Print

Honey Glazed Ham Recipe Easy 5-Step Pineapple Brown Sugar Crust

honey glazed ham recipe - featured image
Print Recipe

This honey glazed ham features a sticky, caramelized pineapple brown sugar crust that delivers a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. It’s easy to prepare and ideal for holidays or any special gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 to 10 pounds bone-in ham, pre-cooked and scored
  • ½ cup honey (120 ml), preferably raw or local
  • 1 cup brown sugar (200 g), packed
  • ½ cup pineapple juice (120 ml), fresh or canned
  • ½ cup crushed pineapple (130 g), drained (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (30 ml)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (1.5 g)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves (0.5 g)
  • 15–20 whole cloves for studding the ham

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Remove the ham from the fridge and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes.
  2. Score the ham by cutting shallow diagonal lines about ½ inch apart across the surface, forming a diamond pattern. Do not cut too deep, just through the fat layer.
  3. Stud the ham with whole cloves by pressing one clove into the center of each diamond shape.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, brown sugar, pineapple juice, Dijon mustard, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves until smooth. Fold in crushed pineapple if using.
  5. Place the ham on a roasting rack in a roasting pan. Brush a generous layer of the glaze all over the ham. Tent loosely with aluminum foil and bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes (approximately 10 minutes per pound), basting every 20 minutes with more glaze.
  6. Remove the foil during the last 20 minutes of baking to allow the crust to caramelize and become sticky and golden. Watch closely to avoid burning; tent again if it darkens too fast.
  7. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer; the ham is done when it reaches 140°F (60°C). Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

If the glaze thickens too much while baking, thin it with a splash of pineapple juice or water before basting. Keep the basting brush moist to avoid pulling off the crust. Let the ham rest after baking to lock in juices. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. For a spicy twist, add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the glaze. For smoky flavor, add smoked paprika or use smoked ham.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey glazed ham, pineapple brown sugar crust, holiday ham, easy ham recipe, glazed ham, holiday dinner, crowd-pleaser

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/honey-glazed-ham-recipe-easy-5-step-pineapple-brown-sugar-crust/