This mouthwatering baked ham recipe delivers the perfect balance of juicy meat and caramelized exterior in just 2.5 hours. Whether you’re hosting a holiday feast or planning a special Sunday dinner, this protein-rich main dish offers 38g of protein per serving while staying relatively low in saturated fat.
The preparation is straightforward, requiring only 30 minutes of hands-on time before the oven works its magic. With 354 calories per portion, it’s a satisfying yet sensible choice that will have your guests reaching for seconds.
Ingredients for Baked Ham
- Bone-in Ham: 8-10 pounds, fully-cooked, spiral-cut for easy serving
- Pineapple: 20 oz can of tidbits or crushed, adds natural sweetness
- Brown Sugar: 3/4 cup light brown sugar for caramelization
- Spices: 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1/4 tsp cloves for warmth and aroma
Instructions for Perfect Baked Ham
- Preparation: Let ham reach room temperature 1-2 hours before baking for even cooking
- Glaze Making: Combine pineapple, brown sugar, and spices in a saucepan. Simmer 20-30 minutes until thickened
- Oven Setup: Preheat to 300°F and line baking dish with foil for easy cleanup
- Initial Glazing: Place ham flat-side down, brush with initial glaze coating
- First Bake: Cover with foil tent and bake 1½-2 hours until internal temperature reaches 110°F
- Final Glazing: Increase temperature to 400°F, brush remaining glaze, bake 15 more minutes
- Resting: Tent with foil and rest 15 minutes before serving for juiciest results
Cooking Techniques
Baking a ham is all about gentle, even heating. The two-temperature approach in this recipe – starting low at 300°F and finishing at 400°F – helps keep your ham moist while creating that beautiful glazed exterior.
The aluminum foil tent is your best friend here – it acts like a little sauna, keeping all those tasty juices where they belong. Don’t skip the resting time at room temperature before cooking, as this helps the ham heat more evenly.
Perfect Glaze Tips
The pineapple glaze is super simple to make, but timing matters! Let it simmer slowly to get that thick, sticky consistency that will coat your ham beautifully.
If your glaze gets too thick, just add a splash of pineapple juice to thin it out. Want it extra smooth? Give those pineapple tidbits a quick buzz in the blender before cooking. The brown sugar and warm spices will make your kitchen smell amazing!
Serving Suggestions
This sweet and savory ham pairs wonderfully with classic sides like creamy mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, or roasted sweet potatoes. For a fresh contrast, serve with a crisp green salad or coleslaw.
Save any leftover glaze to drizzle over individual slices. This ham is perfect for holiday gatherings, Sunday dinners, or anytime you’re feeding a crowd!
Storage Tips
Keep leftover ham in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. For best results, store it with a bit of the cooking juices to keep it moist.
You can also freeze portions for up to 2 months – just wrap them well in foil and place in freezer bags. When reheating, add a splash of water or pineapple juice and cover with foil to keep the meat juicy.
Baked Ham
Equipment
- Baking dish or roasting pan
- aluminum foil
- Saucepan
Ingredients
- 8-10 pounds bone-in fully-cooked, spiral-cut ham
- 20 ounce pineapple tidbits or crushed pineapple
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Remove ham from refrigerator 1-2 hours before baking, to allow it to come to room temperature.
- Meanwhile, make the glaze. In a saucepan combine pineapple tidbits, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cloves. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 20-30 minutes or until mixture has thickened.
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Remove ham from packaging and throw away the glaze packet and the plastic disk that covers the bone.
- Place the ham flat/cut side down, in a deep baking dish or roasting pan. Line pan with aluminum foil for easier clean-up. Brush just a few spoonfuls of the glaze onto the ham, all over the outside. Reserve the remaining glaze for later. Cover the ham tightly with a tent of aluminum foil.
- Bake at 300 degrees F for 1 ½ to 2 hours, or until internal temperature reaches 110 degrees.
- Remove the ham from the oven and remove foil tent. Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees. Brush the remaining glaze all over the ham. Return to the oven and continue to bake for another 15 minutes.
- Remove from oven, tent with foil and allow to rest for 15 minutes before serving.
