This Ham with Pineapple and Cherries is the perfect addition to your holiday table.
The combination of pineapple, cherries and ham is a classic that will never go out of style. It would pair well with another classic, mashed potatoes.
One of my favorite things about ham is that it can be served warm or cold depending on your preferences. Looking for a way to use up your leftover ham? Check out this Ham and Cheese Tortellini recipe.
Jump to:
Health Benefits of Ham
Ham is one of my favorite proteins because not only is it delicious, but it’s also full of nutrients such as protein and iron. In fact, ham is a complete protein because it provides all nine of the essential amino acids. It’s also low in carbs and fat, so that’s a nice benefit.
Adding fruit to it is a simple, yet delicious way, to elevate traditional baked ham. Plus, the fruit adds dietary fiber, potassium, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin C.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This flavorful ham is an ideal addition to any festive gathering. The classic combination of sweet pineapple, juicy cherries, and succulent ham is a timeless favorite that will impress all your guests.
- Even though this ham looks super fancy, you’ll be happy to know it’s easy to make.
- Your guests will be impressed with how pretty and fancy the ham looks.
- Any picky eaters in your house will be willing to eat this ham because it’s delicious.
- As the ham bakes, it will fill the house with a delicious aroma.
If you are looking for another ham recipe to make for Easter or Christmas give this Instant Pot Brown Sugar Ham recipe a try.
🥘 Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients to help you make this main dish. The best part of this recipe is that all of these ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store.
- Ham: Look for ham that is about 4 to 6 pounds.
- Pineapple: You will need the canned pineapple rings for the beautiful topping.
- Cherries: Jarred maraschino cherries that you can find in the ice cream aisle of your store will help finish off this beautiful ham.
See recipe card for complete list of ingredients and quantities.
🌈 Variations / Options / Add-Ins
If you’re looking to switch things up a bit, here are some options for variations and add-ins.
Mustard: Add Dijon or yellow mustard for a tangy kick to your glaze.
Herbs and Spices: You can add herbs and spices like thyme, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice to the glaze.
🥄 Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools
You only need a few simple kitchen tools to help you make this main dish. Gather these tools and get ready to enjoy this flavorful ham.
- baking dish – You will need a deep casserole dish or roasting pan
- bbq brush – This is super helpful when basting the ham.
🔪 How to Make Ham with Pineapple and Cherries
Making this delicious protein is so simple. Just follow the instructions below and you will have a delicious meal in no time at all.
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2: Add the ham
Place the ham in a large casserole dish.
Step 3: Top the ham with fruit
Cover the top of the ham with pineapple slices and cherries, using toothpicks to keep them secure.
Step 4: Add water
Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of the baking dish.
Step 5: Bake the ham
Cover the ham with aluminum foil and bake in the oven for 45 minutes.
Step 6: Mix the glaze ingredients
While the ham bakes, in a medium saucepan mix together the brown sugar, honey, and pineapple juice.
Step 7: Cook the glaze
Cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture slightly thickens.
Step 8: Baste the ham
After the 45 minutes of bake time is up, uncover the ham and brush the brown sugar marinade over the outside of the ham.
Step 9: Bake the ham again
Return the ham to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes uncovered.
Step 10: Repeat the basting process
Repeat the basting and baking process three times, or until the pineapple starts to brown.
Step 11: Check the temperature of the ham
After the fourth time, and your ham has reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees, remove it from the oven.
Step 12: Cool the ham before slicing
Allow the ham to cool for 10 minutes before slicing.
Step 13: Serve
Serve the ham slices topped with a pineapple and a cherry.
👩🍳 Pro Tips
Here are a few pro tips to help you make this delicious ham.
- Make sure to buy a ham that is about 4-6 pounds. It will be easier to fit in your baking dish and cook evenly.
- You can double or triple the glaze ingredients if you want an extra thick and sweet coating for your ham.
- Don’t skip the basting process, it really brings out the flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the ham.
- It’s best to use a sharp knife or electric knife to cut the ham in even slices.
- I prefer to use this recipe for a whole ham instead of a spiral cut ham. A bone-in ham will work just fine.
- If you are not a fan of a sweet ham, you can leave the brown sugar glaze off the ham.
❓ Recipe FAQs
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Reheat the ham in a 350 degree oven until the ham is warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat slices of the ham in the microwave after covering them with a damp paper towel; microwave using 30-second intervals until heated through.
Yes, cooked or uncooked ham can be frozen. Make sure to wrap it tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap before storing in the freezer for up to three months.
🙏 Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Ham with Pineapple and Cherries:
Ready to get cooking? Print off the recipe card below or toggle on Cook Mode to keep your screen from going dark while you follow along on your phone or tablet.
📋 Recipe
Ham with Pineapple and Cherries
Equipment
- baking dish
- Aluminum foil
- toothpicks
Ingredients
- 4-6 pound ham
- 16 ounces pineapple rings
- 10 ounce jar maraschino cherries
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup reserved pineapple juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place the ham in a large casserole dish.
- Cover the top of the ham with pineapple slices and cherries, using toothpicks to keep them secure.
- Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of the baking dish.
- Cover the ham with aluminum foil and place in the oven for 45 minutes.
- While the ham bakes, in a medium saucepan mix together the brown sugar, honey, and pineapple juice.
- Cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture slightly thickens.
- After the 45 minutes of bake time is up, uncover the ham and brush the brown sugar marinade over the outside of the ham.
- Return the ham to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes uncovered.
- Repeat the basting and baking process three times, or until the pineapple starts to brown.
- After the fourth time, if your ham has reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees, remove it from the oven.
- Allow the ham to cool for 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Make sure to buy a ham that is about 4-6 pounds. It will be easier to fit in your baking dish and cook evenly.
- You can double or triple the glaze ingredients if you want an extra thick and sweet coating for your ham.
- Don’t skip the basting process, it really brings out the flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the ham.
- I’ve found it’s best to use a sharp knife or electric knife to cut the ham in even slices.
- I prefer to use this recipe for a whole ham instead of a spiral cut ham. A bone-in ham will work just fine.
- If you are not a fan of a sweet ham, you can leave the brown sugar glaze off the ham.