This crock pot ham is a spiral cut ham topped with a 3 ingredient glaze, then slow cooked to perfection. This is the BEST way to make your holiday ham, the slow cooker does all of the work!
I’m always looking for ways to make holiday entertaining easier, and this crock pot ham is about as simple as it gets. All it takes is 5 minutes of prep time, and you end up with the most tender and succulent ham of all time! Not a ham fan? Try my herb roasted turkey or slow cooker turkey breast instead.
Whenever there’s a holiday, there’s a ham on my table. I love to cook ham because most of the work is done for you before you even open the package. All you need is a delicious glaze and a slow cooker to make this simple crock pot ham. Best of all, it frees up oven space so that you have plenty of room to cook up your sides and desserts.
How do you make crock pot ham?
The first step is to choose your ham. I always go with a smoked spiral cut ham. You’ll want a ham around 7-8 pounds in size. If you go any larger, you may have trouble fitting it into your crock pot. You can always trim off the end to make it fit if needed.
The ham is coated in brown sugar, then doused in maple syrup and pineapple juice to form a sweet glaze that simmers away along with the ham.
Tips for crock pot ham
- You’ll need a large oval slow cooker for this recipe – the one shown here is an 8 quart slow cooker, I’ve also used my 7 quart size with success.
- The glaze is fairly thin when it comes out of the crock pot, so I like to transfer it to a pan on the stove top and simmer the glaze until it thickens.
- Not a fan of pineapple juice? Try apple cider instead.
- I like to garnish my ham platter with an assortment of herbs and fruit for a beautiful presentation.
How much ham per person?
You’ll need about 3/4 pound of ham per person for a bone-in ham. If you want plenty of leftovers, you can increase that amount to 1 pound of ham per person.
How long to cook a ham?
It takes approximately 3-4 hours to cook a ham in the crock pot on low heat. You can check to make sure your ham is heated through by inserting a thermometer into the thickest part of the ham. The thermometer should read at least 140 degrees F.
What to serve with ham
Ham pairs perfectly with potatoes, vegetables, cornbread, or even stuffing! Here are some of my favorite holiday side dishes that I serve alongside my crock pot ham.
- Cranberry Jello Salad
- Bacon Green Bean Bundles
- Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Glazed Carrots
How to reheat leftover ham
One of the best parts about a holiday meal is enjoying the leftovers the next day! You can reheat your ham by covering it with foil and warming it in a 275 degree oven.
How to use leftover ham
Got leftover ham? I’ve got plenty of ways for you to repurpose it! Check out my list of 40 Satisfying Leftover Ham Recipes.
I love this crock pot ham because it’s tender, flavorful and so incredibly easy to make. It’s a huge hit every time I serve it!
Crock Pot Ham Video
Crock Pot Ham with Brown Sugar
Ingredients
- 8 lb spiral cut ham
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup pure maple syrup do not use artificially flavored pancake syrup
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- cooking spray
- fresh herbs for garnish
Instructions
- Coat a large 7-8 quart crock pot with cooking spray.
- Place the ham cut side down in the crock pot.
- Rub the brown sugar all over the ham, then pour the maple syrup and pineapple juice over the top.
- Cook for 3-4 hours on low heat, or until a thermometer registers 140 degrees F when inserted into the thickest part of the ham.
- Transfer the ham to a serving platter.
- Pour the liquid from the bottom of the crock pot into a medium sized pan.
- Place the pan over medium-high heat and bring the liquid to a simmer.
- Cook for 6-8 minutes or until just thickened,
- Pour the sauce over the ham. Decorate the serving platter with fresh herbs if desired, then serve.
Corina says
I’m going to attempt this recipe in a few weeks. I will be in Big Bear for Thanksgiving, will I need to adjust the amount of cook time for the ham?
Sara says
The cook time should not change assuming you use the same size ham as the recipe calls for!
Joan says
I have a 9 lb ham that is not spiral cut, how long should I cook it?
