The BEST Crockpot Ham

This amazing Crockpot Ham is the BEST slow cooker ham recipe! It's cooked in pineapple juice with a brown sugar glaze featuring Dijon, balsamic vinegar, and honey for an EASY holiday dinner that practically makes itself!

The Best Crockpot Ham with text overlay.


 

If you're looking for fabulous side dishes to accompany this Crockpot Ham, I think you'll enjoy Cream Cheese Corn Casserole, Green Bean Casserole with Bacon, or Make-Ahead Garlic & Herb Mashed Potatoes!

This delectable Crockpot Ham has been the top holiday recipe on my site since 2014. Literally millions of happy readers have made it over the years, returning to this post time and time again!

So today, I've decided it's high time I update my slow cooker ham recipe with some new step-by-step photos, tips, and tricks! I'm keeping the main photos the same, however, because I want this post to be recognizable to anyone returning to make the "Brown Sugar Slow Cooker Ham" that they've grown to know and love on previous holidays. 😉

To be honest, cooking ham in the crockpot is perhaps one of the most brilliant holiday cooking decisions I've ever made! As we all know, when preparing a holiday meal, oven space is at a premium. There are a ton of side dishes to bake, not to mention homemade rolls, desserts, and more. That's why it's always nice to ensure that some of your dishes don't rely on said oven.

And that's also why this Crockpot Ham recipe has been so popular with so many people for so many years! Not only is it effortless to throw in the slow cooker, but it's also so mouth-watering-ly delicious that countless reviewers have commented that they'll never cook their hams in the oven again!

Ingredients

Another beautiful quality of this slow cooker ham is that it requires just a handful of basic ingredients.

Prepping for precooked ham in crockpot.
  • Ham. What say we chat about the star ingredient first?!
    • You're going to want to start with a fully cooked ham, and this recipe will simply serve to heat it to a safe temperature and glaze it.
    • The most standard ham at the grocery store will probably be cured but not smoked. However, you may choose cured or uncured, plain or smoked...it's really just a matter of personal preference.
    • The ham in these photos was actually uncured, which is why it's a lighter color than deep pink, cured ham.
    • If your ham includes a flavor/glaze packet -- or if it has a plastic cap over the end of the bone -- be sure to discard those before cooking.
    • Scroll down for even more commonly asked FAQs related to the ham you choose for this recipe!
Labeled ingredients to make fully cooked ham in crockpot.

In addition to the ham itself, this Crockpot Ham requires just a few additional ingredients for slow cooking and glazing:

  • Pineapple juice. I only buy pinepple juice a few times a year...and it's always for this recipe! Ha. It's true, though...the flavor that pineapple juice lends to this slow cooker ham can't be beat. That being said, if you don't care for pineapple juice or don't have any on hand, I have successfully subbed apple juice and the ham still turns out delicious. I think you could even swap in another type of juice, so long as you enjoy its flavor and wouldn't mind it in a glaze. For example, a pineapple juice combo (such as pineapple orange juice) would be lovely.
  • Brown sugar. This is the primary ingredient for the paste that later turns into the glaze. Dark brown sugar or light brown sugar will work, though obviously your resulting glaze will be lighter or darker as a result.
  • Dijon mustard. Dijon is recommended, but another type of mustard can be substituted if you wish. Commenters have reported success using spicy brown mustard, honey mustard, or even regular yellow mustard.
  • Balsamic vinegar. I think the balsamic vinegar contributes key flavor to this recipe, so I'd be hesitant to substitute it. But if I found myself making this recipe without any balsamic on hand, I'd choose red wine vinegar as the closest best swap.
  • Honey. Maple syrup would work as well.
  • Cornstarch + cold water. When you mix together these two ingredients with a fork, they form a slurry that is used to thicken the glaze.

The above ingredients melt down into the most tantalizing glaze. And once thickened, it's served alongside (or drizzled all over) the ham.

The glaze is honestly my favorite part of this recipe! Let's just say I have eaten could eat it with a spoon. 😉

Close-up of Slow Cooker Ham slices.

How to Cook a Ham in a Crockpot

(The below photos are intended to be helpful, but please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for FULL DIRECTIONS.)

Well, we've rounded up the ingredients. Now you won't believe how easy it is to prepare your holiday meal by cooking a ham in the crockpot!

Slow Cook the Ham

  1. Remove the ham from the packaging, discarding any plastic cap and/or glaze or flavoring packet.
Boneless ham for crockpot being removed from packaging.
  1. Pour the pineapple juice into the bottom of a large slow cooker.
Pouring pineapple juice into slow cooker.
  1. In a medium bowl, mix the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, and honey until a paste forms.
  1. Spread the brown sugar mixture all over the ham. Place the ham (flat side down) in your slow cooker.
  1. Cover the crockpot and set to LOW. Cook your ham for 4 to 6 hours or until the meat is tender and the internal temperature reaches 140°F.

If desired, you may flip and baste your ham halfway through cooking time, and again about an hour before it's done. But this step is optional.

Cooking ham in crock pot.

Once your ham is done, remove it to a platter and tent it with foil to keep it warm.

Then it's time to...

Make the Glaze

  1. Skim any fat and then strain the juices from the crockpot into a saucepan. Place the pot on the stove over medium heat and bring the juices to a simmer.
  2. In a small bowl, use a fork to stir the cornstarch into the water until smooth. Slowly pour this slurry into the pot of simmering ham juices while whisking. Allow the mixture to bubble and thicken for a minute or two, stirring occasionally. (For a thicker sauce, make and stir in additional cornstarch slurry.)
  1. After it's rested for about 15 minutes, slice your slow cooker ham and serve it warm. You may offer the glaze on the side or spoon it on top.
Final results for how to cook ham in a crock pot.

What Kind of Ham Works Best in the Crockpot?

Here's the thing about this recipe: it's very forgiving. It can be adapted to just about any cut and any size of ham, provided you can fit it in the crockpot. But of course, keep in mind that the specifics of the particular ham you choose are going to dictate its ultimate cooking time.

You may use a bone-in ham or boneless...whole or spiral-sliced...cured or uncured...smoked or not...shank, butt, or shoulder.

As with most cuts of meat, a bone-in ham is more likely to stay juicy, but boneless will work, too.

And while a sprial-cut ham is convenient for serving and certainly adapts to this recipe, know that it may dry out a bit faster than a whole, uncut ham. To prevent this as much as possible, baste all over the spiral slices a few times throughout the cooking time. And be sure not to overcook...serve as soon as the internal temperature of the ham tests done.

What Size Ham Do I Need?

The size of ham you buy depends on how many people you are going to feed. You can go with a large ham for a big group. Or I've halved this recipe and reduced the cooking time to use as small as a 2-pound petite ham half as an everyday, weeknight meal for my family.

To determine number of servings, estimate approximately ½ pound of boneless ham per person, or ¾ pound of bone-in ham per person.

I would recommend up to an 8-pound ham as the size that will most readily fit in a large (7- to 8-quart), oval crock pot. But of course, that also depends on the shape of the ham!

Aerial view of Crockpot Ham recipe on platter.

What If My Ham is Too Big for My Crockpot?

If you put your ham in the crockpot and it extends in a way that the lid won't fit snugly, you have two choices:

  1. You can either trim off a piece of your ham to make it fit; or
  2. You can use a triple-layer of heavy-duty foil to cover your slow cooker with a tight seal. (And then I would still rest the lid on top of the foil!) Just beware of very hot steam escaping when you remove the foil.

How Long Does It Take to "Cook" a Fully Cooked Ham?

The FDA recommends reheating a fully-cooked ham to 140°F.

So depending on how hot your crockpot runs, a very small ham may reach that point within 2 to 3 hours set on low.

A large ham should be to that temperature by 4 to 6 hours on low.

Just keep in mind that each time you remove the slow cooker's lid, you may have to compensate for lost heat with a bit of additional cooking time.

