Oh my gosh, let me tell you about my absolute favorite way to cook ham – in the crockpot! There’s something magical about tossing everything in and coming back hours later to a house that smells like a holiday feast. These crockpot ham recipes are my go-to when I need something impressive but don’t want to fuss. The slow cooking makes the ham impossibly tender while that sweet-spicy glaze caramelizes into sticky perfection. Best part? You’ll spend about 10 minutes prepping, then your slow cooker does all the work. Whether it’s Easter, Christmas, or just a cozy Sunday dinner, this method never lets me down.
Why You’ll Love These Crockpot Ham Recipes
Trust me, once you try making ham this way, you’ll never go back to other methods. Here’s why this recipe is my secret weapon:
- Almost zero effort – Seriously, just mix a few pantry staples and let your slow cooker work its magic
- Makes your whole house smell amazing – That sweet, spicy aroma will have everyone asking “When’s dinner?”
- Perfect for crowds – I’ve fed 10 hungry relatives with just one ham, and they all raved
- Hands-off cooking – No babysitting the oven or worrying about drying out the meat
The best part? You get all the glory of a fancy holiday ham without actually doing holiday-level work. I call that a win!
Ingredients for Crockpot Ham Recipes
Here’s what you’ll need to make the easiest, most flavorful ham of your life – I promise every ingredient pulls its weight in this recipe:
- 1 (8-10 lb) fully cooked ham – Look for “ready-to-eat” on the label (I prefer bone-in for extra flavor)
- 1 cup packed brown sugar – Pack it tightly in the measuring cup – this is what creates that gorgeous glaze
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice – Use the good stuff from the can, not the watered-down juice boxes
- 1/4 cup honey – The thicker the better – I love wildflower honey here
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard – Just enough to balance the sweetness without tasting mustardy
- 1 tsp ground cloves – That warm spice that makes it taste like Grandma’s kitchen
See? Nothing fancy – just simple ingredients that transform into something magical in the crockpot. Pro tip: Double the glaze ingredients if you like extra saucy ham (I always do!).
How to Make Crockpot Ham Recipes
Okay, friend – get ready for the easiest ham recipe of your life. I’ve made this dozens of times, and I’ll walk you through exactly how I get perfect results every single time. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a showstopping main dish that looks like you spent hours on it (when really you barely lifted a finger!).
Step 1: Prepare the Ham
First things first – grab that beautiful ham and carefully place it cut-side down in your crockpot. No need to grease the pot first. If your ham is too big (over 10 lbs), you might need to trim it slightly to fit. I like leaving about an inch of space around the edges for the glaze to bubble up.
Step 2: Mix the Glaze
Now for the magic sauce! In a medium bowl (I use my trusty 4-cup Pyrex), whisk together the brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, Dijon mustard, and cloves until it’s completely smooth. The glaze will be thick but pourable – if it seems too stiff, you can microwave it for 15 seconds to loosen it up. Pour this golden goodness all over the ham, making sure to coat the top and sides.
Step 3: Cook and Baste
Here’s where patience comes in. Pop the lid on and set your crockpot to LOW. Resist the urge to crank up the heat! Slow and steady wins the race here. Cook for 4-6 hours, basting the ham with those delicious juices every 1-2 hours. The ham is ready when it reaches 140°F on a meat thermometer and the glaze is thick and caramelized. Trust me – that first slice will have you doing a happy dance in your kitchen!
Tips for Perfect Crockpot Ham Recipes
After making this recipe more times than I can count, I’ve learned a few tricks that take it from good to “Oh my gosh, what’s your secret?” level amazing:
- Use a thermometer – Don’t guess! Stick it in the thickest part (avoiding bone) – 140°F means perfectly heated without drying out
- Baste, but don’t overdo it – I peek every 90 minutes to spoon juices over, but too much lid-lifting slows cooking
- Watch the size – A 6-quart crockpot fits 8-10 lbs perfectly; bigger hams need trimming
- Let it rest – 15 minutes before slicing lets juices redistribute (hardest wait ever!)
Oh! And if your glaze isn’t sticky enough at the end? Just broil for 2-3 minutes – instant caramelized perfection!
Variations for Crockpot Ham Recipes
One of my favorite things about this recipe? How easily you can tweak it to match your mood! Here are some delicious twists I’ve tried (and loved):
- Maple magic: Swap the honey for pure maple syrup – gives it that cozy pancake breakfast vibe
- Citrus twist: Use orange juice instead of pineapple for a brighter, tangier flavor
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne to the glaze for a sweet-heat kick
- Bourbon bliss: Replace 2 tbsp pineapple juice with bourbon – adults-only deliciousness!
The possibilities are endless – make it your own!
Serving Suggestions
Now for the best part – loading up your plate! This crockpot ham plays so well with others. My must-have sides? Creamy mashed potatoes (perfect for soaking up that glaze!) and roasted honey-glazed carrots. For holidays, I add warm dinner rolls and a crisp green salad to balance the richness. The leftovers? Oh, they make the best ham sandwiches the next day – just pile it high on soft bread with a smear of mayo and a slice of sharp cheddar. Heaven!
Storing and Reheating Crockpot Ham
Okay, confession time – I almost never have leftovers because everyone gobbles this ham up! But when I do, here’s how I keep it tasting amazing. Store slices in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days – the glaze actually gets more flavorful. To reheat, I pop portions in the microwave with a splash of water (covered!) for 60 seconds, or warm slices in a skillet with a dab of butter for that just-cooked taste. Pro tip: Freeze individual portions in ziplock bags for quick ham and cheese omelets later!
Nutritional Information
Just so you know – nutrition can vary based on your exact ingredients and ham size. But for a general idea, each serving (about 1 slice) contains roughly:
- 280 calories
- 18g sugar (mostly from the natural glaze)
- 24g protein (hello, muscle fuel!)
- 12g fat (4g saturated – not bad for such a flavorful cut)
Not too shabby for something that tastes this indulgent, right?
Frequently Asked Questions
I get asked the same excited questions every time I serve this crockpot ham – here are the answers I always share:
“Can I use a spiral ham?” Absolutely! Spiral hams work beautifully – just tuck foil between slices to keep them from drying out. The glaze seeps into all those nooks for extra flavor.
“How long should it cook?” Plan for 4-6 hours on LOW – smaller hams (8 lbs) lean toward 4 hours, while bigger ones (10 lbs) need closer to 6. The thermometer’s your best friend here!
“What if my glaze is too thin?” No worries! Just transfer the juices to a saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes to thicken. I’ve done this while the ham rests – easy fix!
“Can I prep this overnight?” You bet! Mix the glaze and coat the ham, then refrigerate (covered) until morning. Add 30 extra minutes to cook time since it’ll start cold.
See? All the most common concerns have simple solutions – now get cooking!
Share Your Feedback
Did you try this crockpot ham? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below – your tips might help other home cooks too!
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10-Minute Prep Crockpot Ham Recipe for Tender Perfection
- Total Time: 6 hrs 10 mins
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
A simple and delicious crockpot ham recipe that’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 (8-10 lb) fully cooked ham
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp ground cloves
Instructions
- Place the ham in the crockpot.
- Mix brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, Dijon mustard, and ground cloves in a bowl.
- Pour the mixture over the ham.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, basting occasionally.
- Remove the ham from the crockpot, slice, and serve.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the ham reaches 140°F.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 6 hrs
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: crockpot ham, slow cooker ham, easy ham recipe