Meta Description:  Forget the fuss! Our Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort. Bake-ready in 2 hours, this recipe is perfect for busy families and festive gatherings.

Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham is a mouthwatering dish that brings together the sweetness of brown sugar and the tanginess of pineapple to create a flavor-packed dish. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or festive gatherings.

How to select the best quality spiral ham for this recipe:

• Check for Labels: Look for hams that are labeled “fully cooked” and “spiral-cut.” Choosing a fully cooked ham ensures convenience and reduces cooking time, while a spiral-cut ham makes serving easier.
• Marbling: Opt for hams with visible marbling throughout the meat. Marbling indicates a good distribution of fat, which contributes to juiciness and tenderness when cooked. Avoid hams that appear overly lean, as they may end up dry.
• Consider Size: Choose a ham size that suits your serving needs. Consider the number of guests you will be serving and the desired leftovers. A larger ham provides more servings and leftovers for additional meals.
• Check for Freshness: Ensure the ham is fresh by checking the expiration or “sell by” date on the packaging. Additionally, inspect the color of the meat. Avoid any hams with discoloration or unpleasant odors.

Is scoring the ham necessary?

While scoring is not necessary, it is recommended for the following reasons:

• Enhances Flavor Absorption: Scoring the ham allows the glaze to penetrate deeper into the meat, resulting in a more flavorful dish. The cuts also create more surface area for the glaze to adhere to during baking.
• Promotes Even Cooking: Scoring helps the ham cook more evenly by allowing heat to penetrate the meat’s interior. This prevents the outer layers from drying out while the interior remains moist and tender.
• Improves Presentation: The scored lines on the ham create an attractive presentation, especially as the glaze caramelizes during baking. This enhances the visual appeal of the dish when serving to guests.
• Increases Crispiness: Scoring can also lead to crispy edges as the glaze caramelizes and forms a delicious crust on the surface of the ham.

How can you enhance the flavor of brown sugar and pineapple glaze?

Although the simple flavors of brown sugar and pineapple glaze work just right, you can enhance the flavor of the brown sugar and pineapple glaze even further. Here are a few ideas:

• Spices: consider adding complementary spices such as cinnamon, cloves, or nutmeg.
• Dijon mustard: You can also experiment with incorporating Dijon mustard for a tangy kick.
• Basting glaze periodically: Additionally, basting the ham with the glaze periodically during baking will intensify the flavors.

What are the different ways of cooking the ham?

While the oven is the traditional method for cooking ham, you can also prepare it in a slow cooker or smoker for added flavor and convenience.

• For a slow cooker, place the scored ham in the pot, add the glaze ingredients, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until heated through.
• For a smoker, follow your smoker’s instructions for temperature and cooking time, adding wood chips for a smoky flavor.

What dishes pair well with Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham?

Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Classics like mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and roasted vegetables are always crowd-pleasers. For a touch of sweetness, consider serving it alongside glazed carrots or a fruity salad. And don’t forget about dinner rolls or cornbread to soak up any leftover juices.

How to use leftover Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham?

Leftover Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. Dice it up and add it to omelets, quiches, or breakfast burritos for a hearty morning meal. You can also use it as a topping for pizzas, salads, or sandwiches for a delicious lunch or dinner option. Alternatively, freeze leftover ham slices for future use in soups, stews, or casseroles.

Brown sugar pineapple ham – The Recipe

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Serving: 4

Ingredients

1 small spiral ham (about 2-3 pounds)

½ cup brown sugar

1 cup pineapple chunks

Glazed Spiral Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Place the spiral ham in a roasting pan, cut side down.
3. Score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern with a sharp knife, about ¼ inch deep.
4. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and pineapple chunks.
5. Spoon the brown sugar and pineapple mixture evenly over the surface of the ham, pressing gently to adhere.
6. Cover the ham loosely with aluminum foil.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, or until the internal temperature of the ham reaches 140°F (60°C).
8. Remove the foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking to allow the glaze to caramelize.
9. Once done, remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
10. Slice the ham and serve warm with any remaining pineapple and juices from the pan. Enjoy your delicious Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham!