We may earn a commission when you click on the affiliate links in this post.
If you need a holiday-worthy main dish that basically cooks itself, this Crockpot Spiral Ham is the answer. I love making it when oven space is tight because the slow cooker keeps the ham tender, juicy, and full of sweet glaze flavor with almost zero effort. It’s made with just a few simple ingredients, and the slices come out perfectly warm and ready to serve for Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, or Sunday dinner.
Rave Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“This was so delicious and easy. Loved that it was cooked in the crockpot which saved room for other foods to go in oven. Family loved it.” – Crystal H.
“Oh my gosh! How can you go wrong with this ham… It’s even better than honey baked hams if I’m allowed to say that. Hee hee!! It’s the best recipe by far. Love it!!” – Tamara H.
“Great recipe for Sunday dinner! My husband and son gave it five stars because it is flavorful, moist and tasty. I always use this to avoid overheating the kitchen. A few simple sides make a complete and delicious dinner without hours of kitchen prep.” – Nancy
A Holiday Tradition
This Crockpot Spiral Ham has become one of my go-to holiday traditions because it makes hosting feel calmer. I can free up the oven for sides and rolls, and the ham stays tender since it’s gently warming in that sweet sauce the whole time. It’s honestly one of the easiest ways to serve a beautiful main dish without hovering over anything.
I also love making a big ham because I know I’m going to get leftovers for days. Soups, sandwiches, casseroles… it really is the ham that keeps on giving. I hope it becomes a tradition at your table too.
If you’re wondering what to serve with it, I usually pair this ham with cozy classics like Cheesy Potato Casserole, Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes, or a simple Holiday Salad. It’s also great with corn, carrots, and dinner rolls if you want to keep things easy.
🩷 Erica
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Spiral-cut ham: Select an 8-10 pound ham that will fit in your crockpot.
- Brown sugar: You can use light or dark brown sugar.
- Maple syrup: Use real maple syrup, this makes the best glaze for the ham.
- Canned pineapple juice: Fresh or canned works great. You can also use apple cider or orange juice.
Ingredient Additions and Substitutions
- Swap the juice: Not a fan of pineapple juice? Use apple cider or orange juice instead.
- Swap the syrup: Honey works well if you do not want maple syrup.
- Add warm spices: A pinch of cinnamon or cloves can give it a cozy holiday vibe.
- Sweet and savory: Add 1 to 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard to the juices for a glaze that tastes more balanced and less candy-sweet.
- Make it more “holiday”: If you want, you can add a few pineapple rings on top after cooking and broil briefly for a pretty finish.
How to Make Spiral Ham in a Crockpot
- Place ham flat-side down in the slow cooker. If it doesn’t fit, ham can be placed on its side so the lid can close. Discard glaze packets.
- Generously rub brown sugar over the ham.
- Pour maple syrup and pineapple juice over the ham.
- Place the lid on the crockpot, making sure it fits securely. Cook on low for 2-3 hours or until warmed to 140-145°F.
- Remove lid and stir the juices at the bottom of the crockpot. Spoon the juices over the ham and cook an additional 30 minutes.
- Remove the ham from the crockpot and place it on a serving platter. Separate the slices for easy serving.
Crockpot Spiral Ham Cook Time (By Weight)
Most spiral hams are fully cooked, so we’re reheating, not cooking it from raw. The goal is to get the ham warmed all the way through without drying it out. I always use a meat thermometer and aim for 140°F to 145°F in the thickest part. General timing on LOW:
- 6 to 7 pounds: about 2 to 2.5 hours
- 8 to 10 pounds: about 2.5 to 3.5 hours
I treat these times as a guide, not a rule. Slow cookers vary a lot, and so do hams. The thermometer is what keeps you from ending up with a ham that’s underheated in the middle or dried out on the edges.
A few things that change timing
- Starting temperature matters: If your ham goes in cold straight from the fridge, it will take longer to warm through.
- Your slow cooker matters: Some run hot, and if the lid doesn’t seal well, heat can escape and timing gets unpredictable.
- Lid lifting slows everything down: Every time you open the lid, the slow cooker loses heat. That’s why I keep basting toward the end instead of checking it constantly.
