When it comes to holiday meals or special family gatherings, a beautifully glazed ham often takes center stage. But who wants to spend hours fussing over the oven when there’s so much else to prepare? Enter the slow cooker! This incredible appliance transforms a simple ham into a tender, juicy masterpiece, all while you focus on sides, desserts, or simply enjoying your company. Our Slow Cooker Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze recipe is not only incredibly easy but also delivers a perfectly sweet and savory ham that will impress everyone at your table.
Why Your Slow Cooker is the Secret to Stress-Free Ham
Using a slow cooker for your ham is a game-changer for several reasons. First, it frees up valuable oven space, which is often at a premium during holiday cooking. Second, the moist, consistent heat of the slow cooker ensures your ham stays incredibly tender and juicy, preventing it from drying out. Finally, it’s largely hands-off! With just a few minutes of prep, you can set it and forget it, allowing the slow cooker to work its magic while you attend to other tasks. The result is a perfectly cooked ham enveloped in a rich, caramelized brown sugar glaze that’s simply irresistible.
Tips for a Perfectly Glazed Slow Cooker Ham
Achieving a show-stopping slow cooker ham is easier than you think. Here are a few tips to ensure success:
- Choose the Right Ham: A pre-cooked, spiral-cut ham is ideal for this recipe. Spiral-cut hams are already sliced, making serving a breeze, and the cuts allow the glaze to penetrate deeply, infusing every bite with flavor. A bone-in ham often yields more flavor and moisture, but boneless works too.
- Size Matters: Ensure your ham fits comfortably in your slow cooker. A 7-8 pound ham typically fits well in a 7-8 quart slow cooker. If your ham is a bit too large, don’t hesitate to trim a small portion from one end to make it fit. It’s better to have it fit snugly than to force it.
- The Glaze is Key: Our simple three-ingredient glaze (brown sugar, maple syrup, and pineapple juice) creates a beautiful balance of sweetness and tang. Don’t skimp on quality; use pure maple syrup for the best flavor. Pineapple juice adds a lovely fruity note, but apple cider is a fantastic alternative if you prefer.
- Don’t Forget the Cooking Spray: A quick spray of non-stick cooking spray in your slow cooker will make cleanup significantly easier, especially with the sticky glaze.
- Monitor Temperature, Not Just Time: Since most hams are pre-cooked, the goal is to heat it through to a safe internal temperature of 140°F (60°C). Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham (avoiding the bone) to ensure it’s perfectly warmed without overcooking.
- Thicken the Glaze (Optional but Recommended): While the cooking liquid makes a delicious thin sauce, reducing it on the stovetop or adding a cornstarch slurry will create a thicker, more luxurious glaze to pour over your ham. This extra step is worth the minimal effort for a truly decadent finish.
Delicious Ways to Enjoy Your Ham
This Slow Cooker Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze is a versatile centerpiece that pairs beautifully with a variety of sides and can be repurposed into many delicious meals:
- Classic Holiday Spread: Serve alongside traditional holiday favorites like mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables (such as green bean bundles or glazed carrots), and a fresh salad.
- Breakfast & Brunch: Leftover ham is fantastic diced and added to omelets, frittatas, breakfast burritos, or a hearty ham and cheese quiche.
- Hearty Sandwiches: Pile thinly sliced ham onto fresh rolls with your favorite cheese and a touch of mustard for an easy and satisfying sandwich.
- Soups and Stews: Ham bones and leftover ham meat are perfect for making flavorful soups, such as split pea soup or ham and bean soup.
- Casseroles: Incorporate diced ham into cheesy potato casseroles or pasta bakes for a comforting family dinner.
This Slow Cooker Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze recipe is your ticket to a delicious, stress-free meal that will leave your guests and family delighted. Enjoy the ease of preparation and the rich, comforting flavors it brings to your table!
Slow Cooker Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze
This incredibly easy Slow Cooker Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze recipe delivers a tender, juicy ham with
a perfectly sweet and sticky glaze, all with minimal effort. It’s an ideal dish for holidays, special occasions,
or a comforting family meal
- Yield: 10 1x
Ingredients
For the Ham:
- 7-8 lb spiral cut ham (smoked, bone-in recommended)
- Cooking spray
For the Brown Sugar Glaze:
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup pure maple syrup (ensure it’s not artificial pancake syrup)
- 1 cup pineapple juice (or apple cider for an alternative flavor)
Optional Garnish:
- Fresh herbs (such as parsley or rosemary) for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Lightly coat the inside of a large 7-8 quart slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking and aid in cleanup.
- Position the Ham: Carefully place the spiral cut ham into the prepared slow cooker, with the cut side facing down. If your ham is slightly too large, you may trim a small portion from one end to ensure it fits snugly.
- Apply the Glaze: Generously rub the packed brown sugar all over the exposed surfaces of the ham. Then, pour the pure maple syrup and pineapple juice evenly over the top of the ham, allowing it to seep into the crevices.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on the LOW setting for 3 to 4 hours, or until the internal temperature of the ham reaches 140°F (60°C) when measured with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham (avoiding the bone).
- Transfer and Rest: Once the ham is heated through, carefully transfer it to a large serving platter or cutting board. Allow the ham to rest for a few minutes before slicing.
- Thicken the Glaze (Optional): For a thicker, more syrupy glaze, pour the cooking liquid from the bottom of the slow cooker into a medium saucepan. Bring the liquid to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has reduced and thickened slightly. If you desire an even thicker glaze, whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water in a small bowl, then add this slurry to the simmering liquid and cook for another minute until thickened.
- Serve: Pour the thickened glaze over the sliced ham. Garnish with fresh herbs, if desired, for an appealing presentation. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Ham Size: Ensure your ham fits comfortably in your slow cooker. A 7-8 lb spiral cut ham is ideal for a 7-8 quart slow cooker. If needed, you can trim a small portion of the ham to make it fit.
- Bone-In vs. Boneless: While boneless ham can be used, a bone-in spiral cut ham often yields more flavor and moisture due to the bone.
- Internal Temperature: The ham is typically pre-cooked, so the goal is to heat it through to 140°F (60°C). Using a meat thermometer is the best way to ensure it’s perfectly warmed without drying out.
- Glaze Customization: Feel free to experiment with the glaze. Apple cider can be substituted for pineapple juice, or you can add a touch of Dijon mustard or a pinch of ground cloves to the glaze mixture for added complexity.
- Leftovers: Leftover ham can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in a 275°F oven, covered with foil, to prevent drying.
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten-Free