Crock Pot Ham
Our easy honey glazed Crock Pot Ham is the ultimate crowd-pleaser and the perfect option for a delicious festive dinner!
This boneless ham is slow-cooked to juicy perfection and coated in a rich, sticky honey glaze that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Perfect for holidays, special dinners, or when you just want an easy recipe that looks and tastes amazing!
Crock Pot Ham Recipe Highlights
- Ready in just 3-4 hours with minimal prep.
- Made entirely in the slow cooker for hassle-free cooking.
- Festive but low-key recipe for holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving.
- Makes great leftovers.
- Sweet and tangy glaze with hints of cinnamon and clove.
Ingredient Notes
Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.
HAM – I use a fully cooked, boneless ham, about 5-6 pounds. This size fits well in most slow cookers and reheats beautifully with the glaze. If you prefer, a spiral-sliced ham works, but you can also score the surface of an unsliced ham to let the glaze soak in.
FRUIT JUICES – Pineapple juice and orange juice create the sweet and tangy base of the glaze. You can substitute apple juice or even cranberry juice if you prefer a different flavor profile.
BROWN SUGAR – Adds depth and caramel-like sweetness to the glaze. Light or dark brown sugar works; dark will give a richer flavor.
HONEY – Provides a silky texture to the glaze and enhances the sweetness. Maple syrup could work as an alternative, but it will slightly change the flavor.
DIJON MUSTARD – Balances the sweetness with a touch of tang and a hint of sharpness. Regular yellow mustard can be used in a pinch.
CINNAMON AND CLOVES – These spices bring warmth and a subtle holiday aroma. Be careful not to overdo the cloves—they’re strong!
CORNSTARCH AND WATER – Used to thicken the glaze slightly so it clings beautifully to the ham.
How To Make A Glazed Ham In The Crock Pot
Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Place the ham flat side down in the slow cooker and slice or score it if needed.
- Whisk the pineapple juice, orange juice, brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, and cloves in a saucepan. Simmer until the mixture is smooth. Add a cornstarch slurry and stir until the glaze thickens.
- Pour half the glaze over the ham, cover, and cook on low for 3-4 hours, basting every hour with the juices.
- Brush the reserved glaze on the ham and broil for 2-3 minutes until caramelized.
Leftovers and Storage
STORE – To store leftover Crock Pot Ham, let it cool completely, then transfer the slices to an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
For added moisture, you can drizzle a bit of leftover glaze or cooking juices over the slices before sealing them up. Reheat in the oven, microwave, or on the stovetop with a splash of glaze or broth to keep the ham juicy and flavorful.
FREEZE – Yes, you can freeze leftover ham! Let the ham cool completely, then slice it into portions. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. You can freeze the ham for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven or microwave with a little reserved glaze or broth to keep it moist.
REHEAT – Place the ham in a baking dish with a little extra glaze or juice, cover with foil, and heat at 325° Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes or until warmed through.
MAKE AHEAD – To make your life a little easier you can make the glaze ahead of time. Prepare the glaze up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat it gently before using.
Serving Suggestions
MASHED POTATOES – The creamy, buttery texture of mashed potatoes is a natural choice to soak up the sweet, tangy glaze from the ham. If you want an extra touch, try garlic-infused mashed potatoes for added flavor.
ROASTED CARROTS – Their caramelized edges and natural sweetness bring out the warm spices in the ham’s glaze. Add a sprinkle of thyme or a drizzle of honey before roasting to tie everything together beautifully.
CUCUMBER SALAD – A crisp, refreshing side like cucumber salad adds a bright contrast to the ham’s richness. Choose between a light vinaigrette version or a creamy dill dressing for a perfect balance.
OATMEAL DINNER ROLLS – Soft, pillowy rolls with a hint of nuttiness from the oats are ideal for scooping up extra glaze or serving alongside the ham. They’re a comforting, crowd-pleasing addition to this meal.
More Easy and Delicious Festive Crockpot Recipes
Recipe Success Tips
CHOOSE THE PERFECT HAM – A boneless fully cooked ham is ideal for this recipe because it cooks evenly, soaks up the glaze beautifully, and is an easy to slice when serving. Make sure to pick a ham that fits snugly in your slow cooker without being cramped.
USE A MEAT THERMOMETER – Always check that the ham’s internal temperature reaches 140° Fahrenheit (for fully cooked hams) or 145° Fahrenheit (for fresh/raw hams).
MOISTURE MATTERS – To keep the ham tender and juicy, make sure the slow cooker lid fits tightly. Avoid lifting the lid too often, as this can let steam escape and dry out the ham.
ADJUST GLAZE AMOUNT – For larger hams, consider increasing the glaze recipe by 50% to ensure full coverage.
BROIL FOR EXTRA SHINE – For that irresistible caramelized finish, broil the ham for a few minutes after brushing on the final layer of glaze. Keep a close eye on it—just a couple of minutes under the broiler is all it takes to get a glossy, golden crust.