- If you’re ever unsure, go by temperature: Once it hits 140°F to 145°F, you’re done.
Best Slow Cooker Size
For an 8 to 10 pound spiral ham, I recommend a 7-quart or larger slow cooker. A smaller ham can fit in a 6-quart, but spiral hams are tall and you really want the lid to close completely so the heat stays consistent.
If the lid won’t close
- Put the ham on its side so it sits lower.
- Trim a small piece off the bottom so it fits more easily.
- If it still won’t work, switch to the oven method below.
Fit is one of the biggest stress points with crockpot ham, so I always check this first. Once the lid closes, the rest is easy.
Oven Method
If your ham is too big for the crockpot, or you do not have a slow cooker, you can still use this same glaze idea in the oven. We also have a great Honey Baked Ham Recipe.
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Place the spiral ham in a roasting pan and rub with brown sugar.
- Pour maple syrup and pineapple juice into the bottom of the pan, then cover tightly with foil.
- Bake until warmed through to 140°F, using about 10 minutes per pound as a general guide.
- For a caramelized finish, uncover and broil for a few minutes at the end, watching closely.
Recipe Tips
- Easy cleanup – Use a crockpot liner to make clean-up quick and easy.
- Baste before serving – Baste the ham with the juices from the bottom of the slow cooker 30 minutes before serving.
- Use the broiler for a glaze finish – To create a caramelized glaze on the ham’s surface, transfer it to a baking sheet and broil it in the oven for a few minutes after slow cooking.
- Let it rest – Allow the ham to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This lets the juices redistribute, resulting in a juicier spiral ham.
- Serve with extra glaze – Offer extra glaze on the side for those who want an extra drizzle of flavor. Thicken the glaze by placing it in a small saucepan on the stove and thickening it with a slurry of cornstarch and water.
Frequently Asked Questions
I do it to save oven space and keep the kitchen cooler. The ham warms in the sauce so it stays tender and flavorful instead of drying out.
For a spiral ham, I plan on ½ pound per person. For 12 people, that’s about a 6 pound ham.
Yes, if you don’t like pineapple, orange juice is also very good with ham. You can also use apple cider.
No, but real maple syrup adds a rich, maple flavor that is hard to beat. Of course, if you want to use your typical breakfast maple syrup, that’s okay too. Don’t skimp on the syrup. If you feel like you need to add a little extra, do it! Follow your heart. If syrup isn’t your thing, you can also use honey.
Spiral hams are usually already cooked, so you’re warming it. I aim for 140 to 145°F in the thickest part.
I don’t recommend it because spiral ham can dry out, but if you’re short on time, you can use HIGH and watch the temp closely. Stop as soon as it hits 140°F to 145°F.
That’s normal in the slow cooker. To thicken it, simmer in a saucepan or use a cornstarch slurry.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Make ahead: You can cook the ham earlier in the day, then keep it on WARM for a short time with extra juices spooned over the top.
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.
- Freeze: Freeze sliced ham for up to 2 months for soups, casseroles, and sandwiches.
- Reheat: Warm slices gently with a splash of the cooking juices so it stays moist.
More Ham Recipes
- Ham and Bean Soup
- Crockpot Split Pea Soup
- Ham and Cheese Sliders
- Layered Cold Pasta Salad
- Ham Salad
- Classic Chef Salad
- Omelette in a Bag
- Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole
This Crockpot Spiral Ham is the easiest way I know to serve a tender, flavorful holiday ham without taking over the oven. If you make it, I would love to hear how it turned out. Leave a rating and tell me what you served with it! 💛
Crockpot Spiral Ham
Video
Ingredients
- 1 8-10 pound spiral-cut ham, (boneless ham or bone-in ham)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 cup pineapple juice
Instructions
- Remove ham from packaging and place in a large (7+ quart) slow cooker. Discard glaze packets (if any). Place ham flat-side down in the slow cooker, but if it doesn't fit, ham can be placed on its side so the lid can close.
- Generously rub with brown sugar all over the ham. Pour maple syrup and pineapple juice over the ham.
