Baked Ham with Cranberry Pineapple Glaze
If you’re ready for a new way to prepare your next ham dinner, this Oven Baked Ham with Cranberry Pineapple glaze brings big flavor without a lot of extra work. It takes a classic holiday centerpiece and gives it a fresh, bright seasonal twist that feels right at home on any festive table. With its glossy glaze and simple prep, it looks impressive but you and I know it’s simple to prepare, no one else needs to know though.
A spiral cut ham with pineapple cranberry glaze tastes smoky and savory with a tangy-sweet finish from the fruit. The pineapple adds brightness, the cranberry brings a little tartness, and the brown sugar rounds everything out. The glaze settles into the slices so each bite gets that sweet-and-salty contrast that makes glazed ham such a reliable favorite.
This recipe works for any holiday meal, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, or even Easter if you still have cranberries. Pro tip? Toss a bag of cranberries in the freezer for use all year round. You can use them in just about ANY recipe except sugared cranberries, they’re too soft after freezing for that kind of project.
What You Need To Make This Ham
Before shopping, grab my free meal planning template and grocery list (pssst that link is to the beautiful hand-drawn veriosn) to make prepping for big meals easier. Taking a moment to build a complete list keeps you organized and ensures everything runs smoothly in the kitchen.
- spiral cut ham
- pineapple slices
- pineapple tidbits-juice and fruit
- cranberries
- brown sugar
- orange
What Kind of Ham You Can Use
If you don’t have a spiral cut ham, choose a bone-in half ham or whole ham with the rind removed. Look for one that’s labeled “fully cooked” so you’re reheating it the same way you would a spiral cut. Lightly score the surface in a crosshatch pattern so the glaze can settle into the cracks like it does on a spiral cut ham. Then follow the cooking times on you ham, and make the glaze according to the recipe.
To Serve This Ham
When it comes time to carve, place your spiral cut ham on a platter. Since it’s mostly carved for you only need to use a knife to gently remove slices. This make carving at the table quick and easy, which is nice if you’ve ever tried to carve a turkey in front of your family. One of the perks of a spiral cut ham!
To Store Leftovers
Store leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat it anyway you like, fry it, add it to casseroles, serve it in sandwiches. Leftover ham is so versatile!
If you have a large amount freeze it for later. For freezing, wrap portions tightly and use within a couple of months. Reheat gently so it stays tender.
Oven Baked Ham with Cranberry Pineapple Glaze
Ingredients
- 8 pound spiral cut ham
- 1 can pineapple slices
- 1 can pineapple tidbits
- 1 cup cranberries
- 3/4 cup brown sugar up to 1 full cup, as needed
- 1 orange zest only
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 275°F
- Remove ham from packaging
- Place ham flat side down in a roasting pan
- Cover with a lid or foil
- Bake for 12 minutes per pound
- While the ham bakes make the glaze
- Drain the juice from the pineapple tidbits and add them to a saucepan
- Measure the juice from the pineapple, you need a cup of liquid, add water if needed
- pour the juice into the pan
- add the cranberries
- wash the orange and zest it into the pan
- add the brown sugar and stir to combine
- cook over medium heat and stir until the berries start popping
- taste the sauce to see if you want more brown sugar, add as needed
- cook for 5 more minutes
- Strain through a sieve to get a half cup of liquid
- set the cranberries pineapple relish aside, it's ready to serve with the ham
- return the juice to the pan and cook briefly just to thicken it up, then set aside
- When the ham is reheated remove from the oven
- increase the heat in the oven to 425°
- remove the foil
- Drain the pineapple slices and place them between some of the ham slices
- Brush the glaze over the entire ham
- Bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, brushing halfway through with the remaining glaze, until the glaze is caramelized
- Tent with foil and let rest for 10 minutes before serving
- Transfer to a serving platter and slice to serve
- Serve it with the cranberry pineapple sauce
