Sliced Ham in Crockpot with Brown Sugar Glaze
This sliced ham in crockpot recipe uses a spiral-cut ham, which is already cooked and just needs gentle reheating. A brown sugar and mustard glaze runs down between the slices as it warms. The ham stays moist and the oven stays free for sides.
10
servings10
minutes4
hours30
minutesA pre-cooked spiral ham warms slowly in a pineapple and brown sugar glaze. The slow cooker keeps it moist and frees the oven.
Ingredients
1 fully cooked spiral-sliced ham, 6 to 7 lb, bone-in, small enough to fit the pot
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/4 cup honey
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp black pepper
3 tbsp butter
1 can (8 oz) pineapple rings, drained, optional
Directions
- Check that your ham fits in a 7-quart slow cooker with the lid closed. Trim a little off the bottom if you have to.
- Remove any plastic and the disc from the ham. Place it cut side down in the pot.
- In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, mustard, vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, pepper and butter.
- Heat over medium for 3 to 4 minutes until the sugar dissolves.
- Pour half the glaze over the ham, working it between the slices with a spoon.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 4 1/2 hours. The ham needs to reach 140°F in the thickest part.
- Baste with the pan juices once an hour if you are home. Add pineapple rings in the last hour if using.
- Turn off the heat and let the ham rest for 15 minutes, covered.
- Lift the ham onto a platter. Pour the pot juices into a small saucepan and boil for 5 minutes to thicken.
- Carve along the slices and spoon the glaze over the top.
Notes
- Do not cook the ham longer than 4 1/2 hours on LOW or it dries out and the slices fall apart. If your ham does not fit, cut it in half and stack the pieces. Leftovers keep four days. Use the bone for split pea soup. Serve with scalloped potatoes and green beans.
Why a spiral ham suits the slow cooker
A spiral-sliced ham comes fully cooked, so your only job is to warm it without drying it out. The slow cooker is good at this. It heats the ham slowly in a closed, humid pot, and the glaze runs down between the slices as it warms. You also free up the oven for the side dishes.
The window is narrow, though. This sliced ham in crockpot recipe needs only about four hours on LOW, until the center reaches 140°F. Past four and a half hours, the thin slices dry and fall apart. The pot is forgiving with a watch on the clock and a thermometer in the meat.
Ingredient notes
Spiral-sliced ham: Pick a bone-in ham around six to seven pounds that fits in the pot with the lid closed. The bone keeps the meat moist and gives you a ham bone for soup later. Check the package for the weight and the words fully cooked, and pat the ham dry with paper towels before it goes in, which helps the glaze stick.
Brown sugar: Packed light brown sugar melts into the glaze and builds a deep caramel taste.
Pineapple juice: It adds sweetness and a little acid. Canned juice works well.
Dijon mustard and cider vinegar: These keep the glaze from being too sweet, and give it a sharp edge against the salty ham.
Cinnamon and cloves: Use a small amount. A half teaspoon of cloves is plenty, since the spice grows stronger as it cooks.
Butter and honey: Butter makes the glaze glossy, and honey helps it cling to the slices.
Tips for the best result
Check the fit first: Put the ham in the pot with the lid on before you cook. If the lid will not close, trim a little off the bottom or cut the ham in half and stack the pieces.
Work the glaze between the slices: Pour half of it over the ham and push it into the gaps with a spoon. The flavor then reaches inside, not only the outside.
Do not cook it past the time: The most common mistake is treating it like a roast and leaving it all day. The ham is already cooked, so you only reheat it. Take it out when a thermometer reads 140°F, rest it covered for 15 minutes, and keep the juices for the sauce.
Swaps and variations
Swap the pineapple juice for orange juice or apple cider. Use maple syrup in place of honey for a woodsy sweetness. Add pineapple rings in the last hour for a classic look. A teaspoon of ground ginger gives the glaze some warmth.
A ham that is not fully cooked does not work in this method, because four hours on LOW is not enough to cook it to a safe temperature. Check the label for fully cooked before you start.
What to serve with it
Scalloped potatoes and green beans are the traditional pairing. Add warm rolls, a simple salad, and glazed carrots if you want a holiday-style table. Lift the ham onto a platter, spoon thickened pot juices over the slices, and carve along the cuts. Roll the carving fork through the glaze in the pan so every slice is coated, and keep the extra pot juices warm in a gravy boat for people who want more.
Storing, freezing and reheating
Keep sliced ham in a covered container for up to four days in the fridge. Save the bone for split pea soup, which makes good use of it.
Freeze slices in portions for up to two months. To reheat without drying them, warm them in a covered pan over low heat with a spoonful of pineapple juice or water, or microwave under a damp paper towel.
Sliced Ham in Crockpot with Brown Sugar Glaze at a glance
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Servings: 10 servings
- Ingredients: 11, led by fully cooked spiral-sliced ham, packed light brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey
Tips for Sliced Ham in Crockpot with Brown Sugar Glaze
Do not cook the ham longer than 4 1/2 hours on LOW or it dries out and the slices fall apart. If your ham does not fit, cut it in half and stack the pieces. Leftovers keep four days. Use the bone for split pea soup. Serve with scalloped potatoes and green beans.
Sliced Ham in Crockpot with Brown Sugar Glaze FAQ
How long does Sliced Ham in Crockpot with Brown Sugar Glaze take?
Sliced Ham in Crockpot with Brown Sugar Glaze takes 4 hours 30 minutes of cooking after 10 minutes of prep.
How many people does Sliced Ham in Crockpot with Brown Sugar Glaze serve?
This recipe makes 10 servings.
What do I need to make Sliced Ham in Crockpot with Brown Sugar Glaze?
11 ingredients, led by fully cooked spiral-sliced ham, packed light brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey. Amounts are in the recipe card above.