- Add lid and cook for 2 to 3.5 hours on low heat, time will vary based on size of ham.
- Stir juices and spoon over the ham. Cook on low for an additional 30 minutes.
- Remove ham from slow cooker, place it on a serving platter, and serve!
Equipment
- Crockpot
Notes
- Most spiral hams are fully cooked, you’re reheating to 140°F to 145°F.
- For best results, use a 7-quart or larger slow cooker for an 8–10 lb ham.
- If the ham doesn’t fit flat, place it on its side so the lid closes.
- For extra flavor, baste with juices during the last 30 minutes.
- Swap pineapple juice with orange juice or apple cider if you prefer.
- To thicken the glaze, simmer juices and use a cornstarch slurry.
- Optional finish: broil a few minutes for a caramelized top, watch closely.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love this recipe?
We want to hear from you! Please leave a review.
I tried this today and the ham was so moist and tasty. This is the way I will cook ham from now on. Thanks
Yay!! Thanks for the 5-star rating!!
This made an amazing ham! I have never made one and who knew it was so easy and flavorful! I did susubstitute orange juice for the pineapple juice since that is what I had on hand.
I am so glad you loved it! Thanks for the 5-star rating!
Can you use cola or ginger ale instead of juice?
I haven’t used soda before, so I’m not sure how that would change the recipe!
Making this for Thanksgiving today, it smells amazing, can’t wait to try it! Thanks for the recipe & Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you!! Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
What if I don’t have a can of pineapple? Is there something else I can use?
Apple juice or apple cider would also work fine if you have it on hand. Thanks for asking!
What about orange juice?
Sure! Merry Christmas!
How do you remove it from the slow cooker.
We typically use grilling tongs or two large serving forks. Hope this helps!
do you mean a 32 oz can or what size pineapple juice please?
For this recipe you use 1 cup (8oz) of canned pineapple juice. You can use pineapple juice from a can of pineapple or just the straight-up pineapple juice in a can. Hope this helps!
Hi, I want to cook my
Ham in the crockpot. I’ve always made it in the oven but am not going to have the space this time. Does it come out similar to the way it cooks in the oven? I always have such great reviews for my ham, I’m apprehensive cooking it in the crockpot.
We absolutely love the way this ham comes out! I can’t tell a difference between it and the oven. I hope it goes well for you!
My mother in law gave me a 10ib double glazed bone in, spiral cut, ham but I don’t believe it’s pre-cooked…. can I still use this recipe?
This recipe is only for pre-cooked ham. You would probably have to adjust the cooking time quite a bit.
Hi, I have a 10 lb spiral SMOKED ham. Would that work for this recipe?
Thanks!
Yes, if it is smoked that means it was cooked. I would still always use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the meat to see when it is done.
Looks delicious -do you recommend bone in or boneless and what about cured vs uncured? TYIA
We like to use bone-in because we use the bone to make other recipes like our Crock Pot Red Beans and Rice (here: https://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/red-beans-and-rice/). And we used a cured ham in this recipe, so basically you are just warming it and not cooking it.
I have a 5 lb ham instead of 8-10. How much should I decrease the cooking time if any?
With this recipe you are really just warming the meat since it is already cooked. Maybe start with 2 hours and check it with a meat thermometer until it reaches the desired temperature. Hope this helps!
I am trying this for the first time today….I did not realize my ham was so tall. my lid does not fit….so I have covered the top with aluminum foil to act as the cover will this work do you think?
thanks
Yes, that should work fine and I do this all the time. Cover it tightly with foil and it will work like a dream. Hope this helps!
I wish I would have read this! I just took a hammer and Screwdriver to the bone so I could split it in half!
I have a frozen ham that will be done with this recipe. What is the suggested time in the crockpot?
Will you have time to thaw it first? The only problem from going very cold to hot is that the meat can become tough. You can try cooking it on low for a longer amount of time but we haven’t ever done it this way so I can’t tell you for sure. If you try it let us know how it turns out!
Just wondering A lot of the other recipes I’m reading say to cook for six or seven hours on low but you are says 2 to 3 ?
