The BEST Crockpot Ham with Homemade Glaze

4.95 from 52 votes
161 Comments

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Our Crockpot Ham sweetened with a special homemade glaze is a favorite for holidays, Sundays, and more! Never dry, always flavorful, always a hit.

Plated Slow Cooker Spiral Ham with layers cascading forward.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients in Crockpot Ham
  2. Benefits of a Slow Cooker (Crockpot)
  3. Best Maple Syrup for Slow Cooker Ham
  4. 5-Star Reviews
  5. Frequently Asked Questions about Crockpot Ham
  6. Best Side Dishes to Serve with Crockpot Ham
  7. Best Leftover Recipes for Ham
  8. Crockpot Spiral Ham with Maple and Brown Sugar Recipe

Christmas and Easter dinners wouldn’t be complete without a succulent ham. Dripping our homemade maple and brown sugar glaze, not the grainy packet that comes with the ham. This ham is slow cooked in the Crockpot and it always turns out perfectly! Sometimes if I can get a ham on a good sale, I will make this easy crock pot ham for Sunday dinner. Then we can make lots of different meals throughout the week with the leftover ham (more on that below, we have lots of great leftover ideas). This holiday ham is sweet, rich, and looks beautiful on a serving platter. The flavor is so sweet and savory, you will never want to use the included flavor packet again!

Spiral Ham in the Slow Cooker garnished with thyme.

Ingredients in Crockpot Ham

This crock pot ham recipe could not be easier! All you need is a ham and three other ingredients to make the tastiest sauce you’ll ever try. Here’s what you need:

  • Spiral-cut ham: This recipe calls for an 8-10 pound boneless or bone-in ham. You can easily cook a larger ham, and double the ingredients for the sauce.
  • Brown sugar: About a cup
  • Maple syrup: For this recipe, use real maple syrup. The thick, sweet syrup will make the best glaze for the ham!
  • Canned pineapple juice: For best results do not use fresh pineapple juice.
Spiral Ham, brown sugar, pineapple juice, maple syrup and a Crockpot.

Benefits of a Slow Cooker (Crockpot)

Spiral hams are delicious anytime, but especially around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. When preparing meals for a holiday dinner or even a big Sunday dinner, oven space becomes an issue. Heating the ham in the crockpot saves oven space for side dishes and rolls and allows the meat to simmer in the glorious sauce. Another benefit of using the crock pot is that it doesn’t dry out the ham. The ham stays tender and flavorful. You can always cover the ham with foil before serving to keep it from drying out.

Maple syrup pouring on a Spiral Ham in the Slow Cooker.

Best Maple Syrup for Slow Cooker Ham

For this recipe I love using REAL maple syrup. It adds such a rich, maple flavor that is hard to beat. Of course, real maple syrup is quite expensive, so if you want to use your typical Mrs. Butterworth’s (or any regular 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 just isn’t your thing, you can also use honey.

5-Star Reviews

We’ve had many rave reviews on this Slow Cooker Ham recipe. Here are a few of our favorites:

I made this for Christmas and it was delicious!!
– Kimberly

This made an amazing ham! I have never made one and who knew it was so easy and flavorful! I did substitute orange juice for the pineapple juice since that is what I had on hand.”
– Beth

Thank you for helping me cook my first Thanksgiving ham ever 🙂 Your instructions are very easy to follow. Have a Happy Thanksgiving 🙂”
– Dahlia

 “I tried this today and the ham was so moist and tasty. This is the way I will cook ham from now on. Thanks!”
-Sherry

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!
– Sas

Lid covering a Crockpot with Spiral Ham inside.

Frequently Asked Questions about Crockpot Ham

What is the best ham to use for Crockpot Ham?

A spiral ham works best for this recipe.

How long does it take to heat a ham in the crockpot?

It only takes 2-3 hours to heat a ham in the crockpot, depending on the size of the ham.

Do you have to heat up a fully cooked ham?

No, if a ham is fully cooked you don’t have to heat it. You can serve it cold. It’s a matter of preference. However, when serving a holiday meal or formal meal, most people prefer if the ham is warmed.

