Crockpot Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze

This Crockpot Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze is the easiest way to serve a juicy, tender holiday ham without giving up your oven. A fully cooked spiral ham goes into the slow cooker with a sweet brown sugar, honey, and pineapple glaze, then cooks low and slow for about 4 hours. A quick reduction and a few minutes under the broiler give it that glossy, caramelized finish everyone fights over!

Looking for more super easy Thanksgiving recipes? Head on over to my popular posts for my Perfect, Easy Thanksgiving Turkey, Easy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole.

Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Ham

For years, holiday ham stressed me out. It hogged the oven for hours, I’d baste it constantly, and half the time it still came out dry. Once I started making ham in my crockpot, I never looked back. Here’s why it’s become my go-to every Easter and Christmas:

• Quick prep. I whisk together five glaze ingredients, pour them over the ham, and walk away. It takes me 10 minutes, tops.
• It frees up my oven. On a busy holiday, oven space is precious. With the ham in the crockpot, I have room for rolls, casseroles, and pie, and no more juggling pans.
• It stays moist and tender. The slow cooker traps steam, so the ham gently warms in its own juices. It’s the juiciest ham I’ve ever made.
• Big holiday flavor, little effort. The brown sugar glaze is sweet, tangy, and lightly spiced. A quick broil at the end makes it look like I fussed all day, and my family always goes back for seconds.
• Perfect for a crowd. It feeds 8 to 10, and honestly, I look forward to the leftovers almost as much as the main event.

Ingredients

You only need six ingredients for this slow cooker ham recipe. Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.

• Fully cooked spiral cut ham: A 4-pound spiral ham is the star here. The pre-sliced cuts let the glaze seep between every layer.
• Brown sugar: Light or dark both work. Dark brown sugar gives a deeper, more molasses-y flavor.
• Pineapple juice: Adds a bright, fruity tang that balances the sweetness. It’s a classic pairing with ham for a reason.
• Runny honey: Helps the glaze turn sticky and glossy as it reduces.
• Dijon mustard: Brings a little sharpness so the glaze isn’t one-note sweet.
• Ground cloves: Just a pinch gives that warm, cozy holiday flavor. A little goes a long way.

What Kind of Ham Is Best for the Crockpot?

The best ham for the crockpot is a fully cooked, bone-in spiral ham that fits comfortably in your slow cooker. Here’s what to look for at the store.

Fully cooked vs. fresh ham. Most hams sold in grocery stores are already fully cooked (often labeled “ready to eat” or “heat and serve”). This recipe is written for those, so you’re really just warming the ham through and infusing it with flavor. A fresh, uncooked ham is raw pork and needs a much longer cook time and a different method, so save that for another day.

Spiral cut. A crockpot spiral ham is ideal because the slices are already cut. The glaze soaks into every layer, and serving is as easy as cutting along the bone.

Bone-in vs. boneless. Bone-in ham has more flavor and stays juicier, plus you get a ham bone for soup later. Boneless ham is easier to fit and carve, but it can dry out a little faster, so check it toward the early end of the cook time.

Size. A 4- to 5-pound ham fits in most 6-quart slow cookers. If you’re feeding a bigger crowd and buying an 8- to 10-pound ham, you’ll want a 7- or 8-quart crockpot. Measure before you shop!

How to Cook Ham in a Crockpot

1. Make the glaze. Whisk the brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, Dijon mustard, and cloves in a small bowl until smooth.
2. Add the ham. Place the ham in the slow cooker, cut-side down, and pour the glaze over the top. Use a spoon or brush to work some of it between the spiral slices.

3. Slow cook. Cover and cook on LOW for about 4 hours, until the ham is heated through.
4. Reduce the sauce. Carefully lift the ham out. Pour the juices from the bottom of the crockpot into a small saucepan and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, until reduced by about half and syrupy. (If you have a sear-and-stew slow cooker, you can reduce it right in the insert.)