Honestly I think that 6-7 hours is too long. It is already pre-cooked, you just need to warm it. I REALLY don’t like my ham dried out and I think when it cooks for so long it makes it too dry. Totally my opinion though.
Is this pre cooked ham? I’m not sure what to buy!
Yes it is pre-cooked
Hi, Was wondering if you have ever used Honey instead of the syrup? For like a honey baked ham?
Yes, absolutely you an use honey instead. Hope this helps!
Thanks for the suggestion to use honey instead! I have a jar of honey but was going to make a run to the grocery to buy maple syrup. You just saved me a trip! 🙂
Great recipe for Sunday dinner! My husband and son gave it five stars because it is flavorful, moist and tasty. I always use this to avoid overheating the kitchen. A few simple sides make a complete and delicious dinner without hours of kitchen prep.
So glad you liked this so much! And yes, you can’t beat how EASY it is, right?? My husband loves that it doesn’t get dry like most ham dinners.
I dont add anything. Just crockpot heat and eat.
This looks so good. I always have a problem with spiral hams getting warm all the way through. Does this come out warm? I tried another recipe but our ham came out like jerky. Thanks!
Yes, it should be warm– and NOT dry! Definitely don’t want ham jerky haha
This is the recipe I use EVERY time I do a ham in the crockpot. DELICIOUS! Thanks.
This looks delicious. Question, do you mix the juice and syrup together prior to pouring over the ham or are they drizzled on separately? Thank you, and Merry Christmas to you and your family!
You can do it either way, just for simplicity’s sake we usually just pour it all on separately. Hope this helps!
Is there a substitute for pineapple? Last minute and I don’t have any
You can use apple juice or canned mandarin oranges as a substitute in this recipe. I hope that helps!
This might be a not so smart question but if my ham is 12lbs should the cooking remain the same?
*cooking time
Yes, it should give the ham plenty of time to be heated even at 12 lbs. Thanks for asking!
I might try this recipe for Christmas…..looks so good. Thanks for sharing!!
You are very welcome 😀 Let us know what you think if you try it!
I made this for our family for the last 3 years and we all love it. It is simply and delicious. I choose to add fresh pineapple. Thank you so much! Happy Thanksgiving to all!
I am so glad you guys enjoyed it! Pineapple sounds like a delicious addition! Thanks for the 5-star rating!
I tried this and used fresh pineapple juice rather than canned. I combined everything in crockpot and drove an hour to my Dad’s where I plugged it in and started heating. After 1 hr on high and 4 hrs on low, the pot was full of juice and the meat was mostly mush. Flavor was good but texture, icky! Was this because of using fresh vs already canned pineapple juice? Are there enzymes in pineapple that digest protein?!
It actually does. The enzyme contained in fresh pineapple breaks down the amino acid bonds in proteins. That is why people recommend eating fresh pineapple after a large protein meal (like Thanksgiving dinner) to help digestion. Also, the recommended cooking time for this recipe is 2-3 hours on low. Thank you for sharing your experience. I will make a note on the recipe to not use fresh pineapple juice for future reference.
I have. 7 quart slow cooker. The shape of my ten pound spiral ham makes it a tight fit in the slow cooker, . Could I replace the lid with aluminum foil so it doesn’t touch the top of the slow cooker lid? Please let me know. This is for Easter dinner and will keep my oven free to cook other things, Thank you,
Yes, you can absolutely cover with foil! Sometimes I will cover with foil and then lightly just place the lid over the top just so it holds in that heat a little better. Hope this helps!
I want to slice ham, then pour glaze over it and cook, will this be ok?
I don’t see why not!
What can I use in place of the pineapple juice. I’m panicking one of my guests is allergic to pineapple.
Thank you,
judy
You could probably get away with orange juice, it would give it a different taste but it will still be good!
Apple Cider is a fantastic substitution…. and it pairs well with the brown sugar and Maple
I assume I do not use the packet of glaze that comes with the ham?
You assume correctly! Throw the packet away!:)
hello from Kentucky! 🙂 Looks so good! Thanks for posting such a great looking ham!! Gotta try it! 🙂
Hello Kathy! Thank you so much 😀 Let us know what you think if you make it!