Perfectly Tender Slow Cooker Ham

Unlock the secret to a truly stress-free holiday meal or an effortlessly delicious Sunday dinner: cooking your ham in the slow cooker! This incredible **slow cooker ham recipe** guarantees a juicy, tender ham enveloped in a luscious, homemade glaze, all while keeping your oven completely free for other culinary masterpieces. Say goodbye to the holiday oven shuffle and hello to perfectly cooked ham every single time.

The annual holiday cooking dilemma is a familiar one: how to prepare a grand **holiday meal** with just one oven. My heart yearns for fluffy homemade rolls, a medley of perfectly roasted **sides**, and of course, a big, succulent, **juicy ham**. The challenge is that there’s simply never enough oven space to bake everything simultaneously and ensure it all comes out hot and ready at the same time. Oven real estate becomes incredibly precious, especially during festive seasons like Christmas and Easter! This year, however, I’m thrilled to share a game-changing method: how to make an exquisite **glazed ham in a slow cooker**.

Honestly, I can’t believe I didn’t discover this ingenious cooking technique sooner. I implore you, take a moment to try this recipe. It’s incredibly straightforward, yet yields results that are nothing short of spectacular. The process is remarkably simple: you prepare your ham with a delectable glaze, then simply place it into your slow cooker. In just 4-5 hours, you’ll have a tender, moist, and flavorful ham, ready to carve and impress, all while your oven remains completely free to handle your cherished side dishes, rolls, or desserts. Imagine the possibilities!

Essential Ingredients for a Perfect Slow Cooker Ham

This effortless **crockpot ham recipe** utilizes just a handful of simple ingredients, primarily for creating its incredibly flavorful glaze. The magic truly happens when these elements combine and slowly infuse the ham with sweetness and tanginess. Here’s a comprehensive look at your shopping list, along with why each component plays a crucial role:

• Crushed Pineapple: This ingredient is absolutely key to our signature glaze. The crushed pineapple and its juices provide a vibrant, sweet, and slightly tangy base that beautifully complements the savory ham. It also adds a delightful texture to the finished glaze.
• Spiral Ham: For optimal results, look for a 7-10 pound bone-in spiral-cut ham. A spiral-cut ham is already pre-sliced, making carving incredibly easy after cooking. The bone-in variety often imparts more flavor and moisture. If you’re catering to a smaller gathering, this recipe can be easily adapted for a 4lb boneless spiral ham; simply halve the glaze ingredients to match the ham’s size. Ensure your ham is fully cooked and cured, as most hams sold in stores are.
• Brown Sugar: The foundation of our sweet and savory glaze. Brown sugar adds a deep, molasses-rich sweetness and a beautiful caramelized color. It creates that classic sticky texture we all adore in a glazed ham.
• Honey: For an extra layer of natural sweetness and a subtle floral note. Honey contributes to the glaze’s luxurious texture and depth of flavor, making it even more irresistible.
• Dijon Mustard: Don’t skip this! Dijon mustard is a secret weapon in ham glazes. It doesn’t make the ham taste like mustard; instead, it provides a crucial tangy counterbalance to the sweetness of the pineapple, brown sugar, and honey. It adds a sophisticated layer of flavor that elevates the entire dish.
• Sure Gel: My absolute favorite thickening agent! Sure Gel, particularly Cornaby’s E-Z Gel, is incredibly simple to use and completely flavorless. It allows you to achieve a perfectly thick, glossy glaze without any grainy texture or cloudiness. It’s a true game-changer for sauces and glazes.
• Ham Dipping Sauces: While entirely optional, we genuinely believe these take the ham experience to the next level! Offering a selection of complementary dipping sauces allows your guests to customize their flavor experience and adds an extra touch of gourmet flair.

Detailed measurements for all these ingredients, along with precise instructions, are readily available in the comprehensive recipe card located towards the end of this article. This ensures you have everything you need for a flawless culinary experience.

