What Does Fresh Pineapple Do to Ham? The Surprising Science Behind This Easter Ham No-No

This fresh pineapple ham puts a modern twist on your grandmothers go-to Christmas meal. Enjoy the savory and sweet tastes of the ham and pineapple, which go well together thanks to the smokey ham and a balsamic honey glaze that caramelizes just right. You can use it as the main dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or just because you’re hungry for a tasty ham dinner.

If youre loving the sweet meat recipes, try these pineapple meatballs and pineapple pork chops recipes next!

Remember when your grandmother would serve a tasty ham at Christmas with canned pineapple rings held on with toothpicks? Simple. Nostalgic. Delicious. In this recipe, the brown sugar is swapped out for a tasty honey balsamic glaze, and the tinny canned pineapple is replaced with fresh pineapple. It also ditches the maraschino cherries, and serves it with a contemporary and beautiful presentation. This fresh pineapple with ham recipe will be requested at the Christmas tables for years to come.

This fresh pineapple ham recipe is a showstopper, yet it only calls for a handful of simple ingredients. Leave the brown sugar out of the cupboard; this sweet, sticky, well-balanced glaze doesn’t need it!

Ham and pineapple are a classic flavor combination that many people enjoy The sweet and tangy pineapple balances the salty, savory ham beautifully. However, if you want to avoid ruining your Easter ham, you need to be careful about how you add the pineapple Using fresh pineapple can lead to disastrous results!

In this article we’ll discuss the science behind what fresh pineapple does to ham alternatives for getting the ham and pineapple flavor without wrecking your ham, and tips for safely enjoying this classic duo.

The Culprit Behind Fresh Pineapple’s Destructive Powers: Bromelain

So what exactly does fresh pineapple do to ham that makes it a big no-no? The answer lies in an enzyme called bromelain.

Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme found in pineapples. It helps the pineapple plant break down proteins. But when fresh pineapple is added to ham before cooking, the bromelain will break down and dissolve the proteins in the meat, turning it mushy.

Canned pineapple doesn’t contain active bromelain because the canning process deactivates the enzyme. So canned pineapple is safe to bake with ham. But using fresh pineapple is playing with fire.

The bromelain begins breaking down the meat proteins immediately upon contact with the fresh fruit. Even marinating the ham in fresh pineapple juice can lead to mushy results.

The Consequences: A Ruined Holiday Meal

Imagine the scene: The family gathers around the table, eager to dig into the big glazed ham you worked hard to prepare. But when you start carving, the meat has a strange mushy texture. As you slice into it, the ham falls apart into clay-like fibrous globs. Your beautiful holiday centerpiece is ruined!

The sad scene has played out in many households that made the mistake of baking fresh pineapple with the ham or even letting pineapple juice infuse into the meat. The bromelain rapidly begins breaking down and dissolving the ham’s proteins.

Executive Chef Mary Towers shared a video demonstrating how using fresh pineapple when baking a ham yields gross, mushy results. After seeing the ham turn to mush before your eyes, you’ll never make this mistake with your holiday ham again!

Safe Ways to Get the Ham and Pineapple Flavor

Don’t worry – you can still enjoy the classic ham and pineapple flavor combination without wrecking the ham’s texture. Here are some safe ways to incorporate pineapple:

Use canned pineapple instead of fresh when baking the ham. The canning process destroys the bromelain enzyme, so canned pineapple is safe.
Grill fresh pineapple slices separately, then place them on the sliced ham after baking. The high heat from grilling denatures the bromelain.
Bake the ham as usual without pineapple. Then slice the fresh pineapple and serve it on the side. The bromelain never touches the ham, so it stays intact.
Glaze or brush the baked ham with pineapple juice shortly before serving. There isn’t enough contact time for significant protein breakdown.
Marinate pork in pineapple juice up to 6 hours before cooking. Then discard marinade and cook pork thoroughly.

