Pineapple Bourbon Glaze for Ham
Sweet, smoky, and irresistibly savory, this bourbon pineapple ham glaze brings together rich bourbon, bright pineapple, brown sugar, and warm spices. It caramelizes beautifully over baked ham, creating a glossy, flavorful finish with the perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and smoky notes.
Servings 16 servings (may vary)
Ingredients
- 1 10-12 lb fully cooked Hickory smoked bone-in ham
- whole cloves
- Pineapple Bourbon Glaze:
- 1 cup pineapple juice or apple juice
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- 1/3 cup pineapple preserves
- 1 Tbsp butter melted
- 2 tsp spicy brown mustard
- 1/4 tsp allspice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Move the rack to the lower third of the oven.
- 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.
- Press one whole clove into the center of each diamond.
- Place the ham cut side down (fat side up) into a 13x9-inch baking pan or similar. Pour the pineapple juice around the ham. (You can use a baking rack fitted into the pan, if desired.)
- Glaze: In a small bowl mix together the brown sugar, bourbon, preserves, butter, mustard and allspice. Mix until fully combined.
- Carefully spoon or brush the glaze over the ham using 1/3 of the glaze. Cover ham loosely with foil and place into the oven.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes per pound (depending on the size of your ham). Stop midway through baking, lift the foil and spoon 1/3 of the pineapple bourbon glaze over the ham then recover with foil.
- 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.
- If needed, broil at the very end of baking to char further. Do NOT walk away.
- Rest uncovered for 20 minutes then carve or cool completely and chill.
- Store leftovers tightly covered and chilled for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Pineapple Preserves Substitution - If you're unable to find pineapple you can use orange, peach or apricot preserves for the basting sauce, 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.
- Bake According to Weight: Follow the ham package instructions for recommended baking time, if different from the recipe instructions.
- Additional Uses for the Glaze: You can use this bourbon glaze on pork loin, pork tenderloin, pork chops, chicken, or pork roasts.
- Alternative for the Pineapple Preserves: Combine an 8 ounce can (don't drain) of crushed pineapple cooked with 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Simmer on the stovetop in a small saucepan for 10-15 minutes or just until slightly thickened. You can also dissolve 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch in pineapple juice or cold water and whisk it into the glaze as a binder. You can adjust the amounts to suit your taste.