Mastering Glazed Ham in Your Slow Cooker: A Simple Guide

The beauty of **crockpot recipes** lies in their inherent simplicity, and this **spiral cut ham recipe** truly embodies that philosophy. It’s designed to be as effortless as possible, allowing your slow cooker to do the heavy lifting while you enjoy a stress-free cooking experience. The primary steps involve creating a rich pineapple glaze and letting the gentle, consistent heat of the slow cooker transform your ham into a tender, flavorful masterpiece. Here’s a breakdown of the easy steps:

1. Initial Prep and Placement: Begin by adding half of the crushed pineapple and its accompanying juice to the bottom of your slow cooker. This creates a flavorful bed for the ham to rest on and keeps it moist throughout the cooking process. Carefully place the spiral ham directly on top of the pineapple mixture, ensuring it fits snugly within the slow cooker.
2. Crafting and Applying the Glaze Base: In a small separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, honey, and Dijon mustard. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until you achieve a smooth, well-blended paste. This mixture forms the primary flavor profile of your exquisite ham glaze. Once combined, generously rub this sweet and tangy mixture all over the surface of the ham. Don’t be shy – ensure every crevice of the spiral cut is coated to maximize flavor penetration.
3. Slow Cook to Perfection: Distribute the remaining crushed pineapple and its juice around the sides and base of the ham in the slow cooker. This ensures the ham is consistently bathed in delicious liquid. Secure the lid firmly onto your slow cooker – a tight seal is crucial for maintaining moisture and temperature. Cook on the LOW setting for 4-5 hours, or if you’re in a bit more of a hurry, you can cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours. The slow cooker will gently warm the ham through, infusing it with the incredible pineapple-brown sugar flavors until it reaches perfect tenderness.
4. Creating the Final Glaze: Once the ham is thoroughly cooked and wonderfully tender, carefully remove it from the crockpot and transfer it to a serving platter. Next, pour all the flavorful pineapple and ham juices from the slow cooker into a small saucepan. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the liquid to a rolling boil. As soon as it’s boiling, whisk in the Cornaby’s Sure Gel (or your chosen cornstarch slurry alternative). Continue whisking constantly for 1-2 minutes until the glaze thickens to your desired consistency – a beautiful, glossy, and sticky sauce.
5. Serve and Enjoy: Slice the tender ham and serve it generously drizzled with the homemade pineapple brown sugar glaze. Offer your chosen ham dipping sauces on the side for an extra burst of flavor. If you’re new to carving a spiral ham and need a little guidance, be sure to check out our dedicated post on how to carve a spiral ham for expert tips!

With these simple steps, cooking a mouthwatering ham has truly never been easier or more convenient. The complete recipe, featuring all ingredient quantities and detailed instructions, is conveniently located in the recipe card below. You can also print or save the recipe there for future culinary endeavors.

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Your Crockpot Ham

Whether you’re preparing this delightful **Crock Pot ham** for a grand holiday feast like Christmas or Easter, or simply an easy family dinner, selecting the right **side dishes** can elevate the entire meal. A beautifully **glazed spiral ham** is wonderfully versatile and pairs well with a wide array of comforting and flavorful accompaniments. Here are some of our favorite side dishes that complement the sweet and savory notes of this succulent ham:

• Funeral Potatoes: A classic, creamy, and cheesy potato casserole that offers a rich, comforting counterpoint to the ham.
• Easy Herb Focaccia Bread: A light and airy bread with aromatic herbs, perfect for soaking up any extra glaze or serving alongside the ham slices.
• Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Sweet and savory, these roasted gems bring a touch of earthy sweetness that harmonizes beautifully with the pineapple glaze.
• Southern Macaroni and Cheese: Creamy, decadent, and utterly satisfying, macaroni and cheese is a timeless pairing for ham, offering a rich textural contrast.
• Potato Rolls: Soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet, homemade potato rolls are ideal for making mini ham sandwiches or simply enjoying with butter.
• Green Beans and Potatoes: A wholesome and flavorful vegetable dish that adds freshness and a touch of garden goodness to your plate.

Planning Your Feast: How Much Ham Per Person?

When preparing your **slow cooker ham**, it’s always helpful to gauge the right amount to buy to ensure everyone gets enough and, ideally, to account for those coveted leftovers! Generally, you should plan for approximately 3/4 pound of ham per person. For younger children, a slightly smaller portion will suffice. However, if you, like us, absolutely adore **leftover ham** and wish to have plenty for meals in the days following, I highly recommend bumping that number up to 1 pound per person. Leftover ham is incredibly versatile and can be transformed into a myriad of delicious dishes, extending the enjoyment of your culinary efforts!

Selecting the Perfect Ham: A Buyer’s Guide

Choosing the right ham is crucial for the success of this **slow cooker ham recipe**. My personal preference leans towards a large **bone-in spiral ham** for its rich flavor and easy carving. However, with our eldest now off to college, we find that a smaller ham often suits our needs better. In such cases, a boneless spiral ham works just as wonderfully and can be a more manageable size. The most important factor is to select a **fully cooked** and **cured ham**, which is the type you’ll most commonly find at your local grocery store. These hams are pre-cooked and only require reheating to an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C). If your ham happens to come with a glaze packet, feel free to toss that pre-made concoction aside! Our homemade pineapple brown sugar glaze is far superior and delivers unparalleled flavor.

