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Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham Bake

A nostalgic dish that combines salty ham, a buttery brown sugar glaze, and sweet caramelized pineapple, making it perfect for holiday meals or cozy weeknights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 3 cups cooked ham, diced (low-sodium recommended)
  • 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks, drained (reserve ¼ cup juice)
Sweet & Tangy Glaze
  • ½ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (or yellow mustard)
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • ¼ cup reserved pineapple juice
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves (optional) Adds incredible warmth
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, mustard, soy sauce, pineapple juice, and ground cloves. The mixture should be smooth, glossy, and slightly syrupy.
  3. Add the diced ham and pineapple chunks to the baking dish. Pour the glaze over them, then stir gently so everything is well coated.
Baking
  1. Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, until the glaze is bubbling and the ham edges start to caramelize.
  2. For a deeper color and a sticky glaze, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end.
Serving
  1. Serve hot over rice, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or enjoy as a standalone dish.

Notes

Use low-sodium ham to avoid an overly salty dish. For a thicker glaze, add 1 teaspoon of cornstarch to the mixture before baking. Add a splash of apple cider vinegar for depth, or toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes for spice.