Ham is one of those foods that we don’t typically have on an average weeknight. Sometimes we’ll have it for Sunday dinners, but you better believe it ALWAYS makes an appearance at holiday dinners!
This Crockpot Ham is sweet, juicy, and effortless, a holiday centerpiece that tastes like you fussed all day.
Brown sugar, pineapple juice, and pure maple syrup make a glossy glaze that soaks into every spiral slice for perfect flavor in each bite.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- SIMPLE. Takes less than 10 minutes to prep. That’s a win!
- MADE IN SLOW COOKER. Most of it is done in the crock pot, which makes this slow cooker ham recipe even better!
- DELICIOUS. It is the juiciest, sweetest, and tender ham you’ll ever try. With a delicious glaze made from brown sugar and pineapple juice, it’s impossible not to love it!
- HOLIDAY MUST. Whether it’s Easter dinner, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, I can count on enjoying my Aunt Georgie’s crockpot ham.
Crockpot Ham Ingredients
- Bone in spiral cut cured ham (8 pounds): The star of the show, spiral slices let the glaze seep into every layer and make serving simple.
- Packed light brown sugar, divided (2-2½ cups): Sweetens and caramelizes, some cooks with the ham for deep flavor, the rest finishes as a shiny pour over glaze.
- Pineapple juice (1 cup): Adds bright acidity that balances the sweetness and keeps the ham moist.
- Pure maple syrup (¼ cup, not artificially flavored pancake syrup): Brings warm caramel notes and a silky finish to the glaze.
How to Cook a Ham in a Crock Pot
PREP. Add your ham to a greased slow cooker, cut side down.
SEASON. Rub 1 cup brown sugar all over the ham, then pour the syrup and pineapple juice over the top.
COOK. Heat in a slow cooker on LOW for 3-4 hours. Remove the excess liquid in the slow cooker into a separate pot. Make the glaze (recipe below) and pour it over the sliced ham in the crock pot. Cook on warm/low for an additional 30 minutes to an hour.
SERVE. Remove this easy crock pot ham to a platter, and garnish with fresh herbs.
Brown Sugar Glaze Recipe
COMBINE. Just mix leftover juices from the cooked ham, brown sugar and pineapple juice in a small saucepan on the stove.
BOIL. Bring to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally.
GLAZE. Pour the sauce over the ham, cook in the crock pot a little longer, and you’re set.
If desired, try adding additional spices to taste: ginger, ground cloves, cinnamon, or nutmeg. You can even add pineapple chunks ,if desired.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Use a large oval slow cooker, position the ham cut side down so juices baste the slices.
- Tuck foil along the lid if needed to trap heat, slow cookers vary and a tight seal helps the ham warm evenly.
- For deeper caramelization, broil slices on a sheet pan for 2 to 3 minutes after glazing, watch closely.
- Save the glaze, spoon over sliced ham on the platter and offer extra at the table.
- How much ham per person? Bone-in ham – ½ pound per person, or 1 pound per person if you want lots of leftovers! Boneless ham – ¼ to ⅓ pound should do the trick.
- Make ahead and leftovers, cook earlier in the day and hold on warm for 30 to 60 minutes, refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days, use for sliders, breakfast casseroles, or soups.
Crockpot Ham Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 8 pounds bone-in spiral-cut cured ham
- 2-2½ cups packed light brown sugar, divided
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup (not artificially flavored pancake syrup)
Instructions
- Spray your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Place ham cut side down in the greased slow cooker.
- Rub 1 cup brown sugar all over the ham, then pour pineapple juice and syrup over the top.
- Cook on low for 3–4 hours.
- Remove excess liquid from the slow cooker and transfer to a pot. Add remaining 1-1½ cups brown sugar to pot, using more sugar if you prefer a sweeter ham. Bring to a rolling boil, then remove from the heat and pour over the ham. Cook on warm for an additional 30–60 minutes.
- Remove ham to a platter and spoon extra juices over ham slices. Garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
STORE any leftover slow cooker ham in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
FREEZE. Once cooled, wrap in plastic wrap and tinfoil, or freezer bags, and freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat. Pop it in the microwave, or wrap the slices in foil and heat in the oven at 275°F, until warmed through.