5. Broil to finish. Transfer the ham, cut-side up, to an ovenproof dish. Brush generously with the reduced glaze and broil on high for 5 to 6 minutes, until glossy and slightly caramelized.

6. Rest and serve. Let the ham rest for about 10 minutes, then slice along the bone and serve with any extra glaze.

How Long to Cook Ham in a Crockpot

A fully cooked ham takes about 4 to 8 hours on LOW in the crockpot, depending on its size. Because the ham is already cooked, you’re simply warming it through. It’s ready when the thickest part reaches 140°F on an instant-read thermometer.

Use this chart as a guide for a fully cooked, bone-in ham:

Every slow cooker runs a little differently, and a boneless ham often heats through faster. Start checking the temperature at the early end of the range. Cooking it much longer than needed is the number one reason slow cooker ham turns dry.

How to Make the Brown Sugar Glaze

• Mix the glaze. In a small bowl, add 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup pineapple juice, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, and 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves.
• Whisk until smooth. Whisk for about a minute, until the sugar mostly dissolves and there are no lumps of mustard.
• Pour it over the ham. Set the ham cut-side down in the crockpot and pour the glaze over the top. Gently fan the spiral slices apart and spoon some glaze between them.
• Let it slow cook. As the ham cooks on LOW, the glaze mixes with the ham’s juices and pools in the bottom of the crockpot.
• Reduce the sauce. Lift out the ham and pour the juices into a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until reduced by about half and syrupy.
• Brush and broil. Brush the reduced glaze generously over the ham and broil on high for 5 to 6 minutes, until glossy and caramelized. Serve any extra glaze on the side.

Tip! Don’t skip the reduction in step 5. Straight from the slow cooker, the sauce is thin and watery. Simmering it concentrates the flavor and helps it cling to the ham and caramelize under the broiler.

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Ham

Whether you’re planning a holiday brunch, or dinner, or just a cozy Sunday supper, this crockpot ham recipe takes about 10 minutes of hands-on work. The slow cooker does the rest, and your oven stays free for rolls, casseroles, and pie.

• Place it cut-side down. Setting the flat, cut side of the ham against the bottom of the crockpot keeps the slices from drying out and lets them soak in the glaze.
• Don’t overcook it. The ham is already cooked, so you only need to heat it to 140°F. Extra hours on the heat pull out moisture. Use a thermometer rather than guessing.
• Glaze between the spiral slices. Gently fan the slices apart and spoon some glaze between them so every bite is flavorful, not just the outside.
• Fitting a large ham. If the lid won’t close, trim a few slices or a chunk from the end of the ham, or turn the ham on its side. You can also cover the top tightly with foil and set the lid on top to seal in steam.
• Baste once or twice. If you happen to be nearby, spoon the juices back over the ham partway through.
• Don’t skip the broiler. Those few minutes under high heat turn the glaze sticky and caramelized. Watch it closely, since sugar can go from golden to burnt quickly.

What to Serve with Crockpot Ham

• Potatoes: Garlic Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, cheesy Scalloped Potatoes, or a make-ahead Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Casserole.
• Bread: 1 Hour Buttermilk Dinner Rolls or soft Potato Rolls for soaking up extra glaze.
• Green beans: Classic Green Bean Casserole or quick Crispy Parmesan Green Beans.
• Something sweet: Honey Brown Sugar Roasted Carrots or Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Ham

Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. It tastes sweeter as the glaze soaks in.

Freeze: Wrap tightly and freeze for 1 to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheat: Warm slices in a covered skillet with a splash of water or glaze, or covered in a 325°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes.

FAQs

More Holiday Recipes to Try

• Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe – golden, juicy, and the ultimate holiday centerpiece.
• Stuffed Turkey Breast – elegant, savory, and loaded with seasoned dressing.
• Instant Pot Turkey Breast – ultra-tender meat with a perfectly seasoned crust in record time.
• Glazed Ham Recipe – succulent, oven-roasted ham smothered in a sweet citrus glaze.