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With just minutes of prep and a simple and delicious glaze, this Crock Pot Ham recipe comes out tender and flavorful every time.
Holly’s Recipe Highlights
Cooking ham in the Crock Pot is an easy way to prepare a holiday dinner or a Sunday supper.
- Flavor: Since it slow cooks, the ham is tender and juicy every time. The glaze adds a slightly sweet flavor.
- Quick Prep: It takes only about 10 minutes to prep.
- Recommended Tools: A 6 qt slow cooker is perfect for a big, juicy ham! Check the ham early with an instant-read thermometer to prevent overcooking.
- Making ham in a slow cooker saves oven space for other dishes!
Ingredient Tips For Crock Pot Ham
- Ham: I use a spiral ham since it’s easy to cut and serve, but any fully cooked ham will work. Choose an 8 to 10-pound ham to fit in a 6 to 7-quart CrockPot.
- Preserves: Use either apricot preserves, apple jelly, or orange marmalade as the base of the glaze.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds sweetness and flavor.
- Flavor: Dijon mustard and a pinch of ginger add flavor while cider vinegar balances sweetness.
- Variation: Swap the glaze below for brown sugar glaze.
Did your family love this Crock Pot Ham? Leave a rating and comment below!
Crock Pot Ham
Crock Pot Ham is the ultimate holiday recipe—just 5 minutes of prep, and the slow cooker takes care of the rest!
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 2 to 3 sprigs fresh rosemary optional
- 8 to 10 pound spiral ham fully cooked, see notes for other ham
For the Glaze
- ½ cup apricot preserves apple jelly, or orange marmalade
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- For the glaze, in a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the preserves or jelly. Whisk in the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, vinegar, garlic powder, and ground ginger. Bring to a boil and let boil for 1 minute while stirring.
- In the bottom of a 6 to 7-quart slow cooker, sprinkle ¼ cup of brown sugar.
- If the ham has a plastic disk in the center, remove the disk and discard it. Place the ham on a large cutting board or baking sheet and use a knife to score the top* of the ham, ⅛-inch deep, in a criss-cross pattern.
- Separate the layers of ham and brush some of the glaze into the layers. Place the ham into the slow cooker and pour the remaining glaze over the top.
- Add rosemary sprigs if using, and cover the slow cooker (see notes if your ham is large). Cook on low for 4-5 hours or until the ham reaches 135℉.
Video
Notes
Temp Check: Slow cookers can vary; check the ham early using an instant-read thermometer to ensure it doesn’t overcook.
Ham: Be sure to check your package to ensure that the ham is smoked/ fully cooked. The package will tell what temperature the ham needs to reach.
Score the ham: If your ham is not spiral cut, score the ham to allow the glaze to seep into the meat.
Substitution: Apple jelly can be substituted with apricot jam/jelly/preserves, apple butter, or orange marmalade.
Ham Size: If the ham is too large for the lid to close completely, cover the slow cooker with foil and place the lid on top of the foil to seal in the heat.
Leftovers: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 days and in the freezer for 4 months.
Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary. ¼ of the glaze is included in the nutrition calculation.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 567 | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 141mg | Sodium: 2704mg | Potassium: 658mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 6IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Ham, Main Course, Slow Cooker
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I’d like to see about more recipes on how to cook ham roast I know pork chops and all but there’s nothing I can find when it comes to ham roast
Hi John, you could try our pineapple ham recipe or air fryer ham, or check out this post for tips on how to cook a spiral ham. I hope that helps!
My fiancé is a very good cook and meticulous with his seasonings/taste. He absolutely LOVED this ham. He said it’s the best ham he’s ever eaten and wouldn’t stop taking about it for days haha. Will definitely be making again!
That makes me so happy to hear. Thank you, Andrea!
The flavor was good, and I really liked the idea of heating the ham in my crock pot leaving the oven free for other things. However, my 11 lb spiral cut ham was WAY over done and dry at 4 hours on low; my mistake for not checking it earlier. I’ve always been taught not to let any of the heat escape the slow cooker by lifting the lid (or in this case undoing the aluminum foil), and assumed that the larger ham and the low end of the recommended heating time it’d be about right. I just wanted to pass along my experience so others don’t make the same mistake and feel disappointed with the outcome (especially for a Holiday dinner). Use an instant read thermometer or temp monitor to keep track of how your ham is coming along!
What I did this year was take a turkey baster and baste the bottom juices over the ham every hour until it was done! It worked out great
I tried the crockpot ham and it was awful, ham was mushy and had a weird texture. Over half was thrown out because it was mush. Maybe I cooked it too long?
How much did your ham weigh, Jill? Overcooking it definitely could have been the reason it turned out that way!
Can you convert this recipe for an Instapot?
I haven’t tried it so I can’t say for sure, Denise. Some Instant Pots do have a slow cooker function, so you could try that if yours has that function. But I haven’t tried it so I can’t say for sure how it would work but we would love to hear how it turns out!
FYI:
I did an instant pot ham using someone else’s recipe and it turned out awful! All the meat fell of the ham, more like a pot roast than ham, texture was weird, basically a disaster. But maybe you’ll have better luck than me.
