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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.
Featured with this 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!
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.
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.
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
Frequently Asked Questions about Crockpot Ham
A spiral ham works best for this recipe.
It only takes 2-3 hours to heat a ham in the crockpot, depending on the size of the 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.
No, this recipe does not use the seasoning packet. We recommend you throw it away.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 omelets, breakfast casseroles, or breakfast sandwiches. So many possibilities! You can make so many meals from just one ham! Here are a few of our favorites:
Crockpot Spiral Ham with Maple and Brown Sugar
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.
- Generously rub with brown sugar all over ham. Pour maple syrup and pineapple juice over the ham.
- Add lid and cook for 2-3 hours on low heat.
- Spoon juices over the ham and cook on low for an additional 30 minutes.
- Remove ham from slow cooker and serve!
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
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Wonderful adaptation and impact reducing recipe!
Thank you Erica.
I have also used Pepsi in substitution for the pineapple juice. Trying this way today. Should be as good as ever. Yum!
Can you make it without the glaze
The glaze keeps the ham from drying out so I would be hesitant to make this recipe without it.
This sounds delicious, I can’t wait to try it! The easiest method for making ham!
Made this for Christmas dinner, it was amazing! Will be making again for Easter. Thanks for sharing
I’m so glad you liked it! It does make holiday meal prep so much easier. Thank you for the 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!
Can you substitute pineapple juice for orange juice or apple juice?
Yes, you can. Either orange or apple juice can be used to suit your tastes. Thanks for asking!
Where do you get a spiral cut ham
I usually find it at the grocery store in the meat department. Sometimes Costco or Sam’s Club will have them as well!