Pineapple Bourbon Glazed Ham: The Ultimate Holiday Ham Recipe

If you’re searching for a show-stopping holiday ham packed with a ton of flavor, this Pineapple Bourbon Glazed Hamis exactly what you need.

Perfect for family gatherings, festive dinners, and special occasions, this pineapple ham delivers the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory notes in every bite. With a rich pineapple bourbon glaze, juicy spiral slices, and a stunning caramelized exterior, this ham recipe will become a new seasonal favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Pineapple Ham

This recipe uses a bone-in ham that is already spiral cut, which makes preparation simple and slicing effortless.

The combination of pineapple juice, crushed pineapple, hot honey, and bourbon creates a sweet glaze that clings beautifully to the surface of the ham. As the glaze cooks down over medium heat, it becomes thick, sticky, and loaded with flavor—exactly what you want for a golden, caramelized finish.

Whether you’re planning a holiday meal or feeding a crowd at a family gathering, this ham presents beautifully on any table. The bright pineapple preserves in the glaze and garnishes give it a festive look and a tropical flair that everyone will love.

Pineapple Bourbon Glazed ham.
Photos from this recipe are from Brittany Scott (Instagram: @the_salted_bite)

Ingredients You’ll Need for Pineapple Bourbon Glazed Ham

  • 6–8 lb bone-in spiral ham
  • 2 tbsp mustard
  • 4 tbsp BBQ rub
  • Green onions, sliced (garnish)
  • Toasted sesame seeds (garnish)

For the Pineapple Bourbon Glaze

  • 8 oz pineapple juice
  • 1 can crushed pineapple
  • ¼ cup Original Bachan’s
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup hot honey
  • ¼ cup bourbon

How to Make Pineapple Bourbon Glazed Ham

1. Prep the Ham

Start by using mustard as a binder to help your BBQ rub stick to the outside of the ham. Use your hands or a brush to coat the entire ham thoroughly.

The spices blend with the glaze as the ham cooks, adding depth and a ton of flavor.

Seasoned ham

2. Smoke the Ham Low and Slow

Place ham on a wire rack or directly on your smoker grates with a foil pan underneath and smoke at 250°F for 2 hours.

This slow cooking allows the smoky flavor to penetrate the spiral cut layers while keeping the meat incredibly juicy. You can tent the ham with aluminum foil if the edges begin browning too quickly.

Pineapple Bourbon Glazed Ham on the smoker.

3. Make the Sweet Pineapple Bourbon Glaze

While the ham smokes, prepare the glaze in a medium sauce pan. Mix the pineapple juice, crushed pineapple, Bachan’s, butter, brown sugar, hot honey, and bourbon. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes until the mixture thickens into a glossy sweet glaze. Transfer some to a small bowl for brushing.

This mixture of pineapple preserves, butter, sweet heat, and bourbon creates the perfect balance of flavors that sets this ham apart.

Pineapple Bourbon Glaze Ingredients.

4. Glaze Throughout the Cook

After the first 2 hours of smoking, begin brushing the glaze over the surface of the ham every 15 minutes. The sugars caramelize, giving you beautiful color and flavor.

Continue glazing for about 1 hour, or until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.

5. Rest and Serve

Once done, remove the ham from the smoker and pour the remaining glaze over the top of the ham. Allow it to rest for 10–15 minutes to let the juices redistribute. Use a sharp knife to slice along the natural spiral cuts and serve warm.

For presentation, garnish with green onions and toasted sesame seeds. It adds freshness, crunch, and an extra pop of color.

Pineapple Bourbon Glazed Ham.

Final Thoughts on Pineapple Bourbon Glazed Ham

This Pineapple Bourbon Glazed Ham is more than just a holiday ham—it’s a centerpiece worth celebrating.

With its tropical sweetness, savory BBQ notes, and glossy finish, it’s a pineapple ham that delivers unforgettable flavor every single time.

Whether it’s Christmas, Easter, or any special occasion, this ham recipe is guaranteed to impress. Enjoy the perfect blend of pineapple preserves, bourbon richness, and smoky goodness in every bite!

Pineapple Bourbon Glazed Ham.

More Delicious Recipes to try!

Cherry Bourbon Glazed Ham
A rich, sweet holiday ham glazed with cherry preserves, bourbon, and warm spices. Perfectly caramelized and beautifully glossy, it delivers bold flavors that elevate any festive dinner table.

Orange Maple Bourbon Glazed Ham
This citrusy, sweet ham combines fresh orange zest, maple syrup, and smooth bourbon for a vibrant, sticky glaze. A bright, flavorful twist on classic holiday ham that everyone will love.

Cajun Butter Smoked Turkey
Juicy smoked turkey coated in spicy Cajun butter, creating crispy skin and bold Southern flavor. Perfect for holidays or gatherings, this recipe delivers heat, richness, and incredible smoky depth.

Raspberry Jalapeño Ham Sliders
Sweet raspberry, spicy jalapeño, and savory ham come together in irresistible sliders layered with melty cheese. A perfect balance of heat and sweetness for game day, parties, or family gatherings.

Smokey Ham and Cheese Sliders
Soft rolls stacked with smoky ham, melted cheese, and a buttery seasoning glaze. Baked until golden and gooey, these crowd-pleasing sliders are ideal for parties, potlucks, or quick weeknight meals.

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Pineapple Bourbon Glazed Ham.

Pineapple Bourbon Glazed Ham

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Pineapple Bourbon Glazed Ham is the perfect holiday centerpiece! Smokey ham glazed with a sweet stick pineapple bourbon glaze.

  • Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 1216 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 68 pound Bone-inSpiral ham
  • 2 tbsp Mustard
  • 4 tbsp BBQ Rub
  • Green onions for garnish
  • Toasted sesame seeds for garnish

Sauce

  • 8 oz pineapple juice
  • 1 can crushed pineapple
  • ¼ cup Original Bachan’s
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup hot honey
  • ¼ cup bourbon

Instructions

  1. Use a mustard binder and season the outside of your ham with your favorite bbq rub
  2. Smoke ham at 250° F for 2 hours
  3. Create glaze by combining ingredients in a sauce pan. Cook down over medium heat for about 10 mins until it begins to thicken
  4. After 2 hours, glaze the ham with a brush every 15 minutes for an additional hour of cooking.
  5. Remove from smoker once the internal temp reaches 145° F
  6. Pour the remaining glaze on the top of the ham then let it rest for 10-15 minutes.
  7. Slice and serve warm
  • Author: Nick Nesgoda
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours
  • Category: Main course
  • Method: Barbecue
  • Cuisine: American

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