And while you're welcome to try it at your own risk, I do not recommend slow cooking a ham on high heat. It's just too likely to dry out the ham.

Sliced Crockpot Ham on platter.

Can I Make My Slow Cooker Ham Savory (Not Sweet)?

If you enjoy more of a savory ham versus sweet, it's easy to adapt this recipe.

Simply eliminate both the pineapple juice and the brown sugar from your ingredient list. Instead, pour a chicken or vegetable broth in the bottom of your slow cooker. This will ensure that the ham stays moist while it cooks.

If you like, you could even add crushed black peppercorns, minced garlic, and/or a little white wine to your broth as well.

For the coating mixture (which won't really be a paste without the brown sugar), increase the mustard, balsamic vinegar, and honey (assuming you can handle a *little* bit of sweetness) to 2 tablespoons each. Combine and smear all over the ham. Then follow the same directions as far as cooking time.

How to Reheat Leftover Crockpot Ham

Place leftover ham in a baking dish (cut side down). Add a couple tablespoons of water or broth, and tightly cover with heavy duty foil (or two layers of regular foil).

Reheat in a 325°F oven, anticipating 10 to 15 minutes of reheating time per pound of ham. The FDA recommends that you reheat any type of leftovers to an internal temperature of 165°F, so that's what you should test for.

Alternatively, you may reheat individual servings of ham in the microwave.

Crockpot Ham slices held by tongs.

Helpful Tips & Tricks

  • Make sure you have a tight seal on your slow cooker and avoid opening the lid unless necessary. Allowing the steam escape while cooking can result in a dry ham.
  • Be sure not to skip the tenting and resting part of this recipe. You want to give your ham time to redistribute its flavorful juices. If you slice into it straight out of the slow cooker, those juices will leak right out.
  • Once it's done, if you'd like for your Crockpot Ham to have an oven-baked effect, you may brush the entire ham with thickened glaze. Then simply pop it under the broiler for about 5 minutes (watch closely!) before serving.
  • To carve your ham, place it on a cutting board, flat-side down. Then slice against the grain for the most tender slices.

Using a slow cooker is truly the easiest, most delicious way to cook a ham. In fact, for no less than ten years now, I've looked forward to making this recipe every time Easter and Christmas (and even Thanksgiving) roll around! I sometimes even use this technique with a small ham for an effortless dinner any day of the year.

Crockpot Ham is a fabulous staple recipe to have in your arsenal. I hope you have a chance to try it soon if you haven't already. And, most importantly, I hope you love it as much as we do! 🙂

Slow Cooker Ham slices close-up.

Recipes to Use Up Leftover Ham

Thick slices of Crockpot Brown Sugar Ham.

The BEST Crockpot Ham | Slow Cooker Ham

This amazing Crockpot Ham is the BEST slow cooker ham recipe! It's cooked in pineapple juice with a brown sugar glaze featuring Dijon, balsamic vinegar, and honey for an EASY holiday dinner that practically makes itself!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours
Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 10 servings (approximately, for an 8-pound bone-in ham)
Calories: 667kcal
Print Pin Rate

Ingredients

  • Fully-cooked ham, approximately 7 to 8 pounds (*see Notes below)
  • 2 cups pineapple juice

For the paste/glaze:

  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 1 ½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 ½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 ½ tablespoons honey

For the slurry (to thicken the glaze):

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

  • Remove ham from the packaging and discard any flavoring packet. If using a bone-in ham, check the end of the bone for a plastic cap and, if present, discard.
  • Pour the pineapple juice in bottom of a large (6- to 9-quart), oval slow cooker.
  • In a medium bowl, mix the brown sugar, Dijon, balsamic vinegar, and honey into a paste. Spread brown sugar mixture all over ham and place, flat side down, in slow cooker.
  • Cover slow cooker with lid and set to LOW. Cook ham for 4 to 6 hours or until the meat is tender and the internal temperature reaches 140°F. If desired, flip and baste the ham halfway through cooking time and again about an hour before the ham is done.
  • Once ham is done, remove to a platter and tent with foil to keep warm and rest for 15 minutes. Skim any fat and strain the juices from the crock pot into a saucepan. Place the pot on the stove over medium heat and bring the juices to a simmer.
  • In a small bowl, use a fork to stir the cornstarch into the water to make a slurry. Slowly pour the slurry into the pot while whisking the ham juices. Allow the mixture to bubble and thicken for a minute or two, stirring occasionally. If you desire a thicker sauce, you may make and stir in a bit more cornstarch slurry.
  • Serve the ham warm, with the sauce on the side or spooned on top.

