I have always wanted to make this holiday ham. It is an old-school roast that my grandparents used to serve me when I was a little kid! This time, though, our Cherry Chipotle Pineapple Glazed Ham will break some rules.
We are going to make it a little spicy so we can balance some of the sweetness. We are also going to use my Cherry Chipotle Ale seasoning from Spiceology because it brings a nice tang to the dish.
Table of Contents
- HISTORY OF THE HOLIDAY HAM with Pineapple
- WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS HAM WITH PINEAPPLE
- Pineapple Glazed Ham INGREDIENTS
- LET’S SMOKE IT
- TIME TO EAT THIS CHERRY CHIPOTLE PINEAPPLE GLAZED HAM!
- TIPS
- More Pineapple Recipes
- HOW TO STORE AND REHEAT
- WHAT TO SERVE WITH GLAZED SPIRAL HAM
- Pineapple Glazed Ham RECIPE FAQS
- Cherry Chipotle Pineapple Glazed Ham Recipe
HISTORY OF THE HOLIDAY HAM with Pineapple
There are many traditional holiday roasts, including Prime Rib, NY Strip Roast, Beef Tenderloin, Turkey, and many more. That being said, the Cherry Chipotle Pineapple Glaze Ham is an absolute staple piece. Traditionally, the ham can be also served in many different ways depending on where you are from.
Growing up, my grandparents used to serve me Southern-style baked ham with a sweet maple syrup glaze that went over the top of the ham. Some years, my grandmother would also make the old-school Cherry Pineapple Ham with the pineapple sliced and maraschino cherries pinned onto the ham. I always loved that cook because I used to eat the maraschino cherries while she cooked. So, my childhood experience is now the inspiration for the Cherry Chipotle Pineapple Glazed Ham recipe.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS HAM WITH PINEAPPLE
The fresh pineapple rings and a savory, slightly spicy cherry chipotle glaze are the perfect combination for this ham because they transform an ordinary ham into a show-stopping delicious ham for your holiday table.
The rich, succulent ham pairs perfectly with the tangy, smoky-sweet pineapple ham glaze that’s packed with flavors like chipotle puree, pineapple juice, and bourbon. The result is a ham that’s not only incredibly tender but also bursting with delicious flavor. It’s a simple, but impressive recipe that’s perfect for a special occasion like Christmas dinner or your next holiday meal.
Pineapple Glazed Ham INGREDIENTS
HAM
- Spiral Cut Ham: We chose an 8 pound ham for this recipe.
- Cherry Chipotle Seasoning or Sweet BBQ Seasoning: Both seasonings offer a smoky, sweet flavor that beautifully compliments the ham.
- Sliced Pineapple in heavy syrup
- Maraschino Cherries
GLAZE
- Butter (salted): Butter adds a rich and creamy texture to the glaze.
- Chipotle Puree: Brings a smoky and slightly spicy flavor that complements the sweetness of the cherries and pineapple, creating a well-rounded taste profile with a hint of heat.
- Bourbon: Infuses a deep, warm, and slightly smoky undertone to the glaze.
- Pineapple Juice: Adds sweetness and a tropical, tangy flavor that pairs beautifully with ham.
- Maraschino Cherry Juice: Contributes both sweetness and a subtle cherry undertone to the glaze.
- Honey: Helps the glaze adhere to the ham, creating a glossy finish.
LET’S SMOKE IT
For this ham, we grabbed an 8lb spiral ham. You are welcome to do this recipe with an unsliced ham, but that will increase the cooking time! Next, I seasoned it with my Cherry Chipotle Ale seasoning from Spiceology, but feel free to use any sweet bbq styled seasoning if you do not have this rub at home. Finally, we pinned the pineapple slices and maraschino cherries to the backside of the ham using toothpicks.
Preheated my fire to 325F for a 1.5-2.5 hour cook with this ham. Add the Cherry Chipotle Pineapple Glazed Ham onto the smoker, and you are ready to go. Again, feel free to do this in your oven if you don’t have a smoker.
When the ham is close to 145F internal, I will start making the simple glaze to go over the top. Add the glaze to the ham and kick up the heat in the smoker to help caramelize the outside before eating.
TIME TO EAT THIS CHERRY CHIPOTLE PINEAPPLE GLAZED HAM!
This simple recipe is both old school and new school. It uses tons of great flavors as well as a delicious smokiness for the win. Try the Cherry Chipotle Pineapple Glazed Ham recipe now below. Cheers!
