Description
This Pineapple Spiral Ham recipe is a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors, ideal for holiday meals or special family gatherings. The ham is spiral-sliced and baked with a rich glaze made from dark brown sugar, cola, mustards, and pineapple, resulting in a moist, flavorful, and beautifully caramelized dish that serves 12 people.
Ingredients
Scale
Glaze Ingredients
- 1 cup dark brown sugar (packed, light brown sugar can be substituted)
- 12 oz. cola (or Dr. Pepper)
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1½ tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1½ tbsp grainy mustard
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- 20 oz. crushed pineapple (1 large can)
Main Ingredient
- 1 very large spiral-sliced city ham (6-9 lbs.)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) to get ready for baking the ham.
- Prepare the Glaze: In a mixing bowl, combine the dark brown sugar, cola, apple cider vinegar, low-sodium soy sauce, Dijon mustard, grainy mustard, ground ginger, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and crushed pineapple. Whisk everything together until fully incorporated, creating a flavorful glaze.
- Place Ham in Baking Pan: Place the spiral-sliced ham flat side down in a large roasting pan or baking dish suitable to hold its size. Ensure the ham is fully defrosted if previously frozen.
- Apply Glaze: Pour the prepared glaze evenly over the ham, making sure the glaze penetrates between the slices for deep flavor.
- Bake the Ham: Cover the ham loosely with aluminum foil to retain moisture and bake in the preheated oven for roughly 90 minutes. Baste the ham every 20-30 minutes with the pan juices to keep it moist and enhance the caramelization.
- Finish Uncovered: For the last 15 minutes, remove the foil to allow the glaze to caramelize and the ham to develop a nice, glossy finish.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing further, ensuring juices redistribute for the best texture and flavor. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use a 6-9 pound spiral-sliced city ham for ideal cooking time and serving size.
- Light brown sugar works well if dark brown sugar is unavailable.
- Cola adds a nice caramel flavor; Dr. Pepper is a good alternative.
- Keep the ham covered during most of the bake to retain moisture and prevent drying out.
- Basting regularly helps achieve a moist and flavorful ham.
- If you prefer a spicier glaze, increase the crushed red pepper flakes slightly.
- Let the ham rest after baking for the best slicing results.