Video

Notes

  • You may use a bone-in ham (recommended) or boneless, whole or spiral cut, cured or uncured, smoked or not, shank, butt, or shoulder.
  • To determine number of servings, estimate approximately ½ pound of boneless ham per person and ¾ pound of bone-in ham per person.
  • A ham that's less than 7 or 8 pounds will probably reach 140° sooner than 4 to 6 hours. The ham is already cooked, so all you are doing is heating it through to a safe temperature and allowing it to absorb the flavors of the glaze. For example, a small 3-pound ham will probably be done in 2 ½ to 3 hours. Overcooking will lead to a tough, dry ham, even in the crock pot! You may also want to halve the other recipe ingredients if cooking a ham that's smaller than 4 pounds.
  • Try to ensure that your ham is going to fit in your crock pot before buying it. However, if your ham is particularly large or of a shape that will not allow the lid of the slow cooker to properly close, trim off a chunk of ham to make it fit. As a last resort, you may cover the slow cooker with a tightly-sealed, triple layer of heavy duty foil instead. Beware of hot steam when you remove the foil!
  • If you prefer an oven-cooked ham effect, you may brush the entire ham with the thickened glaze and pop it under the broiler for about 5 minutes (watch it closely!) before serving.
  • When thickening your glaze, do not add straight cornstarch to the hot liquid or it will clump, and do not over stir the sauce once the cornstarch has been added or it may not thicken properly.

Nutrition

Calories: 667kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 141mg | Sodium: 2725mg | Potassium: 716mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 2mg
Made this recipe? I'd love to see on IG!Mention @FiveHeartHome or tag #FiveHeartHome!

Post originally published on April 4, 2014, and republished on March 22, 2019, and December 7, 2021.

You May Also Like

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




206 Comments

  1. I have a slow cooker, how long would you heat it on high? or low?.......I have a 7lb cooked ham......
    would appreciate an answer.............thanks

    1. Hi Betty! A 7 pound ham should be the perfect size to cook in your slow cooker. If you scroll to the bottom of the post (but above the comments section), there is a very detailed recipe with cooking instructions. The ham should cook in your crock pot until it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F, which should take 4 to 6 hours on low. Hope that helps, but be sure to check the post and the recipe for lots more tips and tricks. 🙂 Enjoy!

  2. 5 stars
    Thank you a bazillion!!!! This worked swimmingly! I wondered if it'd been done before and saw your page come up. The baste/glaze was perfect! I will never do ham in the oven again! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

    1. I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoyed this ham, Suni! It's so easy and tasty to cook it in the crock pot, isn't it? 😉 Thanks for stopping back by to let me know that this recipe was a hit. I hope your Christmas was wonderful as well and that you have a fantastic New Year!

  3. I'll be cooking this ham in my crockpot for Christmas! We had our first turkey in crockpot for Thanksgiving. It was delish! I bought a small spiral ham for Christmas and been hunting a recipe! Think I just found it! I have the big crockpot, so should fit fine! Awesome, thanks for the awesome recipe! I'll let you know how it turns out!!! Have a Merry Christmas!

  4. I'm thinking about making this using the pineapple juice for the liquid and maple syrup for the glaze. We also butcher a turkey down into the legs and breasts and cook that in a crockpot, so moist!

  5. 5 stars
    I made the ham last weekend for an early Christmas dinner and it was absolutely delicious! This is the only way I will ever make it again!

