Pineapple Brown Sugar Glaze for Baked ham
Who’s ready for a flavor-popping holiday feast? Brace yourselves for a simple but exciting Pineapple and Brown Sugar Ham Glaze that’s bound to make your festive ham the star of the table! A touch of sweetness, a whiff of nostalgia and a modern twist. Just add a few ingredients in a saucepan and you’re set to rock your holiday ham! Let’s bring back cherished memories – but with an extra kick! This pineapple brown sugar glaze is a crushed pineapple glaze for ham, pork chops or chicken.
Ever wondered how to make the perfect holiday ham? Look no further! With this Pineapple Brown Sugar Ham Glaze, you’ll have everyone asking for seconds. The glaze brings together pineapple’s tropical taste, the richness of dark brown sugar, and zesty mustard and lemon juice for a flavor explosion. Give your ham the ultimate makeover and make every bite a celebration with this easy-to-follow recipe. Click the link to master the art of glazing your ham to perfection.
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Elevate your holiday ham with this delightful Pineapple Brown Sugar Glaze! This easy-to-make glaze combines the tropical sweetness of crushed pineapple with the rich, caramel-like depth of dark brown sugar, accented by zesty mustard and lemon juice. Perfect for ham, pork chops, or chicken, this glaze adds a burst of flavor and a gorgeous, glossy finish to your dish. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s a simple way to transform your meal into a festive showstopper. Try it for a nostalgic yet modern twist on a classic holiday favorite!
Pineapple Brown Sugar Glaze Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 8.5 ounce can crushed pineapple with juice
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon prepared mustard
Equipment:
- Small saucepan
- basting brush
🥣 Recipe Tips
- Use Fresh Lemon Juice for Extra Zest: While bottled lemon juice works, using freshly squeezed lemon juice enhances the glaze’s brightness, complementing the pineapple’s sweetness and cutting through the richness of the brown sugar for a more vibrant flavor.
- Apply Glaze in Layers: For a deeper flavor and glossier finish, brush the glaze on the ham every 10 minutes during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This builds a caramelized, sticky coating that locks in moisture and flavor.
- Strain for a Smoother Texture (Optional): If you prefer a smoother glaze without pineapple bits, strain the mixture after cooking but before applying. This creates a silkier texture while retaining all the tangy-sweet flavor, perfect for a polished presentation.
How to make pineapple brown sugar ham glaze:
In a medium saucepan add the can of crushed pineapple with the juice.
Add the brown sugar, mustard, cornstarch, lemon juice and salt to the pineapple. NOTE: We have this awesome brown sugar container that is asked about frequently. It has a removable terra cotta disk that can be soaked in water that keeps the brown sugar soft and prevents it from drying out. So simple and we love it.
Stir all ingredients together in a small saucepan over medium heat. Continue to stir constantly and cook until the mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir for 1 minute.
Remove from heat and using a basting brush, apply to the ham 30 minutes before it’s done. Who else uses a paintbrush to brush on glazes or butter? And just look at the beautiful glaze that makes our Pineapple Glazed Ham so delicious. It’s very easy and only takes up a few extra minutes of your time.
May be brushed on several times during the last 30 minutes of cooking time for the ham. Making a gorgeous Pineapple Glazed Ham is not as hard as one would think. This super easy ham glaze will rock your baked ham.
This Pineapple Brown Sugar Glaze truly transforms a simple ham into a show-stopping centerpiece! The perfect balance of sweet pineapple, rich brown sugar, and tangy mustard creates a glossy, flavorful coating that’s both nostalgic and exciting. Quick to whip up and easy to apply, this glaze delivers a crowd-pleasing result every time. Whether for a holiday feast or a special dinner, it’s a recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite. Save it to your collection and enjoy the compliments at your next gathering!
Other Thanksgiving Recipes:
🥣 Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup dark brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 8.5 oz can crushed pineapple in juice
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan add the can of crushed pineapple with the juice.
- Add the brown sugar, mustard, cornstarch, lemon juice and salt to the pineapple.
- Stir all ingredients together in a small saucepan over medium heat. Continue to stir constantly and cook until the mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir for 1 minute.
- Remove from heat and use a basting brush to apply to the ham several times starting 30 minutes before it’s done.
Notes
Nutrition
Click HERE to save this pineapple brown sugar ham glaze to Pinterest
Updated post on 03/07/22 to reflect more images.
This pineapple glaze sounds so good! I can't wait to try it at Easter! 🙂
I have made this and it is delicious. My family loves it. Thank you so much for sharing.
Made this tonight, on the grill came ou really good,everyone loved it
Trying the recipe today, will let you know how it comes out. Looks delish. Adding cherries.
I’m trying this glaze for this year Holidays coming, it sounds great, thanks.
You will love it! It’s so easy!
Trying this glaze for the first time. Sounds delicious.
Can you make this glaze the night before?
I have never tried to make this the night before. It might get too thick? If you do try it please let us know how it works for you. Thanks so much
Did you make this the night before? If so did it turn out ok?
I’ve never tried making it the night before but if you do please let us know. It normally doesn’t take too long to cook an already smoked ham and we believe it’s best served hot out of the oven with this glaze.