Tips for Safely Enjoying Ham and Pineapple

With a little care and know-how, you can incorporate pineapple with your baked ham and end up with beautiful results. Follow these tips:

Choose a bone-in half ham and bake it cut-side down in pineapple juice to infuse flavor. The bone prevents too much absorption.
Don’t decorate the outside of the ham with fresh pineapple slices. Opt for a different garnish like cherries, cloves, or herbs.
If using canned pineapple rings on the ham, drain and rinse them first to limit excess sweetness.
Wait until the last 30 minutes of baking time to apply any pineapple glaze or pineapple juice basting.
Let the ham rest at least 15 minutes before carving for the juices to set. Then slice across the grain for tenderness.
Pair the ham with pineapple coleslaw rather than a plain fruit garnish. The acidity brightens the rich ham.
Consider other fruits besides pineapple such as mango, peaches, or cherries to mix up the flavors.

A Classic Flavor Combination Lives On

Ham and pineapple may have a checkered past, with many disastrous Easter hams under their belt. But armed with the science behind what fresh pineapple does to ham, we can safely incorporate this classic flavor duo into holiday meals.

A boneless, spiral-cut ham dotted with canned pineapple rings is a stunning centerpiece. And the contrast of cured salty ham with sweet juicy pineapple is hard to beat. With proper handling, the ham stays tender and moist, while the pineapple adds a tropical twist. Ham and pineapple can go back to being the perfect pair!

what does fresh pineapple do to ham

How to make fresh pineapple ham

You can make a fresh pineapple ham that tastes both sweet and savory, and it will take you back to your childhood. Here’s how to do it:

Warm up and get ready: While the oven is heating up, get a roasting pan ready. When you get to the middle of the ham, cut it into half-inch slices every half inch.
Add the pineapple. Cut the fresh pineapple into thin slices and stuff them into the ham’s cuts.
To make the glaze, mix the cayenne, honey, balsamic vinegar, and dijon mustard. Put the ham in the oven to bake after brushing some of the pineapple ham glaze on it.
Bake, glaze, and serve: Put it in the oven for one and a half hours and then take it out. Douse the ham with the rest of the glaze, letting it seep into the pineapple slices. Put the ham back in the oven for another 30 minutes. After it’s done, leave it on the counter for 15 minutes before you serve it.

Can I store leftovers?

It will last for three to four days in the fridge if you put it in a container that won’t let air in. Warm up any ham that you have left over or use it to make other meals, like ham soup or ham sandwiches.

Watch What Happens When You Cook Fresh Pineapple On Ham

FAQ

Why do people put pineapple on ham?

“Typically, when you’re doing a country ham, you need something sweet to neutralize the ham’s saltiness, and pineapple does this really well.” And it’s not just me and Benton: Pineapple shows up in ham recipes—atop the ham, in glazes slicking the ham, in shield-your-eyes versions of fried rice—the world over.

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.

Can you use fresh pineapple when cooking ham?

If placed on the ham during the baking process, the ham will turn to a clay-like mush. “Pineapple belongs on ham,” says Towers, “but you have to cook it first or used canned. If you use fresh pineapple it will turn the meat to play dough mush.

How do you glaze a pineapple ham?

Make the glaze: Combine the honey, balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, and cayenne. Brush a bit of the pineapple ham glaze over the meat, then pop it in the oven so the ham bakes. Bake, glaze, and serve: Bake for 1 ½ hours, then remove it from the oven. Pour the remaining glaze over the ham, letting it seep into the pineapple-filled slices.

What are the benefits of eating pineapple?

Pineapple is a fruit that has vitamins, minerals and enzymes, such as bromelain. These nutrients help to strengthen the immune system and eliminate inflammation from the body. Helps in weight loss, being a diuretic food, pineapple helps in the elimination of liquids and toxins from the body.

How to cook a fresh ham with pineapple?

Here is how to cook a fresh ham with pineapple: Preheat and prep: While the oven is heating up, prepare a roasting pan. Then, take the ham and make slices every half inch, cutting until around halfway through the ham. Add the pineapple: Cut up the fresh pineapple, then tuck those sweet slices into the cuts in the ham.

What is a southern baked ham with pineapple?

This old-fashioned Southern Baked Ham with Pineapple is baked and drizzled with a honey and brown sugar glaze and topped with cherries. Serve this holiday ham for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any gathering. Want to save this recipe in your inbox? Enter your email below & we’ll send it directly to you!