Print

Perfect Brown Sugar Bourbon-Glazed Ham with Pineapple

brown sugar bourbon-glazed ham - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy glazed ham recipe featuring a sticky-sweet bourbon and brown sugar glaze balanced with tangy pineapple, perfect for holidays or family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 7–8 pound bone-in pre-cooked spiral-sliced ham
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup bourbon (e.g., Maker’s Mark)
  • Canned pineapple rings, drained (about 1/4 cup pineapple juice reserved)
  • 15–20 whole cloves (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup water (for roasting pan and thinning glaze if needed)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
  2. Remove packaging from ham and pat dry. If using cloves, stud the ham by pressing them into the intersections of the spiral slices.
  3. Place ham cut side down on a rack in a roasting pan. Pour 1 cup water into the bottom of the pan.
  4. Bake uncovered for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until internal temperature reaches 130°F (54°C), checking after 1 hour and every 15 minutes thereafter.
  5. While ham bakes, prepare glaze: combine brown sugar, bourbon, Dijon mustard, pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, and cinnamon in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently, until sugar dissolves and glaze thickens slightly (8-10 minutes). Remove from heat.
  6. About 30 minutes before ham is done, brush ham generously with glaze. Arrange pineapple rings over ham slices and brush more glaze over pineapple.
  7. Return ham to oven for final 25-30 minutes, basting every 10 minutes to build a sticky, caramelized crust. Tent with foil if glaze edges darken too quickly.
  8. Remove ham from oven and tent loosely with foil. Let rest 15-20 minutes before slicing.
  9. Carve and serve warm, spooning any extra glaze from pan over slices.

Notes

Apply glaze late in baking to avoid burning. Baste every 10 minutes during final glazing. Tent with foil if glaze darkens too fast. Let ham rest before carving to lock in juices. Save pan drippings and reduce for a flavorful sauce. For a kid-friendly version, substitute bourbon with non-alcoholic apple cider.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown sugar ham, bourbon glazed ham, pineapple glaze, holiday ham, easy ham recipe, glazed ham, bourbon ham, spiral ham

Find it online: https://cooksybite.com/perfect-brown-sugar-bourbon-glazed-ham-recipe-easy-pineapple-glaze-ideas/