Ham Cooked in Crock Pot

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Description

This Ham Cooked in a Crock Pot is a tender, juicy, and flavorful dish perfect for holidays, gatherings, or easy family dinners. Slow cooking allows the ham to absorb all the flavors of the glaze while staying moist and succulent. With minimal prep and the magic of the crock pot, you’ll have a stress-free main course that everyone will love.

Ingredients for Ham Cooked in Crock Pot

  • 1 fully cooked ham (about 4–6 lbs, bone-in or boneless)

  • 1 cup brown sugar

  • ½ cup honey or maple syrup

  • 1 cup pineapple juice (or apple cider for variation)

  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard

  • ½ tsp ground cloves (optional, for a warm spice flavor)

  • Orange slices and pineapple rings (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the ham: Remove packaging and pat ham dry with paper towels. If it has a rind or thick skin, score in a diamond pattern.

  2. Mix the glaze: In a bowl, whisk together brown sugar, honey, pineapple juice, Dijon mustard, and cloves.

  3. Add ham to crock pot: Place the ham flat-side down in the crock pot. Pour glaze mixture over it.

  4. Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 4–6 hours, basting occasionally with juices.

  5. Finish: For a caramelized glaze, transfer ham to a baking dish after cooking, brush with remaining glaze, and broil for 3–5 minutes until golden and sticky.

  6. Serve: Slice and serve warm, garnished with pineapple or orange slices if desired.

Notes

  • A spiral-cut ham works beautifully since the glaze seeps into the slices.

  • If the ham is too large for your crock pot, trim slightly or wrap in foil to fit snugly.

  • Keep the leftover juices to make a sauce or drizzle over ham slices.

Tips

  • Use maple syrup instead of honey for a deeper, smoky sweetness.

  • Add a splash of bourbon or rum to the glaze for extra flavor (optional).

  • If cooking a smaller ham (2–3 lbs), reduce cooking time to 3–4 hours.

  • Leftovers make excellent ham sandwiches, omelets, soups, or casseroles.

Servings

  • Serves 8–10 people (depending on ham size and portion).

Nutritional Info (per serving, based on 4 oz portion)

  • Calories: ~280

  • Protein: 23g

  • Fat: 11g

  • Carbohydrates: 20g

  • Sugar: 18g

  • Sodium: 1100mg

(Values may vary depending on ham type and glaze used.)

Benefits

  • Convenient: Easy, hands-off cooking in the crock pot.

  • Moist & Tender: Slow cooking keeps the ham juicy.

  • Versatile: Works for holidays, potlucks, or weeknight dinners.

  • Flavorful: Sweet, savory, and slightly tangy glaze enhances ham beautifully.

Q & A

Q: Can I cook a frozen ham in the crock pot?
A: It’s best to thaw ham before slow cooking for even heating and safety.

Q: Can I use boneless ham instead of bone-in?
A: Yes, both work well, though bone-in tends to be more flavorful.

Q: How do I store leftovers?
A: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days, or freeze slices for up to 2 months.

Q: Do I need to add water?
A: No, the juice and glaze provide enough liquid. Adding extra water may dilute the flavor.

Q: Can I make this recipe without sugar?
A: Yes, use sugar-free maple syrup or a low-carb sweetener if preferred.

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