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Ham and Pineapple Kabobs

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These Ham and Pineapple Kabobs are definitely one of our favorite ways to use up leftover ham!  Sweet and savory and oh so easy to pan fry or grill!  My kids love these easy skewers and because they are so easy they can  help assemble them too!

 

 

If you love the flavor combo of ham and pineapple, then get ready to indulge in this mouthwatering and very simple meal.

We’ve been known to whip these up in two ways. 

  1. Cook these up as simple Ham and Pineapple Kabobs during the summer.  
  2. During the cold winter months, we like to toss the ingredients into a skillet (no sticks needed) and pan fry them.  

Both ways are served over rice with our favorite seasonal vegetable on the side.

 

 

When it comes to leftover ham recipes, we’ve definitely got you covered!  Here on Num’s the Word, we have a variety of recipes that have been tested on picky eaters and have gotten two thumbs up!  

Some of our favorite Leftover Ham Recipes include:

  • Hot Ham & Cheese Sandwiches
  • Ham Dip
  • Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
  • Ham & Potato Soup
  • Ham & Cheese Quiche
  • Cream Cheese Ham Dip
  • Ham Biscuits
  • Ham Steak Recipe 

 

 

What is the difference between a Kabob, Kebab and a Skewer?

Kebab, Kabob, and Skewers are all the same.  Typically it’s a combination of meat and vegetables cooked over a fire, on a grill or in the oven all held together on a stick or skewer.

Thought I can’t find any answer on Google that actually makes logical sense, to me, the skewer is the stick and a Kebab or Kebob is when the skewer is in use filled with meats, fruits and vegetables in any order.  

For these Ham & Pineapple Kabobs, it’s simply pineapple chunks plus ham on a skewer, cooked over the grill.  

 

 

Ingredients for these Ham and Pineapple Kabobs:

These simple Ham & Pineapple Skewers use 3 simple ingredients!

  • Ham – Whatever you have on hand will work.  Leftover ham, lunch meat ham or thick sliced deli ham.  Be creative.  
  • Pineapple – The most popular fruit when it comes to ham.  We find fresh pineapple is our favorite and packed with the most flavor. However you can used canned pineapple in these kabobs as well.  
  • Real Maple Syrup – This is the kebab glaze that will really pull the flavors together.  This is also optional. If you don’t want the added sugar, because the pineapple is already sweet, then skip it!  We’re just obsessed with real maple syrup in our house.

 

 

What Skewers are Best for Ham and Pineapple Kabobs?

The question we’ve all asked ourselves at one point or another in our life is what skewers are best?  Wooden or Metal. The answer is up to you.

  1. Metal Skewers – These can be somewhat of an investment.  If you plan making shish kabobs often, then I suggested making the $20 investment into metal skewers. They can easily handle the heat on the grill, wash up easily and can be reused.
  2. Wooden Skewers – If you don’t plan on making kabobs often, then grab some bamboo skewers at your local grocery store.  It’s recommended you soak your skewers in warm water for 10 – 30 minutes before use. This is simply to help the wood handle the heat of the grill better without over heating.  

Both metal and wooden skewers will provide excellent results when it comes to grilling kebabs.  As to which one you choose, it’s really a matter of how much do you plan on grilling.

 

 

 

More Pineapple Recipes You’ll Love:

When it comes to easy grilled kabobs, these 3 ingredient Pineapple Ham Kabobs win every time!  Easy to prep, great for leftovers and packed with flavor!  These grilled or pan fried kabobs are a kid favorite recipe that can be adapted to your own tastes!

 

Yield: 4 servings

Maple, Ham, & Pineapple Kabobs

Ham Kabobs - cooked kabobs on a platter

These quick and easy Maple, Ham and Pineapple Kabobs are packed with flavor and oh so easy! The perfect way to use up leftover ham!

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup real maple syrup
  • 1 (20 ounce) can pineapple chunks or use fresh pineapple (our favorite way!)
  • 2 cups of ham chunks - little leftover pieces of ham are perfect for this!
  • Skewers , metal or wooden
  • 2 cups precooked rice (our favorite is Jasmine)

Instructions

  1. GRILLED KABOBS:
  2. If using bamboo skewers, soak for 15 - 30 minutes prior to filling with meat and fruit.
  3. Prepare grill per grill specifications
  4. Using a Kabob skewer, skewer pineapple and ham, alternating between the two.
  5. Grill kabobs for 10 - 20 minutes on indirect flame flipping half way through allowing ham and pineapple to caramelize. You may need to do this in batches.
  6. While kabobs cook, base with pure maple syrup, once per side.
  7. When heated through, serve immediately over rice.

Notes

SKILLET METHOD:
1. Cut Skewers in half. Full length skewers are generally too long for most skillets.
2. Alternate ham and pineapple onto a skewer.
3. NOTE: Skewers are not required. You can just cook ham and pineapple together in liquid without skewers.
4. In a large pan heat 1/4 cup of real maple syrup on medium heat until nice and hot.
5. Place skewers into pan and cook for 2 - 5 minutes per side allowing pineapple and ham to caramelize. This may need to be done in batches.
6. Serve immediately over rice.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 346Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 1013mgCarbohydrates: 49gFiber: 1gSugar: 24gProtein: 25g
Originally Posted: November 29, 2014

Photos & Text Updated: May 6, 2020

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Allison

Monday 10th of August 2020

I love the combo of sweet and salty! Delicious!

Beth Pierce

Monday 11th of May 2020

Yummy! I made these for my family and they loved them! Thanks!

Janelle

Sunday 30th of August 2020

So glad to hear it Beth! Thanks for the kind comment!

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