7 Easy Glazed Easter Ham Recipes with Brown Sugar & Pineapple

Ever struggled to find the perfect Easter ham recipe? One that’s both incredibly delicious and impressively easy? This Easter, finding the ideal ham recipe can feel like searching for a hidden Easter egg – frustrating and time-consuming.

The best Easter ham recipes feature a sweet and savory glaze, often incorporating brown sugar and pineapple for a classic flavor combination. These recipes typically involve baking the ham, basting it with the glaze to create a caramelized crust.

As a seasoned food blogger with years of experience crafting and testing holiday recipes (especially Easter!), I’ve compiled the ultimate guide to glazed Easter hams. I’ve also been studying cooking from my grandma, she is a famous easter chef! In this post, you’ll discover seven incredibly easy, mouthwatering recipes that will transform your Easter dinner. From classic combinations to exciting twists, you’ll learn how to create a show-stopping ham with minimal effort, guaranteed to impress your guests. Get ready to unlock the secrets to a perfectly glazed, juicy, and flavorful Easter ham!

Classic Brown Sugar and Pineapple Glazed Ham

The best way to infuse a ham with the classic flavors of Easter is to use a mixture of brown sugar and pineapple juice, creating a glaze that’s both sweet and tangy.

Ingredients:

• 1 (7-9 pound) fully cooked bone-in ham
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• Pineapple rings (optional, for garnish)
• Whole cloves (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Score the ham in a diamond pattern, about 1/4-inch deep. If desired, stud with whole cloves at the intersections of the diamond cuts.
3. In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, and Dijon mustard.
4. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved.
5. Place the ham in a roasting pan and brush with about half of the glaze.
6. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C). Baste with the remaining glaze every 20 minutes.
7. If desired, garnish with pineapple rings during the last 30 minutes of baking.
8. Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before carving and serving.

Tip: For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to the glaze.

Spicy Honey-Glazed Ham with Pineapple Chutney

Infusing a pre-cooked ham with a vibrant blend of honey and spices, then baking it to perfection and serving it alongside a homemade pineapple chutney, is an excellent way to create a memorable and flavorful Easter centerpiece.

Ingredients:

• 1 (7-9 pound) fully cooked bone-in ham
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more, to taste)

Pineapple Chutney:

• 2 cups fresh pineapple, diced
• 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Score the ham in a diamond pattern.
3. In a bowl, whisk together honey, pineapple juice, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, ground ginger, and cayenne pepper.
4. Place the ham in a roasting pan and brush with the glaze.
5. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C). Baste with the glaze every 20 minutes.
6. While the ham is baking, prepare the chutney: Combine all chutney ingredients in a saucepan.
7. Bring the chutney to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
8. Reduce heat to low and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the pineapple is softened and the chutney has thickened.
9. Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. Serve with the pineapple chutney.

Tip: Adding a pinch of ground cloves to the glaze complements the pineapple chutney beautifully.

Bourbon-Brown Sugar Glazed Ham

For a sophisticated and deeply flavorful Easter ham, infusing it with a glaze made from bourbon, brown sugar, and a touch of Dijon mustard creates a dish that’s both rich and memorable.

Ingredients:

• 1 (7-9 pound) fully cooked bone-in ham
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup bourbon
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Score the ham in a diamond pattern.
3. In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, bourbon, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar.
4. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved.
5. Place the ham in a roasting pan and brush with about half of the glaze.
6. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C). Baste with the remaining glaze every 20 minutes.
7. Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.

Key Takeaway: The bourbon adds a depth of flavor that’s both smoky and sweet, perfectly complementing the brown sugar. Remember you can always replace bourbon with a non-alcoholic, sparkling apple cider.

Maple-Glazed Ham with Roasted Pineapple

Combining the natural sweetness of maple syrup with the tangy brightness of roasted pineapple creates a uniquely delicious and visually appealing glaze for an Easter ham.

Ingredients:

• 1 (7-9 pound) fully cooked bone-in ham
• 1 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into rings or chunks

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Score the ham.
3. In a saucepan, combine maple syrup, pineapple juice, and Dijon mustard. Simmer until slightly thickened.
4. Place pineapple pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle with a little of the maple glaze.
5. Roast the pineapple for 20-30 minutes, turning halfway through, until caramelized.
6. Place the ham in a roasting pan and brush with the remaining glaze.
7. Bake the ham for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C). Baste with the glaze every 20 minutes.
8. Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. Serve with the roasted pineapple.

