Julie Clark
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Slow Cooker Ham Recipe
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Create a juicy and flavorful slow cooker ham with our easy recipe, perfect for special occasions like Easter dinner. Enjoy more oven space and a delightful brown sugar glaze with this hassle-free cooking method.
Looking for the best way to cook a whole ham without sacrificing oven space? Our Slow Cooker Ham recipe combines the ease of slow cooking with the rich flavors of a traditional holiday ham, making it the perfect addition to your Easter or Christmas meal.
This recipe combines our oven baked ham recipe and our copycat honey baked ham to create a spiral-cut ham with a glaze that will melt in your mouth. Say goodbye to constant oven checks and hello to more time with loved ones with this crockpot ham recipe that ensures a juicy ham every time.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Ham
- Spiral ham. Choose a fully cooked ham for the best results. Aldi grocery store has the best ham! Throw away the glaze packet that comes with it and use our glaze ingredients instead.
- Orange juice and pineapple juice. These give a nice, slightly sweet flavor. Ginger ale, apple juice or even Coke or Dr. Pepper also work well. The acidic nature of these liquids make a tender ham.
- Brown sugar. Light brown sugar is good, but dark brown sugar gives a deep molasses flavor that’s irresistible.
- Spices. All of the spices combine to give the ham such a comforting flavor. These are especially good for Christmas dinner.
✨ See the recipe card for the full recipe and ingredients. ✨
Make Slow Cooker Ham in 4 Steps
- Place the spiral cut ham in the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour orange juice and pineapple juice overtop the ham.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the brown sugar and spices.
- Sprinkle about ¼ cup of the brown sugar around the ham, into the juices. Then press the rest of the brown sugar mix onto the top of the ham. Separate the slices lightly so that the sugar mixture gets down in between.
- If the lid doesn’t fit, cover the top of the slow cooker with aluminum foil. Set to low and cook for 4-5 hours.
Internal Temperature of Ham
Your slow cooker ham should reach an internal temperature of 140°F (for a fully cooked ham) to ensure it’s safe to eat. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature at the thickest part of the ham, avoiding the bone.
Make it a meal.
This slow cooker ham is delicious with some of your favorite sides: mashed potatoes, baby carrots, green beans, and dinner rolls.
Other popular holiday meal side dishes: pineapple casserole, corn casserole, scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole.
Storing Leftover Ham
To keep your leftover ham as fresh and delicious as the day it was cooked, proper storage is key. Once the ham has cooled to room temperature, use a sharp knife to slice any leftovers into manageable pieces. Wrap the slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight container or resealable plastic bags.
Refrigerated, your ham will stay good for 3 to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the ham slices for up to 2 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I cook my slow cooker ham?
Cooking time depends on the size and cut of your ham. Generally, a fully cooked, spiral sliced ham should be heated through in a slow cooker on low for about 4-5 hours. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached the proper internal temperature.
Can I overcook my ham in the slow cooker?
Yes, while slow cookers are forgiving, it’s possible to overcook ham, making it dry and tough. To avoid this, check the temperature toward the end of cooking time and remove the ham once it’s heated through.
Leftover Ham Recipes
Transform your leftover ham into new, tasty dishes that the whole family will enjoy. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Easter Ham Pie: Combine eggs, ham and cheese in a tender, flaky pie crust.
- Slow Cooker Ham and Egg Casserole: Perfect for breakfast or brunch, combine leftover ham with eggs, cheese, and vegetables in the slow cooker.
- Ham and Bean Soup: A comforting and hearty soup that’s ideal for chilly evenings. Use your ham bone for added flavor.
- Ham Salad: Chop up your leftover ham, mix with mayonnaise, dijon mustard and Swiss cheese for a quick and easy sandwich filling.
- Ham Loaf. A twist on traditional meatloaf.
Slow Cooker Ham Recipe
Create a juicy and flavorful slow cooker ham with our easy recipe, perfect for special occasions like Easter dinner. Enjoy more oven space and a delightful brown sugar glaze with this hassle-free cooking method.
Servings 30
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 8-9 pound fully cooked spiral sliced bone-in ham weight is approximate
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 cup pineapple juice
For the brown sugar mixture:
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- Dash of ground ginger
- Dash of onion powder
Instructions
- Place the spiral cut ham in the bottom of the slow cooker. (It's ok if the lid doesn't fit on. There's a trick for that!) Pour orange juice and pineapple juice overtop the ham. 8-9 pound fully cooked spiral sliced bone-in ham, 1 cup orange juice, 1 cup pineapple juice
- In a medium bowl, mix together the brown sugar and spices. 1 cup brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves, ¼ teaspoon paprika, Dash of ground ginger, Dash of onion powder
- Sprinkle about ¼ cup of the brown sugar around the ham, into the juices. Then press the rest of the brown sugar mix onto the top of the ham. Separate the slices lightly so that the sugar mixture gets down in between.
- If the lid doesn’t fit, cover the top of the slow cooker with aluminum foil. Set to low and cook for 4-5 hours.
- Baste the ham with the juices once or twice during cooking if desired. When the ham is heated through (140ºF), baste with juices, then serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 216kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 1399mg | Potassium: 377mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 25IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg
