Get ready to fire up the grill with Hawaiian Ham and Pineapple Skewers—a sweet meets smoky party on a stick! These chunks of smoky ham and sweet pineapple dance over the flames, charred to caramelized perfection, then brushed with a honey-soy glaze that crackles with every bite. Perfect for your next dinner, this intermediate-level recipe brings a tropical twist that’s sure to turn any cookout into a mini luau. Follow along for ingredients, pro tips, and step-by-step grilling fun.
Key Ingredients
Let’s gather everything you need to bring those tropical flavors together:
- 1 pound smoked ham: Tender, smoky cubes that soak up the sweet-spicy glaze.
- 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks: Juicy sweetness that caramelizes beautifully on the grill.
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar: Adds deep, molasses-like sweetness for a rich glaze.
- 2 tablespoons honey: Brings sticky, floral notes and helps create a glossy finish.
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce: Delivers savory umami depth to balance the sweetness.
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger: Warms the palate with a subtle, spicy kick.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Infuses savory aroma and depth into the glaze.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Helps emulsify the glaze and prevent sticking.
- 8 wooden skewers: Hold your ham and pineapple in perfect alternating order.
How To Make Hawaiian Ham and Pineapple Skewers
Grilling these skewers is a breeze once you’ve prepped your ingredients and glaze. You’ll start by soaking your skewers and whisking together a honey-soy glaze, then build each stick with uniform cubes of ham and pineapple. With your grill at medium heat, you’ll turn and baste the skewers for an even char and caramelization. Let’s dive into the detailed steps that ensure every bite is perfectly sweet, smoky, and juicy.
1. Soak wooden skewers in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning and charring on the grill.
2. In a bowl, whisk together brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, ground ginger, garlic powder, and olive oil until smooth to create the glaze.
3. Cut the smoked ham into 1-inch cubes so they heat evenly and fully absorb the flavors.
4. Thread ham and pineapple chunks alternately onto each skewer, leaving a little space at each end for easy handling.
5. Preheat your grill to medium heat (about 350°F) for consistent cooking and optimal sear marks.
6. Place skewers on the grill and cook for 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally and brushing generously with the glaze.
7. Remove skewers when the ham is golden-brown and caramelized and the pineapple shows light, sweet char marks.
Serving Suggestions
When these skewers come off the grill hot and glistening, you’ll want to present them perfectly. Here are a few fun ways to serve them:
- Serve over a bed of coconut rice to soak up any extra glaze and add a creamy, tropical base.
- Arrange on a large platter with fresh cilantro and sliced green onions for a vibrant, herbaceous pop.
- Pair with a crisp green salad tossed in a citrus vinaigrette to cut through the sweetness.
- Offer a side of tangy coleslaw—the crunchy slaw adds texture and a refreshing bite.
Tips For Perfect Hawaiian Ham and Pineapple Skewers
Mastering these skewers is all about timing and balance. Here are my top tips to keep every stick tasting fantastic:
- Serve skewers hot off the grill for best flavor.
- For extra smokiness, sprinkle a pinch of smoked paprika on the glaze.
- Metal skewers can be used instead of wooden ones for easy cleaning.
- Ensure pineapple pieces are uniform in size to cook evenly.
How To Store It
Whether you have leftovers or want to prep ahead, storing these skewers properly keeps that sweet-spicy flavor locked in:
- Refrigerate cooled skewers in an airtight container for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- Freeze individual skewers by wrapping them tightly in foil, then store in a zip-top bag for up to 1 month.
- Store glaze separately in a sealable jar in the fridge for up to a week—just reheat and brush before serving.
- Reheat on a preheated grill or in a hot oven (375°F) for 5–7 minutes to restore that fresh-off-the-grill crispness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here’s a quick FAQ to help you grill with confidence:
- Q: Can I use canned pineapple chunks instead of fresh pineapple?
Fresh pineapple is recommended for the best texture and char, but if you use canned pineapple, drain it well and pat it dry before skewering to prevent excess moisture and ensure proper caramelization.
- Q: What type of ham is best for these skewers?
Use a fully cooked smoked ham such as honey-baked or spiral-cut. Cut it into uniform 1-inch cubes so it heats evenly and absorbs the glaze for optimal flavor and caramelization.
- Q: How do I prevent wooden skewers from burning on the grill?
Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 20 minutes before threading to keep them from charring. If you prefer, you can use metal skewers, which do not require soaking and are easier to clean.
- Q: How can I tell when the skewers are done grilling?
Grill the skewers over medium heat for 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally and brushing with glaze. They’re ready when the ham is golden and caramelized and the pineapple has light char marks.
- Q: Can I prepare the skewers ahead of time?
After threading the ham and pineapple, cover the skewers tightly and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Take them out 15 minutes before grilling to let them come closer to room temperature for more even cooking.
- Q: What sides pair well with Hawaiian Ham and Pineapple Skewers?
These skewers go beautifully with coconut rice, a fresh green salad, or tangy coleslaw, which all complement the sweet and smoky flavors.
What Makes This Special
Hawaiian Ham and Pineapple Skewers nail the sweet-meets-smoky combo that’s perfect for any grill enthusiast. The caramelized pineapple and tender ham cubes soak up that honey-soy glaze, creating bite-after-bite of tropical flavor fireworks. Whether you print this out for your next cookout or save it for a rainy day, these skewers are effortless crowd-pleasers. Drop a comment if you tweak the glaze, fire up the grill early, or just want to share how much your friends loved this recipe—your feedback always makes my day!
Hawaiian Ham and Pineapple Skewers
Description
Smoky ham cubes and juicy pineapple char until caramelized, brushed with a sweet-spicy glaze that crackles as you bite.
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Soak wooden skewers in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning.
-
In a bowl, whisk together brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, ground ginger, garlic powder, and olive oil to make the glaze.
-
Cut the smoked ham into 1-inch cubes.
-
Thread ham and pineapple chunks alternately onto each skewer.
-
Preheat grill to medium heat (about 350°F).
-
Place skewers on the grill and cook for 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally and brushing with glaze.
-
Remove skewers from the grill once ham is caramelized and pineapple is lightly charred.
Note
- Serve skewers hot off the grill for best flavor.
- For extra smokiness, sprinkle a pinch of smoked paprika on the glaze.
- Metal skewers can be used instead of wooden ones for easy cleaning.
- Ensure pineapple pieces are uniform in size to cook evenly.
