Crockpot Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze
This crockpot ham is fall-apart tender, glazed with a sweet brown sugar and pineapple sauce, and practically cooks itself while you handle everything else.
The Easiest Way to Cook a Crowd-Pleasing Ham
If you have ever wondered how to cook ham without babysitting the oven all day, this crockpot ham recipe is about to become your new go-to. It takes a fully cooked spiral ham, wraps it in a sticky brown sugar glaze, and lets your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting. No basting every 20 minutes, no worrying about drying it out, just tender, juicy slices ready when you are.
This is one of those ham recipes crockpot fans swear by for holidays, Sunday dinners, or anytime you want a low effort, high reward main dish. It frees up your oven for sides, which is a lifesaver during Easter or Christmas when every burner and rack is already spoken for.
Before we get cooking, the right tools and ingredients make a real difference here. A good sized slow cooker and an instant read thermometer take the guesswork out of slow cooker ham recipes, and a quality basting brush helps that glaze really cling to every slice. These are the products that genuinely help this recipe shine:
Why Crockpot Ham Works So Well
Spiral hams are already fully cooked when you buy them, which means your job is really just gentle reheating and flavor building. A slow cooker is perfect for this because it warms the meat slowly and evenly, so you avoid the dry, rubbery edges that can happen with high oven heat.
The glaze is where the magic happens. Brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, and a touch of dijon mustard create a sweet and slightly tangy coating that caramelizes beautifully in the moist heat of the crockpot.
Chef's Tip: Baste the ham with the pan juices halfway through cooking, not just at the end. It keeps the outer slices from drying out and builds deeper flavor into the glaze.
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Ham
A few small details separate an average crock pot cooking result from a truly great one.
- Choose the right size ham. Make sure your ham fits comfortably in your slow cooker with the lid closed. If it is too snug, trim a bit off the bottom.
- Don't skip the resting time. Letting the ham rest for 10 minutes after cooking helps the juices redistribute through the meat.
- Reserve some glaze. Holding back a portion of the glaze to brush on near the end gives you that glossy, caramelized finish everyone loves.
- Watch your temperature, not just your clock. Since every slow cooker runs a little differently, use a meat thermometer to confirm the ham is heated through rather than relying only on cook time.
This method also happens to be one of the most forgiving ham dinner solutions out there. Even if you are new to crock pot cooking, it is nearly impossible to mess up.
Ready to make it? Here is the full step-by-step recipe:
Crockpot Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze
This crockpot ham is fall-apart tender, glazed with a sweet brown sugar and pineapple sauce, and practically cooks itself while you handle everything else.
Ingredients
- 7 lb spiral cut ham, bone-in, fully cooked
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice, or juice from canned pineapple
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves, optional, for warmth
- 1 cup pineapple rings, canned, optional for topping
- 10 maraschino cherries, optional, for garnish
Instruction
Place the spiral cut ham cut side down into a large 6 quart or bigger crockpot. If your ham is too big to fit with the lid on, you may need to trim the bottom slightly.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, dijon mustard, melted butter, and ground cloves until smooth.
Pour about two thirds of the glaze evenly over the ham, letting it seep down between the spiral slices.
If desired, tuck pineapple rings and maraschino cherries between the slices or around the top of the ham for a classic look.
Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or until the ham is heated through and reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees F (60 degrees C).
During the last 30 minutes of cooking, brush the ham with the remaining glaze so it becomes sticky and caramelized.
Carefully transfer the ham to a serving platter, spoon some of the slow cooker juices over the top, and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Equipment
- 6 quart or larger slow cooker
- Basting brush
- Mixing bowl
- Meat thermometer
- Carving board
Notes
Serving, Storing, and Variations
This ham pairs beautifully with classic sides like mashed potatoes, roasted green beans, or a simple dinner roll to soak up the juices. For a festive touch, keep the pineapple rings and cherries on top when you serve it, it makes for a gorgeous centerpiece on any holiday table.
For leftovers, store slices in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They reheat wonderfully in a skillet with a splash of the reserved juices, or you can toss diced ham into soups, casseroles, and breakfast hashes throughout the week.
If you like a spicier glaze, try adding a pinch of cayenne or a spoonful of spicy brown mustard. For a more traditional flavor, swap the pineapple juice for apple cider and add a cinnamon stick to the crockpot while it cooks.
However you dress it up, this crockpot ham recipe proves that a stunning, crowd-pleasing centerpiece does not have to mean a stressful kitchen day.
