If you’re after a simple, flavorful meal that feeds a crowd, this slow cooker ham is an excellent choice. With minimal prep and a few pantry staples like honey, pineapple juice, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar, the crockpot does all the heavy lifting. The result is a tender, juicy spiral ham with a sweet-savory glaze—ideal for family dinners, holiday gatherings, or a weekend meal with plenty of leftovers for sandwiches and salads.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Recipe
- Uses only five easy ingredients for a straightforward, crowd-pleasing glaze.
- Hands-off cooking: once assembled, the slow cooker largely takes care of the work—just baste a couple of times while it cooks.
- Uses a spiral-cut ham, which makes serving effortless because the ham is already thinly sliced and easy to portion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Dijon mustard — adds a bright, tangy note that balances the sweetness.
- Pineapple juice — pairs beautifully with ham; if unavailable, apple or orange juice work as substitutes.
- Brown sugar — helps thicken the glaze and adds rich molasses sweetness. Dark brown sugar is especially flavorful.
- Bone-in spiral-cut ham (7–10 lb) — a precooked bone-in ham that’s been sliced on a spiral for easy serving.
- Honey — enhances sweetness and helps the glaze set.
- Fresh herbs — optional garnish to brighten presentation.
How To Make This Slow Cooker Ham
- Combine the Dijon mustard and pineapple juice in a bowl and set aside; this will be the glaze base.
- Spread the brown sugar in an even layer across the bottom of a 7–8 quart slow cooker to create a sweet bed that will caramelize slightly as the ham cooks.
- Place the spiral-cut ham in the crockpot, cut side up.
- Drizzle the honey over the top of the ham, trying to coat it as evenly as possible so the glaze penetrates between the slices.
- Pour the mustard-and-pineapple juice mixture over the honey-coated ham, letting the liquid flow into the slices for maximum flavor.
- Cover and cook on Low for about 3 to 4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C). Baste the ham once each hour with the pan juices, making sure the glaze gets between the slices.
- To serve, either spoon the cooking liquid over the ham or thicken it into a glaze: transfer the liquid to a saucepan and simmer until it reduces and coats the back of a spoon. Stir frequently to prevent burning.
- Arrange the sliced ham on a platter, garnish with fresh herbs if desired, and serve with the warmed glaze on the side.
Recipe Variations
- If you prefer not to baste, place the ham cut-side down for the first part of cooking, or place it cut-side up first to allow glaze to seep between slices and then flip it over for the final hour.
- Use white sugar instead of brown sugar for a lighter-colored glaze.
- Substitute maple syrup for honey if you want a deeper, slightly smoky sweetness.
- Any mustard will work in a pinch; Dijon is recommended for its tangy complexity, but yellow or whole grain mustard will also yield good results.
Tips and Notes
- Reheat fully cooked ham to an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C) before serving for food safety and best texture.
- Choose a bone-in ham for extra juiciness and flavor; the bone helps deepen the overall taste during slow cooking.
- Basting the ham with its juices keeps the meat moist and helps the glaze develop in the cuts.
- For a caramelized finish similar to an oven-baked ham, brush the ham with the reduced glaze and place it under a hot broiler for 4–5 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning and achieve crisp edges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan on about ½ pound per person for boneless ham or ¾ pound per person for bone-in ham. A 7-pound bone-in spiral ham serves roughly 8–10 people comfortably and provides leftovers.
Store sliced ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze the ham in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3–4 months.
Reheat slices gently in the oven with a splash of pan juices or glaze to prevent drying, or warm in the microwave with a cover to retain moisture. You can also reheat leftover ham in the slow cooker on Low with a little glaze for an hour.
Recipe
Slow Cooker Ham
Equipment
- Slow cooker (7–8 quart recommended)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1½ cups pineapple juice
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 7 to 10 pound bone-in spiral-cut ham
- 1 cup honey
- Fresh herbs for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Stir together the Dijon mustard and pineapple juice. Set aside.
- Spread the brown sugar evenly in the bottom of a large 7–8 quart slow cooker.
- Place the ham in the crockpot with the cut side up.
- Pour the honey evenly over the top of the ham.
- Pour the mustard-and-pineapple mixture over the honey-covered ham, making sure the liquid seeps into the slices.
- Cover and cook on low for about 3 to 4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C). Baste with the pan juices every hour, paying attention to the slices.
- Serve with the cooking liquid as-is, or thicken it on the stovetop by simmering until it reduces to a glaze consistency. Spoon over the sliced ham and garnish with fresh herbs.
Notes
If you prefer not to baste, place the ham cut-side down for part of the cook time so the juices saturate the meat, then flip before finishing. The glaze flavors the ham best when allowed to penetrate between the spiral slices.
Nutrition (approximate per serving)
Calories: 764 kcal | Carbohydrates: 76 g | Protein: 60 g | Fat: 24 g | Sodium: high (varies by ham)
More Slow Cooker Recipes You May Like
This ham recipe is perfect for holidays like Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas or any time you need a satisfying main that feeds a crowd. Here are a few other slow cooker dishes that pair well with ham and are worth saving for your next gathering:
- Slow Cooker Bone Broth (idea: rich and warming for soups)
- Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs (sweet-tart appetizer or side)
- Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes (hands-off and creamy)
- Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce (easy condiment for holiday plates)
- Slow Cooker Turkey Breast (another low-effort holiday main)
- Slow Cooker Whole Chicken (simple, juicy weeknight roast)
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