Sara says
I’d add one more hour and you might want to score the top so the glaze can soak in!
Krystin says
I have a question. Please forgive me if it’s a dumb question. It seems like the juice and syrup being poured on the ham first makes more sense to me, then you can pat on the brown sugar. No? Does it make a difference? It sounds so good and I want to try it, but I don’t want to mess it up. I hope you’ll reply. Thanks so much!
Sara says
It’s fine to do it either way, it won’t hurt anything!
amanda lorenz says
I could only get a 2.5 lb boneless fully cooked honey ham. How do I change the timing for it?
Sara says
You would cook for 1-2 hours!
Maria says
Do we just use half the ingredients if we only have a 2.5 ham?
Sara says
Yes and you will also want to reduce the cooking time.
Lisa says
This was the best ham glaze ever! I didn’t have a spiral cut ham, but a full black forest ham that I cut with a diamond pattern. it was 7 lbs, so I put it in the slow cooker for 6.5 hrs. I did substitute the pineapple juice with apple cider, and thickened it with the cornstarch. It came out perfect! My mom said it was the best ham she has ever had and my husband said he could eat it everyday. Thank you so much for this simple, yet amazing recipe.
Daisy says
This was delicious!! I didn’t have pineapple juice, so I subbed orange juice. So good. We had just under 10lbs of spiral sliced ham and it took 4 hours in the crockpot. Thank you for such a delicious and easy recipe!
Alicia says
Delicious! I have made this ham many times and have passed along the recipe to my son and sister who both love the recipe as well.
Thanks for posting.
jOANIE says
I HAVE A 5LB HAM THAT IS NOT SPIRALCUT. HOW LONG SHOULD I COOK IT ANDSHOULD I MAKE DIAMOND CUTS ON THE HAM?
Sara says
I would do 3 hours and make the diamond cuts so the glaze can soak in.
Nicole says
I’m assuming we are to use an uncooked ham? I see many of them are already cooked
Sara says
Most hams are pre-cooked, I use a pre-cooked ham in this recipe.
Pete says
Do I let the ham sit after removing it from the slow cooker? Or can it be sliced up immediately?
Sara says
You can serve it right away!
Susie says
I serve right away, it’s pre cooked. The longer it sit the dryer it will get, Enjoy
Jordynn says
Is your ham bone in? Should I cook mine differently with the bone in?
Tommy says
Can I use molasses instead of syrup
Sara says
I’d use half the amount of molasses since it is such a strong flavor!
Sandra. Huntley says
This all sounds so good. I can’t wait to get to start it. A friend gave it to me and I told him I would take him up. Some. Thank you.
Mike says
Well done we the family loves it!
Savee says
Thanks for the recipe! I don’t have pineapple juice. What can I substitute with?
Sara says
Apple juice or cider would work!
Patty B. says
I have an 11 pound cooked spiral ham that fits in my 6 quart slow cooker but can’t use the lid. Would a foil tent work good enough?
Sara says
You want to completely cover the ham with foil and press the foil tightly around the edges of the pot to try and form as tight of a seal as possible. Then set crock pot top over the foil if possible.
Wanda says
Can I substitute honey for the maple syrup?
Sara says
Yes that’s fine!
Brenda says
Can this recipe be done with a ham that is not spiral cut? If so. Do I do anything different?
Sara says
Yes you may need to increase the cook time by 30-60 minutes depending on the size of the ham!
Patty says
I have a 3lb.ham how
Long to cook?
Sara says
It should take about 2 hours!
Melissa Cruz says
I have pineapple juice and brown sugar but no maple. Will it still come out OK if I make it without?
Sara says
Yes that should be fine!
LovefromMN says
I have a 9lb ham & have never attempted to cook a ham. How long should I let it cook?
Sara says
You can add one more hour to the cook time!
Nikki says
My ham is 10 lbs…..does that mean I add two hours onto the cook time?
Sara says
I’d just add one hour!
Destanie says
Can I add a can of pineapple as well?
Sara says
Yes that will work!