Pineapple & Honey Glazed Ham
This pineapple glazed ham brings a sweet, tropical twist to the classic Aussie Christmas ham. An Otway ham is scored and brushed with a glossy glaze of pureed pineapple, honey, dark brown sugar, Dijon mustard and cinnamon. Thick pineapple wedges roast alongside it and caramelise in the pan juices. It bakes in under an hour to a sticky, golden finish, so it’s an easy, crowd-pleasing centrepiece for Christmas Day, with plenty left over for Boxing Day.
Ingredients
- 1 x 7–8 kg Otway Ham, skin removed
- 1 small pineapple, peeled and cut lengthways into thick wedges
Pineapple & Honey Glaze
- ¾ cup crushed unsweetened pineapple
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Method
Preheat oven to 180˚C/160˚C fan-forced
Using a sharp knife, score the ham fat (not the flesh) lengthways in 1 cm wide intervals. Place ham on a greased rack in a large baking dish lined with foil.
For ease, use a large disposable foil roasting dish.
To make the pineapple glaze, place crushed pineapple into a medium saucepan and using a hand-held blender, puree until quite smooth (like thick pineapple juice). Add remaining glaze ingredients to pan. Bring to the boil, stirring, over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5-8 minutes or until slightly thickened.
Brush ham fat two to three times with the glaze to coat. Arrange pineapple wedges around the ham. Brush lightly with the glaze. Roast for 50 minutes, brushing with the remaining ham glaze once or twice or until golden. Stand to cool for 30 minutes. Slice the baked ham and serve with the pineapple.
FAQs
Can I use fresh pineapple for the glaze?
Yes. Blend fresh pineapple until smooth and measure out ¾ cup to use in place of the crushed pineapple. Fresh pineapple can be tangier, so taste the glaze and add a little extra honey if needed.
Why is the ham scored before glazing?
Scoring the fat helps the glaze cling to the ham and lets the fat render as it cooks, creating a sticky, caramelised crust. Only cut through the fat, not into the meat.
Can I cook this glazed ham on the BBQ?
Yes. Set up a covered BBQ for indirect heat at about 180°C and place the ham on the cooler side. Glaze and baste as you would in the oven, and keep the lid closed as much as possible.
What should I serve with pineapple glazed ham?
Serve it with the roasted pineapple wedges, a crisp green salad, potato salad or roast vegetables. Leftover ham is perfect for sandwiches, salads and fried rice over the Christmas break.
Recipe courtesy of Australian Pork Limited.
