simple.
- This pineapple sauce has a thick texture like honey and caramelizes onto the ham.
If you are making this for the holidays, be sure to check my Double Smoked Ham Recipe that pairs with this Pineapple Glaze! Also, try these cheesy party potatoes and brown sugar and honey glazed carrots.
Ingredients:
Pineapple Juice-My favorite part of this glaze and what really separates it from a basic brown sugar glaze. Pineapple tastes amazing with ham and I love the fruity sweetness and a bit of tart flavor that it brings to the table. I always buy these little Dole cans because if I buy the large can, it never gets used.
Brown Sugar- A popular glaze ingredient and what most people are looking for in a ham glaze. The brown sugar creates a caramelized and molasses flavor.
Dijon Mustard- Dijon mustard has a tangy taste and also uses vinegar in the process. This brings in its unique flavor and cuts down the sweetness. Only a little bit is used, because we want a really sweet flavor in a ham glaze.
Honey- Used for additional sweetness and for it's thick texture.
Cornstarch & Water- Creates a slurry that will thicken the sauce into a glaze. Without the cornstarch mixture, it is really difficult to get the glaze a consistency that sticks to the ham.
Butter-Brings in a touch of savory into the recipe.
Cinnamon and Clove-Both are warm spices that pair well with the savory flavors from ham. Cloves can be overpowering, which is why I've paired them with the cinnamon and used a very small amount. You will be surprised with how much you can taste these two in the glaze, with less than a teaspoon used.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Variations:
If you don't like the taste of clove, feel free to leave it out entirely.
Can't have dairy? Leave out the butter.
Not crazy about pineapple flavor or missing it from the fridge? Try substituting it with orange juice or even apple cider.
How to Make Pineapple Ham Glaze:
If you are baking a pre-cooked spiral ham in the oven, refer to the directions on the package. You can add half the glaze before baking, and the remaining half about 20 minutes before it's finished baking. If you are smoking a ham, make sure to check out my recipe for double smoked ham.
Here are the Step by Step Instructions for this Simple Ham Glaze.
Step 1: Make a Cornstarch Slurry
Into a small bowl, add in the cornstarch and water and whisk until fully mixed, with no cornstarch powder visible. Set aside.
Step 2: Mix Glaze Ingredients
Into a saucepan over medium heat, add pineapple juice, brown sugar, butter, dijon mustard, honey, clove and cinnamon. Allow the butter to melt and whisk to combine.
Step 3: Add in Cornstarch mixture
Once the butter has melted in the pot, pour in the cornstarch mixture. Whisk to combine.
Step 4: Bring to a rolling boil
Allow the glaze to come to a boil. Once it comes to a rapid (rolling) boil, make sure to whisk frequently. You want it at a rolling boil for about 2 minutes. Then, turn off the heat. It should be nice and thick at this point. Remove from the burner.
Step 5: Coat Glaze on Spiral Ham
Brush the glaze generously over the spiral ham and even between the slices for extra flavor. Place back in the oven or smoker for 20 to 30 minutes to get the best consistency before serving.
Step 6:
Serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips:
It is really important to make the cornstarch and water slurry for the glaze. Do not add the cornstarch without water into the other ingredients. This will result in white powder that does not dissolve well in the glaze. Been there, done that.
You have to be careful and watch the glaze well when it is at a rolling boil. Only allow it to rapid boil for 2 minutes and whisk while it is happening. It can burn quickly at this point, but it gets us the thickness really quickly and it's an important component.
For more Holiday recipes, check out these Whipped Sweet Potatoes, Hot Honey Brussels Sprouts, and Traeger Smoked Turkey Breast.
Recipe FAQs:
If you are oven baking a pre-cooked Spiral ham, you can use half the glaze before you put it into the oven. Then, about 20 minutes before it's finished, put another coat of glaze on it. That's going to give you the best flavor!
No, don't place a cover on it in the oven or smoker. This allows the pineapple glaze to caramelize on the ham. Also, when the ham is finished, stick a toothpick in the top of the ham and drape the foil gently over the top, so that foil doesn't touch the glaze.
More Holiday Recipes You Will Love:
If you tried this Pineapple Glaze Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
PrintRecipe
Pineapple Ham Glaze
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 and ¼ cup of glaze (enough for a 6 to 10 pound ham) 1x
Description
This Pineapple Ham Glaze is made from pineapple juice, brown sugar and honey and makes the most delicious, thick sauce to coat over a spiral ham. It's super easy to make in just 10 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ⅛ cup water
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¾ cup pineapple juice (a 6 ounce can)
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
If you are baking a pre-cooked spiral ham in the oven, refer to the directions on the package. You can add ½ the glaze before baking, and the remaining ½ about 20 minutes before it's finished baking. If you are smoking a ham, make sure to check out my recipe for double smoked ham.
- Into a small bowl, add in the cornstarch and water and whisk until fully mixed, with no cornstarch powder visible. Set aside.
- Into a saucepan over medium heat, add pineapple juice, brown sugar, butter, dijon mustard, honey, clove and cinnamon. Allow the butter to melt and whisk to combine.
- Once the butter has melted in the pot, pour in the cornstarch mixture. Whisk to combine.
- Allow the glaze to come to a boil. Once it comes to a rapid boil, make sure to whisk frequently. You want it at a rolling boil for about 2 minutes. Then, turn off the heat. It should be nice and thick at this point. Remove from the burner.
- Brush the glaze generously over the spiral ham and even between the slices for extra flavor. Place back in the oven or smoker for 20 to 30 minutes to get the best consistency before serving.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Notes
It is really important to make the cornstarch and water slurry for the glaze. Do not add the cornstarch without water into the other ingredients. This will result in white powder that does not dissolve well in the glaze. Been there, done that.
You have to be careful and watch the glaze well when it is at a rolling boil. Only allow it to rapid boil for 2 minutes and whisk while it is happening. It can burn quickly at this point, but it gets us the thickness really quickly and it's an important component.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: sauce
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: american
Donna
Can you make this ahead of time. Like a day
Tara Smithson
Yes! Totally fine. You might need to warm it up to make the texture right to brush on 🙂
Rick Johnson
Loved it defiantly recommend it! I went with a can of crushed Pineapple.
Thank you.
Tara Smithson
Hi Rick! So glad you liked it. That sounds super yummy and thanks so much for the review.
Payton
I made this with glaze with my ham. Highly recommend using this over the fake ingredient packet. So yummy!
Tara Smithson
Yay! So glad you tried it. I think it's way better too!