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Best Brown Sugar Pineapple Glazed Ham Recipe for a Crowd

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This is the ultimate holiday ham recipe—a sweet and tangy brown sugar pineapple glazed ham that feeds a crowd on a budget. It’s forgiving, affordable, and tastes like the holiday you remember, with a caramelized glaze that seeps into every slice.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (8-10 lb) bone-in fully cooked ham, shank or butt portion
  • 1–2 teaspoons whole cloves
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 (20 oz) can pineapple rings in juice, drained, juice reserved
  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice (reserved from the can)
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Take the ham out of the refrigerator about 1 hour before cooking. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Remove ham from packaging, rinse quickly under cold water, and pat dry with paper towels. Place ham, fat side up, on a rack in a roasting pan.
  2. Using a sharp knife, score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern, making cuts about 1/4-inch deep and 1 inch apart.
  3. Stud the center of each diamond with a whole clove, pushing it in gently until secure.
  4. In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, 1/4 cup reserved pineapple juice, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, ground cinnamon, ground cloves (if using), and a pinch of salt. Whisk over medium heat until simmering, then reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved and glaze has thickened slightly. Remove from heat.
  5. Arrange drained pineapple rings on top of the ham, securing each with a toothpick through the center hole into the ham.
  6. Using a basting brush or spoon, generously apply about half of the glaze over the entire surface of the ham, getting it into the scored cuts.
  7. Place ham in the preheated oven, uncovered. Bake for about 15 minutes per pound (2 to 2.5 hours for an 8-10 lb ham). After the first 30 minutes, baste with pan juices. Continue basting every 20-30 minutes with remaining glaze or pan juices. If top gets too dark, tent loosely with aluminum foil. Ham is done when internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).
  8. Remove ham from oven and let rest for 15-20 minutes. Remove toothpicks and pineapple rings if desired. Carve against the grain into thin slices and serve with pan juices drizzled on top.

Notes

Don’t skip scoring the ham—it allows the glaze to seep in and create a flavorful crust. Watch the sugar content; brown sugar can burn quickly, so tent with foil if the glaze gets too dark. Use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness (140°F/60°C). Double the glaze recipe if you like extra sauce. Leftover ham can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown sugar pineapple glazed ham, holiday ham, Easter ham, Christmas ham, glazed ham recipe, crowd-pleasing ham, bone-in ham

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/best-brown-sugar-pineapple-glazed-ham-recipe-for-a-crowd/