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Perfect Brown Sugar and Pineapple Glazed Ham Recipe with Cloves

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A sweet and savory glazed ham featuring a sticky brown sugar and pineapple glaze accented with warm cloves, perfect for holidays and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 to 10 pounds fully cooked ham, bone-in or boneless
  • 1 cup (200 g) packed brown sugar (preferably dark brown sugar)
  • 1 can (about 20 oz / 567 g) pineapple slices or chunks, drained (reserve juice)
  • 20–25 whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) water or reserved pineapple juice
  • Optional garnishes: fresh rosemary sprigs or extra pineapple chunks

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
  2. Score the ham by making shallow diamond-shaped cuts about 1/8 inch (3 mm) deep all over the surface.
  3. Stud the ham with whole cloves by inserting them into the center of each diamond, spacing evenly (about 20 to 25 cloves).
  4. Place the ham fat side up on a rack in a roasting pan.
  5. Prepare the glaze in a small saucepan over medium heat by combining brown sugar, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, apple cider vinegar, and reserved pineapple juice. Stir until sugar dissolves and mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
  6. Brush the ham generously with the glaze, reserving some for basting during cooking.
  7. Cover the ham loosely with foil to prevent drying out.
  8. Roast the ham for about 15 minutes per pound (about 500 g), or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C). Baste with reserved glaze every 20-30 minutes.
  9. Remove the foil during the last 15 minutes of roasting to allow the glaze to caramelize.
  10. Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
  11. Serve warm, garnished with fresh pineapple slices or rosemary sprigs if desired.

Notes

Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure the ham reaches 140°F (60°C) without overcooking. Baste gently every 20-30 minutes to maintain the glaze. Remove foil in the last 15 minutes to caramelize glaze without burning. If glaze thickens too much, whisk in a splash of water or pineapple juice to loosen. For vegan adaptation, use maple syrup instead of honey and gluten-free mustard if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown sugar glazed ham, pineapple glazed ham, ham with cloves, holiday ham recipe, easy glazed ham, sweet and savory ham

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/perfect-brown-sugar-and-pineapple-glazed-ham-recipe-with-cloves-easy-step-by-step-guide/