FINISH WITH GLAZE – Reserve some glaze to brush on just before serving for a shiny, flavorful finish.
Can I Use A Different Cut 0f Ham?
Yes, you can! The original recipe is written for a 5-6 lb boneless ham, but other cuts of ham will work beautifully with a few adjustments to the cooking time and method.
Here’s how to adapt the recipe for different types of ham:
Bone-in Spiral-Cut Ham
- WHY IT WORKS – The bone helps retain moisture and adds flavor, while the spiral cuts allow the glaze to seep in easily.
- COOK TIME – A bone-in spiral-cut ham (8-10 pounds) will take about 4-5 hours on low. The larger size and presence of the bone require more time for even reheating.
- TIPS – Place the ham flat side down in the slow cooker for better heat distribution, and baste it with the cooking juices every hour to keep it moist.
Bone-in Whole Ham (Uncut)
- WHY IT WORKS – This cut is flavorful and retains its juiciness, but since it’s not pre-sliced, it needs more time for the glaze to penetrate.
- COOK TIME – A whole bone-in ham (8-10 pounds) will need about 5-6 hours on low due to its size and the extra heat needed to reach the center.
- TIPS – Score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern before adding the glaze. This will allow the glaze to soak into the meat more effectively.
Boneless Whole Ham (Uncut)
- WHY IT WORKS – Boneless whole hams are compact and easier to slice than bone-in hams, but without the spiral cuts, the glaze stays mostly on the surface.
- COOK TIME – A 5-6 pounds boneless whole ham will need about 3 ½ to 4 ½ hours on low. The uniform shape helps it cook more evenly.
- TIPS – Rotate the ham halfway through cooking to ensure even glazing. Basting every 45 minutes will also help the flavors seep in.
Fresh (Uncooked) Ham
- WHY IT WORKS – Fresh ham is a raw cut of pork, so it requires longer cooking to ensure it’s fully cooked to a safe internal temperature.
- COOK TIME – An 8-10 pounds fresh ham will take about 7-8 hours on low, as it needs more time to cook through compared to a pre-cooked ham.
- TIPS – Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 145° Fahrenheit, and allow a 3-minute rest before slicing. Score the surface to help the glaze penetrate the meat.
Ham Steaks or Smaller Cuts
- WHY IT WORKS – Ham steaks or smaller cuts are great for smaller gatherings or quicker meals.
- COOK TIME – Ham steaks or cuts weighing 1-2 will cook in about 2 – 2 ½ hours on low.
- TIPS – Place them in a single layer in the slow cooker, and reduce the glaze quantity slightly to avoid overwhelming the smaller portions.
Commonly Asked Questions
What If My Glaze Burns?
If the glaze starts to darken too much during broiling, remove the ham immediately. Always watch closely when broiling.
How Can I Keep The Crock Pot Ham Moist?
Basting regularly and cooking on low heat in the slow cooker ensures the ham stays juicy.
Can I Use Fresh Juices?
Yes! Fresh pineapple and orange juices give the glaze an even brighter flavor. Just strain the juices to remove any pulp.
Can I Skip The Cornstarch?
You can, but the glaze won’t be as thick and shiny. If you prefer a thinner glaze, leave out the cornstarch.
Can I Use Maple Syrup Instead Of Honey?
Yes, maple syrup works as a delicious substitute for honey and adds a slightly different sweetness to the glaze.
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Crock Pot Country Style Pork Ribs
Crock Pot Ham
Ingredients
- 1 5 pounds cooked ham boneless fully cook, about 5-6 pounds
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Place the ham flat side down in the slow cooker, ensuring it fits snugly.
- If your ham is not spiral-sliced, you can make shallow slices across the surface where you would normally carve it, or score the surface in a crisscross pattern. Either method will help the glaze seep into the meat for extra flavor.
- Combine pineapple juice, orange juice, brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, and cloves in a small saucepan. Whisk together and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry, then slowly whisk the slurry into the saucepan and cook for 2-3 minutes until the glaze thickens slightly.
- Pour half of the glaze over the ham, letting it seep into the slices, and reserve the remaining glaze for later.
- Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours, basting the ham every hour with the juices in the slow cooker.
- About 15 minutes before serving, transfer the ham carefully to a serving dish.
- Reheat the reserved glaze if needed and brush it generously over the ham, ensuring it’s well coated.
- Broil the ham in the oven for 2-3 minutes for a shiny, caramelized finish, watching closely to avoid burning.
Notes
CROCK POT TIME
on low – 3 to 4 hoursWARM GLAZE IS KEY
The reserved glaze will naturally stay syrupy if you leave it covered at room temperature. Before serving, just reheat it briefly on the stove or microwave so it is warm and brushes on smoothly.BASTE FREQUENTLY
Basting with the juices in the slow cooker helps keep the ham moist and enhances the flavor.Nutritional Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Cheerful Cook team members are not trained nutritionists or medical professionals. Calorie information and nutritional values are estimates. If you have nutritional concerns, we recommend using a nutritional calculator.
Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.