This Crockpot Ham recipe is juicy, tender, and simmered right in the glaze for maximum flavor. I’m a Food Scientist sharing secrets to make slow cooker ham PERFECTLY every time.
This slow cooker ham recipe is a Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, anytime dish that is just as delicious the next day as leftovers.
- Saves oven space: I love that I can use my oven for another protein item like turkey, or stuffing, potatoes etc while the ham steams away in the crockpot.
- Quick to get ready: Literally, less than 5 minutes of prep.
- Slow cooking at a low temperature ensures the ham stays tender and absorbs the glaze’s rich flavors.
4 Mistakes to Avoid for the BEST Crockpot Ham
I’m a food science expert and I’ll just dive right into my pro tips to make sure you get the best results possible with this easy crockpot ham recipe!
1. Don’t use the wrong ham: Choosing a raw ham instead of a fully cooked one can lead to undercooked results. While most supermarket hams are precooked, always read the product label to be sure and use a fully cooked ham for this crockpot recipe.
2. Don’t overcrowd the slow cooker: Make sure there’s enough room for the lid to close securely to trap heat and moisture. Cut off the sides of the ham and puzzle them in as needed.
- If you have more ham than can fit in your crockpot, you can always freeze it to use another time to add to a ham and bean soup recipe or tater tot breakfast casserole.
3. Don’t lift the lid during cooking: Every time the lid is lifted, heat escapes, extending the cooking time and potentially drying out the ham. Keep the lid on and don’t be tempted to sneak a peek.
- The slow cooker’s even, moist heat makes basting and flipping unnecessary when cooking ham in crock pot.
- More on this in my Slow Cooker Vs Pressure Cooker article.
4. Don’t skip the glaze: While not essential, reducing the cooking liquid to make a quick glaze and popping it in the broiler to finish adds lots of delicious, caramelized flavor.
Related: You’ll also love my moist and juicy pressure cooker ham recipe!
Here’s What You Need
Round up these tools and ingredients to make this incredible crockpot ham recipe:
Crockpot Ham Recipe Ingredient Notes
This recipe is pretty light on ingredients – here’s what you’ll need to make this crockpot ham:
- Bone-in, fully cooked ham (spiral ham or whole): Go for a bone-in ham for maximum flavor and tenderness. A spiral-cut ham is easy to serve, but a whole ham stays juicier during cooking.
- Brown sugar: Adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness and a glossy glaze.
- Maple syrup (or honey): For a natural, earthy sweetness.
- Pineapple juice or orange juice: Adds acidity to balance the sweetness and brings out the ham’s natural flavor.
- Dijon mustard: This really ham balances the sweetness of the glaze.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds some acidity to brighten the glaze.
- Garlic powder: Deepens the savory flavor.
- Ground cloves (optional): Use sparingly-you could also stud it with whole cloves.
Ingredient quantities in the recipe card at the bottom of the article
Substitutions and Variations
Need to make a few ingredient swaps? No problem – here’s what I suggest:
- Ham type: Use a boneless ham if you prefer easier slicing or a quicker cooking time. Swap for smoked ham for a deeper, smoky flavor.
- Juices: Try apple juice instead of pineapple or orange juice. Replace the pineapple or orange juice with lemon juice.
- Spices: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, cozy flavor for holiday meals or some ground ginger. A little chili powder is great if you like heat.
- Glaze thickness: If you prefer a thicker glaze for ham, reduce the cooking liquid in a saucepan after slow cooking. Reduce the amount of brown sugar or syrup for a lighter, less sweet glaze.
Tools to Grab
You’ll need a crockpot, mixing bowl and a small saucepan – it’s a low-mess recipe which is great.
How to Make Easy Crockpot Ham: An Easy Guide
These are my simple steps to getting the perfect crockpot ham:
Prepare the ham
Place the ham flat-side down in the slow cooker. For spiral-cut ham, gently fan out the slices to let the glaze soak in.
Make the glaze
Whisk together brown sugar, maple syrup, juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and cloves (if using) in a small bowl. No need to pre-cook; the slow cooker will meld the flavors.
Pour and cover
Pour the glaze over the ham, ensuring it seeps between the slices. Cover tightly and avoid lifting the lid during cooking.
Cook low and slow
Cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours. The ham will release juices, creating a flavorful broth.
Optional sticky finish
For a caramelized glaze, transfer the ham to a baking sheet. Boil the cooking liquid mixture in a saucepan over medium heat until it’s reduced to a thick sauce, about 15-20 minutes.
Brush the reduced glaze on the ham and broil for 3-5 minutes until golden.
Serve
Slice and drizzle with the reduced glaze for added flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Leftovers of this easy crock pot ham can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For longer storage, wrap the ham tightly in plastic wrap or foil and place it in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Warm leftover ham in the microwave or oven, adding a little of the reserved cooking liquid to keep it moist. For oven reheating, cover with foil and bake at 325°F until heated through.
