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Flavorful Brown Sugar Dijon Glazed Ham Recipe with Pineapple and Cloves for Perfect Holiday Meals

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A crowd-pleasing holiday ham glazed with a sweet and tangy brown sugar Dijon mustard sauce, accented with pineapple and cloves for a perfect balance of flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Fully cooked bone-in ham, 8-10 pounds (3.6-4.5 kg), spiral-cut recommended
  • 1 cup (220 g) brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) Dijon mustard
  • 6–8 pineapple slices, fresh or canned in juice
  • 12–15 whole cloves
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) water

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Position the oven rack in the lower third to accommodate the ham’s size.
  2. Score the ham by making shallow diagonal cuts about 1/4-inch deep in a diamond pattern across the surface.
  3. Gently press whole cloves into the ham at the intersections of the diamond cuts.
  4. Arrange pineapple slices over the ham, securing them with toothpicks if needed.
  5. Prepare the glaze by combining brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, ground cinnamon (if using), and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
  6. Place the ham on the rack inside the roasting pan. Brush a generous layer of glaze over the entire surface, including pineapple.
  7. Bake uncovered for about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (roughly 10-12 minutes per pound), brushing with additional glaze every 20 minutes.
  8. Check internal temperature aiming for 140°F (60°C) to warm through without overcooking.
  9. Remove from oven, tent loosely with foil, and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

If pineapple or glaze browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil during the last 20 minutes of baking. You can prepare the glaze a day ahead and warm gently before use. For a spicy twist, add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the glaze. Use gluten-free Dijon mustard for a gluten-free version. Resting the ham after baking seals in juices for a moist result.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown sugar ham, Dijon glazed ham, holiday ham recipe, pineapple ham, cloves ham, easy holiday meal, glazed ham recipe

Find it online: https://elaraeats.com/flavorful-brown-sugar-dijon-glazed-ham-recipe-with-pineapple-and-cloves-for-perfect-holiday-meals/