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Sweet and tangy pineapple glaze for ham, made with brown sugar and pineapple juice.

Pineapple Glaze for Ham

A sweet and tangy glaze that adds flavor, moisture, and a beautiful finish to your ham, making it a standout centerpiece for any meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 1 glaze batch
Course: Condiment, Sauce
Cuisine: American
Calories: 200
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the glaze
  • 1 cup pineapple juice (or juice from canned pineapple rings)
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (or yellow mustard if that is what you have)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional but helps cut sweetness)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional, for a tiny savory edge)
  • pinch salt (only if your ham is not super salty)

Method
 

Preparing the Glaze
  1. In a small saucepan, stir together pineapple juice, brown sugar, and mustard.
  2. Bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring often so the sugar dissolves and nothing scorches.
  3. Simmer for 6 to 10 minutes until it looks slightly thickened. It will thicken more as it cools, so do not overdo it.
  4. Taste it carefully. If it feels too sweet, add the apple cider vinegar. If you want a little savory warmth, add garlic powder.
Applying the Glaze
  1. Bake your ham according to package directions, but keep it covered with foil for most of the time.
  2. During the last 30 to 40 minutes, start brushing on the glaze every 10 minutes.
  3. If your ham is spiral sliced, gently pull the slices apart a tiny bit and brush glaze into the gaps.

Notes

Make the glaze up to 5 days ahead and keep it in the fridge. Warm it gently before use. If using crushed pineapple instead of juice, strain for smooth consistency or leave chunky for texture.