This amazing Crockpot Ham is the BEST slow cooker ham recipe! It’s cooked in pineapple juice and has a brown sugar glaze with Dijon, balsamic vinegar, and honey. It’s SO EASY to make that it almost makes itself for the holidays!
This delectable Crockpot Ham has been the top holiday recipe on my site since 2014. Over the years, millions of happy readers have made it and come back to this post many times.
Today I’ve decided to add some new step-by-step photos, tips, and tricks to my slow cooker ham recipe. I’m leaving the main photos the same, though, so that people who come back to make the “Brown Sugar Slow Cooker Ham” that they know and love from previous holidays can still find this post. .
I think cooking ham in the crockpot is one of the best holiday cooking ideas I’ve ever had! As everyone knows, there isn’t a lot of room in the oven for holiday meals. There are a ton of side dishes to bake, not to mention homemade rolls, desserts, and more. Thats why its always nice to ensure that some of your dishes dont rely on said oven.
That’s also why this Crockpot Ham recipe has been so popular for so long: it’s easy to put together and tastes so good that many reviewers have said they’ll never cook a ham in the oven again!
Another beautiful quality of this slow cooker ham is that it requires just a handful of basic ingredients.
The only things you need for slow cooking and glazing this Crockpot Ham are the ham itself and a few others:
The above ingredients melt down into the most tantalizing glaze. And once thickened, its served alongside (or drizzled all over) the ham.
Without a doubt, my favorite part of this recipe is the glaze. I could eat it with a spoon. .
Cooking a fully cooked ham in a crock pot is one of the easiest and most flavorful ways to prepare this tasty centerpiece With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can have an incredibly moist, tender and delicious ham ready for your next gathering In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to cook a fully cooked ham in the crock pot perfectly every time.
Why Cook Ham in a Crock Pot?
There are several great reasons to use your crockpot when cooking an already cooked ham
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It frees up oven space. When you have multiple dishes to prepare, utilizing the crock pot to cook the ham clears room in the oven for side dishes.
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It keeps the ham incredibly moist. The slow, even heating of the crock pot prevents the ham from drying out, ensuring it turns out juicy and tender.
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It allows you to infuse tons of flavor. You can add glazes, juices and aromatics to permeate the ham as it cooks low and slow.
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It requires very little effort. Just throw in the ingredients, turn it on, and let the crock pot do the work for perfectly cooked ham.
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It can cook an entire meal. The crock pot ham can cook together with sides like potatoes or beans for a complete dish.
Picking the Right Ham for the Crock Pot
When it comes to ham, you have options like bone-in, boneless, spiral cut, smoked and more. The good news is that crock pots can accommodate most types of fully cooked ham. Here are a few tips:
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Opt for a bone-in ham if possible, as the bone helps the meat retain moisture during cooking.
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Spiral cut hams are great for easy serving, but be sure to baste them more frequently as the cuts can dry out faster.
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Smoked or unsmoked comes down to personal preference, but smoked can add nice depth of flavor.
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Cured and uncured hams both work well, giving you flexibility based on dietary needs.
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For size, allow 1/2 lb of boneless ham or 3/4 lb bone-in ham per person. Hams around 3-5 lbs fit well in standard 6-7 quart crock pots.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfect crock pot ham every time:
1. Prepare the Crock Pot
Grease the inside of the slow cooker lightly to prevent sticking. You can also use a liner for easy cleanup.
2. Add Your Ham
Place the fully cooked ham inside the crock pot. Remove any plastic or packaging. Discard any included flavor packets.
3. Make Your Glaze
In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, honey, pineapple juice, spices and any other glaze ingredients. Apply the glaze generously over the entire ham.
4. Cook on Low
Cover and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 140°F. The low heat ensures the ham stays tender.
5. Baste and Finish
Baste the ham with glaze every hour or so. Once done, let it rest 10 minutes before slicing.
Glaze Inspiration
One of the best parts of crock pot ham is experimenting with different glaze flavors. Try these tasty options:
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Brown sugar and honey – A classic sweet glaze perfect for holidays
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Brown sugar and mustard – Tangy and sweet with a little kick
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Pineapple and cloves – Fruity and warm spice flavors
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Cherry and chipotle – Savory heat with a hint of sweetness
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Orange and ginger – Bright citrus and peppery ginger
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Bourbon and maple – Sweet maple with boozy bourbon undertones
Handy Tips and Tricks
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For a caramelized finish, broil the glazed ham for 5 minutes at the end.
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Let the ham rest at least 10-15 minutes before slicing for the juices to redistribute.
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Add veggies like potatoes, carrots or beans to cook with the ham for a one-pot meal.
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For a savory ham, use broth and seasonings instead of sweet glazes.
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Reheat leftover ham in the oven at 325°F wrapped in foil until warmed through, about 10-15 minutes per pound.
Common Questions
Cooking ham in the crock pot really couldn’t be much easier, but a few common questions may come up:
How long does it take to cook pre-cooked ham in a crock pot?
4-6 hours on low until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.
Can I use an uncooked ham?
No, only fully cooked, ready-to-eat hams are safe for the crockpot. Uncooked hams need higher heat to reach food safe temperatures.
Do I need to add liquid?
No, fully cooked ham contains plenty of moisture already. But small amounts of juice, broth or water can be added for extra flavor.
What temperature should I cook the ham at?
Always use the low setting on your crock pot when cooking fully cooked ham. The low, steady heat prevents drying out.
Can I cook a ham that’s too big for my crock pot?
Yes, you can either trim the ham to fit or use heavy duty foil to seal the crock pot. Just watch for excess steam when removing foil.
Enjoy Your Perfect Crock Pot Ham
There you have it! With these helpful tips, inspirational glaze ideas and easy instructions, you can look forward to cooking up the perfect crock pot ham for your next meal. This method ensures a flavorful, outrageously moist and tender ham the entire family will love. Plus, it frees up your oven and requires very little hands-on time. The crock pot does all the work for a foolproof ham that’s sure to become your new favorite way to cook.
What Kind of Ham Works Best in the Crockpot?
Heres the thing about this recipe: its very forgiving. With this recipe, you can use any cut or size of ham as long as it fits in the crockpot. But, of course, remember that the exact cooking time for your ham will depend on the type you choose.
You may use a bone-in ham or boneless…whole or spiral-sliced…cured or uncured…smoked or not…shank, butt, or shoulder.
Any ham, with or without bones, will stay juicy, but a bone-in ham is a better choice.
A sprial-cut ham is easy to serve and works well with this recipe, but keep in mind that it may dry out more quickly than a whole ham that hasn’t been cut up. To avoid this as much as possible, baste the spiral slices several times while they’re cooking. And be sure not to overcook. serve as soon as the internal temperature of the ham tests done.
How Long Does It Take to “Cook” a Fully Cooked Ham?
The FDA recommends reheating a fully-cooked ham to 140°F.
Based on how hot your crockpot is, that may be reached in two to three hours with the heat on low.
A large ham should be to that temperature by 4 to 6 hours on low.
Just remember that every time you take the lid off the slow cooker, you might need to add a little more cooking time to make up for the lost heat.
You can try slow cooking a ham on high heat if you want to, but do it at your own risk. If you do, good luck! Its just too likely to dry out the ham.
