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Perfect Honey Glazed Spiral Ham Recipe with Pineapple Brown Sugar Crust

honey glazed spiral ham - featured image

A quick and easy recipe for a tender, flavorful spiral ham glazed with a sweet honey and pineapple brown sugar crust, perfect for holidays or any special occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 810 pounds pre-cooked spiral-cut ham (bone-in for best flavor)
  • ½ cup honey
  • ¾ cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained (canned or fresh)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup water

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Position the oven rack in the center for even heat circulation.
  2. Remove the spiral ham from its packaging and pat it dry with paper towels. Place it flat-side down on the roasting rack inside your pan. Pour the ¼ cup water into the bottom of the pan to keep the environment moist and prevent drying.
  3. In a small bowl, combine honey, brown sugar, drained crushed pineapple, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, ground cloves, and black pepper. Whisk until smooth and well incorporated. The texture should be thick but spreadable.
  4. Using a basting brush, generously cover the ham with about half of the glaze mixture, making sure to get it in between the spiral slices as best as you can without breaking them.
  5. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to keep moisture trapped and avoid burning the sugar.
  6. Place in the oven and bake for about 60 minutes, basting with the remaining glaze every 15 minutes. During the last 20 minutes, remove the foil tent to allow the crust to caramelize and thicken. Watch closely at this stage so the sugars don’t burn.
  7. Check doneness: The ham is pre-cooked, so the goal is to heat through and create the crust. Internal temperature should reach 140°F (60°C). Use a meat thermometer inserted between slices to confirm.
  8. Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest uncovered for 10 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute and keeps slices moist when carving.
  9. Use a sharp knife to slice along the spiral cuts, serving each piece with some of the sticky pineapple glaze spooned on top.

Notes

Drain pineapple well to avoid soggy crust. Baste every 15 minutes for a shiny, rich glaze. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. Tent with foil if glaze darkens too quickly. Let ham rest before carving for juicier slices.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey glazed ham, spiral ham, pineapple brown sugar crust, holiday ham, easy ham recipe, glazed ham recipe