Ultimate Slow Cooker Crock Pot Ham: Your Easiest Holiday Centerpiece
Imagine a holiday meal where the centerpiece is not only incredibly delicious but also requires minimal effort to prepare. This Slow Cooker Crockpot Ham recipe makes that dream a reality! It’s so simple, yet consistently delivers a moist, flavorful ham that will impress everyone at your table. Once you try this method, you’ll never want to prepare ham any other way.
Why Choose a Slow Cooker for Your Ham?
The slow cooker is an absolute game-changer for preparing ham, especially during busy holiday seasons. Its “set it and forget it” convenience allows you to focus on other aspects of your meal or simply enjoy time with loved ones. Beyond the ease, using a slow cooker offers several key advantages:
- Unmatched Moisture: The enclosed environment of a slow cooker locks in moisture, ensuring your ham remains incredibly tender and juicy throughout the cooking process. Say goodbye to dry, overcooked ham!
- Effortless Flavor Infusion: By slow-cooking the ham in a rich liquid mixture of pineapple juice, brown sugar, and maple syrup, the flavors deeply penetrate every slice, creating a truly unforgettable taste experience.
- Frees Up Oven Space: This is a major benefit, particularly during holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas when oven real estate is precious. Your main oven can be dedicated to roasting turkeys, baking casseroles, or preparing other essential dishes while your ham cooks perfectly in the slow cooker.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: While it’s an ideal holiday ham, its simplicity makes it suitable for Sunday dinners, potlucks, or any time you crave a delicious ham without the fuss.
With less than ten minutes of active preparation time, you can have a magnificent dinner ready to serve. This method guarantees a wonderfully moist and juicy ham every single time.
Key Ingredients for an Unforgettable Ham Glaze
Crafting this incredible slow cooker ham requires just a few simple ingredients, which combine to create a deeply flavorful and aromatic glaze. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need:
- Ham: The foundation of our dish! We highly recommend using a fully cooked spiral-cut ham. These hams are pre-sliced, making carving incredibly easy after cooking, and they only need to be reheated and flavored. This saves significant cook time and removes the stress of ensuring the ham reaches a specific internal temperature. You can opt for a bone-in or boneless ham based on your preference; bone-in hams often impart a richer flavor, while boneless hams are easier to carve.
- Pineapple Juice: This is the secret to a tangy-sweet and incredibly moist ham. Pineapple juice not only adds a bright, tropical flavor but also tenderizes the ham slightly, ensuring it stays juicy. It forms the base of our luscious glaze.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar provides a rich, caramel-like sweetness that beautifully complements the savory ham. When combined with the other liquids, it creates a thick, glossy glaze that clings to every slice.
- Maple Syrup: For an added layer of complexity and depth, maple syrup is essential. Its distinct woody and sweet notes elevate the glaze, making it truly irresistible. For an extra special touch, consider a bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup or another flavored variety to introduce subtle nuances.
These four ingredients work in harmony to transform a simple ham into a holiday masterpiece with minimal effort.
Exciting Flavor Variations for Your Glazed Ham
While our classic slow cooker ham recipe is a standout, you can easily customize the flavors to suit your personal preferences. Here are some delicious variations:
- Honey-Glazed Ham: If you prefer the classic taste of a honey-baked ham, simply swap out the brown sugar for ¼ to ½ cup of honey. This creates a slightly different, yet equally delightful, sweetness.
- Tangy Mustard Glaze: For those who enjoy a sharper, tangier flavor profile, replace the maple syrup with an equal amount of Dijon mustard or a whole grain mustard. This adds a wonderful zing that cuts through the richness of the ham.
- Boosted Pineapple Flavor: Want even more tropical goodness? You can add pineapple slices or pineapple chunks on top of the ham, or even tuck them between the spiral slices before cooking. This not only enhances the flavor but also adds a beautiful presentation.
- Apple Cider Substitute: If pineapple juice isn’t your favorite, apple cider makes an excellent alternative. It offers a milder, autumnal sweetness that pairs wonderfully with ham.
- Spice It Up: For a ham with a bit of a kick, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes, cayenne, or a dash of chili powder to your glaze mixture. These spices would create an intriguing contrast with the sweet pineapple and brown sugar.
Don’t hesitate to experiment with these variations to find your family’s new favorite slow cooker ham!