Tip: A sprinkle of cinnamon on the pineapple before roasting adds a warm, comforting spice. You can use other spices like nutmeg and allspice.

Citrus-Glazed Ham with Pineapple Salsa

For a refreshing and vibrant twist on the classic Easter ham, a citrus glaze combined with a fresh pineapple salsa offers a bright and flavorful experience.

Ingredients:

• 1 (7-9 pound) fully cooked bone-in ham
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Pineapple Salsa:

• 2 cups fresh pineapple, diced
• 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Score the ham.
3. In a saucepan, combine orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, honey, and brown sugar. Simmer until slightly thickened.
4. Place the ham in a roasting pan and brush with the glaze.
5. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C). Baste with the glaze every 20 minutes.
6. While the ham is baking, combine all salsa ingredients in a bowl.
7. Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. Serve with the pineapple salsa.

Tip: A little zest from the oranges, lemons, and limes added to the glaze intensifies the citrus flavor.

Cherry and Pineapple Glazed Ham

The best method to make Cherry and Pineapple Glazed Ham is to use a combination of tart cherry juice, pineapple juice, and brown sugar.

Ingredients:
* 1 (7-9 pound) fully cooked bone-in ham
* 1 cup tart cherry juice
* 1/2 cup pineapple juice
* 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/4 cup honey
* 1/4 cup Dijon Mustard

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Score the ham in a diamond pattern.
3. In a saucepan, combine the cherry juice, pineapple juice, brown sugar, honey, and dijon mustard.
4. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved and the glaze has slightly thickened (about 10-15 minutes).
5. Place ham in a roasting pan, cut-side down. Brush generously with about half of the glaze.
6. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C). Baste with the remaining glaze every 20 minutes.
7. Remove from oven and let rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.

Tip: To enhance the cherry flavor, add a few maraschino cherries to the roasting pan during the last 30 minutes of baking.

Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham

Making a slow cooker brown sugar pineapple ham involves placing a pre-cooked ham in a slow cooker with a simple glaze of brown sugar, pineapple juice, and spices, then cooking it low and slow to allow the flavors to meld and the ham to become incredibly tender.

Ingredients:

• 1 (5-7 pound) fully cooked bone-in ham (spiral-cut is ideal for slow cookers)
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• Pineapple rings (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Place the ham in the slow cooker.
2. In a bowl, whisk together brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, and Dijon mustard.
3. Pour the glaze over the ham, making sure to coat it evenly.
4. If desired, arrange pineapple rings over the ham.
5. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the ham is heated through (internal temperature of 140°F/60°C).
6. Carefully remove the ham from the slow cooker and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. A study published in the Journal of Food Science explored optimal cooking temperatures for hams, relevant for achieving the best texture and flavor.

Tip: If you want a thicker glaze, remove some of the liquid from the slow cooker about 30 minutes before the end of cooking time and simmer it in a saucepan until it reduces to your desired consistency. Then, pour it back over the ham.

FAQs About Easter Ham Recipes

What is the best way to keep a ham moist while baking?

To keep a ham moist while baking, it’s important to baste it regularly with its glaze or juices. Also, do not overcook it.

Can I use a boneless ham for these recipes?

Yes, you can use a boneless ham, but the cooking time may need to be adjusted. Boneless hams tend to cook faster.

What are some good side dishes to serve with glazed ham?

Good side dishes for glazed ham include scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, roasted asparagus, honey-glazed carrots, and dinner rolls. The USDA provides guidelines on safe handling and cooking of ham, which are essential for a successful Easter meal.

How long can I store leftover cooked ham?

Leftover cooked ham can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, or frozen for 1-2 months.

Can I make the glaze ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the glaze ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Summary

This Easter, you don’t need to settle for a dry, boring ham. With these 7 easy glazed Easter ham recipes, you can create a truly memorable centerpiece for your holiday meal. Whether you prefer the classic combination of brown sugar and pineapple or something a bit more adventurous, there’s a recipe here for everyone. Another resource for ham recipes is Allrecipes, where you’ll find a wide range of cooking options. We’ve explored the tantalizing world of glazed hams, offering a diverse range of flavor profiles. Remember the key takeaway: a good glaze is essential for a delicious Easter ham. Now, which recipe will you try first?