Glazed Ham – Sweet, Juicy, and Oh-So-Easy!

Nothing says holiday feast quite like a golden, caramelized glazed ham. Whether it’s Christmas, Easter, or a cozy Sunday dinner, this recipe is one of those no-fuss, crowd-pleasing dishes that looks fancy but is secretly super easy to make. The combo of pineapple and brown sugar gives it that sweet-and-savory magic, sticky, shiny, and totally irresistible!

Here’s What You’ll Need

1 bone-in spiral ham (pre-cooked)
1 can pineapple slices (with juice)
¼ cup brown sugar
(Optional) Ham glaze packet (often comes with pre-cooked hams)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Prep the ham.
Take the ham out of its packaging and place it in a large, oven-safe casserole dish or roasting pan.

Add the pineapple magic.
Open the can of pineapple slices and tuck them between the slices of ham. Then pour the pineapple juice from the can all over the top.

pineapple slices tucked in between slices of ham

Sweeten things up.
Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the ham and pineapple slices. Adjust the sugar to your sweetness preference, more for a dessert-level glaze, less if you like it mild.

sugar sprinkled on top of ham with pineapple slices

Cover and bake.
Cover the whole thing with aluminum foil to keep it juicy. Bake for about 1.5 hours, depending on your ham’s size. The goal is just to warm it through and let the flavors mingle.

Baste for flavor!
Every 30 minutes or so, spoon some of those delicious juices from the bottom of the pan over the ham. This keeps it moist and extra flavorful.

Optional glaze.
If your ham came with a glaze packet, mix it with a few tablespoons of pineapple juice and brush it over the top during the last 15 minutes of baking.

Serve and enjoy.
Slice the ham, spoon over some of the pan juices, and serve with the pineapple rings for that perfect sweet-savory combo.

Can You Cook Glazed Ham in the Slow Cooker?

Oh yes, you absolutely can! If you’d rather save oven space (or just want to make your life easier), your slow cooker will handle this ham beautifully. It turns out tender, juicy, and packed with that pineapple-brown sugar flavor.

Here’s how to do it:

Prep your ham just like before, place it in the slow cooker, tuck pineapple slices between the layers, and pour the pineapple juice over the top.
Add the brown sugar evenly over everything.
Cover and cook on low for 4–6 hours or until heated through. The exact time depends on the size of your ham, but remember, it’s pre-cooked, so you’re just warming it up and letting those flavors soak in.
Optional glaze step: In the last 30 minutes, baste the ham with the juices from the slow cooker or brush on your glaze packet mixture if you’re using one.
Serve straight from the slow cooker! It keeps the ham warm and juicy for serving, especially handy for buffets or family gatherings.

Pro Tip: If your ham is too large to fit perfectly, you can trim a bit off one end.

Downsides of Using the Slow Cooker

While the slow cooker version is wonderfully easy and keeps the ham juicy, there are a few small trade-offs to keep in mind:

No crispy glaze: You won’t get that caramelized, slightly sticky crust that forms in the oven. The slow cooker keeps everything moist, so the glaze doesn’t really “set.”
Extra saucy: The juices can dilute the glaze a bit, making it more like a syrup than a sticky coating. Still tasty, just a little different!
Presentation: Oven-baked hams tend to look more golden and glossy, while slow-cooked ones are more tender and soft.

If you miss that crisp finish, pop the ham under the broiler for 8–10 minutes after slow cooking. That quick blast of heat will caramelize the glaze and give you the best of both worlds!

Tips for the Best Glazed Ham

Go heavy on the pineapple! The more slices, the juicier and more flavorful your ham will be.
Don’t skip the basting. That step makes all the difference in keeping it moist and glossy.
Caramelize at the end. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes if you want that golden, slightly sticky finish.
Smaller ham? Reduce the baking time. You’re just reheating, not cooking from scratch.

Glazed Ham Variations

Maple twist: Swap the brown sugar for ¼ cup pure maple syrup. Sweet and rich!
Spicy kick: Add a pinch of cayenne or a drizzle of hot honey to the glaze.
Citrus lover’s dream: Mix orange juice and zest into the glaze for a bright, fresh flavor.
Cherry pineapple delight: Add maraschino cherries to the center of each pineapple ring for a pretty (and nostalgic!) touch.

Storage and Ham Leftovers

In the fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
In the freezer: Wrap tightly in foil and store for up to 2 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating.
To reheat: Warm slices in a baking dish covered with foil at 300°F for 15–20 minutes. Add a splash of pineapple juice or water to keep it juicy.

Serving Ideas

Glazed ham goes with everything! Try it with:

Mashed potatoes or cheesy potatoes
Broccoli, green beans or roasted veggies
Warm rolls or sweet Hawaiian bread
Deviled eggs (for that perfect holiday plate!)

And of course… don’t forget to save a few slices for ham sandwiches the next day. A little leftover glaze on toasted bread? Heaven.

So there you have it, the easiest, yummiest glazed ham ever! It’s sweet, savory, and makes your kitchen smell delicious.