Essential Equipment for Effortless Ham Preparation
Having the right tools makes all the difference for a smooth cooking experience. For this slow cooker ham, you’ll need just a few key pieces of equipment:
- Large Slow Cooker (Crockpot): The most crucial piece of equipment! You’ll need a slow cooker that can comfortably accommodate your ham. A 7 or 8-quart slow cooker is usually perfect for most spiral hams. Before heading to the store, measure your ham (or have an idea of its size) and compare it to your slow cooker’s capacity. If your ham is too large, don’t fret! You can often trim the bottom of the ham to help it fit. The trimmed pieces are excellent for leftover ham recipes later on. While some people create an aluminum foil tent over the top of their crockpot if the lid doesn’t fit, trimming is generally a more reliable method for proper cooking.
- Non-Stick Cooking Spray: A quick spray of cooking spray in the bottom of your slow cooker before placing the ham will make cleanup significantly easier. The sugary glaze can become sticky, and this simple step will save you scrubbing time.
- Serving Platter with Edges: This ham will be wonderfully moist and juicy, which means it will release a good amount of flavorful liquid. A serving platter with raised edges is essential to contain these delicious juices, preventing them from spilling all over your counter or table.
- Turkey Baster (Optional but Recommended): A turkey baster is incredibly useful for basting the ham with its own juices during the last hour of cooking, ensuring the top of the ham stays moist and flavorful.
With these simple tools, you’re well on your way to a perfectly cooked slow cooker ham.
Simple Step-by-Step Instructions to Cook Your Ham
Creating this delicious slow cooker ham is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfectly cooked, juicy ham:
- Prepare the Ham: First, unwrap your ham. If necessary, trim a small portion from the bottom to ensure it fits snugly inside your slow cooker. Place the ham flat in the bottom of the prepared slow cooker.
- Apply the Glaze Base: Generously rub brown sugar all over the ham, massaging it into the crevices of the spiral cut. This helps the sugar melt into a sticky, sweet crust.
- Add Liquids: Pour the pineapple juice and maple syrup over the ham. Ensure some liquid gets down into the bottom of the slow cooker to create a flavorful cooking environment.
- Slow Cook: Cover your slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours. For smaller hams, 3-4 hours may be sufficient. Since most hams are fully cooked, you are primarily heating it through and infusing it with flavor.
- Baste for Extra Moisture: Approximately one hour before serving, use a turkey baster or a large spoon to pour the accumulated juices from the bottom of the slow cooker over the top of the ham. This keeps the ham super moist and enhances the glaze.
- Rest and Serve: Once cooked, carefully remove the ham from the slow cooker and let it rest on your serving platter for at least 10 minutes before carving. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every slice is as tender and flavorful as possible.
That’s it! A delicious, moist ham ready to be the star of your meal.
Crafting the Perfect Ham Glaze from Pan Juices
Don’t let those flavorful juices at the bottom of your slow cooker go to waste! They contain all the concentrated flavors of the pineapple, brown sugar, and maple syrup, making them the perfect base for a rich, homemade ham glaze. Here’s how to elevate your ham with this easy step:
Once your slow cooker ham is done cooking and you’ve removed it to rest, carefully pour the remaining juices from the slow cooker into a small saucepan. Bring the pineapple ham juices to a boil over medium-high heat. Allow the mixture to boil and reduce, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened into a glossy, syrupy sauce. This usually takes about 10-15 minutes, reducing the volume by at least half. Once thickened, drizzle this incredible homemade glaze over your carved ham slices for an extra burst of flavor and a beautiful presentation. It’s a simple trick that adds a touch of gourmet elegance.
Optimal Cooking Times for a Juicy Slow Cooker Ham
Determining the right cooking time for your slow cooker ham is crucial for achieving that perfect moist and tender texture. Since most hams sold in stores are fully cooked (like spiral-cut hams), the primary goal of slow cooking is to gently heat the ham through while infusing it with the delicious glaze ingredients. You’re not cooking it from raw, but rather enhancing its flavor and texture.
For a standard spiral-cut ham (typically 7-9 pounds), we recommend cooking it on the LOW setting for 4 to 5 hours. This duration allows ample time for the ham to absorb the sweet and tangy notes of the pineapple juice and brown sugar, resulting in a super flavorful and juicy outcome. If you are using a smaller ham, such as a 3-5 pound ham, you may find that 3-4 hours on low is sufficient. Always keep an eye on your ham, and if your slow cooker tends to run hot, you might adjust the time slightly.
