With just minutes of prep and a simple and delicious glaze, this Crock Pot Ham recipe comes out tender and flavorful every time.

tender Crock Pot Ham on a plate

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.

How Much Ham To Buy

  • ¼ – ⅓ lb. per person of boneless ham
  • ⅓ – ½ lb. per person of bone-in ham
ingredients for crock pot ham
adding ingredients together to make glaze for Crock Pot Ham
adding glaze to Crock Pot Ham
pouring glaze over ham to make Crock Pot Ham

Holly’s Tips For The Best Crockpot Ham

  • No liquid needed: The ham will release juices as it cooks. You can add up to ½ cup of pineapple juice to the bottom of the slow cooker.
  • Make your own glaze: For the best flavor, discard the glaze packet that comes with your ham and follow the glaze recipe below. If preferred, brown sugar glaze can be brushed over the ham.
  • Score the meat: If you’re not using a spiral-cut ham, score the outside by running a knife diagonally about 1/8 inch deep, allowing the glaze to penetrate the meat.
  • Use a thermometer: A smoked ham should be cooked to an internal temperature of 140°F, as measured by a meat thermometer. Remove it from the slow cooker at about 135°F, as the temperature will continue to rise as it rests.
  • Check it early: Slow cookers can vary, so check the ham early to prevent it from overcooking.
  • Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months. Find my favorite leftover ham recipes here.

Did your family love this Crock Pot Ham? Leave a rating and comment below!

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tender Crock Pot Ham on a plate
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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!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 16 servings
Author Holly Nilsson

Equipment

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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.
5 from 288 votes

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
Cuisine American

© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.

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easy to make Crock Pot Ham with writing
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moist and succulent Crock Pot Ham on a plate with writing

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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Comments

  1. a very easy recipe that sounds good, simple and tasty, thanks holly, your recipes look good just like you, you could be a model5 stars

    Reply

  2. The video I watched showed using orange juice as part of the glaze, but the instructions does not mention it.
    Just curious.

    Reply

    1. Hi Deborah, we do not add orange juice the glaze but you can use a baster to add orange juice on top of the ham if you like.

      Reply

      1. I made this a few years ago for a special event and decided I would make it again for holding my first family Easter.

        This was a huge hit with the entire family! My dad, who is so specific about how ham is made or type ham used, absolutely loved it and said it was one of the best hams he’s ever had.

        The flavor is exceptional and keeps the ham so moist. Everyone, including my 3 year nephew, couldn’t get enough of it. I tried it with apple jelly the past two times, next will be apricot on the list. Thanks for the share!

  6. It is done but I am not allowed to touch it yet. This was easy to follow and I will try this again! Thanks for putting this recipe up, it truly helps as I am old, but new to the kitchen scene!

    Reply

  7. Hi, there

    I’m using a 4 lb smoked ham, not spiral…so should I halve the ingredients and cook for about 2 hours or so?

    Reply

    1. Hi Maureen, it will probably need about 2-3 hours on low. I would check it with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 145°F internal temperature.

      Reply