Why do people use pineapple with ham?

Juices from the roasted pineapple neutralize the cured ham's saltiness , making a dish that delights the tastebuds.

Why do you have pineapple with gammon?

Gammon and pineapple is seen as rather dated, but the saltiness of the meat with the sweet fruit is a classic combination .

Why can't you use fresh pineapple on ham?

Don't bother decorating the outside of your ham with fresh pineapple, as the enzymes in the fruit will turn the meat to mush .

What can I use if I don't have pineapple juice for ham?

If you don't have pineapple juice on hand, orange juice works, too. Soy sauce: I don't love a glazed ham recipe that's overly sweet, so I like to add a savory component as well. Soy sauce gives this pineapple glaze a great flavor and umami pop.

What can I substitute for pineapple juice when cooking a ham?

For the juice, I would recommend basic orange juice , perhaps cut with a little extra lime juice for complexity and acidity.

Why cooks place fresh pineapple on meat before cooking it?

Enzymes in marinades For example, fruits like papaya, kiwifruit, pineapple, fig and mango are a good source of enzymes that can break down meat proteins . These fruits all contain a type of enzyme called a protease. The pineapple enzyme bromelain breaks down meat proteins.

Why do people put pineapple on meat?

However, what many people do not know is pineapple has an enzyme called bromelain that softens muscle fiber . This enzyme reacts with the protein in the meat to break it down and increases the meat's potential to absorb more moisture. This is the reason why pineapple is one of the most preferred tenderizers.

What does pineapple do to meat?

In the case of pineapples, the bromelain is actually a mixture of two enzymes classed as proteases that break down proteins . These proteases target the large protein molecules in meats (specifically the connective proteins called collagen), and break them down into shorter segments.

Who invented pineapple with ham?

But the Hawaiian pizza, topped with ham and pineapple, was not an Italian invention. And despite the name, it did not come from the US island state of Hawaii either. The pizza was actually created in Canada in 1962 by a Greek immigrant called Sam Panopoulos.

Can pineapple change the texture of ham?

Pineapple will only change the texture of ham if you use fresh pineapple . Make sure to use canned pineapple rings when baking ham, or the acidity of the fresh pineapple will break the meat down too much and make it mushy. Fresh pineapple is fine for the glaze, however, as it's cooked down.

Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham - My Incredible Recipes (2024)

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Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham recipe that went viral all over the internet!It is one of my most loved recipes on my entire blog and for good reason! If you haven’t tried this recipe yet, you are missing out! This is a must-make. Crockpot ham never tasted so good!

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My all-time most favorite time of the year is quickly approaching! I love the feeling, the food, and my family! I am bringing you a recipe that my family raves about every holiday!

This crockpot ham recipe is one that is great for the holidays, serving a crowd, or just a weeknight dinner. Serve with my mashed potato casserole, slow cooker creamy corn, or with some Amish bread with butter.

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Reasons You Will Love This Recipe

Sweet and savory ham all in one delicious pan. You get the sweet from the brown sugar, tangy from pineapple, and savory from the pineapple.
Moist and tender ham that turns out perfect every single time. A great hands-off approach to cooking the perfect ham.
Easy prep for you to get a meal ready for your family or a crowd.
This is a perfect ham for the holidays, whether Easter, Thanksgiving or, even Christmas.
My brown sugar ham is a stunning ham that offers a gorgeous presentation value.

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Ingredients Needed

Ham – I used a spiral-cut ham for this slow cooker ham recipe. Reach for a ham that fits into the slow cooker. Depending on the size of your slow cooker will depend on the size of ham you can use.
Honey – To sweeten the ham and create a glaze you will use honey.
Brown Sugar – A little bit of brown sugar is going to offer the perfect sweetness to compliment the savory out of the ham.
Pineapple – Pineapple ham is so popular. The sweet juice that is released from the pineapple flavors the ham nicely. Canned pineapple works great.

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Here are a few ways to change up the ingredients used in this crockpot ham recipe. I love it just as it is, but feel free to make tweaks to create the perfect recipe for yourself.

Spread on a layer of Dijon mustard on top of the ham and massage the honey in as well for a little bit of a twist in flavor.
Sprinkle the ham with a little bit of cayenne pepper or even red pepper flakes for a spicy honey ham.
Swap out the ham for peach or apricot preserves for a change if flavor. You could even do a cherry preserves or a can of cranberry sauce. All of these would be delicious. I love the cranberry twist.
Use maple syrup instead of honey, or even agave syrup.
Swap the pineapple with a bit of apple cider or apple juice instead of pineapple.
You are welcome to sprinkle on different herbs and spices to flavor the ham differently. It doesn’t have to be a sweet ham. Smoked paprika, garlic, parsley, thyme, rosemary, etc.
I used a spiral cut ham but you are welcome to use a different type of ham.

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Pro Tips For Success

Ham Size

Make sure that you are buying a ham that fits in the crockpot. You want to make sure there is space around each side of the crockpot.

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Making Cuts in Ham

I used a spiral ham but you will find that if your ham is not a spiral cut slits around the ham. This is going to ensure the honey, brown sugar, and pineapple juice will make its way into the ham. Now if you are using a spiral-cut ham, then spread the slices apart to spread some of the mixture into the slits for added flavor.

Crockpot Liner

Feel free to use a crockpot liner to prevent sticking and an easier cleanup. This is not a have-to-have but it will help in cleanup. The sugars can become sticky as well as the honey, so the cleanup will be a lot easier.

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Low and Slow

I highly recommend that you cook your ham low and slow. I find that cooking your ham on a low setting is key as it is going to help infuse the ingredients into the ham but also prevent it from drying it out.

Allow Ham to Rest

Make sure you allow your ham to rest for around 10-15 minutes before you go to slice and serve up the ham. This is going to help lock in the juices and prevent it from drying out when you slice into the meat.

Juices In Crock Pot

You will find that there will be juices at the bottom of the slow cooker. Saving the juice and keeping the ham stored in the juice is going to help flavor the ham even more.

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Storing Leftovers

Refrigerate any of the ham you do not eat right away. You can store your ham in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can also freeze the ham for 5-6 months if you would like. This is a great way for you to extend the shelf life of the ham. Then when you want to eat some of the ham, you will simply thaw the ham in the fridge overnight.

You can warm in the microwave or opt to reheat in the oven if you want. If you decide to warm in the oven make sure to place in a covered pan with foil.

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Can I use fresh pineapple juice instead of canned?

Absolutely. I love using canned for the ease of it, but go right ahead and reach for fresh pineapple. Just dice up into cubes and spread over the ham as you would canned pineapple.

Can I use a bone-in or boneless ham for this recipe?

You are welcome to use a bone-in ham or boneless. Just know that a bone-in ham will take a bit longer to cook than a boneless ham. Adjust the cooking time depending on the size of the ham.

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