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Let’s be honest, the holidays should be about connection, not kitchen chaos.
This slow cooker ham is your secret weapon for a stunning centerpiece that practically cooks itself.
Why Your Slow Cooker is a Ham’s Best Friend
There’s a special kind of magic that happens when a ham settles into a slow cooker.
The gentle, steady heat coaxes out incredible tenderness, while the sealed environment locks in every drop of moisture.
Ingredients Needed for the Recipe
- Ham (7-10 pounds): The star of the show, a fully cooked bone-in ham yields the most succulent, flavorful results.
- Brown Sugar (1 1/2 cups): Creates a sweet, caramelized foundation and helps form a beautifully sticky glaze.
- Honey (1 cup): Adds a floral sweetness and helps the gorgeous glaze cling to every slice.
- Pineapple Juice (1 1/2 cups): Its subtle acidity perfectly cuts through the richness of the ham, adding a bright note.
- Fresh Herbs (optional): A sprig of rosemary or sage makes for a beautiful, aromatic garnish on your serving platter.
How to make Slow Cooker Ham?
Step 1 – PREPARE THE SWEET BASE
Take a moment to sprinkle that brown sugar evenly across the bottom of your slow cooker.
This isn’t just for sweetness; it creates a delicious foundation that the ham will rest on, infusing it from the bottom up.
Step 2 – NESTLE THE HAM IN
Carefully place your ham right on top of the brown sugar, cut side down.
This position is key, as it allows the sweet flavors to travel up through the meat, and it helps the ham stay wonderfully juicy.
Step 3 – ADD THE GLAZE LIQUIDS
Now, for the simple alchemy. Drizzle the honey generously over the ham, watching it cascade down the sides.
Follow it up with the pineapple juice, which will mingle with the honey and brown sugar to create the cooking liquid and glaze.
Step 4 – THE WAITING GAME
Pop the lid on, set it to low, and walk away for about 6 hours. That’s it.
Your job is done, and the slow cooker’s gentle heat will transform this into something truly special.
Step 5 – REST AND SERVE
Once the ham is fall-apart tender and has reached an internal temperature of 140°F, transfer it to a serving platter.
Don’t forget to ladle some of that incredible cooking juice over the top before you bring it to the table.
The Best Ham for the Job
While a bone-in shank or butt portion is highly recommended for its superior flavor and moisture, don’t stress if your store has something different.
Boneless, spiral-sliced, or even a smaller ham will all work beautifully in this forgiving method.
Tips
- If your ham is a tight squeeze, don’t force the lid. Just seal the top tightly with heavy-duty foil instead.
- Feel free to swap the pineapple juice for apple cider or orange juice for a different, yet equally delicious, flavor profile.
- For a truly show-stopping presentation, tuck fresh herbs and even some orange slices around the ham on the platter.
Creative Flavor Twists
If you’re feeling adventurous, this recipe is a fantastic canvas for your own ideas.
Stir a tablespoon of Dijon mustard into the glaze for a sweet and savory kick, or add a pinch of cloves for a warm, spiced aroma.
Storing Your Leftover Masterpiece
Once completely cooled, store your ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
It will stay perfectly delicious for up to five days, ready for sandwiches, soups, or a quick reheated plate.
This method truly simplifies one of the most cherished holiday traditions.
It frees you up to enjoy the day, all while delivering a meal that feels anything but simple.
CrockPot Ham Recipe
Description
Slow Cooker Ham is the ultimate fuss-free holiday main dish! It’s sweet, savory, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. With just 10 minutes of prep, you’ll have a juicy, flavor-packed centerpiece that cooks itself! Simply add honey, pineapple juice, and brown sugar to your slow cooker and let it work its magic. Perfect for family dinners and holiday gatherings!
ingredients
Instructions
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Sprinkle brown sugar evenly in the bottom of a large 7–8 quart slow cooker. Place ham in the slow cooker, cut side down.
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Pour honey and then pineapple juice over the top of the ham.
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Cover and cook on low heat for about 6 hours, or until the meat is tender and falling off the bone, and the internal temperature reaches 140°F.
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Once fully cooked, transfer ham to a large, rimmed serving platter. If using bone-in ham, shred the meat and remove excess fat. The ham will easily fall apart. Serve shredded or sliced, and ladle desired amount of cooking juices from the slow cooker over the top before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 8
Serving Size 1
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 400kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 15g24%
- Saturated Fat 6g30%
- Cholesterol 70mg24%
- Sodium 557mg24%
- Potassium 489mg14%
- Total Carbohydrate 25g9%
- Sugars 23g
- Protein 24g48%
- Calcium 78 mg
- Iron 1.3 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- Ham options: Bone-in is recommended for best flavor and juiciness, but boneless, whole, spiral-cut, cured or uncured, smoked or not will all work. Discard any glaze packet included with store-bought ham.
- Serving size guide: Estimate about 1/2 pound boneless or 3/4 pound bone-in ham per person.
- Doesn’t fit? Trim a piece off or tightly seal the slow cooker with heavy-duty foil. Be aware steam may drip down the sides.
- Juice substitutions: Apple juice, apple cider, or orange juice may be used in place of pineapple juice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size ham do I need?
A 7–8 pound ham is ideal for feeding a large group. Plan on about 1/2 pound per person for boneless ham and 3/4 pound per person for bone-in. Larger hams may not fit in your slow cooker, but you can trim the ends if needed. For a family of five, a 2-pound petite ham works well—just halve the glaze and reduce cooking time to 2–2½ hours on low.
Can you heat a fully cooked ham in the slow cooker?
Absolutely! A large slow cooker, with its moist environment, is the perfect choice for reheating a fully-cooked ham. As it heats up, the glaze is absorbed into the outer skin, while the ham releases juices that blend with the glaze, creating a delicious liquid to spoon over the sliced meat.
Will ham dry out in the crockpot?
It can, but as long as you warm it in a slow cooker, low and slow, you’ll end up with a ham that’s tender and full of moisture. Warming it on high runs a higher risk of drying out the meat and making it tough.
How long does a fully cooked ham take to cook in a slow cooker?
The FDA recommends reheating a fully cooked ham to 140°F. A small 2–3 pound ham will reach this on low in 2–3 hours, while an 8-pound ham may take around 6 hours. Bone-in hams tend to stay juicier and fall right off the bone when done.