While an internal thermometer isn’t strictly necessary for fully cooked hams, for peace of mind, you can ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C). However, the beauty of this method is that it’s quite forgiving – the slow, moist heat makes it difficult to dry out the ham.
Expert Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Ham Ever
Achieving a truly spectacular slow cooker ham is easy with a few insider tips:
- Massage the Glaze: Don’t be shy about getting your hands dirty! When rubbing the brown sugar onto the ham, take a moment to really massage it into the spiral cuts. This helps the sugar adhere and melt evenly, ensuring maximum flavor penetration.
- Consistent Basting: While the slow cooker keeps the ham moist, pouring the accumulated juices over the top during the last hour of cooking ensures that the uppermost parts of the ham are just as juicy and flavorful as the bottom. A turkey baster makes this task easy and mess-free.
- Enhance the Glaze: If you’re feeling adventurous, you can create an even more complex glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together additional pineapple juice, brown sugar, a dollop of mustard, and warm spices like cinnamon, ground cloves, and nutmeg. Pour this mixture over the ham before cooking for an aromatic twist.
- The Importance of Resting: This step is often overlooked but is vital for a juicy ham. Once the ham is done cooking, remove it from the slow cooker and let it rest on a cutting board or serving platter for at least 10 minutes before carving. This allows the internal juices to redistribute throughout the meat, preventing them from escaping when you slice it.
- Achieve Crispy Edges (Optional): If you miss the slightly caramelized, crispy brown sugar edges of an oven-baked ham, here’s a trick: after the ham is finished in the slow cooker, carefully transfer it to a baking sheet. Sprinkle a little extra brown sugar over the top and place it under your oven’s broiler for just a minute or two. Watch it very closely to prevent burning, but this brief broil will give you those desirable crisp edges.
- Check for Fit: Always double-check that your ham will fit in your slow cooker before you begin. If it’s a tight squeeze, don’t hesitate to trim the bottom or a side to ensure the lid closes properly and the ham cooks evenly.
Follow these tips, and you’ll consistently make a slow cooker ham that’s a true crowd-pleaser.
Preparation and Storage
- Make Ahead: One of the beautiful aspects of using a fully cooked spiral-cut ham is its make-ahead convenience. Since it’s already cooked, your primary task is heating it through and infusing it with our delicious glaze. This makes it an ideal choice for busy holiday meals, allowing you to prepare it hours in advance.
- Storage: Any leftover ham should be stored promptly in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Properly stored, it will remain fresh and delicious for 3-5 days.
- Freezing Leftovers: Ham freezes wonderfully! You can freeze a full-size ham (if you buy extras on sale after holidays) or individual ham slices. For slices, wrap them tightly in freezer paper or plastic wrap, then place them in freezer-safe bags. Be sure to label the bags with the date of freezing. Ham can be stored in the freezer for 1 to 2 months for best quality, making it perfect for pulling out when those ham cravings strike again long after the holidays. For detailed guidance on various methods of freezing and reheating, explore our comprehensive guide on Leftover Ham Recipes.
What to Serve With Slow Cooker Ham
A beautifully glazed slow cooker ham deserves an equally delicious supporting cast of side dishes. Whether you’re planning an Easter brunch, a festive Christmas dinner, or a cozy family meal, these pairings will complete your feast. We have an entire guide dedicated to side dishes for ham, but here are some popular suggestions:
- Hearty Sides: Classic comfort foods like Pineapple Stuffing, creamy Creamed Corn Casserole, or rich Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows are always a hit. Don’t forget perfectly seasoned Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes or the convenient Crock Pot Mashed Cauliflower for a lighter option. For a touch of sweetness, consider Crock Pot Candied Sweet Potatoes or a vibrant Cracker Barrel Carrots copycat.
- Fresh Green Options: Balance the richness with something green. Our Easy Cheesy Green Beans are a simple yet satisfying choice, or opt for a refreshing mixed green salad.
- Bread and Rolls: Always a must for soaking up those delicious ham juices! Jiffy Cornbread with Sour Cream adds a tangy twist to a classic.
