Slow Cooker Ham

This Crockpot Ham is simply a MUST for the holidays! My mom makes this entree for any special occasion and there’s never leftovers. Not only does this slow cooker ham recipe cook up perfectly delicious every time, it’s super easy!

This crock pot ham is a breeze to prep and only requires 3 ingredients for the glaze. As an added plus, cooking it in the slow cooker saves oven space for all of your delicious sides and desserts that you might need to be baking.

Awesome the BEST ham I’ve ever tasted. It melts in your mouth. The whole family loved it! It was so easy to make too.

— Cara

What type of ham cooks best in the slow cooker?

The great thing about this holiday ham recipe is that you can pretty much use any cut or size of ham (if you can fit it in the crock pot), boneless or bone-in, whole or spiral-sliced. The cooking time may vary some, depending on what size and cut you use.

You will start with a fully cooked ham, and this recipe will simply be heating and flavoring it. My mom buys Frick’s gourmet super trim bone-in ham that is hardwood smoked. And she typically gets the shank portion of the ham. We find it at H-E-B and it’s very affordable, but tastes amazing. Most standard hams at the grocery store will probably be cured but not smoked, though you can choose cured or uncured, plain or smoked. It’s just a matter of personal preference. Be sure to discard any flavor/glaze packet that may come with your ham.

What size ham do I need?

A 7-8 pound ham is a good size to feed a large group. Estimate about 1/2 pound of boneless ham per person and 3/4 pound of bone-in ham per person. If you go any larger than 8 pounds, you may have trouble fitting it into your crock pot. You can always trim off the end to make it fit, if needed.

Even though we usually reserve this recipe for special occasions, it’s a good one for any old weeknight because it’s so easy. If you are cooking for a family of 5 (2 adults and 3 children), you can use a small 2-pound petite ham and half this recipe. The cooking time will also need to be decreased to about 2 to 2 1/2 hours on low.

If you use bone-in ham and you are having difficulty fitting your ham into the crock pot because of the bone or overall size, you can trim off a chunk of the ham to make it fit. You can also cover the slow cooker with heavy duty aluminum foil that is tightly-sealed. This is actually what my mom usually does. There will be some liquid from the steam that will drip down the slow cooker, so beware of that.

Other ingredients needed

In addition to the ham itself, you’ll need just a few additional ingredients for slow cooking and glazing. Here’s the lineup:

• Brown sugar. This will sweeten and thicken the glaze. Dark brown sugar or light brown sugar will work, though your resulting glaze will be lighter or darker as a result.
• Honey. Gives the glaze sweetness and a sticky component that helps it stick to the meat. You could sub with maple syrup, although this will have a different taste.
• Pineapple juice. Ham and pineapple are two flavors that pair so perfectly together. And in my opinion, this ham does not end up tasting overly pineapple-y. However, if you don’t care for pineapple juice, you can easily sub apple juice or orange juice instead.
• Herbs for garnish. Optional, but is nice for presentation, especially if you’re serving this for a holiday gathering. Fresh rosemary and/or sage are great choices.

How long do I cook a fully cooked ham in the slow cooker?

The FDA recommends reheating a fully-cooked ham to 140°F. A very small 2-3 pound ham may reach that point in a slow cooker set to low within 2 to 3 hours. A large ham of about 8 pounds will take about 6 hours on low to reach that temperature. If it’s cooked long enough, it will be falling off the bone. And remember, that each time you remove the lid of the slow cooker, you may need to add a bit of additional cooking time.

As with most cuts of meat, a bone-in ham is more likely to stay juicy. We like to use bone-in best and once it’s cooked, it falls right off of the bone. Boneless will work, too, though. A spiral-cut ham is convenient for serving and will also work, it is likely to dry out a bit faster than a whole, uncut ham. If you use a spiral ham, I would recommend basting the slices a few times throughout the cooking process. Your cook time can also be slightly reduced as compared to an unsliced ham. This should all ensure a juicy finished product no matter the cut.

How to make this recipe

Now that we’ve gone through all of the details, let’s walk through the steps for making this recipe! Here’s the simple process:

See printable recipe card, below, for full ingredients and instructions.

1. Add brown sugar. Sprinkle brown sugar in the bottom of the slow cooker and place the ham inside, on top of the brown sugar.
2. Add honey and pineapple juice. Pour honey and then pineapple juice over the top of the ham.
3. Cook. Cover and cook on low heat for about 6 hours or until the meat is tender, falling off the bone and the internal temperature reaches 140°F.
4. Shred and serve. Once fully cooked, remove the ham onto a large, rimmed serving platter. If using a bone-in ham, it is recommended to shred the meat and remove any clumps of fat. The ham will easily fall apart and off of the bone. We usually shred the ham more than what is shown in the pictures and video. You can serve the ham shredded or sliced. Before serving, ladle or spoon the desired amount of juices from the crockpot. So delicious!

Expert tips

This crockpot ham is super simple to make, but here are a few tips to make sure it lives up to the hype!

• A large oval 7-8 quart slow cooker works best for this recipe. See the notes in the recipe card about the lid, if you are not able to fit the lid on top.
• You can swap out the pineapple juice for apple cider, apple juice or orange juice to make the ham glaze.
• For a festive presentation, garnish the ham platter with an assortment of herbs and fruit.
• In case you’re in the market for a new crock pot, this is my favorite one. And this is a great thermometer to use when cooking.

Frequently asked questions

Ways to use leftover ham

If you’re making ham for the holidays, you’ll probably end up with leftovers. Here are some tasty ways to use up the leftover ham:

• Uses the slices to make sandwiches. You could swap the turkey in these turkey cranberry sliders for ham. Yum!
• Chop it up and add it to soups or salads.
• Cook it up in the morning with eggs and potatoes for a delicious breakfast hash.
• Add it to breakfast casserole, pizza or cheesy pasta.

Storage recommendations

Store leftovers in an airtight container or ziplock bags in the fridge for up to about one week. You can also freeze cooked and cooled ham in freezer-safe bags for up to three months.

Using a slow cooker is such an easy way to cook ham and it always results in the most delicious, tender, flavorful ham. We look forward to this ham every time Easter dinner, Thanksgiving and Christmas roll around! I also use this technique with a small ham for an effortless weeknight dinner for my family. I know your family will love this recipe as much as mine does! It gets rave reviews every time I serve it!

If you try this easy crock pot ham recipe, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, tag @kimscravings on Instagram with a picture of your creation. It’s so fun to see what you’re cooking! Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.