As for the slow cooker function on IP, I’ve found that it doesn’t cook as well as an actual slow cooker. The IP heats from the bottom only, whereas a slow cooker will heat from bottom and the sides, reaching a higher temperature, I believe. At least all the meals I’ve cooked in the slow cooker will bubble whereas same meals will not do that in IP, even after adding in additional cook time.
Why would a ham that is fully cooked need to reach any particular temp?
The ham is technically fully cooked but reheating it to 140°F enhances the flavor, helps with the glaze, and ensures any potential bacteria are eliminated.
Thank you! Hubs loved the ham!
Does it have to be a spiral ham? I generally buy one and cut it myself. This recipe sounds so yummy, and I have already purchased my ham.
Hi Gwen, you can use any kind of ham. If it’s not a spiral ham, be sure to score the ham so the glaze can get into the meat. Be sure to check the temperature, based on the type of ham you use cook time may vary slightly.
Hi Holly, I don’t care for glazes on my hams, that way I can use the leftover ham for soups, scalloped potatoes, etc. and they won’t be sweet. Can I still slow cook my ham in the crock pot? Do I need to add liquid to the crock pot? I hope you have an alternative for me, I think cooking in the crock pot would be ideal!
Hi Michelle! You can still cook ham in the crockpot, liquid does not need to be added because the ham will release juices.
Thanks so much for replying so quickly Holly! I really appreciate all of your advice and love all of your recipes! xoxo
Made this ham for Thanksgiving and now I will be making it again at Christmas by request. Came out great! Was served with your roasted potatoes. Thank you for sharing your recipes!!!
If I’m using apple butter, do I still use 1/2 cup?
Yes, you will still need ½ cup.
Which way to you place the ham in the crockpot? On its side? Or flat side up or down?
I place it flat side down.
I was curious about this too. Thanks.
I am going to give your recipe a shot this next weekend for Thanksgiving (We celebrate it second Sunday in October in Canada).
I am going to try it resting on a thinly sliced local apple. I have a smaller half-moon smoked ham.(3.5 pounds) as we also do a turkey, so I will adjust the cooking time accordingly. I find that we sometimes “overcook” these hams in slow cookers… probably will add a tiny bit of apple cider in it as well….wish me luck and I will post the outcome :-)
Good luck, Jimboagogo! Although it sounds like you hardly need it, you’ve got this!
Hi Holly , Carol again . I was just wondering why that when I tap on one of your products that it goes to the Amazon . com site and not Amazon. ca ?
Hi Carol, it may depend on the item you are clicking. But if you click to Amazon.com you can always research the item on Amazon.ca. If you need help looking for something though, we are happy to help find you an Amazon.ca link!
Hi Holly, I love reading your recipes and I will be making your crockpot ham and scalloped potatoes recipes this Easter weekend. I’m so glad that I came upon your blog and recipes. Thank you. Your recipes are easy to follow also!!! Carol
P.S I live in Windsor, Ontario Canada so happy that you are also Canadian
I am so glad you are enjoying the recipes Carol! I can’t wait for you to try the Ham and Scalloped Potatoes!
I traded my crock pots for instant pots. Any way to do this in one of those?
I haven’t tried it so I can’t say for sure Jen. Often Instant Pots do have a slow cooker function, so you could try that. But I haven’t tried it so I can’t say for sure how it would work. If you try it I would love to hear how it turns out!
Used to follow you Holly!
Changed email address,and somehow missed your recipes!
Welcome back! I am so happy to have you follow along.
I’m doing this recipe right now. It’s very fragrant/strong when making the glaze. Will that cook off in crockpot. Also will the juices of this be ok to use for Grady and do you have a gravy recipe? Really hoping this turns out. Just make me nervous with the strong smell of apple cider and Dijon mustard.
The smell of the cider may seem strong before cooking, but the jelly and brown sugar will balance it perfectly once it cooks. The juices can be spooned over the ham if you’d like; I have not used it to make gravy. Let us know how it goes, I’m sure it will be amazing!
I have a 5lb boneless spiral ham; do I need to reduce the cook time and if so, by how much?
Hi Sarah, a 5lb ham should take somewhere between 3-4 hours to fully cook. Using a meat thermometer, make sure the center of the ham reaches 140°F to make sure it is fully cooked.
Am I supposed to add any liquid to the crockpot? My glaze is a thicker glaze and I am not sure if it will burn to the bottom with no liquid.
Hi Kelly, I do not add any liquid to the Crock Pot for this ham recipe.
Hi, my han is way too big for my crockpot even if I did just cover the top with foil. can this be done in a roaster and if so on what temp for what cooking time and do you have to add any liquid! Happy Holidays! ❤
This will depend on the size of your ham. I would check the manual with your roaster for directions and a cook time. Happy Holidays to you and your family too!
What can I use instead of apple jelly?
Also, it says to cover crockpot and then add Rosemary sprigs. Is that right? Thanks so much! We ❤️ your recipes!
Apricot jam/jelly would work well or try our brown sugar glaze. After glazing the ham we add the rosemary and then cover and cook. Enjoy Mrs J!
can cinnamon be substituted for ginger, or does the ginger give it the special taste?
I have only made this recipe as listed, maybe another reader has tried and can offer some advice.