How to Cook Crock Pot Ham

This juicy and delicious Crock Pot Ham is easy to make and perfect for the holidays! The recipe takes 5 minutes to prep and uses a few simple ingredients, like pineapple juice, brown sugar, and Dijon, to make the glaze. 

If you're looking for an easy way to make ham, look no further than your crock pot! This recipe is moist and flavorful, and it's perfect for busy family get-togethers or a holiday feast since it frees up your stove for other side dishes. 

We know your family will devour this recipe! You can even prepare this slow cooker whole ham ahead of time and keep it in the fridge until you're ready to cook it. So why not give it a try?

Your guests will be impressed!

If you have leftovers, here are some tips and tricks for How to Freeze Ham and an incredible Ham and Bean Soup.

Jump to:

• Ingredient Notes
• Substitutions
• What size ham
• Step-by-Step instructions
• How to keep ham from drying out
• Erin's tips and tricks
• Make ahead instructions
• How to store and reheat
• How to use up leftover ham
• Recipes to serve with ham
• Printable Recipe

Ingredient Notes

Main Ingredients

• fully-cooked bone-in cured ham or spiral-cut ham
• Pineapple juice - from concentrate

Brown Sugar Glaze

• brown sugar - dark or light sugar is okay to use.
• Dijon mustard - if you don't have Dijon mustard, prepared yellow mustard can be substituted.
• balsamic vinegar - the vinegar gives the recipe an excellent flavor profile and brings the rest of the ingredients together.
• honey - honey adds just the right amount of sweetness.
• paprika (optional) 

Slurry

• cornstarch
• water

What size ham

If you're hosting a crowd, you're probably wondering what size ham to get. Here's a general guide.

If you'd like leftovers, increase the amount per person.

Step-by-Step instructions

Here's how to cook a tender and juicy crockpot ham. Please note, since you are using a fully cooked ham, you are essentially "reheating" it until it reaches a safe temperature of 140 degrees F. and making the incredible brown sugar glaze.

Prep should take about 5-10 minutes.

1. Open the package, remove the ham, and discard the flavoring/glaze packet.
2. Pour the pineapple juice into a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. 
3. Mix the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, and honey into a paste in a medium bowl. Rub mixture all over the ham and carefully place it in the crock pot with the flat side facing down. 
4. Place the lid on the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 4-6 hours. It is done when it's tender, and the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F. You can baste it halfway through the cooking time and then again before it's finished. 
5. Once cooked, remove the ham from the slow cooker and place it on a platter. Then, tent it with aluminum foil to keep it warm. Strain the juice from the crock pot into a saucepan. Over medium heat, bring the liquid to a low boil for 5 minutes.

For the slurry

1. Stir cornstarch and water together in a small bowl to make the slurry. Slowly pour it into the cooking ham juice and stir to combine. Continue to stir occasionally while letting it cook for 2-3 minutes. If you desire a thicker sauce, make more slurry, add it to the pot, and let it cook for another couple of minutes. 
2. Serve the ham warm with the sauce spooned or brushed over the top and/or on the side. Enjoy! 

How to keep ham from drying out

Using your crock pot over an oven is an excellent way to prevent your ham from drying out. The crock pot keeps the moisture in while the ham cooks in the liquid. 

Another way is to pour chicken stock or vegetable broth into the bottom of your slow cooker while it cooks. This will yield a savory flavor, so you might want to add some chopped onion, garlic cloves, and peppercorns to enhance it.

You can also baste your ham once or twice while it slowly cooks. 

Erin's tips and tricks

• You'll need a 6-quart or larger crockpot to cook our brown sugar ham. 
• This recipe is for a 7-8 pound ham. If your ham is smaller, you will likely need to cook it for a shorter time until it reaches 140 degrees F. If your ham is 3-4 pounds, you may want to half all the other ingredients. 
• For an uncut ham, cut a criss-cross pattern in the top before placing it in the slow cooker. 
• If your ham is too large or in an odd shape to fit in your slow cooker, trim off a piece so that it does. You can also cover the crock with triple sheets of aluminum foil to create a tight seal. 

Note: All slow cookers cook differently, so cooking times are always a basic guideline. Recipes should always be tested first in your slow cooker and time adjusted as needed.

Make ahead instructions

To prepare your crockpot ham ahead of time, follow these steps:

1. Unwrap the ham and discard the glaze packet. 
2. Pour pineapple juice into the crock pot.
3. Make glaze and rub all over the ham. 
4. Place the ham in the crock and cover with the lid. Refrigerate it until an hour before you'd like to cook it. Take it out and let it warm up. IF YOU DON'T LET THE CROCK WARM, IT WILL CRACK WHEN PLACED IN THE SLOW COOKER. 
5. Cook as instructed. 

How to store and reheat

Refrigerator: Place any leftover ham in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for 4-5 days. Please note that the longer it is stored, the dryer it may get. 

To reheat: place the ham in an oven-safe dish with a small amount of water, cover it with aluminum foil, and put it in a 275-degree oven until it's heated through.

Freezer: Place the ham in a freezer-safe container or zippered bag and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Take it out to thaw the night before you want to use it.

How to use up leftover ham

The perfect way to use up leftovers is one of these ham recipes. Try this hands-off Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole (we totally eat it for dinner) or Ham and Cheese Frittata.

So delish! 

An excellent way to use the ham bone is in split pea soup! 

Recipes to serve with ham

Deviled Eggs
Macaroni and Cheese
Mashed Potatoes
Scalloped Potatoes
Roasted Vegetables
Dinner Rolls

Serve this crock pot ham as part of your Easter dinner (or brunch) this year!

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Printable Recipe