Leftover ham is great for sandwiches, soups, casseroles, or bakes. If you know you’re going to use it in a recipe that calls for diced ham, like Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes and Ham, Creamy Ham and Bean Soup, or Ham Potato Corn Chowder, dice it up before putting it in the freezer – for convenience down the road!
Side Dishes for Ham
Oven Roasted Vegetables
35 mins
Best Mashed Potatoes
35 mins
Dinner Rolls Recipe
2 hrs 40 mins
Funeral Potatoes
1 hr 5 mins
This recipe was first published November, 2015.
Turned out amazing! The tips you provided were very helpful! Husband loved it!
This is a delicious ham, thanks for sharing
Wow, this is the best ham I have ever made!! It turned out perfect and was so easy to make in the crockpot!!
I just made this for my son’s birthday because it’s his favorite. He said it’s the best he’s had! I am definitely using this recipe for Thanksgiving!
This is my new go-to recipe! It’s super easy and convenient and it turned out flavorful and scrumptious.
do you take the rind off the ham and score it?
You certainly can!
I’m planning on doing a ham in the crockpot for Easter next week. What temperature? – high, low or warm do I cook for the first 2-3 hrs?
I would say high for 2-3 hours. You could also do low, it may take a little longer. You are just wanting to heat the ham all the way through, so it may depend a bit on the size of your ham as well.
We are making this for New Years Eve. So easy to make in crock pot and it’s perfectly done.
Silly question…do you add the glaze that came with the ham For the first 2-3 hours of cooking?
Not silly at all 🙂 Yes, it all goes in the crock pot together. Enjoy!
I would like to use a spiral ham, would that be more apt to dry out instead of one not already sliced?
It might. They tend to dry out quicker & easier, but they aren’t completely dry. You still could use it, just keep that in mind. Good luck!
Slow Cooker Ham sweetened with maple and brown sugar is a favorite for holidays, Sundays and more! Thanks for sharing <3
you say to “Slice ham and place back in the crock pot” do I need to do this step if I am using a sprial cut ham? do you take it off the bone?
No, you don’t have to & I probably would take it off the bone 🙂
My sister makes the best ham. Its easy and over the top delicious!
I appreciaTe all the extra info you included. Ive never made my own ham and it was helpful.
I love the addition of the brown sugar. it really made the flavor of the ham sing! and it doesn’t get any easier than cooking it in the crock pot, thanks!
I am so happy I bookmarked this recipe. I made it last year and it was a huge hit!
Absolutely love how effortless it is to make this ham and just how delicious it is, the glaze is amazing!
Great idea cooking the ham in the slow cooker, I’ll bet it makes it super juicy!
this is so perfect with thanksgiving coming up. and it’s way much easier making it in the crockpot!
I am so excited for ham!! We used this recipe last year & we will use it again this year!! The ham is so tasty & juicy. Everyone loved it!
Thank you for the recipe once again!
You are so welcome!! Thank you!!
I could eat brown sugar ham every week and not get tired of it
Cooking your ham in the slow cooker makes it so tender!
I JUST signed up to bring a ham to a funeral luncheon so finding this was perfect timing- thank you!
I will be making this masterpiece tonight for valentines day dinner for my girlfriend lynette 🙂 I will let you know how it goes 😉
Oh, I hope it’s a hit!! Thank you!
Do you cook this on high or low in the crockpot?
How fun! I love being able to spend extended time with family! This ham looks amazing!
Great idea using a crockpot! I think ham is always a welcome addition to any holiday – have a Happy Thanksgiving!
How wonderful that you are going home for Thanksgiving! I bet your kids are so excited and this ham makes me dream of the holidays (and hopefully, some cooler temps in FL 🙂
So, I have a small ham in the fridge that I need to do something this week with. I kid you not. I was grocery shopping and just thought it would be a great idea to buy one. No special occasion or celebration. I just wanted one. And there it sits. . .in the fridge. I’m truly trying this recipe this week and will try to remember to report back on how it turned out. I can’t wait. . .I finally have a plan. . .thanks to you!
I am all about the crock pot for thanksgiving! I may need to buy or borrow a few more! PS. When I saw you at Blogher this weekend, I kind of freaked out! 🙂