Brown Sugar Baked Ham With Pineapple
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Juicy ham meets the tropical tang of pineapple and the sweetness of caramelized brown sugar in this party-worthy baked ham with pineapple. This 3-ingredient recipe not only makes an incredibly delicious dish, but also a stunning centerpiece for your gatherings or holiday feasts. The best part? It’s simple enough to make for your weeknight family dinners, too!
I’m all for serving my family easy, flavorful dinners that look and taste like I spent hours in the kitchen to make. In my rotation, I have slow cooker apricot chicken, honey-glazed pork chops, and honey mustard salmon to name a few. I serve these dishes at gatherings, too, but when I’m serving a crowd, my go-to is baked ham with pineapple. It’s a no-fail dish that I’m confident would look gorgeous on any party spread.
It’s the kind of meal that will make any dinner feel like a special occasion, whether it’s a special occasion or just a Tuesday that needs a little extra joy. Pineapple rings nestled between slices of ham, and that sweet, sticky glaze means your leftovers (if there are any!) will be just as delicious the next day. Serve it up for Easter, Christmas, or later for dinner, because why not? Baked ham with pineapple is a special dinner, made easy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy dish: Just 5 minutes of prep, and your oven will take care of the rest.
- 3-ingredient recipe: All you need is ham, pineapple rings, and brown sugar to make this special dish.
- Great flavors: Juicy, tender ham and sweet-tangy pineapple rings are wrapped in a rich brown sugar glaze, making each bite undeniably delicious.
- Easy holiday centerpiece: This dish looks impressive but requires minimal effort, making it ideal for festive gatherings.
- Makes amazing leftovers: Enjoy it sliced in sandwiches, added to breakfast scrambles, or even tossed into fried rice.
- Serves a crowd: Great for sharing at family dinners, parties, holiday celebrations, or any occasion with a hungry crowd.
How to Make Baked Ham
If there’s one dish that knows how to bring the sweet and the savory together in perfect harmony, it’s brown sugar baked ham with pineapple. Who would believe that a centerpiece-worthy dish would require just minutes of hands-on time?
Simply arrange the pineapple rings, pour pineapple juice over the ham, rub it with brown sugar, then leave to bake in the oven. Once ready, it’ll be ready to serve.. and impress!
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- Ham: I use pre-cooked bone-in spiral ham. The bone adds extra moisture and makes for a fantastic ham bone soup later!
- Pineapple slices: I use canned pineapple slices with juice for ease and convenience, but fresh pineapple rings also work beautifully if available. Having a party? Buy extra pineapple and make delicious appetizers like bacon-wrapped pineapple bites and pineapple cheese ball.
- Brown sugar: Creates that caramelized, sticky-sweet glaze that complements the salty ham and tangy pineapple. It also helps form a gorgeous golden crust. It’s best to adjust the amount of brown sugar based on your sweetness preference.
Step-By-Step Instructions
There are only 3 simple steps to follow to make this mind-blowingly delicious brown sugar baked ham with pineapple. Follow them closely and I guarantee that your ham will come out juicy, tender, and flavorful. I just have to warn you that your mouth may water while it bakes in the oven because your kitchen will smell so good!
Step 1: Prep the ham
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Place the ham in an oven-safe casserole dish. Pry the slices of ham open and arrange various pineapple rings throughout the meat.
Pour the pineapple juice evenly over the whole surface. Get some into every fold. Next, rub the brown sugar over the surface of the pineapple slices and ham. Since the ham is already cooked, the goal is to heat it through and infuse it with the flavors of pineapple and brown sugar.
Step 2: Bake
Cover the ham with aluminum foil and cook for 1.5 hours in the oven. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the ham. Continue until the ham is heated through; this time serves best and gives time for the flavors to meld.
Check the ham periodically and baste it with any juices that collect in the dish.
If your ham came with a premade glaze package, you can mix this with a few tablespoons of the pineapple juice, and glaze the ham with it now.
Step 3: Slice and serve
Once warmed through, rest, slice, and serve with pineapple.
Substitutions
This recipe requires only 3 easy-to-find ingredients. Feel free to substitute for whatever you love or have on hand. Here are my recommendations:
- Ham: If you don’t have a whole ham, you can use ham steaks for a smaller version of this dish.
- Pineapple slices: Replace with pineapple chunks or tidbits for smaller bites. Just scatter them over and around the ham. In a pinch, you can use canned peaches, mango slices, or apricot halves.
- Brown sugar: Substitute with honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar.
Expert Tips
- Secure pineapple with toothpicks: If your pineapple slices keep sliding off, secure them with toothpicks to keep them in place while baking. Just remember to remove them before serving!
- Add a little Dijon mustard: A teaspoon or two of Dijon mustard in the glaze balances the sweetness and adds a little depth to the flavor.
- Make it festive: Add a pop of color by adding maraschino cherries to the mix. For a classic finishing touch, press a cherry into the center of each ring and hold them in place with a toothpick. Fill open spaces with extra cherries for a more vibrant, festive look.
- Let it rest before slicing: Let the ham rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy and tender.
How to Store This Recipe
Place leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Store-bought ham typically comes with cooking and reheating instructions, so make sure to carefully read any package directions before reheating your ham. If instructions are unavailable, gently warm baked ham in the oven over medium heat until warmed through.
What to Serve with Baked Ham
Serve baked ham with your favorite sides – it’s delicious with garlic mashed potatoes, parmesan potatoes, roasted veggies, cornbread, or a fresh green salad. For a heartier meal, pair it with rice or a casserole – it’s delicious with broccoli casserole!
More Easy Holiday Dishes To Try
- Slow cooker spinach and artichoke dip
- Bacon-wrapped filet mignon
- Cream cheese stuffed mushrooms
- Easy roasted turkey
- Slow cooker mashed potatoes
Brown Sugar Pineapple Baked Ham
Ingredients
- 1 bone-in spiral ham pre-cooked
- 1 can pineapple slices with juice
- ¼ cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F.
- Place the ham in an oven-safe casserole dish. Pry the slices of ham open and arrange various pineapple rings throughout the meat. Pour the pineapple juice evenly over the whole surface. Get some into every fold.
- Rub the brown sugar over the surface of the pineapple slices and ham.
- Cover the ham with aluminum foil and cook for 1.5 hours in the oven. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the ham. Continue until the ham is heated through; this time serves best and gives time for the flavors to meld.
- Check the ham periodically and baste it with any juices that collect in the dish. If your ham came with a premade glaze package, you can mix this with a few tablespoons of the pineapple juice, and glaze the ham with it now.
- Once warmed through, slice and serve with pineapple.
Notes
- If your pineapple slices keep sliding off, secure them with toothpicks to keep them in place while baking. Just remember to remove them before serving!
- A teaspoon or two of Dijon mustard in the glaze balances the sweetness and adds a little depth to the flavor.
- Add a pop of color by adding maraschino cherries to the mix. Arrange the pineapple rings evenly over the ham, securing them in place with toothpicks. Next, press a cherry into the center of each ring and fill any open spaces with extra cherries for a more vibrant, festive look.
- Let the ham rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy and tender.
