Crockpot Ham
This Crockpot Ham is fall-apart tender, glazed with a sweet and savory brown sugar sauce, and practically cooks itself, making it the easiest way to serve a stunning ham dinner.
Why This Crockpot Ham Recipe Is a Game Changer
If you have ever stressed over cooking a ham in the oven, wondering whether it will dry out or if the glaze will burn before the inside is warmed through, this crockpot ham is about to become your new favorite way to cook it. Slow, gentle heat means the ham stays juicy from edge to edge, and the glaze has hours to soak into every single spiral slice. This is one of those ham recipes crockpot fans swear by because it frees up your oven and your time, which is exactly what you need on a busy holiday or a lazy Sunday.
Whether you are feeding a crowd for Easter, Christmas, or just craving a cozy ham dinner, this method takes all the guesswork out of cooking spiral ham. You get tender, fall-apart meat with a sticky sweet glaze, and almost all of the work is done by your slow cooker.
Before we get cooking, the right tools and ingredients really do make a difference here. A roomy, reliable slow cooker and a good meat thermometer take all the guesswork out of this recipe, and a good quality spiral ham gives you the best texture and flavor from the very first bite.
Choosing the Right Ham for Your Slow Cooker
For the best results with this slow cooker ham recipe, look for a bone-in spiral cut ham that is already fully cooked. Most hams sold at grocery stores fall into this category, and the spiral cuts are ideal because they let the glaze work its way deep into the meat as it cooks. Try to choose a ham that fits comfortably in your crockpot with the lid closing fully, since a ham that is too large for your slow cooker will not cook evenly.
Chef's Tip: If your ham is too big to fit, ask your butcher to trim it, or simply cut it into two halves before adding it to the crockpot. It will still turn out beautifully glazed and tender.
Building the Perfect Sweet and Savory Glaze
The glaze is really the heart of this recipe. Brown sugar and honey bring deep caramel sweetness, while the pineapple juice adds brightness and a little acidity that keeps the whole dish from tasting one-note. A touch of dijon mustard rounds things out with a subtle tang, and warm spices like cinnamon and cloves make it smell like a holiday the moment it starts simmering.
Unlike an oven-baked ham where the glaze can burn or dry out under high heat, the low and slow environment of a crockpot lets this glaze reduce gently into a thick, sticky coating without ever scorching.
- Whisk the glaze ingredients together until fully smooth before pouring.
- Baste occasionally if you are home, though it is completely fine to walk away and let it cook.
- Save any extra glaze from the bottom of the crockpot to drizzle over individual servings.
Ready to make it? Here is the full step-by-step recipe:
Crockpot Ham
This Crockpot Ham is fall-apart tender, glazed with a sweet and savory brown sugar sauce, and practically cooks itself, making it the easiest way to serve a stunning ham dinner.
Ingredients
- 5 lb spiral cut ham, bone-in, fully cooked
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice, or apple juice
- 2 tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves, optional
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Instruction
Place the spiral cut ham cut-side down into the bottom of a large crockpot, nestling it in so it fits comfortably.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, honey, pineapple juice, dijon mustard, melted butter, ground cloves, and cinnamon until smooth.
Pour the glaze evenly over the top of the ham, letting it drip down between the spiral slices.
Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or on high for 2.5 to 3 hours, basting with the pan juices every hour if you can.
In the last 20 minutes of cooking, spoon extra glaze from the bottom of the crockpot back over the top of the ham to build up a sticky coating.
Carefully transfer the ham to a serving platter, spoon any remaining juices over the top, and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing along the spiral cuts and serving.
Equipment
- Large 6 to 7 quart crockpot or slow cooker
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Basting spoon or brush
- Meat thermometer
Notes
Tips for the Best Results Every Time
One of the best things about learning how to cook ham this way is how forgiving the method is. Because the crockpot maintains a steady, gentle temperature, you have a wide window of doneness before anything overcooks. That said, a meat thermometer reading of at least 140 degrees F in the thickest part of the ham confirms it is properly heated through, since it is already fully cooked to begin with.
Chef's Tip: Resist the urge to lift the lid too often. Every peek releases heat and can add extra cooking time, so trust the process and check in only occasionally.
If you want an extra caramelized finish, you can transfer the glazed ham to a baking sheet and broil it for 2 to 3 minutes right before serving. This step is optional but gives you those gorgeous golden edges you often see on a picture-perfect ham dinner.
Serving and Storing Your Slow Cooker Ham
This crockpot ham pairs beautifully with classic sides like mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, dinner rolls, or a simple green salad to balance out the richness. It is a wonderful centerpiece for holiday tables, but honestly, it is easy enough to make any random weeknight feel a little more special too.
Any leftovers store well and are perfect for sandwiches, soups, or breakfast hash the next morning. Once you try this method, you may find yourself reaching for your crock pot cooking setup every time ham is on the menu, since it truly delivers some of the best ham recipes with the least amount of hands-on effort.