Understanding Sure Gel: Your Secret to a Perfect Glaze

I have genuinely become obsessed with Cornaby’s E-Z Gel! It has quickly become my absolute go-to for all my thickening needs in the kitchen. Whether I’m preparing gravies, fruit sauces, homemade jams, or, in this case, a rich ham glaze, Sure Gel consistently delivers superior results. It is a fantastic gluten-free instant cornstarch that offers incredible convenience: you can add it directly to any liquid, whether cold or hot, and it thickens almost instantly without clumping. The best part? It has absolutely no flavor, meaning it won’t alter the delicate balance of your delicious glaze. It’s truly a miracle worker for achieving that perfect, smooth, and glossy consistency!

However, if you don’t have Cornaby’s Sure Gel readily available, don’t worry! You can easily create an effective alternative. Simply mix 2 tablespoons of traditional cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to form a smooth slurry. Slowly whisk this slurry into your boiling pineapple sauce, ensuring you stir continuously until the glaze reaches your desired thickness. The key is to add it gradually and whisk well to prevent lumps.

Craving Crispy Edges? Here’s How to Achieve Them!

While slow cooking ham excels at producing an incredibly tender and juicy result, some might miss those wonderfully **crispy, caramelized edges** that a traditional baked ham offers, much like our brown sugar ham or our copycat Honey Baked ham. If you find yourself longing for that extra texture, there’s a simple trick to achieve it after slow cooking. Once your ham is done in the crockpot, carefully transfer it to a baking dish. Brush the ham generously with a fresh layer of the delicious pineapple glaze you’ve prepared. Then, place the dish under the broiler for just a few minutes. Keep a very close eye on it, as glazes can burn quickly. This quick broil will caramelize the sugars on the ham’s surface, giving you those irresistible crispy, sticky edges you love without sacrificing the internal tenderness achieved in the slow cooker.

Storing and Reheating Your Delicious Leftover Ham

One of the many joys of cooking a large ham is the abundance of delicious leftovers! Proper **storing and reheating** are essential to maintain flavor and ensure food safety. Any leftover ham should be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator. When properly stored, it will remain fresh and delicious for up to 5 days, providing you with ample opportunities for creative leftover meals.

For longer storage, ham **freezes** exceptionally well. To freeze, slice the ham into individual portions or manageable sizes. Place the slices in a heavy-duty freezer bag or an airtight freezer-safe container, squeezing out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Frozen ham will maintain its quality for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply thaw the ham in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

To **reheat cold ham** and restore its tender, juicy texture, we recommend placing the slices in a baking dish. Add a couple of tablespoons of water, chicken broth, or even a little leftover pineapple juice to the bottom of the dish – this creates steam and helps keep the ham moist. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Place it in an oven preheated to 275 degrees F (135°C) and heat until it’s warmed through, typically about 20-30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the slices. This gentle reheating method prevents the ham from drying out, ensuring it remains as succulent as when it was first cooked.

Discover how effortlessly you can create an incredibly juicy and flavorful ham right in your slow cooker. This easy **slow cooker ham recipe** is genuinely perfect for everything from busy weeknights to grand special occasions. Finally, you can bid farewell to dry, bland ham and welcome a new era of tender, succulent perfection!

How to Make Slow Cooker Ham Video

Creative Recipes to Use Leftover Ham:

Don’t let a single delicious slice of your slow cooker ham go to waste! Leftovers are a true gift that can be transformed into a variety of equally mouthwatering dishes. Here are some of our favorite creative and easy recipes to give your leftover ham a delicious second life:

• Ham and Cheese Sliders: A crowd-pleasing favorite, perfect for parties or a quick weeknight meal.
• Spring Ham and Asparagus Lemon Cream Sauce Pasta: A fresh and vibrant pasta dish that combines the richness of ham with bright, seasonal flavors.
• Ham Lemon Orzo with Parmesan and Peas: A light, zesty, and comforting one-pan meal, ideal for busy evenings.
• Secret to the Best Ham Fried Rice: Turn your leftover ham into a sensational homemade fried rice, packed with flavor.
• Ham and Cheese Scones: A delightful savory pastry, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack.
• Ham Hock Soup: A hearty and soul-warming soup that extracts maximum flavor from your ham bone.
• Cheesy Ham and Potato Bacon Casserole: The ultimate comfort food, combining all your favorite savory flavors in one dish.