How to Serve this Crockpot Ham Recipe
If you’re making a holiday ham for easter dinner or another special occasion, here are a few of my favorite side dishes:
- Potatoes: Pair the ham with better than Gordon Ramsay mashed potatoes, or this deliciously creamy and naturally gluten-free potatoes au gratin recipe. My epic breakfast-style fried potatoes are perfect if you’re serving ham for brunch.
- Vegetables: Feeling fancy? Try my favorite green bean casserole with crispy onions or maple bacon roasted brussels sprouts. You could also keep it simple with a crisp green salad, roasted vegetables, or pan-fried asparagus to balance the richness of the ham.
Use sliced ham to create sandwiches with fresh rolls or sliced homemade bread, mustard, cheese and pickles on a big serving platter for an easy lunch option.
What to Do with Leftovers
I’d argue that ham leftovers are the best part! Here’s how I love to use them up:
- Add to scrambled eggs or an omelet
- Mix into mac and cheese or alfredo sauce penne pasta
- Make my FAVORITE Ham and Bean Soup or Ham and Lentil Soup
- Use in cheese quesadillas or wraps
- Chop and freeze for future meals
- Make homemade ham stock with the bone (or just skip to Ham Bone Soup)
- Use as a topping for my quick and easy flatbread pizza.
FAQs About this Crock Pot Ham Recipe
Just skimming through to the crockpot ham recipe card? Don’t miss these key takeaways:
Yes, you can use a boneless ham or a ham with the skin on, but a bone-in, fully cooked ham provides the best flavor and moisture. Spiral-cut ham is also a great option for easier serving.
Since the ham is already fully cooked, you’re just reheating it. The ham should be heated through and tender after cooking for 4-5 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high. You can use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 145°F.
Yes, you can cook it on high for 2-3 hours, but cooking on low for 4-5 hours ensures the ham stays moist and absorbs more flavor from the glaze.
Absolutely! You can prepare the glaze up to 2 days in advance. Store it in the refrigerator and pour it over the ham when you’re ready to cook.
Yup – you can. It won’t taste exactly the same but that’s ok.
Other Crockpot Recipes You’ll Love
If you love this slow cooker ham recipe as much as I do, you’ll also love these tasty crockpot recipes:
Easy Crockpot Ham Recipe (Moist and Juicy Every Time!)
Video
Ingredients
- 4-5 lb fully cooked ham spiral-cut or whole
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup maple syrup or honey
- ½ cup pineapple juice or orange juice
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp ground cloves optional
Instructions
Prepare the ham:
- Place the ham in the slow cooker, flat-side down. You may have to cut the sides off and puzzle them together to make them fit. Make sure the crockpot lid can close without letting steam escape.If using a spiral-cut ham, gently fan out the slices. Otherwise, use a sharp knife to make shallow cuts on the surface in a criss-cross design. This helps the glaze soak in.
Make the glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, maple syrup, juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and cloves (if using).
Pour and cover:
- Pour the glaze evenly over the ham, making sure it drips between the slices or cuts.
Cook low and slow:
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours. Do not lift the lid while cooking, as it releases heat and prolongs cooking time.
For a sticky finish (optional):
- If you want a caramelized, sticky glaze, transfer the ham to a baking sheet after slow cooking. Use oven mitts to carefully pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan. Cook it over medium heat until reduced to a thick and glossy glaze, 15-20 minutes. Reduce heat if it bubbles too strongly. Brush the reduced glaze over the ham. Broil for 3-5 minutes until golden and slightly bubbly.
Notes
- No flipping needed: The slow cooker’s even, moist heat makes flipping unnecessary and helps the ham stay intact.
- To prevent dry edges: Place a piece of foil or parchment loosely over the ham before covering with the lid to help with self-basting.
- Avoid lifting the lid: Trust the slow cooker to do its job without interruptions. This keeps cooking times consistent.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is honestly the best and juiciest ham I have ever made! It is so delicious!
Your recipe sounds great. I have a 3.5 lb smoked ham, no bone and wonder how long I should cook it.
Thanks
Hi there! For a 3.5 lb boneless smoked ham, cook it on LOW for about 3 hours, or on HIGH for 1½–2 hours — just until it’s heated through to 140ºF internally. Since it’s already smoked (and fully cooked), you’re really just warming it gently so it stays juicy and lets the glaze soak in.
Easy recipe to follow do you still cook the same time for a bigger ham?
Yes, because the ham is already fully cooked, you’re just reheating it. For a bigger ham, keep the same setting but plan for the longer end of the cook time, and heat it until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
Thanks for another magnificent recipe. It worked perfectly.
easy and really good recipe thanks
Used this ham recipe for a dinner party and it was a hit Thanks for the easy instructions made my night a lot less stressful
I must say, this crockpot ham recipe surprised me. It turned out even more juicy and flavorful than anticipated.
This ham recipe was very good. The sauce is very yummy too.
Just wanted to drop a note saying how lifesaving this crockpot ham recipe has been for our Sunday family dinners. It’s so hands-off, which is perfect for me since I’m juggling a million things over the weekend. The glaze is to die for, and I appreciate the hints on making a sticky finish – it’s become a request from the kids and even the hubby! Cheers for putting together such an easy guide. Definitely a keeper in my recipe book.