Do I use the seasoning packet that comes with the ham?

No, this recipe does not use the seasoning packet. We recommend you throw it away.

What if my ham doesn’t fit in my slow cooker or Crockpot?

When this happens, it is usually because the lid won’t fit on the top of the ham bone. You can cut this part of the ham off with a big, sharp knife or you can take some of the slices off the bottom of the ham and place them around the sides of the Crock Pot. It won’t look as nice, but it will cook just the same.

What is the best pineapple juice to use in this recipe?

Use canned pineapple juice. You can buy canned pineapple juice or use the juice from a can of sliced pineapple or pineapple chunks. DO NOT USE fresh pineapple juice. The acids in the juice will break down the ham.

How do I reheat leftovers?

To reheat, pop a slice or two in the microwave until hot, or you can cover in foil and reheat in the oven until warmed through.

Can I use another juice besides pineapple?

Yes, if you don’t like pineapple, orange juice is also very good with ham. You can also use apple cider.

READ MORE: 25+ Traditional and Easy Sunday Dinner Ideas

Close up of Slow Cooker Spiral Ham slices.

Best Side Dishes to Serve with Crockpot Ham

Wanting to make this slow cooker spiral ham but need some side dish ideas? We almost always serve this ham with our Cheesy Potato Casserole (aka Funeral Potatoes) but it is also VERY good with Parmesan Potato Halves or Dauphinoise Potatoes (scalloped potatoes). You can also serve with a salad (I love making our Christmas Salad, especially), Sautéed Peas, or even Creamy Potatoes and Peas. You can’t go wrong with any of these ideas for sides!

Best Leftover Recipes for Ham

No matter how many guests we have, we always seem to have so much ham leftover! Chop up leftover crockpot ham and use it in omeletsbreakfast casseroles, or breakfast sandwiches. So many possibilities! You can make so many meals from just one ham! Here are a few of our favorites:

Whole Slow Cooker Spiral Ham cascading layers on a platter.

Crockpot Spiral Ham with Maple and Brown Sugar

4.95 from 52 votes
Crockpot Ham sweetened with maple and brown sugar is a favorite for holidays, Sundays, and more! Never dry, always flavorful, always a hit.
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 2 hrs 30 mins
Total Time 2 hrs 45 mins
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 20

Video

Equipment

  • Crockpot

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 canned pineapple juice (do not use fresh pineapple juice)

Instructions

  • Remove ham from packaging and place in a large (7+ quart) slow cooker. Discard flavor packet (if any). Place ham flat-side down in slow cooker, but if it doesn't fit, ham can be placed on it's side so the lid can close.
    Slow Cooker with a whole Spiral Ham.
  • Generously rub with brown sugar all over ham. Pour maple syrup and pineapple juice over the ham.
    Slow Cooker with brown sugar on top of a Spiral Ham.
  • Add lid and cook for 2-3 hours on low heat. 
    Lid covering a Crockpot with Spiral Ham inside.
  • Spoon juices over the ham and cook on low for an additional 30 minutes.
    Spoon with juices of Spiral Ham in the Crockpot.
  • Remove ham from slow cooker and serve!
    Plated Slow Cooker Spiral Ham with layers cascading forward.

Notes

  • Heating the ham in the crockpot saves oven space for side dishes and rolls and allows the meat to simmer in the glorious sauce.
  • Another benefit of using the Crockpot is that it doesn’t dry out the ham. The ham stays tender and flavorful. 
  • Not a fan of pineapple juice? Try apple cider or orange juice instead.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 76kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.02gSaturated Fat: 0.003gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.005gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 0.03mgSodium: 5mgPotassium: 50mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 0.1mg

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About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

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Comments

  1. I have also used Pepsi in substitution for the pineapple juice. Trying this way today. Should be as good as ever. Yum!

    1. I’m so glad you liked it! It does make holiday meal prep so much easier. Thank you for the 5-stars!

  2. 5 stars
    This is a great way to make ham! It turns out so full of flavor and it couldn’t be any easier. Love it!

    1. I usually find it at the grocery store in the meat department. Sometimes Costco or Sam’s Club will have them as well!