    1. Yay, Simone...I love hearing that! Thanks for taking the time to come back and share that this recipe was a hit...hope you enjoy it for many years to come. Have a merry Christmas! 🙂

  6. 5 stars
    The Kraft honey mustard dipping sauce substitute worked great! I will cook hams this way forever! Thanks so much for sharing this crock pot recipe! It's a keeper!

  7. Hi!
    I'm going to fix your recipe for the employees where my husband is general manager. I just realized I am out of pineapple juice. Do you think it would taste ok if I substituted orange juice?
    I realize this is an older post. Thanks for advance!

    Neva Cohen

    1. Hi Neva! I haven't tried this recipe with orange juice but I don't see why it wouldn't work just fine. The flavor will be slightly different but it should still be yummy. Hope this ham is a hit with everyone! I'm sure the employees who work with your husband appreciate your kindness in cooking for them. 🙂

  8. I was looking for recipes to cook my ham in my slow cooker so I could put the turkey in the oven. I will have lots of people here. I love the ingredients in your recipe but my ham doesn't quite fit and the top sticks out just a little but enough to not be able to put the lid on. I saw another recipe that stated it your ham is too large just use tin foil to cover it. I really need to use the slow cooker because I only have one oven and a family where some want ham and the others turkey

    How do you think this would work?

    1. Hi Barbara! I've never tried using foil in lieu of a slow cooker lid to cook a very large piece of meat, but I have read and heard many times that it will work. Here's a post I found that gives pretty good directions if you decide to try it: http://petticoatjunctionsmom.blogspot.com/2011/04/crockpot-cooking-ham.html
      I think the key is making sure that you're using multiple layers of tightly-sealed foil and that the foil is tucked into the crock so that any condensation drips back down into the pot. It sounds like resting the lid on top of the foil (as long as it won't fall off) might also help retain heat. Good luck and happy (almost) Thanksgiving! 🙂

      1. Thank you for your response and the time you took to find that site. I am hoping the happiest of Thanksgiving for you and yours.

        Barbara

  9. This is such a great idea. I do have an odd question though. I have a mustard intolerance (meaning it makes me sick, like being lactose intolerant), would the recipe be terrible without it? Or do you know of some other spice that could replace it? Thanks.

    1. Not an odd question at all, Brianna! I think you can totally leave the mustard out. It's just going to alter the flavor a bit -- there won't be a mustard-y undertone so the glaze may seem sweeter and you may notice the balsamic vinegar a bit more -- but I think it will still taste good. And you can always play with the proportions until it tastes the way you like it. 🙂 Hope you enjoy the ham and thanks again for the question. Have a great week!

      1. I was also wondering about the mustard. Not really a fan of Dijon (or I buy the wrong brand) so I stay away from recipes with it. I have used dry mustard in recipes though - would that work and if so how much do you think? Making this for Thanksgiving - my kitchen will be full of crockpots!

        1. Hi Nancy! If you're not a fan of Dijon, I would probably just leave it out altogether. It should still turn out great. However, you could definitely use regular mustard (non-Dijon) or dry mustard if you wish, but I would probably just add it slowly to taste after you mix together the rest of the ingredients for the paste and stop when it's mustard-y enough for you. 🙂 Hope this helps, and hope you have a happy Thanksgiving! I think you are super smart to utilize all those crock pots... 😉

          1. Thanks! I'll definitely taste first and go from there - hopefully I don't blow any breakers :-). Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

          2. I definitely needed more liquid to make the paste / didn't think of that so instead of substituting regular mustard (dry was obviously not s choice) I remembered I had some Kraft honey mustard dipping sauce - used same amount and tasted great - what's a little more honey going to hurt right? I'll let you know how it turns out / in the crock now 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

          3. I'm so happy that you thought to try this with honey mustard, Nancy...sounds delicious! Thanks for reporting back with that suggestion. I hope the ham was a hit and that you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving! 🙂

      2. So tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I definitely don't want to risk my life going to the grocery store I have already planned the ham in the Crockpot and want to try your glaze recipe...I have everything except balsamic vinegar 🙁 I do have Apple cider vinegar..be honest, what do you think??

