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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.
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Why not fresh pineapple juice?
Fresh pineapple contains an enzyme that breaks down protein. It will mess with the texture of the ham.
This is the only way we will cook a ham it is so good it is especially good for ham sandwiches afterwards. The only thing that will make this sandwich better is if it’s on a Filipino pandesal roll
Can you put pineapple slices on it too? Or would that be too sweet you think? Thank you
I think that would be delicious!
This is my first time i cooking a small ham in slowcooker.and will try out the glaze.cant wait how it turns out.thanks wish me luck
This looks so delicious and savory! I can’t wait to give this a try! So excited!
Everyone at my house really enjoyed this!! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
This is exactly the recipe I was looking for! Thanks–it turned out great!
By far my favorite recipe! Exactly what I was looking for!
Recipe came out great for our Christmas dinner.
How long should you cook a 4 lb spiral ham in the crockpot?
I would start with an hour, and then check it every 15 minutes after.
For the crockpot spiral ham, do I get a precooked ham or full cooked ham
You get a fully cooked ham for this recipe.
Can you use a smoked ham?
We haven’t tried a smoked ham, but I don’t see why not!
Do I need to adjust the cooking time for a 4 -5 lb. ham?
I would check it after one hour, and go from there. The purpose is to warm the ham through since it is already cooked. So, whenever the ham is warm to the center, you are good to go!
I’m so excited to try this recipe for the holidays. This sounds so easy and delicous.
This looks so delicious and easy to do. Definitely going to use this recipe on Christmas day.
I forgot to buy pineapple juice. What else can I use?
You could use apple juice or orange juice!
This has been my “go to” ham recipe for the last two years. I also smeared a thin layer of Dijon on the skin before adding the other ingredients. So tasty and easy. I have never been a “ham fan” nut you converted me. Thanks so much for sharing. Merry Christmas everyone !
Thank you for sharing this, Sue! Merry Christmas to you as well!
So wonderful to be able to make this in the slow cooker – really easy and frees up valuable oven space, for sure! And I love that this recipe has both brown sugar and maple flavor – YUM! Happy holidays, ladies!
Thank you for helping me cook my first Thanksgiving day ever 🙂 Your instructions are very easy to follow.Have a Happy Thanksgiving 🙂
I only had a 8lb. spiral ham but when I put it in my large oval crock pot the lid did not fit on it properly because of the bone..still going to use it since the ham is already cooked. Hopefully I am not the only one with this issue 🙂 Thanks for your time sharing!
I always have to trim some off the top and just put the pieces around the edge. 🙂
I haven’t made it yet. What can I substitute for the pineapple (allergy to pineapples)? Can I use canned apricots??
Apricots would be delicious!
We love this recipe it is the best we have tried
We made it exactly like the recipe. It was delicious…..
Do you prefer shank or butt ham? Or are the spiraled ones usually one or the other?
We use a spiral, bone-in ham for this recipe. Thanks for asking!