Crockpot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham
This ham in the crockpot recipe with brown sugar uses a sweet pineapple glaze that coats the meat as it warms through. It is the easiest holiday ham, and it frees the oven for the side dishes.
Crockpot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham
Course: Main CourseDifficulty: Easy10
servings10
minutes5
hoursA fully cooked spiral ham warms slowly in a brown sugar, honey and pineapple glaze. The juices are reduced for a sauce.
Ingredients
1 bone-in spiral-cut ham, 7 to 8 lb, fully cooked
1 can (20 oz) pineapple slices in juice
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup pineapple juice, from the can
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp unsalted butter
10 maraschino cherries, optional
Directions
- Check that the ham fits a 7-quart oval slow cooker with the lid on. If it is too tall, trim a small slab off the bottom.
- Drain the pineapple and save 1/4 cup of the juice.
- Whisk the brown sugar, honey, mustard, cloves, cinnamon, reserved juice and vinegar together.
- Place the ham cut side down in the cooker.
- Tuck a few pineapple rings between the slices and arrange the rest on top.
- Spoon half the glaze over the ham and into the slices.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, just until the center reaches 140 degrees F. Fully cooked ham only needs warming.
- Spoon the juices over the ham once an hour if you are home.
- Move the ham to a platter. Pour the juices into a saucepan with the butter and simmer 5 minutes until syrupy.
- Brush the sauce over the ham and serve with the pineapple.
Notes
- Do not overcook the ham, since it is already cooked and dries out quickly. A boneless ham works but needs less time. Leftovers keep 4 days and freeze for 2 months. Use the bone for split pea soup in the same crockpot.
Warming, not cooking, is the goal
A spiral-cut ham from the store is already fully cooked, so the slow cooker is only there to warm it through and set the glaze. That is why brown sugar ham in the crockpot works so well. The low, moist heat keeps the slices juicy where a hot oven would dry them out.
Four to five hours on LOW brings the center to 140°F while the brown sugar, honey, and pineapple juice melt into a sticky glaze that runs between the slices. It also frees your oven for the sides on a holiday.
Ingredient notes
Spiral-cut ham: Pick a bone-in ham of seven to eight pounds that fits in your cooker with the lid closed. Measure the pot before you shop.
Pineapple slices: Buy them packed in juice. The juice goes into the glaze, and the rings are tucked between the slices and on top.
Brown sugar: Light brown sugar melts into a smooth glaze. Pack it into the measuring cup.
Honey: It adds shine and a floral sweetness. Combined with the sugar, it makes the classic crockpot honey ham brown sugar glaze.
Dijon mustard, cloves, and cinnamon: They balance the sweetness and give the ham its holiday aroma.
Cherries and cloves: The cherries are optional and add a retro look. Whole cloves can be pressed into the ham, but ground cloves in the glaze are easier and give the same flavor.
Tips for the best result
Wrap or rest: If the ham is too tall, trim the end or wrap the top in foil so the lid sits properly. Use a meat thermometer rather than the clock, since every cooker runs a little differently.
Baste: Spoon the glaze over the ham once or twice. Pull up the pooled sauce and drizzle it between the slices. Spoon the glaze over the top every hour or so, so the sugar coats the slices instead of pooling at the bottom.
Overcooking is the most common mistake: Ham is already cooked. Past five hours on LOW the edges dry and the slices turn stringy. Check with a thermometer at four hours.
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Glaze variations
For a brown sugar honey glazed ham in the crockpot with more tang, add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or a splash of orange juice. For more spice, add a pinch of ground ginger or a spoonful of whole-grain mustard. A boneless ham works too, but it needs about an hour less. Do not use a raw or uncooked ham with this timing, since it needs a much longer cook.
Swap the honey for maple syrup for a deeper flavor, or use orange marmalade in place of half the brown sugar for a fruity glaze. A splash of bourbon also works if you like a grown-up finish.
What to serve with it
Serve the ham with scalloped potatoes, green beans, and warm dinner rolls. Candied yams and a green salad round out a holiday spread. Spoon the extra glaze over the plate. A simple pan of roasted asparagus or a bowl of buttered corn also fits the table, and a basket of warm biscuits makes leftover ham sandwiches easy the next day.
Fit, slicing and leftovers
Cut slices away from the bone, and use leftover bone for soup. Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and keep for four days. Freeze for two months in portions with a little glaze. Reheat covered, in a low oven or in a skillet with a splash of water. Keep leftover glaze in a jar and spoon it over reheated slices to keep them from drying out.
Crockpot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham at a glance
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 5 hours
- Servings: 10 servings
- Ingredients: 11, led by bone-in spiral-cut ham, (20 oz) pineapple slices in juice, packed light brown sugar, honey
Tips for Crockpot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham
Do not overcook the ham, since it is already cooked and dries out quickly. A boneless ham works but needs less time. Leftovers keep 4 days and freeze for 2 months. Use the bone for split pea soup in the same crockpot.
Crockpot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham FAQ
How long does Crockpot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham take?
Crockpot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham takes 5 hours of cooking after 10 minutes of prep.
How many people does Crockpot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham serve?
This recipe makes 10 servings.
What do I need to make Crockpot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham?
11 ingredients, led by bone-in spiral-cut ham, (20 oz) pineapple slices in juice, packed light brown sugar, honey. Amounts are in the recipe card above.
