Mary's Pineapple Raisin Sauce for Ham

Serving ham at your next family gathering? Then this Pineapple Raisin Sauce for Ham needs a place at your table! It is delicious and so easy to make using basic pantry ingredients. You are going to want to make this!

From memories to a written recipe.

Like many of the foods cooked and served in my childhood home, my Mom did not use a recipe. She was well known around our family table for her creative skills. She was also my first example of cooking "by the seat of my pants!". And more importantly, she cooked with what was in the pantry. Rarely did we make a trip to the store for a missing ingredient.

In my memories you can't have ham without this sauce!

I remember this sauce vividly. It was served with every baked ham dinner we enjoyed. Without an actual recipe, only the want of eating it again, I felt I could recreate it in my own kitchen, I had eaten it so many times through the years. I knew it started with a can of crushed pineapple, including the juice or back then, most likely syrup. Then a big handful of raisins, some brown sugar, and a bit of apple cider vinegar. Simply simmered and thickened before serving.

While I had no idea of the cooking time, I did have a clue, the raisins!

Thinking back, I remember that the raisins were tender, not chewy. And I remember this part very well, she only used a dash of cloves. I can still see the little red and white tin of ground cloves in Mom's hand, and a quick downward shake to get just a “dash” to come out. With the exception of the raisins, I imagine that the order of ingredients does not matter. But for tender raisins, my first guess was ten minutes simmer time was needed.

Today a quick google for pineapple raisin sauce for ham produced 6,350,000 results. I was surprised at that number, but then again we enjoyed it with our ham dinner. And with those numbers, it appears that a lot of folks eat Pineapple Raisin Sauce with their Ham.

And even on the first try, it was just as good!

Once I had finished making this recipe for Pineapple Raisin Sauce for Ham in my own kitchen, I had to smile, it was, just like my Moms! A day in this kitchen recreating my childhood favorites and coming up with a recipe for future use, is always a good day! I think you are going to like this one...

One additional thought on this recipe!

From time to time I have had trouble finding the needed 8oz. can of crushed pineapple. This is easily solved by purchasing the larger can, which is usually available and measuring out the needed once cup of fruit for Mary's Pineapple Raisin Sauce for Ham. We then use the remainder of the can for other enjoyable uses, such as over cottage cheese or tucked into a muffin recipe. Happy cooking, and I think you will enjoy this sauce with your next Ham dinner!

Ingredients needed for this recipe:

raisins
pineapple, 8 oz. juice pack
cider vinegar
brown sugar, our recipe can be found here.
cloves
corn starch or arrowroot powder

You will also need the following:

small saucepan
measuring cup
measuring spoon

Now we are ready to begin!

Mary's Pineapple Raisin Sauce for Ham

Mary’s Pineapple Raisin Sauce for Ham

recreated from memory, and my mother, Mary.

Updated: 11.16.2022

1 c raisins

1 c water

dash of salt

1 8 oz. can of juice packed, crushed pineapple – do not drain

1 T cider vinegar

1/3 – 1/2 c brown sugar ( if you like a sweeter sauce, use the full measure)

dash of cloves

1/4 c water

1 T and 1 t corn starch or arrowroot powder

Place raisins and water in a medium-size saucepan, cover. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes.

Add the crushed pineapple along with the juice, vinegar, brown sugar, and cloves, return to a simmer.

Let simmer while making the slurry.

Combine the cornstarch and water, stirring until smooth. Pour into the simmering fruit in a thin stream, stirring continuously.

Cook, until the mixture, is thickened and transparent. If not serving right away, cover with a lid so a skin will not form on top of the sauce.

Serve with baked ham.

Storage options for Mary's Pineapple Raisin Sauce for Ham. If you have leftovers, store covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. Heat gently on the stove or microwave (adding a small amount of water if needed) until warm, and serve. I do not recommend freezing this recipe.

UPDATE: For your convenience, a "copy and paste" version of Mary's Pineapple Raisin Sauce for Ham has been included below.

You may also enjoy:

Peppers For Cold Meats.

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#scratchmadefoodforyourfamily

This recipe featured at:

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Printable "copy and paste" version: