This easy slow cooker ham recipe frees up the oven for all those delicious holiday side dishes.

The Hands-Off Holiday Ham You Need to Try

Flavor: Sweet pineapple juice, brown sugar, and maple syrup turn into a glossy, spoonable glaze that soaks into the ham as it warms.
Technique: The method is so easy, even for a beginner cook. Simply score the ham, place it in the slow cooker, brush with glaze, and cook! The sweet glaze will slowly drip into the cuts as it cooks.
Budget: Crockpot ham is great for feeding a crowd, plus leftovers stretch into soups, pasta bakes, or sliders.
Freezing: I love to freeze sliced ham in portions for easy weeknight meals, or a quick sandwich option.

ham , brown sugar , cloves , pineapple juice , maple syrup with labels to make Slow Cooker Ham

Ingredient Tips and Swaps

Ham (7–8 lb, up to 10 lb): Use a fully cooked or precooked ham and heat to a serving temp of 140˚F. A spiral-cut or boneless typically will warm faster than a bone-in ham.
Whole cloves: Adds that classic holiday flavor. Use sparingly at the corners of the diamonds, and add more only if you love cloves because the flavor can be quite strong.
Juice: Pineapple juice gives that classic ham flavor, while orange is a softer, citrusy swap that still goes well with brown sugar.
Brown sugar: Provides a caramel note and helps the glaze cling to the ham. Dark brown sugar will give a deeper molasses vibe.
Maple syrup: Adds that real maple flavor and helps round out the sweetness. In a pinch, use less or omit, but you’ll miss the maple aroma.

How to Make a Slow Cooker Ham

Prep the ham and add the cloves, if using.
Place the ham cut-side down in the slow cooker and top with the brown sugar ham glaze.
Cook on LOW until warmed through, basting at the 2-hour mark. (Full recipe below.)
Rest 15 minutes, slice, and serve.

No-Stress Ham Secrets

It’s a good idea to use an instant-read thermometer. Aim for 140°F when reheating a fully cooked ham.
If your ham is so large that the lid won’t close, seal it with two layers of foil. Avoid peeking so it stays hot and cooks evenly.
Score ham just deep enough to open the surface (about ¼ to ⅓ inch). If the score mark is too deep, the slices could crumble, especially with a spiral ham.
Spiral ham warms quickly and can dry at the edges if overcooked, so begin checking earlier than you think.
Baste once at the 2-hour mark for the best color and glaze coverage, without losing too much heat.
Want a more flavorful, thick, and glossy glaze without adding cornstarch? Pour juices into a saucepan and simmer for a few minutes to reduce the sauce.
Slice only what you’ll serve right away to ensure each slice is juicy and delicious!

Fridge, Freezer, Reheat

Refrigerate leftover maple glazed ham in a shallow, airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze whole, portioned, or sliced ham for up to 3 months. Wrap it very well and press out any extra air.
To reheat in the microwave, add a little water or glaze, cover, and heat low and slow. In the oven, wrap tightly with foil to keep it from drying out. On the stove, warm slices in a skillet first with a tiny bit of water, then with a spoon of glaze for quick caramelized edges.

Leftover Ham Game Plan

Split Pea and Ham Soup

Soups and Stews

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Slow Cooker Ham

This crowd-friendly slow cooker ham stays tender while the glaze thickens into a delicious sauce you can spoon over every slice.

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Prep Time 3 35

Total Time 3 35

Servings 12

Author Candace

Equipment

Slow cooker

Mixing bowl

Pastry brush

Ingredients

▢ 7 to 8 pound ham pre-cooked up to 10 pounds*
▢ 20 cloves optional garnish**

Glaze

▢ ¾ cup pineapple juice 1 small can, or orange juice
▢ ½ cup brown sugar
▢ ½ cup maple syrup

To Thicken Glaze (Optional):

▢ 3 to 4 Tablespoons cornstarch
▢ 3 to 4 Tablespoons water

Instructions

Spray inside of slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
If applicable, remove the plastic piece covering the bone. *Score ham about ¼-⅓ inch deep, about 1 inch apart in a diamond pattern. If using, **add cloves to the corners of the diamonds.
To the slow cooker, add ham cut side down.
In a measuring cup or medium bowl, combine juice, sugar, and syrup to make the glaze. Using a silicone brush or pastry brush, brush the ham with the glaze to cover. Pour remaining glaze over the ham.
Cover and cook on low for 3.5-5 hours, or until ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F on an instant read thermometer. At the 2 hour mark, check the ham temperature and baste the ham.
Remove cooked ham from slow cooker and allow to rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

For the Glaze:

To thicken the optional glaze, turn slow cooker to high and cover. Cook for 5-10 minutes, or until slightly thickened, stirring every couple of minutes.
In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry. While stirring, add slurry into the juices in the slow cooker and cover.
Cook for 5-10 minutes, or until slightly thickened, stirring every couple of minutes.
Serve in a small dish alongside the ham, or drizzle over the sliced ham.

Notes

Make sure to use a precooked ham for this recipe.
*A 10-pound ham may not allow you to use the lid on the slow cooker. If so, cover tightly with a double piece of aluminum foil in place of the lid.
**More cloves can be used if you like a strong clove flavor
***How to Score a Ham
Spiral and boneless hams will cook more quickly. Boneless hams may yield more servings.

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Nutrition Information

Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

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