This mouthwatering baked brown sugar Pineapple Bourbon Glaze for Ham is packed with sweet and spicy flavors. The ham is scored and dotted with whole cloves and covered in a sweet pineapple bourbon glaze that’s simply spectacular. It’s a seasonal favorite that’s at the top of my list of company worthy glaze recipes perfect for the holidays and special gatherings. It’s mouthwatering flavor guarantees it will be the star of the meal.

Easy Brown Sugar Pineapple Bourbon Glaze for Ham Recipe

Baked ham is a traditional special occasion entrée. It tends to be the centerpiece of our Easter and Christmas tables, and we often enjoy baked ham for Thanksgiving, too. So, when I go to the trouble of baking a whole ham it’s imperative that the glaze is special, too. Kentucky bourbon gives this sweet pineapple glaze just the right flavor punch and a pretty golden color that really makes it pop.

Key ingredients to make simple Baked Brown Sugar Pineapple Bourbon Ham: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

Ham – One 10-12 pound fully cooked Hickory smoked bone-in ham.
Cloves – Whole cloves for dotting the top of the ham.
Pineapple Bourbon Glaze – One cup pineapple juice or apple juice
Sugar – One cup packed light brown sugar for sweetness.
Bourbon – 1/2 cup of your favorite bourbon.
Preserves – 1/3 cup pineapple preserves.
Butter – Salted or unsalted butter.
Mustard – Spicy brown mustard adds depth of flavor to the glaze.
Spice – A small amount of allspice complements the flavor of the whole cloves.

How to Make the Best Pineapple Bourbon Glaze Ham Recipe

Heat Oven – Preheat the oven to 325°F. Move the rack to the lower third of the oven.
Trim and Prep Ham – Remove any skin and trim the fat to 1/4-inch thickness. Score the ham in a diamond pattern using a sharp knife making 1/4-inch deep cuts 3/4-inch apart.
Cloves – Press a whole clove into the center of each diamond.
Transfer to Pan – Place ham cut side down (fat side up) into a 13×9-inch baking pan or similar. Pour the pineapple juice around the ham. (You can use a baking rack fitted into the pan, if desired.)
Bourbon Glaze – In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, bourbon, preserves, butter, mustard and allspice. Mix until fully combined.
Glaze Ham – Carefully spoon or brush the glaze over the ham using 1/3 of the glaze. Cover loosely with foil and place into the oven.
Oven Time – Bake for 12-15 minutes per pound. Stop midway through baking, lift the foil and spoon 1/3 of the glaze over the ham then recover with foil.
Char the Glaze – Thirty (30) minutes before the end of baking remove the foil and brush with the remaining glaze and return to the oven uncovered to finish baking and brown.
Stand Time – Rest uncovered for 20 minutes then carve or cool completely and chill.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Pineapple Bourbon Glazed Ham

Large roasting pan.
Measuring cups, tablespoons and teaspoons.
Basting brush.
Small bowl.
Sharp knife and chopping board.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

Pineapple Preserves Substitution – An alternative to pineapple preserves for the pineapple ham glaze: If you’re unable to find pineapple you can use orange, peach or apricot preserves, instead.
Pineapple Slices – If you prefer you can go old school and add pineapple rings and cherries to the ham.
What’s the Best Bourbon to Use for the Brown Sugar Glaze? I’m partial to a Kentucky bourbon, but you can certainly use any that you’re familiar with and enjoy.
Foil Prevents the Sugar from Burning – Due to the sweetness of the brown sugar glaze this pineapple ham is baked loosely covered with foil until the last 30 minutes when it’s removed to allow the glaze to char.
Char at the End of Baking – At the end of baking, remove the foil and spoon the sweet glaze over the ham to give it a chance to brown and char. This technique will cause the pineapple to become candied and it coats the ham beautifully.
Other Uses for The Bourbon Glaze – You can use this bourbon glaze on pork loin, pork tenderloin, pork chops chicken or pork roasts.
How Do You Slice a Southern Baked Ham? To carve, slice vertically near the bone then make thin slices from the top down to the vertical cut, slicing into the thickness of your choosing.
Can I Use the Ham Bone for Other Southern Recipes? Yes, you can! You can use it to add flavor to soup, pinto beans, greens and more. If you aren’t ready to use it immediately, cool it and freeze it for future meals.

Storage and Leftovers

How to Serve Ham – Make sure you have plenty of buttermilk biscuits or homemade yeast rolls to serve on the side.
Leftovers – This pineapple bourbon glaze can be made up to 2 days in advance of using. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge. You may need to warm it slightly to make it easier to baste the ham. Ham should be covered with plastic wrap or placed in an airtight container for storing chilled in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezer – Ham can be cooled, wrapped and frozen for up to 3-4 months. Store chilled in an airtight container in the refrigerator after baking for up to 3-4 days.

More Southern Style Recipes for Ham to Make

Ham and Cheese Hash Brown Brunch Bake is a fabulous start to any day.
Use leftover ham to make a batch of Southern Ham Salad.
If you’d like to make a glaze without bourbon, checkout my recipe for Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pineapple Glazed Ham.
Ham and Cheese Biscuits are filled with chopped ham and sharp cheddar cheese.
Ham and Swiss Poppy Seed Rolls are a party favorite.
Ham and Spinach Quiche is an any time of day meal.
Pasta with Ham and Peas from A Dish of Daily Life.

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Brown Sugar Bourbon Pineapple Glazed Ham

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