If you’re preparing ham for Easter or any holiday meal, this pineapple ham glaze is the simplest way to add bright, sweet flavor without extra fuss. The classic pineapple-and-ham pairing is a favorite for a reason, and this glaze uses pantry staples—canned pineapple juice, brown sugar, honey, and warm spices—to create a sticky, caramelized finish. It comes together in minutes and can be made ahead.
If your ham didn’t include a premade glaze, don’t worry—making one from scratch is easy and tastier. This homemade pineapple glaze starts with canned pineapple juice for its bright acidity, brown sugar and honey to create a glossy, sticky coating, and a touch of Dijon mustard for balance. I add garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and ground cloves to give the glaze depth and a warm, rounded flavor that elevates the ham far beyond store-bought mixes.
This glaze works especially well on a spiral-cut ham because it slips between the slices and caramelizes along the edges for a beautiful presentation and concentrated flavor.
Helpful Tips & Variations
- Yield: This recipe makes about 1¼ cups of glaze—enough for an 8–10 lb. ham (roughly 12 servings). For a smaller 4–5 lb. ham, halve the recipe.
- Any ham will work: Bone-in spiral hams are ideal, but uncut hams (score in a diamond pattern so the glaze can penetrate), boneless, smoked, or cured hams are all fine. Trim excess rind or fat if needed and ensure the ham isn’t already pre-glazed.
- Basting method: Reserve some glaze to baste during cooking. Brush a layer on before baking, then baste 2–3 more times spaced evenly. Finish with a final baste during the last 20 minutes uncovered to let the glaze caramelize. For an 8 lb. bone-in ham, bake at 325°F for 1.5–2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (about 10–12 minutes per pound).
- Substitutions: If you can’t use pineapple, swap equal parts orange juice. Honey can be replaced with pure maple syrup if you prefer.
Pineapple Ham Glaze
Ingredients
- ¾ cup canned pineapple juice
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ⅛ tsp ground cloves
Instructions
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Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl until the sugar has dissolved and the glaze is smooth.
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Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Warm and stir before brushing over the ham.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes; calculate manually if precise values are required.
How to Make Pineapple Ham Glaze Step by Step
Gather your ingredients: canned pineapple juice, brown sugar, honey, melted butter, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and ground cloves.
Mix the glaze: In a small bowl whisk together ¾ cup canned pineapple juice, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup honey, 2 tbsp melted butter, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp black pepper, and ⅛ tsp ground cloves until smooth and the sugar dissolves.
The glaze is ready to use. Brush it over the ham and bake as directed, reapplying during cooking. Store any leftover glaze in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and warm slightly before using.
Serving Suggestions
This pineapple-glazed ham pairs well with classic holiday sides: mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, roasted broccoli, or a cabbage casserole. Soft dinner rolls or cloverleaf rolls are great for sopping up extra glaze. The sweet-savory profile of the glaze also complements richer sides like cheesy casseroles or a ham-and-Gruyère stuffing.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover glaze in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Warm gently and whisk before brushing over reheated ham.
Recipes For Using Up Leftover Ham
- Ham and Potato Soup — a comforting soup that uses leftover ham and tender potatoes.
- Ham Salad — a simple spread of chopped ham, vegetables, relish, and mayo, great on crackers or sandwiches.
- Ham and Potato Casserole — a creamy, cheesy bake that combines ham with potatoes or hash browns.
- Ham and Gruyère Stuffing — savory stuffing with diced apples, Gruyère, and ham for an elevated side dish.
If you try this glaze, leave a review to let others know how it turned out.