Crockpot Ham Roast with Brown Sugar Pineapple Glaze
This crockpot ham roast is a boneless smoked ham cooked low with brown sugar, pineapple and a little mustard. The slow cooker heats it through without drying it out, and frees the oven for the sides.
10
servings10
minutes5
hoursA fully cooked boneless ham roast heated low in a sweet pineapple glaze. It slices clean and stays moist.
Ingredients
1 boneless fully cooked smoked ham roast (4 to 5 lb)
1 can (20 oz) pineapple slices in juice, undrained
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup apple juice
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon cold water
Maraschino cherries, optional
Whole cloves for studding, optional
Directions
- Pat the ham dry and set it fat side up. If the label says netted, leave the net on and trim it off after cooking.
- Score the surface in a shallow diamond pattern, about 1/4 inch deep. This lets the glaze get in.
- Stir the brown sugar, mustard, honey, cloves, pepper and garlic powder into a thick paste.
- Pour the apple juice, vinegar and 1/4 cup of the pineapple juice into a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Place the ham in the crock and rub the paste over the top and sides. Lay pineapple slices over it, pinning with toothpicks if they slide.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, until a thermometer in the center reads 145°F. Do not use the HIGH setting, which can dry the outside.
- Lift the ham onto a cutting board, tent loosely with foil and rest for 15 minutes.
- Pour the juices into a small saucepan, add the butter and simmer 5 minutes.
- Whisk the cornstarch with the cold water, stir into the pan and boil 1 minute until glossy and slightly thick.
- Slice the ham against the grain and spoon the glaze over the slices.
Notes
- Spiral ham also works, but cut the cook time to 3 to 4 hours so it does not dry out. Skip the pineapple and use orange juice and marmalade for a citrus glaze. Leftover ham keeps 4 days in the fridge and is great in omelets and soup.
Why this version works
A fully cooked ham only needs to be warmed, and that is exactly where a slow cooker does well. Low heat comes up gently to serving temperature, so the outside never turns salty and leathery the way it can in a hot oven. Ham is salty and smoky already, so heating it slowly lets the glaze sink in without drawing out more salt. It is also a very forgiving meal for hosts, since it holds on LOW for an extra hour without harm.
The glaze runs down into the juices as it cooks, so you end up with a built-in sauce. The sugar and pineapple melt into the ham fat and the smoky pork picks up their sweetness, without any basting from you. The result slices cleanly into thick, juicy pieces that carry a shiny, sticky coat on the outside. You do nothing after the first ten minutes except check the thermometer.
Ingredient notes
Boneless ham roast: Look for one labeled fully cooked and no larger than 5 pounds so it fits a 6-quart cooker with the lid shut. A smaller roast of 3 to 4 pounds works fine too, and heats about an hour faster.
Pineapple: Slices in juice are best, since syrup makes the glaze too sweet. Keep the juice, which goes into the pot. Drain the slices and save every drop of juice for the sauce.
Brown sugar: Light brown dissolves cleanly and caramelizes into a glossy coat.
Dijon mustard: It balances the sweetness and gives the glaze some bite.
Cloves: A little goes a long way. Use ground in the paste, or stud the top with whole ones for the classic look.
Tips for the best result
Measure the fit first: Set the ham in the empty crock and make sure the lid closes. A raised lid lets heat escape and adds an hour. A tight lid is better than a perfect cut.
Do not overcook it: The most common mistake is leaving a ham in for 8 hours as you would a pot roast. It is already cooked, so you are only heating it. Use a thermometer. Set the probe in the thickest part, away from any gap in the net.
Rest it before slicing: Fifteen minutes lets the juices settle, so the slices stay moist instead of leaking on the board. Tent it loosely so the glaze does not steam off.
Swaps and variations
Use maple syrup in place of honey for a deeper sweetness, or replace the apple juice with ginger ale for a soft spice. Fresh orange slices can stand in for pineapple. A spoon of bourbon in the glaze suits a holiday table. Brown mustard instead of Dijon gives a stronger tang if you like that.
Do not use a raw, uncured ham leg here. It needs much longer, higher heat to be safe, and a slow cooker is the wrong tool for it.
What to serve with it
Ham loves creamy potatoes, scalloped or mashed, with green beans or roasted carrots on the side. Add warm rolls and a bowl of the glaze for dipping. For a casual meal, tuck thin slices into slider buns with mustard. Keep the table simple, because the ham is rich and sweet. A tart green salad or pickled beets help cut it, and a small pitcher of the warm glaze can sit by the platter.
Storing, freezing and reheating
Refrigerate slices in the glaze within two hours. They keep 4 days and are best reheated in a covered skillet with a splash of water or juice so they stay moist. Cooked ham freezes best in flat packs.
Freeze sliced ham in portions for up to 2 months, wrapped tightly. Thaw overnight in the fridge before warming. Do not refreeze after thawing.
Crockpot Ham Roast with Brown Sugar Pineapple Glaze at a glance
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 5 hours
- Servings: 10 servings
- Ingredients: 15, led by boneless fully cooked smoked ham roast (4 to 5 lb), (20 oz) pineapple slices in juice, packed light brown sugar, Dijon mustard
Tips for Crockpot Ham Roast with Brown Sugar Pineapple Glaze
Spiral ham also works, but cut the cook time to 3 to 4 hours so it does not dry out. Skip the pineapple and use orange juice and marmalade for a citrus glaze. Leftover ham keeps 4 days in the fridge and is great in omelets and soup.
Crockpot Ham Roast with Brown Sugar Pineapple Glaze FAQ
How long does Crockpot Ham Roast with Brown Sugar Pineapple Glaze take?
Crockpot Ham Roast with Brown Sugar Pineapple Glaze takes 5 hours of cooking after 10 minutes of prep.
How many people does Crockpot Ham Roast with Brown Sugar Pineapple Glaze serve?
This recipe makes 10 servings.
What do I need to make Crockpot Ham Roast with Brown Sugar Pineapple Glaze?
15 ingredients, led by boneless fully cooked smoked ham roast (4 to 5 lb), (20 oz) pineapple slices in juice, packed light brown sugar, Dijon mustard. Amounts are in the recipe card above.
