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Perfect Honey Glazed Ham Recipe with Pineapple and Cloves

honey glazed ham - featured image

A foolproof and crowd-pleasing honey-glazed ham with pineapple and cloves, featuring a sticky caramelized crust and subtle warm spices. Perfect for festive occasions and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 78 pounds bone-in ham, pre-cooked and fully smoked
  • ½ cup (120 ml) honey, preferably raw or wildflower
  • ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
  • 1 can pineapple rings (about 8 rings, drained) or fresh pineapple slices
  • 2430 whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup (240 ml) water
  • Optional: fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
  2. Score the ham’s surface with shallow diamond-shaped cuts about 1/8 inch (3 mm) deep.
  3. Stud the ham with whole cloves by inserting one into the center of each diamond shape.
  4. Place the ham flat side down in a roasting pan with a rack if available. Pour 1 cup (240 ml) water into the bottom of the pan.
  5. In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and ground cinnamon until smooth.
  6. Baste the ham generously with the glaze using a silicone brush. Arrange pineapple rings on top, securing each with a toothpick if needed.
  7. Cover the ham loosely with aluminum foil.
  8. Roast the ham for about 1½ hours or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C), basting every 20 minutes with glaze from the pan drippings.
  9. Remove the foil for the last 15 minutes of roasting to allow the glaze to thicken and caramelize, watching carefully to prevent burning.
  10. Remove the ham from the oven and tent with foil. Let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Score the ham shallowly to avoid drying out the meat. Baste every 20 minutes to build layers of flavor. Use a meat thermometer for accurate doneness. Rest the ham for 15 minutes before slicing to keep it moist. If glaze thickens or burns, add a splash of water and mix back into the pan.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey glazed ham, pineapple ham, holiday ham, glazed ham recipe, cloves, easy ham recipe, festive ham