Crockpot Ham Recipe With The Slow Cooker Perfection!

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This image shows a beautifully cooked Crockpot ham served on a round plate, coated in a rich glaze made with brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and balsamic vinegar, and slow-cooked to perfection.

Main Course

When it comes to holiday feasts or comforting Sunday dinners, nothing steals the show like a perfectly glazed ham—and with this Crockpot Ham recipe, you’ll master the art of tender, juicy, and flavor-infused ham with minimal effort.

Slow cooking does all the heavy lifting here, transforming a simple bone-in ham into a caramelized masterpiece while leaving you plenty of time to focus on sides, desserts, or just enjoying the day.

I’ll admit, I first turned to this recipe during a chaotic Thanksgiving when oven space was scarce, and the idea of slow-cooking the main dish felt like a gamble. But the moment I opened the lid and caught that aroma—a mix of sweet brown sugar, tangy pineapple, and savory ham—I knew it was a winner.

The meat practically fell off the bone, infused with rich flavors, and the glaze added a glossy, golden finish that looked like it belonged on the cover of a food magazine.

What makes this recipe special? The slow cooker locks in moisture, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture while letting the glaze seep into every bite. Plus, it’s practically foolproof: just set it, forget it, and bask in the compliments.

Whether you’re preparing for Easter brunch, a cozy family dinner, or even meal prep (leftovers are amazing in sandwiches and soups!), this Crockpot Ham recipe is your secret weapon.

Flavor Bomb Alert!

  • A rich brown sugar glaze that caramelizes beautifully during cooking.
  • Hints of pineapple juice for a tangy, fruity contrast.
  • Melt-in-your-mouth texture, thanks to slow cooking.
  • A golden, glossy finish that wows at the dinner table.
  • Delivers a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors with these irresistible elements
This image shows a beautifully cooked Crockpot ham served on a round plate, coated in a rich glaze made with brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and balsamic vinegar, and slow-cooked to perfection.

Crockpot Ham Recipe

This Crockpot Ham recipe creates a tender, juicy, and flavorful main dish perfect for any gathering. Sweetened with brown sugar, honey, and pineapple juice, it pairs beautifully with a thickened glaze made from its own cooking juices. An easy, fuss-free delight!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 10 people
Calories 667 kcal

Equipment

  • 6- to 9-quart slow cooker
  • Cutting board
  • Saucepan
  • Sharp knife
  • Whisk
  • Medium mixing bowl

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups pineapple juice
  • Fully-cooked ham, approximately 7 to 8 pounds

For the paste/glaze:

  • tbsp honey
  • tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 cups brown sugar

For the slurry

  • 2 tbsp water
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch

Instructions
 

  • Add sliced onions to the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker and layer chicken breasts on top.
  • Unwrap the ham and discard any flavoring packet.
  • Check for and remove any plastic caps on the bone, if applicable.
  • Pour pineapple juice into the bottom of a large oval slow cooker (6-9 quarts).
    This image shows pineapple juice being poured into a slow cooker, creating the flavorful base for cooking the Crockpot ham.
  • In a bowl, mix brown sugar, Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, and honey to form a paste.
    This image shows a bowl of ingredients, including brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and balsamic vinegar, being mixed to create a sweet and tangy glaze for the Crockpot ham.
  • Coat the ham evenly with the paste and place it flat-side down into the slow cooker.
    This image shows the prepared ham being placed into a slow cooker, ready to cook in the pineapple juice base for a tender and flavorful result.
  • Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.
    This image shows the ham in the slow cooker being basted with the cooking juices and glaze to ensure the flavors infuse evenly.
  • Optional: Flip the ham and baste it halfway through cooking, and again about an hour before it finishes.
    This image shows the ham being carefully flipped in the slow cooker, allowing it to cook evenly on all sides.
  • Once cooked, transfer the ham to a platter, tent with foil, and let it rest for 15 minutes.
    resting-the-cooked-ham-on-a-cutting-board-before-slicing
  • Skim the fat from the cooking juices and strain them into a saucepan over medium heat.
    skimming-fat-from-the-cooking-juices-in-the-slow-cooker
  • Bring the juices to a simmer.
    simmering-the-strained-cooking-juices-to-thicken-into-a-glaze
  • Mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry, then whisk it into the simmering juices.
    adding-a-cornstarch-slurry-to-the-simmering-glaze-for-thickening
  • Stir until thickened; add more slurry if needed.
  • Serve the ham warm with the thickened glaze on the side or drizzled on top.
    serving-crockpot-ham-with-thickened-glaze-and-garnished-with-parsley

Notes

  • For added flavor, stud the ham with whole cloves before spreading the brown sugar paste.
  • Use freshly squeezed pineapple juice for a brighter, tangier glaze.
NutritionValue
Calories667kcal
Carbohydrates29g
Fibre1g
Fat38g
Protein49g
Cholesterol141g

Tips To Ease Your Job!

  1. Pre-Slice the Ham: If your ham is spiral-cut, it will absorb the glaze better and make serving easier. No spiral-cut? Slice lightly before cooking.
  2. Prep Ahead: Mix the glaze and chop the onion the night before, so you can assemble the dish quickly in the morning.
  3. Use a Liner: Slow cooker liners make cleanup a breeze, especially with sticky glazes.
  4. Temperature Check: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the ham reaches 140°F without overcooking.
  5. Enhance the Sauce: For extra flavor, add a splash of orange juice or a pinch of cinnamon to the glaze.

Tags:

crockpot / ham

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