- Other Main Dishes: If you’re hosting a large gathering or catering to different tastes, consider offering additional main dishes alongside your ham, such as Crock Pot Turkey or Crock Pot Roast.
- Delicious Desserts: No holiday meal is complete without dessert! Finish your feast with delightful treats like Eggnog Cookies, festive 4 Ingredient Christmas Crack, or a classic Ambrosia Salad.
- Festive Drinks: Complement your meal with an array of beverages, from refreshing iced teas to more spirited options like a Bay Breeze Cocktail or a warming Mulled Cherry Cider Cocktail.
When to Serve Crock Pot Ham
The beauty of this slow cooker ham recipe lies in its versatility and ease, making it suitable for a variety of occasions:
- Easter Dinner: A timeless classic, ham is the quintessential centerpiece for Easter celebrations.
- Christmas Dinner: Perfect for a festive holiday spread, especially when oven space is at a premium.
- Any Holiday Dinner: Whether it’s Thanksgiving, New Year’s, or another special occasion, this ham makes for an impressive yet stress-free main course.
- Family Dinner: Don’t reserve it just for holidays! This easy recipe is ideal for a comforting Sunday supper or any family gathering where you want a delicious meal without hours of preparation.
- Potlucks and Gatherings: Its transportability and ability to stay warm in the slow cooker make it perfect for sharing at parties and potlucks.
What to Make With Leftover Ham
The deliciousness doesn’t have to end with your main meal! Leftover ham is incredibly versatile and can be transformed into a variety of exciting dishes. From hearty breakfasts to comforting dinners, having extra ham is a blessing for meal planning throughout the week. Be sure to check out all of our dedicated Leftover Ham Recipes for inspiration, including:
- Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese with Ham: A comforting classic made even better with savory ham.
- Crock Pot Ham and Bean Soup: A warming and hearty soup, perfect for cooler weather.
- Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes and Ham: Layers of tender potatoes and savory ham, cooked to perfection.
- Crock Pot Ham and Cheese Grits: A delicious and satisfying Southern-inspired dish, great for breakfast or brunch.
- Breakfast Sandwiches: Slice the ham thinly and layer it with cheese on biscuits or English muffins for quick, freezer-friendly breakfast sandwiches.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can Cats Eat Ham? Many pet owners wonder if it’s safe to share bits of ham with their feline friends. Generally, small, plain pieces of cooked ham are considered okay for healthy cats as an occasional treat. However, ham is typically high in sodium, which can be problematic for cats, especially those with underlying health issues. Always consult your veterinarian before introducing new foods into your cat’s diet to ensure it’s safe for their specific health needs. Our six cats are certainly very interested whenever this delicious ham is cooking, and keeping them off the counter can be quite a challenge!
- What if my ham is bone-in? Bone-in hams can absolutely be used in this recipe. They tend to add an extra layer of flavor to the juices. Just ensure it fits your slow cooker, trimming if necessary, and cook for the recommended time to heat through.
- Do I need to score the ham? Spiral-cut hams are already pre-sliced, so scoring is not necessary. If you’re using a different type of ham, scoring the fat in a diamond pattern can help the glaze penetrate more deeply and create a beautiful crust.
Other Great Dinner Recipes
If you’re looking for more easy and delicious meal ideas, explore some of our other popular recipes:
- Lazy Lasagna
- Stove Top Meatloaf
- Tater Tot Casserole
- Gumbo Recipe
- Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff
And for even more culinary inspiration, check out our extensive collections of copycat recipes, irresistible dessert recipes, and an abundance of Crock Pot Recipes.
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Slow Cooker Crock Pot Ham
Delicious Slow Cooker Crock Pot Ham Recipe great for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter or any night of the week.
Prep Time: 10 minutes |
Cook Time: 5 hours |
Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 16
Calories: 578kcal
Author: Tammilee Tips
Ingredients
- 7-pound ham
- 2 cups Pineapple Juice
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- ½ cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Unwrap ham and place in the Crock-Pot.
- Rub ham with brown sugar on all sides.
- Pour pineapple juice and maple syrup over the ham.
- Cover and cook for 4-5 hours on low.
- About an hour before serving, pour juice over the top of the ham.
- Remove and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving.
Kitchen Tools
- Slow cooker
- Turkey Baster (optional)
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 297
Originally posted March 18, 2013