How to Cook a Cure 81 Ham in the Crockpot for a Delicious and Easy Meal

Cooking a ham in the crockpot is a simple and flavorful way to prepare this classic meat. Cure 81 ham is already fully-cooked when purchased, so using a slow cooker allows you to gently heat it while infusing tons of extra flavor. The result is a juicy, tender ham that makes an impressive centerpiece to your meal.

In this article, I’ll walk through the entire process of cooking a Cure 81 ham in the crockpot, from start to finish You’ll learn how to choose the right size and type of ham, prep it for the slow cooker, cook it to perfection, and make an incredible brown sugar glaze.

What is Cure 81 Ham?

Cure 81 is a specific curing process used by Hormel on their fully-cooked hams It involves sea salt, sugar, sodium nitrate, and other natural flavorings that give the meat its distinctive pink color and unique flavor profile

The curing solution is injected into the meat to break down proteins and tenderize it. This allows for a juicy, tasty final product that is ready to eat right out of the package.

Cure 81 hams come whole, in halves, boneless, and spiral sliced. They are a higher quality fully-cooked ham, but more affordable than something like a true smoked Virginia ham.

Benefits of Cooking Ham in a Crockpot

There are several advantages to using a slow cooker instead of the oven when cooking ham:

• Moist and tender – Crockpots cook at lower temperatures over longer times, keeping the meat incredibly moist and fall-apart tender.

• Infuses flavor – As it cooks, the ham soaks up flavors from the glaze and surrounding liquid.

• Doesn’t dry out – No worrying about your ham drying out under high oven heat.

• Frees up oven space – Great when you need the oven for side dishes and other items.

• Easy glazing – Makes glazing a ham simple since you don’t have to maneuver a bulky piece of meat.

• Set it and forget it – Just throw everything in the crockpot and go about your day until it’s ready.

How to Choose a Ham for the Slow Cooker

You’ll first need to select the right ham to use with this crockpot method:

• Fully cooked – Always start with a fully cooked, ready to eat ham. Do not use a fresh, uncooked one.

• Bone-in or boneless – Either works fine, bone-in tends to be more flavorful.

• Whole or spiral cut – I prefer a whole ham, but spiral cut will be easier to serve.

• Smoked or unsmoked – Up to you! Smoked has a more pronounced ham flavor.

• Size – Get a 6 to 8 lb. ham to fit best in a 6 to 8 quart slow cooker. Adjust amount of glaze ingredients if using a smaller ham.

• Brand – I recommend a higher quality Cure 81 ham from Hormel or Cook’s.

How Long to Cook a Ham in the Crockpot

Cooking time will vary based on size, but estimate about 5-6 hours on LOW.

Here are some general guidelines for approximate cook times:

• 3 lb. ham = 3-4 hours on LOW
• 5 lb. ham = 4-5 hours on LOW
• 7 lb. ham = 5-6 hours on LOW
• 10 lb. ham = 6-8 hours on LOW

The ham is already cooked, so you just want to heat it through until an instant read thermometer registers 140°F. Avoid cooking it too long or the meat will get dry and stringy.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for crockpot ham success:

Prep the ham

• Remove all packaging, as well as any plastic cap on the bone end. Discard any glaze packet that may be included.
• Score the fatty outer layer in a diamond pattern, about 1/4 inch deep. This allows the glaze to penetrate better.

Make the glaze

• In a bowl, mix 1 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup pineapple juice, 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar.
• Stir until a smooth paste forms. Set aside.

Prepare the crockpot

• Pour 1 cup pineapple juice into the bottom of a 6 to 8 quart slow cooker.

Coat and cook the ham

• Slather the brown sugar glaze all over the ham, coating all sides.
• Place the ham into the slow cooker. Pour any extra glaze over the ham.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.

Make the final glaze

• When ham is done, remove it to a platter and tent with foil.
• In a saucepan, mix 2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold water.
• Stir in 1 cup ham juices from crockpot. Heat to a simmer and stir until thickened.

Finish and serve

-Slice the ham and pour the glaze over top. Enjoy your incredible crockpot ham!

Pro Tip: For added flavor, stud the ham with whole cloves before applying the glaze and slow cooking.

Common Questions

What if my ham is too big for the crockpot?

Trim off a chunk of the ham if needed to make it fit, or tightly seal the crockpot with heavy duty foil instead of the lid.

Can I cook it on HIGH to speed things up?

No, cooking on HIGH increases chances of drying out the meat. Stick to LOW.

Do I need to flip or rotate the ham?

Flipping halfway through is optional, but not required. The gentle heat circulates around the meat.

How do I adapt this for a savory, non-sweet glaze?

Omit brown sugar. Use chicken broth in crockpot. Increase mustard, vinegar, garlic.

Can I reuse the leftover ham bone?

Absolutely! Use it for beans, pea soup, or collard greens. Get extra value from your ham.

Tips for Crockpot Ham Success

• Use a cooking thermometer to monitor temperature and prevent overcooking.

• Let the ham rest at least 15 minutes before slicing for juices to redistribute.

• Carve across the grain for tender slices.

• Add a splash of broth if reheating leftovers seems dry.

• Freeze sliced ham in portions for quick future meals.

Incredible Glaze Combos

The basic brown sugar glaze is delicious, but you can mix up the flavors using these creative combos:

• Orange juice and whole cloves
• Pineapple and ginger
• Maple syrup and Dijon
• Bourbon and brown sugar
• Coke and crushed pineapple
• Honey mustard and pecans
• Cranberry juice and orange zest

Pair with Perfect Side Dishes

Round out your crockpot ham dinner with these tasty sides:

• Scalloped or au gratin potatoes
• Glazed carrots
• Green bean casserole
• Baked mac and cheese
• Cornbread stuffing or dressing
• Parker house rolls
• Fruit salad
• Pasta salad with veggies

An Easier Holiday Meal

Cooking a ham in the crockpot takes the stress out of holiday meals. You free up oven space, avoid last minute glazing, and have more time to spend with guests.

The prep is so simple that you can throw everything in the slow cooker in the morning and it will be ready to serve by dinnertime.

Your cured ham transforms into a juicy, decadent entree with incredible depth of flavor. Every bite is tender and succulent after hours of slow cooking.

Give this easy crockpot ham recipe a try for your next Sunday dinner, neighborhood potluck, or large family gathering. It makes a beautiful presentation but requires only minimal hands-on time from you. Let your slow cooker work its magic!