        1. Gosh, Kim...I'm not sure how apple cider vinegar would taste in this. I don't at all blame you for not wanting to go to the store, but I think apple cider vinegar might taste stronger/more acidic in this glaze than balsamic vinegar does. I think you could include a little bit, but I'm not sure I would use the full amount. This recipe would still turn out tasty if you decided to leave out the vinegar altogether, so that's probably what I would do if I were out of balsamic. Hope everyone enjoys the ham and that y'all have a happy Thanksgiving! 🙂

  10. 5 stars
    I made this today and it turn out wonderfully. I changed it a little bit by adding carrots and onions to the crock pot and they tasted really good too.

    The only thing that didn't turn out was the final sauce. I must have done something wrong. It never thickened even though I added more cornstarch after the first amount didn't work. Im guessing that it is either because I didn't skim the fat off (I don't know how) or because of the carrots and onions.

    Full disclosure: I just started cooking this winter. Before that I ate nothing but takeout and sandwiches so I'm not really an accomplished cook. I think I'm missing a few fundamentals. I really love my crockpot though because I can just put everything in and walk away.

    1. Hi Michelle! I'm really glad that you enjoyed this recipe, and I commend you for learning how to cook! Cooking is a fun but learn-as-you-go process, so things should get easier for you through experience and trail & error. 🙂

      I think the most common reasons that cornstarch doesn't thicken a sauce appropriately is that the liquid didn't reach the correct temperature, or the sauce was stirred/agitated too much after the cornstarch was added/turned transparent in the sauce. I just tried to find a more scientific explanation for you real quick, so this probably explains it better than I ever could... 😉

      http://www.theperfectpantry.com/2010/02/cornstarch-recipe-hot-and-sour-soup.html

      Hope that helps, and keep trying! Even if a recipe doesn't turn out perfectly the first time, you'll eventually figure things out with lots of practice. 🙂

  11. Hurrah for you! This yummy dish is being featured at our Weekend Potluck party this week! Stop by when you can and check it out. As always, thanks a million for sharing. I can't wait to try this!

    1. I am honored by the feature, Marsha, and you are so sweet to stop by and let me know! I love, love, love partying with y'all each week. 😉 Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

    1. Thank you so much, Jocelyn! It was harder taking attractive photos of a ham than I thought it would be -- ha! 😉 Thanks for stopping by...hope your week is going well!

  12. This sounds and looks amazing! It's crazy isn't it? Last year was the first time I did a ham in the crockpot...definitely a lightbulb moment...and a 'WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG TO TRY THAT?' Thanks so much for sharing at Weekend Potluck. <3 to you for linking back too. =) Please come back again soon.

    1. Thank you so much for the sweet comment, Marsha! I love making anything I can in the crock pot, and you are so right...it was a lightbulb moment for me as well when I figured out that I could cook a holiday main course in the slow cooker! 😉 I so appreciate you stopping by and hosting Weekend Potluck each week...it's one of my favorite link parties. Hope you're having a wonderful week! 🙂

  13. I really like a sweeter tasting ham, so this might be a recipe that I want to try. Hope you have a great day!

    1. Hi Heidi! I like sweet ham as well because I think it's a nice contrast to the salty meat. I feel like this recipe has a nice balance of flavors overall, and I hope you enjoy it if you try it. Thanks so much for stopping by...happy Friday!

  14. I would just love to do this, as we're definitely having ham. Your glaze recipe has ingredients that go great together. Only prob is, I don't have a 7 qt oval...and have been wanting one for a long time! Hmmm....might be checking the ads this weekend! Lol...seriously, I love the recipe, and would be so much easier to cook this way. Thanks so much for sharing it.

    Deb

    1. I think you definitely deserve a new slow cooker this weekend, Deb...after all, the recipe said you have to have one! 😉 Seriously, though, you can use a smaller or different shaped crock pot as long as the ham you buy will fit in it. 🙂 I'm glad you're going to try cooking your ham this way...I don't think I'll ever go back to using my oven after using this method! Hope you're having a great week...