Slow-Cooker Ham

A slow-cooker ham is a great way for a host short on oven space to serve up a show-stopping main dish at the holidays—and it’s a low-maintenance preparation that allows you to step away for hours while the Crockpot does its thing.

This recipe for slow-cooker ham has a sweet and tangy glaze (thanks to jam and brown sugar), which gives the ham a lovely, glossy appearance. And the investment in the preparation goes a long way: Feed a crowd, or expect plenty of leftovers ready for tons of creative uses all week long.

Learn how to make a slow-cooker ham, and give your oven a break this holiday season.

Slow-Cooker Ham Ingredients

To make this ham, you’ll need:

• A smoked and fully cooked bone-in spiral-cut ham: Save yourself some work and get a pre-sliced ham, too. This way, the glaze can really penetrate the meat.
• Light brown sugar: Helps make the wonderful glaze and adds a molasses-rich sweetness.
• Apricot jam or preserves: This provides the best balance of tart fruity flavor against the sweeter sugar.
• Whole-grain mustard: Zippy and bright, mustard is a good addition to the well-rounded glaze.
• Apple cider vinegar: Adds some tartness without being too harsh the way a white vinegar would be.
• Fresh herbs: Use your favorites, such as parsley, thyme, or sage.
• Cooking spray: For coating the inside of the slow-cooker crock.
• Water: Added to the crock so the glaze doesn't burn as it drips.

How To Make a Slow-Cooker Ham

This recipe is largely hands off because the slow cooker does the work. You just need to get the glaze ingredients ready and set everything to cook. Here's a brief outline of how to make a slow-cooker ham:

• Step 1. Add ham to slow cooker: Coat the inside of a Crockpot crock with cooking spray, and add water. Place the ham in the crock, and make sure the lid can fit. Trim the ham as needed if necessary to fully close the slow cooker.
• Step 2. Make the glaze: In a saucepan, combine the glaze ingredients (sugar, jam, mustard, and vinegar) and bring to a boil. Cook until slightly thickened. Divide the glaze in half, and refrigerate one half.
• Step 3. Cook ham: Brush the remaining glaze on the ham in the Crockpot. Cover and cook until a thermometer reaches 145°F at the thickest part. Remove from slow cooker, and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm.
• Step 4. Finish glazing the ham: Combine the remaining glaze mixture and some water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer, and stir. Brush the glaze over the cooked ham. Garnish the ham with herbs, and serve with any leftover glaze.

Can You Heat a Fully-Cooked Ham in the Slow Cooker?

A slow cooker is an ideal place for heating a fully-cooked ham. Heating it this way will help the glaze absorb into the meat and will encourage the ham to release juices that blend together with the glaze. These liquids combine to make a savory sauce that can be spooned on top of the ham for maximum juiciness and tenderness.

How Long Do I Cook a Fully-Cooked Ham in the Slow Cooker?

After brushing the ham with the glaze, cover and cook it for four to five hours on high, or five to six hours on low. When ready, a thermometer inserted in thickest portion of ham should register 145°F. 

Will Ham Dry Out in the Crockpot?

Because a Crockpot, or a slow cooker, is by nature a moist environment, it should not dry out ham while cooking—or even when reheating a fully cooked ham. But this recipe combines water with other liquid ingredients to form a glaze that keeps the cooking conditions moist and the meat tender.

Is It Better to Cook Ham Low and Slow?

To keep ham as moist as possible while warming in a slow cooker, it’s better to cook it on a low setting for a loger period of time. (Do remember to stir the glaze so it doesn’t burn; there’s lots of sugar in it and can scorch if you forget it.)

How To Store Slow-Cooker Ham

Cooked ham may be stored safely in the refrigerator for three to five days, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (or in the freezer for one to two months). Use the leftover hambone in a slow-cooker ham and bean soup.

What To Make With Leftover Ham

Depending on the size of your group, this slow-cooker ham recipe should yield plenty of leftovers. Or try these other great recipes for using leftover ham:

• Crustless Ham and Collared Greens Quiche
• Ham and Noodle Casserole
• Mac and Cheese With Ham
• Gnocci Gratin With Ham and Peas
• Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham 
• Cheesy Ham, Corn, and Grits Bake
• Croissant Breakfast Casserole
• Creamy Potato and Ham Hock Slow Cooker Soup

Editorial contributions by Alesandra Dubin.