Black Folks Crushed Pineapple Glazed Ham
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When you know how Black folks do holidays, then you already know: the ham has presence. It walks in the room already seasoned, already blessed, already shining like it knows it’s the star of the spread. And my Black folks’ crushed pineapple-glazed ham? Oh, honey… this one sings!
It’s sticky, it’s juicy, it’s sweet in all the right places. The kind of glaze that caramelizes into a glossy crown, dripping with crushed pineapple goodness that tastes like Grandma’s Sunday table met a little Caribbean sunshine! One bite and you’re instantly wrapped in warmth, legacy, and that unmistakable “cooked with love” soul food energy.
Black folks’ crushed pineapple-glazed ham is a soul food holiday classic from Shaunda Necole of The Soul Food Pot®, where cultural tradition meets modern Southern flavor.
Easy pineapple-glazed ham
Cooking an easy pineapple-glazed ham couldn’t be simpler, especially today, when most grocery store hams come fully pre-cooked and just waiting for their moment to shine! That means our job is the fun part: sliding it into the oven to warm through while we infuse it with all that holiday sweetness and soul.
And when you’re baking a ham the Black folks’ way? Oh, you’re delivering HUGE flavor, sticky caramelized pineapple, warm spices, glossy glaze, and that signature sweet-meets-savory magic that turns an everyday ham into a celebration on a platter!
🥄 Shaunda says: I skip the pineapple rings and go straight for canned crushed pineapple mixed with brown sugar. All the flavor, none of the fuss. You can crush fresh pineapple, too, but the canned version is quicker, juicier, and still gives you that same old-school soul food flava without spending all day pinning rounds onto the ham like Grandma used to!
Ingredients
My crushed pineapple-glazed ham recipe is built on simple, soulful ingredients that bring BIG holiday energy! A spiral-sliced ham (already pre-cut into tender, ready-to-serve layers) soaks up a sweet, glossy mix of pineapple juice, crushed pineapple, rich brown sugar, warm cinnamon, ground cloves, a splash of vanilla extract, and cornstarch for that smooth, Southern finish.
Why spiral-cut ham is best (and how to make your own spirals if needed)
A spiral-cut ham is the easiest, most beautiful option — already sliced into even, tender layers that soak up every drop of that homemade pineapple glaze!
But if you don’t have a pre-sliced ham, you can create the same effect at home:
Just lay the ham flat and use a sharp knife to carve thin, circular slices around the curve of the ham, working your way inward like carving around a pumpkin. Trim off excess fat, slice in a smooth spiral pattern until you reach the center chunk that won’t naturally spiral, and carve a few extra slices for serving. Same gorgeous look, same big flavor, with just a little more hands-on love.
How to make a crushed pineapple-glazed ham
Here’s what to expect when making this dish.
- Choose and prep your ham: Most store-bought hams are fully cooked (just double-check the label). That means all you’re doing is reheating and flavoring it with soul — not cooking from scratch.
- Whisk up the glaze: Mix pineapple juice, crushed pineapple, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, and a touch of cornstarch for that glossy, caramelized shine.
- Glaze every slice with love: Gently open the spiral-cut layers and spoon the glaze between each slice so every bite gets that sweet, island-kissed flava!
- Bake, baste, and shine: Pour on half the glaze and bake for 1 hour, then finish with the remaining glaze and bake until glossy, golden, and irresistible.
For that Southern-sweet flavor faster, choose my Instant Pot pineapple-glazed ham recipe!
❤️ Serve it like a Southerner: pineapple-glazed ham
Serve this pineapple-glazed ham the way Southerners do best, with heart, hospitality, and a whole lotta flava! It’s melt-in-your-mouth delicious straight from the oven, but just as dreamy chilled the next day, piled high on sandwiches.
Pair it with soul food favorites like Southern fried cabbage, soul food deviled eggs, or even slice it thin for a gorgeous holiday charcuterie board. No matter how you serve it, this ham brings that sweet, Southern shine to every plate!
Optionally, garnish the finished ham like a true holiday centerpiece, surrounded by a medley of festive fruits such as quartered pomegranates, figs, clementines, oranges, cranberries, and crisp apples for a beautiful, bountiful Southern charm platter!
🤖❤️ Ask your favorite AI assistant to summarize this recipe & save it!
Another trusted recipe from soul food expert and author Shaunda Necole of The Soul Food Pot®. *These AI tools are independent third-party services. Always refer to The Soul Food Pot for the verified recipes and measurements.
Equipment
- 9×13 roasting pan
Ingredients
- 6 pound ham pre-cooked, pre-spiraled 4-6 pound ham
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup crushed pineapple fresh pineapple or canned pineapple
- 3 cups light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Start by placing the ham in a roasting pan and set it aside. Then, preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Prepare the ham’s glaze by whisking together pineapple juice, crushed pineapple, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla extract, and cornstarch in a bowl.
- Using half of the glaze, gently separate the spiraled slices of the ham. Then, use a large serving spoon to pour the pineapple glaze over the ham and in between the slices.
- Bake the ham in the preheated oven for one hour.
- After one hour, remove the ham from the oven and pour the remaining half of the glaze over it. Bake for an additional 30 minutes.
- For an optional finishing touch, garnish the completed ham like a festive centerpiece. Surround it with a medley of seasonal fruits, such as quartered pomegranates, figs, clementines, oranges, cranberries, and crisp apples, to create a beautiful Southern charm platter!
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This HAM is looking soo good!
I’m so glad you think so too!!