I don’t know about you but I need some spicy with my sweet. This crispy jalapeño pineapple honey glazed ham is a fresh take on a timeless classic. We infuse our honey glaze with sweet pineapple juice and just enough spicy jalapeño, so you can save the outdated pineapple rings and cherry garnashies for grandmas fruit cake.

“It’s like a Hawaiian pizza, but without the pizza part”
– Bill & Ted
Bone-in or Boneless?
When it comes to honey baked ham, there’s one clear winner: bone-in. Sure, some folks argue that boneless is more convenient and easier to slice. But we don’t talk to those kinda people, they are lazy and not our friends.
To get the true essence of a delicious honey baked ham, you gotta leave that bone in baby. The bone adds so much depth of flavor and juiciness. It’s really not even a discussion, I’m actually doing the bone-in ham an injustice by writing this. I repent.

Taste isn’t the only benefit of going bone-in. You don’t only get the superiorly flavorful and juicy meat, you also get the BONE! Seriously, a ham hock is a culinary treasure.
Make killer collard greens with it, or add it to any soup broth or stock to take your dish to new heights! Trust me, you want that bone.
Bone- in is the best, and it’s also the most traditional and authentic way to enjoy a ham. If you want the true honey baked ham experience, you need to go bone-in.
JALAPENO & PINEAPPLE HONEY GLAZED HAM
Jalapeno & Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this jalapeño & pineapple honey glazed ham recipe.
- Honey Baked Ham: Bone-in, spiral cut, honey baked ham, roughly 10 lbs.
- Pineapple: Before the last hour, slip some thin slices a fresh pineapple in-between the spiral cuts. It’s a fun updated presentation. You’ll need some pineapple juice for the glaze.
- Jalapeños: You could use Serrano peppers if you want more of a kick. Choose your own adventure.
- Honey: Shocker, I know.
- Brown Sugar: Dark brown sugar.
- Allspice & Cloves: Optional, but I think the flavors go well with sweet and spicy pork.
- Dijon mustard: Gives your glaze and extra dimension.
- Orange Zest: Little citrus never hurt anyone.

Jalapeno & Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham Equipment
Here are the tools you’ll need to make this jalapeño & pineapple honey glazed ham.
- Roasting Pan: If you don’t own one you can pick up a foil roasting pan at any grocery store. Makes for an easy clean up
- Tin Foil: No need if you’re using a foil roasting pan.
- Glaze Brush: Don’t just pour the glaze on, get a basting baking brush. Here’s a link for a good one, Kitchen Mama Silicone Basting Pastry Brush
How to Make Jalapeno & Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham
Follow these step by step instructions to make this jalapeño & pineapple honey glazed ham.
Step 1: Temper Ham
Before you start cooking you’ll need to temper your ham. Thats just fancy talk for letting the hunk of meat come to room temperature. Doing this is crucial, it helps the ham cook evenly. Give the ham 2-3 hours to (pinky’s out) temper.
Step 2: Bake the Ham
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Grab a roasting pan and add plop your ham onto it. Bake, uncovered, for 2 hours.
Step 3: Make Jalapeño Honey Glaze
While the ham is baking, combine the honey, brown sugar, jalapeño, pineapple juice, and orange zest. Over medium high heat stir in the allspice and ground cloves, bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and let the mixture simmer for 8-10 minutes. The mixture should start to thicken and turn into a glaze.
Taste and adjust to preference. Remove and discard the jalapeño slices if spice level is satisfactory. If too spicy add more honey.
Step 4: Crisp & Caramelize
Remove ham from the oven, insert pineapple slices and brush everything with with the honey jalapeño glaze.
Transfer the ham back to the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes. Continue applying the glaze to the ham every 10 minutes.

What to Serve w/ Jalapeno & Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham
A lot of folks serve a glazed ham for the holidays with all the classic fixings, like mashed potatoes & gray, green bean casserole, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.
But you don’t have to wait for the holidays to make this jalapeño and pineapple honey glazed ham, and you certainly don’t have to serve the same old side dishes with it.
One of my favorite things to eat with a big chunk of meat, are these Green Beans & Bacon with Apple Cider Vinegar. It’s my old mans recipe, and it’s really freak’n tasty.
If you don’t want mashed potatoes, but you still want potatoes, try our recipe for Garlic Parmesan French Fries, or our Sweet Potato Wedges. We make them both in the air fryer, it’s so easy and so tasty.
And for dessert, try our matcha brownie recipe.
Jalapeno & Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham Leftovers
Oh the possibilities. Ya know my inspiration in making this jalapeño & pineapple honey glazed ham was a Hawaiian pizza. I like mine with crispy bacon and jalapeños, with pineapple and ham of course.
So call me crazy, but how good would a Hawaiian pizza with chunks of this jalapeño & pineapple honey glazed ham be?! Mind… blown.
We also love to make salads on busy weekdays. Just cut the glazed ham into a bunch of little cubes and make a bitch’n Cobb salad. Simply add the ham to a bed of lettuce along with cheddar cheese, black olives, hard boiled eggs, and a little crispy bacon.
Sticking with the aloha state here, I love a slider Sando. Slap a couple slices of jalapeño & pineapple honey glazed ham, and some pepper jack cheese on a Hawaiian roll. Lather it up with mayo and you have one special plate of “leftovers”.

Jalapeno & Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham Storage
Unless uncle Tony brought all 7 of his children, you’re gonna have some leftover ham. So store it an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll be good for a week.
Or send the rest home with him and the kids, we all know “they’re like freak’n garbage disposals over here, they’re eating me out of house and home!” Well why’d you have 7 uncle Tony!?
While you could freeze a honey baked ham, I can’t recommended it. Freezing the ham can cause the texture to change and dry the ham out.
Jalapeno Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham FAQ’s
What kind of ham is best for a pineapple honey glaze?
A fully cooked spiral-cut ham works best for this recipe. The spiral cuts allow the glaze to seep into the meat, infusing it with flavor. And you can save the bone and make killer collard greens with it.
Should I use fresh pineapple or canned pineapple?
You know the answer to this. Everything is better fresh, but people have lives and budgets and we can’t always carve an entire pineapple. So do what you gotta do.
Can I make the Jalapeno Pineapple Honey Glaze glaze in advance?
Yes, the glaze can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.
How long do I need to cook the ham?
Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the ham. A general rule of thumb is to cook the ham for about 15-18 minutes per pound at 350°F.
Can I add other flavors to the glaze?
Absolutely! Try including ginger, brown sugar, or mustard for a unique twist.
How do I know when my Jalapeno Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham is done?
The internal temperature of the ham should reach 140°F. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature before removing it from the oven.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Yes, the leftovers can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Simply reheat in the oven before serving.
Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham
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