TIPS
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the ham reaches at least 145F.
- Let the ham come to room temperature to ensure even cooking.
- The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your ham, so just make sure to keep an eye on the internal temperature.
More Pineapple Recipes
HOW TO STORE AND REHEAT
Store leftover ham in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 1-2 months.
To reheat:
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 325F.
- Place your leftover ham in an oven-safe dish.
- Cover it with aluminum foil because it will help to prevent it from drying out.
- Add a bit of liquid (like broth or water) to maintain moisture.
- Heat for about 10-15 minutes per pound until it reaches an internal temperature of 140F. If your ham was originally cooked with a glaze, baste it with additional glaze for extra flavor.
Microwave Method:
If you’re in a hurry, you can also reheat it in the microwave.
- Place the ham slices or pieces on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap.
- Heat for 1-2 minutes at a time until warmed through. Make sure to rotate and flip the pieces for even heating. Microwave reheating is best for smaller portions.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH GLAZED SPIRAL HAM
Serve this delicious ham up with some of your favorite side dishes like sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, and mashed potatoes for the ultimate holiday dinner!
For more ham, check out my Double Smoked Ham, Smoked Pulled Ham Sandwiches and Cherry Chipotle Ham Steak and Eggs.
Pineapple Glazed Ham RECIPE FAQS
Try to find a precooked ham that’s already been sliced. This will make the cooking process much faster. You can also use a boneless ham or bone-in ham, depending on your preference. Remember, a bone-in ham may take longer to cook and be a little harder to carve.
Yes! Just make sure to fully thaw it before cooking.
To thaw a ham:
1. It’s important to lock your ham in a waterproof bag, ensuring it’s sealed tight. If it’s not bagged up, a solid wrap with plastic or heavy-duty aluminum foil does the trick.
2. Grab a spacious container or basin big enough to fully submerge the ham. It should fit comfortably in your sink or tub. Make sure it’s clean and sanitized.
3. Sink your ham into the container and cover it up with some cold tap water.
4. To speed up the thawing process, change the water every half-hour. Fresh, cold water is the way to go – it keeps your ham out of the “danger zone” and away from any bacterial growth.
Note: Thawing a frozen ham takes around 30 minutes for each pound of ham. So, an 8 pound ham would take around 4 hours to thaw using this method.
Sweet wood chips such as maple, pecan, or cherry wood pair perfectly with this Cherry Chipotle Pineapple Ham recipe!
Cherry Chipotle Pineapple Glazed Ham
Ingredients
Ham:
- 1 Spiral Ham around 8 lbs
- 2 tbsp Cherry Chipotle Seasoning Sweet BBQ Seasoning
- 12 Sliced Pineapple in heavy syrup
- 12 Maraschino Cherries
Glaze:
- 2 tbsp of Butter salted
- 1.5 tbsp of Chipotle Puree
- 1 tbsp of Bourbon
- 1 tbsp of Pineapple Juice
- 1 tbsp of Maraschino Cherry Juice
- 2 tsp of Honey
Instructions
- Set your spiral ham with the cut open side facing towards you for prepping.
- Season the ham with the Cherry Chipotle Seasoning (or whatever you like) thoroughly making sure to get all the crevices.
- On the back side of ham, start placing pineapple slices all over securing them with toothpicks.
- Once you have covered the back with pineapple slices, secure the maraschino cherries in the center of each pineapple slice with another toothpick.
- Set the ham aside until you are ready to cook.
- Preheat your grill for indirect cooking to 325F. Add some cherry wood chips if you desire extra smoke flavor.
- Add the ham onto the smoker and cook for about 1.5-2.5 hours until the ham reaches 145F internal.
- When the ham is close to being done, preheat a skillet for your glaze.
- Add the butter to melt, then add all the other ingredients.
- Mix the glaze thoroughly and let simmer until thickened (about 4-5 minutes).
- Before the ham is done, pull it off the smoker and place it into a aluminum foil bin or cast iron.
- Thoroughly glaze it on all sides, and then place it back on the smoker.
- Open up all the vents in the smoker to increase the heat and let it caramelize the glaze.
- Cook at high heat for about 7-8 minutes. When done, pull it off and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Slice, serve and enjoy!
Just made this ham and loved it for something a little different than the ordinary. Added Cherry wheat beer from Bell’s to the pan to keep the moisture up which made a beautiful au jus. Great recipe!