Crockpot Ham

This sweet and savory Crockpot Ham will be the centerpiece of your holiday meal! There are so many ways to make a basic store-bought ham taste better, but this combination of brown sugar and pineapple makes an absolutely delicious brown sugar glaze that elevates this ham to the next level! Throw out the glaze packet and try this easy slow cooker ham next time you host a big holiday dinner.

Ham or Turkey? That is the ultimate question when it comes to the holidays. Sure, a nice Oven Roasted Turkey is a Thanksgiving tradition, but what if you don’t like turkey? Ham is another easy way to feed a crowd for a special occasion, and this is absolutely the BEST ham!

In my family, it’s tradition to serve both turkey and ham for Thanksgiving, and then that juicy ham gets its own feature for Christmas as well as Easter dinner. What do you serve for the holidays?

Why do I have to cook a fully cooked ham again?

Ham is a cured meat, which means it has been treated with a process that eliminates bacteria and preserves the meat. Most hams that you buy in the grocery store are pre-cooked and safe to eat right out of the package.

However, cooking ham warms it to a safe temperature, just in case the meat is exposed to any pathogens during the packaging and shipping process. Experts recommend cooking to an internal temperature of 140 degrees.

Warming the ham also brings out the best flavor as the ham releases its juices. Plus most people prefer to add flavor through a glaze or sauce, and that needs to be warmed as well.

3-Ingredient Crockpot Ham

You only need three simple ingredients to make this easy crock pot ham recipe:

• 10-pound spiral ham (the size of ham doesn’t matter too much: you can use a smaller ham if you aren’t feeding a large group)
• Light brown sugar, packed (about 2 cups)
• 1 can pineapple tidbits, including the pineapple juice (18 ounces)

Don’t forget to review the recipe card at the bottom of the post for a detailed ingredient list and directions!

How to Make Ham in the Slow Cooker

I think making ham in the crockpot is the best way to cook it because it frees up oven space for other dishes, and it’s so easy to make this way! Here’s how to make this easy recipe:

1. First, spray the bottom of the crockpot bowl with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Next, sprinkle about ½ cup of brown sugar all over the bottom, then place the whole ham in the crockpot on its side.
3. Pour the can of pineapple bits and juice all over the ham, then sprinkle the remaining brown sugar on top of the ham. I like to tuck some of the tidbits in between the slices of the ham for added flavor.
4. Cover with the lid and cook the ham on LOW heat for 3-4 hours, basting once or twice, or until heated through. The internal temp measured with a meat thermometer should be 140 degrees F.
5. Allow the ham to cool slightly, then carefully remove the ham to slice, then display slices on a big serving platter!

FAQs

The ham won’t fit in the crockpot with the lid on. What do I do?

If you can’t fit the lid on the crockpot, you can make a “lid’ out of aluminum foil! I’ve had to do this before and it works perfectly!

• Lay out 4 sheets of aluminum foil and spray them with nonstick cooking spray. They need to be long enough to fit 2 across the top in each direction with extra to bunch around the rim.
• Lay 2 sheets next to each other across the top lengthwise, then the other 2 sheets across the width of the crockpot. Overlap if necessary but don’t leave any gaps.
• Bunch the edge of the foil around the rim of the crockpot to make sure no air escapes and cook as directed.
• Once the ham cooks, most likely the lid will fit since the meat will shrink. This helps if you need to transport the ham.

How do I carve Crockpot Ham?

This is a GREAT tutorial on how to cut a spiral cut ham! 

How do I store leftover ham?

Store it in an airtight container (or on a tightly covered plate) in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Can I freeze Crockpot Ham?

You can freeze leftovers. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to a month.

Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before warming and serving.

What can I make with leftover ham?

I always have too much ham, which means plenty of leftovers! love to chop up slices of leftover ham and use the ham in all sorts of recipes! These recipes are a great way to use it up:

• Easy Ham Salad: chopped ham, mayo, mustard, pickle relish and a touch of Sriracha will make this sandwich a new back-to-school favorite. 
• Sage and Ham Baked Eggs: light and fluffy baked eggs are combined with a bit of salty ham, fresh sage, and some melty cheese for that perfect breakfast bite.
• Ham and Cheese Party Sandwiches: sweet Hawaiian rolls filled with ham, Swiss cheese, and a poppy seed mustard spread.
• Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole: We take the flavors of a classic dish and turn it into an easy weeknight meal!
• Denver Scrambled Breakfast Braid: scrambled eggs are mixed with ham and red and green peppers, then placed on a crescent roll sheet and topped with crumbled bacon and shredded cheese. 

What’s your favorite way to eat leftover ham?

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