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glazed pineapple ham thanksgiving feast

Thanksgiving Pineapple Brown Sugar Ham Glaze

A beautiful Thanksgiving ham deserves a glaze that's sweet, sticky, and full of delicious flavor! This Thanksgiving Pineapple Brown Sugar Ham Glaze combines juicy pineapple, rich brown sugar, honey, and warm spices to create a glossy caramelized coating that makes every bite irresistible.
Whether you're preparing a traditional holiday ham or adding something special to your Thanksgiving dinner table, this easy homemade pineapple glaze is a wonderful choice. It brings together sweet, tangy, and buttery flavors that pair perfectly with baked ham.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: sauce
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • - 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • - ¾ cup pineapple juice
  • - ¼ cup honey
  • - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • - ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • - ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • - 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • - 1 tablespoon cold water
  • - ¼ cup finely crushed pineapple optional

Method
 

Instructions
    Step 1: Combine the Ingredients
    1. In a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, butter, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
    Step 2: Heat the Glaze
    1. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the butter melts and the brown sugar dissolves completely.
    Step 3: Add Pineapple
    1. Stir in the crushed pineapple if using. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 5 minutes to develop its sweet and tangy flavor.
    Step 4: Thicken the Glaze
    1. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Slowly pour this mixture into the saucepan while stirring.
    Step 5: Simmer Until Glossy
    1. Continue cooking for another 2–3 minutes until the glaze becomes thick, smooth, and glossy. Remove from heat.
    Step 6: Glaze the Thanksgiving Ham
    1. Brush the pineapple brown sugar glaze generously over your pre-cooked ham during the final 20–30 minutes of reheating. Reapply every 10 minutes for a beautiful caramelized coating. Follow your ham's reheating instructions and avoid burning the sugary glaze.
    Tips for the Best Pineapple Brown Sugar Ham Glaze
    1. - Use fresh or canned pineapple juice for a fruity flavor.
    2. - Dark brown sugar can give the glaze a deeper caramel taste.
    3. - Add a little orange zest for extra citrus flavor.
    4. - Don't add the glaze too early, as the sugar can burn.
    5. - Reserve some fresh glaze before brushing it onto the ham to serve separately.