I am making this for our Easter dinner. Do you add the pineapple rings and cherries the same time you put the glaze on?
@Vernette, You must be looking at a different recipe. This one doesn’t have cherries or pineapple rings. Crushed pineapple is in the glaze.
This was so good on our Easter ham.
Awe. That just makes my heart happy! We are so glad you enjoyed it.
I want to try this today. BWhat is “prepared mustard”? Is it different than regular mustard?
Prepared mustard is yellow mustard or regular mustard
Can you use spicy brown mustard?
I’ve never tried using spicy brown mustard but if you do, please let us know how it works. Thanks
Thank you for sharing.
Can Heinz57 be used in this recipe?
I have never tried it with Heinz57 but if you do, please let us know how it comes out.
Every mention of a memory had me smiling. Yes, the pineapple rings held on with toothpicks. Yes, basting with a new paint brush. Yes, cloves and brown sugar on top. I did it the same way my mother did also. Until I saw different recipes in my Betty Crocker cookbook, or in a magazine at the doctor’s office. Now, I just peruse Pinterest and get lots of great ideas. Yours is so reminiscent of the old way, with a twist of the mustar and lemon. I’m going to make it tomorrow , and thanks for the walk down memory lane.
I’ve been making this for about 40 years now! I still add the pineapple rings with the toothpicks and dump the brown sugar on top but then I make this on the side — we call it pineapple gravy! I basically dump a can of crushed pineapples into a small pot with about a half a bag of dark brown sugar, make a slurry of cornstarch and pineapple juice (reserved from the can of rings) and heat it up till it thickens a bit and serve it alongside the ham. It’s a family tradition that my kids grew up with. SO good ! Thanks for sharing the recipe – everyone should try this!
I love this idea! Thank you so much for sharing it.
@Susan Logsdon, do you make this in advance and if so how far in advance please? I was thinking of making some this week to store in the fridge until Christmas Day.
I have never made it ahead of time but if you try it please let us know how it works for you. Thanks so much
Wonderful recipe!! Regarding the pinapple rings and toothpicks… I prepare a spiral ham,cut the pinapple rings in half and place between the spursls with the cherry in the center. Wish I could send you a picture. I also use powdered clove instead of whole cloves…(hated to deal with the whole cloves and toothpicks)
Oh that’s a clever idea! I love a great spiral ham and would love to see a picture one of these days! Thanks for the tips! Hugs
I’m going to use this glaze over my bacon wrapped carrots recipe for Thanksgiving!! I’m really excited about it! Thank you for the recipe!!
YAY!!! Oh my goodness, those bacon wrapped carrots sound so delicious with this sauce! I must try them! Happy Thanksgiving!
The ingredients list crushed pineapple in syrup but in the intructions it refers to juice and when you click on the link in the recipe it takes you to crushed pineapple in juice. Should it be crushed pineapple in juice or syrup?
Thanks for the catch. I just updated this recipe with new images and that is an old typo. It is indeed “Crushed pineapple with juice”. I missed this and will be changing it shortly. It always helps with someone contacts me when changes need to be made. Thanks again.
How do it taste with chicken that’s what I was to try do you just brush on
I brush it on chicken about 10 minutes before the chicken is done. And you could apply it several times
I didn’t have any crushed pineapple so I use fresh pineapple run through the food processor! So yummy!! Excellent Christmas ham!!🎄
Yay!! That’s a clever idea!
I would love to try this, but can light brown sugar and flour be used instead? It’s all I got.
Light brown sugar would work just fine but not sure about flour but maybe arrowroot would work if you have that. As you know cornstarch is the thickening agent so maybe if you mixed the flour with water prior to adding it but again I’m not sure. I don’t wish to ruin your ham glaze by recommending flour.
Can I dump the glaze in a crockpot and let it cook all day with the ham????
I don’t believe that would work well. This is designed to be a glaze that is brushed on. If you do try it, please let us know how it works for you.
Can this be used if cooking the ham in a crock pot ??
I have never tried it in a crockpot. This is more of a glaze not a marinade so I’m not sure.
Can I do this with a whole ham and in a crock pot
I don’t believe it would work. The glaze needs to be baked on.
I have been making this for YEARS. My kids grew up on it. However, we call it “Pineapple Gravy” and serve it next to the ham (which I douse with pineapple slices – held on with toothpicks – and covered with brown sugar. Sound familiar)? 🙂 Thanks for sharing! I’ll be making this again this weekend to go with our Easter ham!
Love the name Pineapple Gravy! Yep toothpicks and pineapple slices
I made it for Easter. Everyone loved it!
Yay!! Thanks so much for letting us know.
My family loves this glaze although I call it a sauce. I pour it over ham steaks and bake it. It is delicious and so easy to make. We never wait for holidays for this meal.
This recipe sounds great! I was wondering the same as some regarding making the glaze ahead. Would it be feasible to put everything together ahead of time, store in fridge then put on the stove or in the microwave the day of? Thank you!
I wouldn’t try making it ahead of time, I believe it would set up and would be hard to brush on your ham