My recipe for spiral ham in the crock pot is coated in a delightful homemade glaze and cooked until tender and flavorful. I make the glaze with pineapple juice, brown sugar, honey, and Dijon mustard to strike the perfect balance between sweet and savory!
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My Easy Way to Cook Crock Pot Ham
Making spiral ham in the crock pot last year completely transformed my holiday dinner preparation! I was not only able to save oven space, but I could also shift my focus to other recipes and all the small details while the slow cooker worked its magic.
My husband Ben’s side of the family was visiting for last year’s Thanksgiving celebration, and by the end of the night, all the ham was gone! Ben’s aunt loved the ham so much that she asked if I would be willing to share my recipe. She couldn’t believe it when I told her this simple recipe was just a crock pot ham!
Looking for more tasty ham recipes? Give my ham steak, air fryer ham, or frozen ham in the Instant Pot a try next. Or, check out my recipe for how to make spiral ham in the oven!
Slow Cooker Spiral Ham Ingredients
- Spiral ham – I use a 7 to 8-pound bone-in, pre-cooked spiral ham for my dish! It fits perfectly in my 7 quart crock pot.
- Brown sugar – Gives the glaze a rich, caramel-like sweetness.
- Pineapple juice – This is my favorite ingredient. I love how well the sweetness and acidity complement the savory taste of the meat and mustard.
- Honey – To thicken the glaze and enhance the overall sweetness of the recipe.
- Dijon mustard – Adds a sharp, tangy, savory flavor to the crock pot spiral ham.
How to Cook a Spiral Ham in a Crock Pot
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: In a small mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, and Dijon mustard. Whisk it until it’s smooth.
STEP TWO: Place the ham flat side down into the bottom of the crock pot, with the round cuts facing upward. Next, pour the brown sugar glaze over the top of the ham, letting it run down the sides.
STEP THREE: Cover the crock pot and cook on the low setting for 3 to 4 hours, basting the ham in its own juices every hour or so.
STEP FOUR: Once the internal temperature of the ham has reached 145 degrees, remove it from the crock pot and move it to a platter.
STEP FIVE: Pour the remaining juices from the crock pot into a small saucepan. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil and cook until the glaze is reduced by half.
STEP SIX: Serve the ham with the brown sugar glaze and any favorite side dishes of choice. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Crock Pot Spiral Ham
- Only remove the lid when basting. In order for the ham to keep cooking, it’s important to keep it covered as much as possible. Basting once every hour or so is just fine, but keep in mind that removing the lid more frequently than that will slow the cooking time.
- I use a digital meat thermometer to check if the ham has reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
- Don’t overcook the ham! Cooking the spiral ham in the crock pot for too long will cause it to become tough, dry, and like leather around the edges.
- Be careful not to burn the glaze, either. To avoid burning, I make sure to stir the glaze frequently as it caramelizes and reduces.
Crock Pot Ham Variations and Substitutions
- If I don’t have any honey on hand, maple syrup can be substituted. It will give the dish the same sweetness and richness.
- For an earthier and more complex flavor, I sometimes use spicy brown mustard instead of Dijon mustard. My husband loves the subtle spice that this swap adds!
- To add some extra heat, I sprinkle cayenne pepper or ginger into the crockpot for more warmth and flavor.
- Pineapple rings can be arranged on top of the spiral ham in the crock pot for additional sweetness and a beautiful appearance.
- Adding cinnamon or cloves to the glaze is one of my favorite ways to enhance the overall depth and taste of the recipe.
What to Serve with Spiral Sliced Ham in the Crock Pot
My ham recipe is already loaded with plenty of flavor from the sweet glaze, but serving it with this comforting ham gravy gives it a delightful, savory twist.
I also love pairing it with classic Thanksgiving side dishes like maple glazed carrots and cornbread stuffing. And I can’t forget my kids’ two favorite dishes to serve with my slow cooker spiral ham… mashed potatoes and mac and cheese!
Spiral Ham in the Crock Pot FAQs
What do I do if my spiral ham doesn’t fit in the crock pot?
If my ham won’t fit on its side with the cuts facing upward, I set it cut side down. The ham will shrink a bit as it is cooked, so it may be possible to rotate it later. If the ham is simply too large for the crock pot in general, covering the whole thing tightly with foil instead of with the crock pot lid is the best solution!
Why is my crock pot ham getting dry?
Basting will certainly help keep the ham tender and juicy, but if the ham is starting to dry out, it is likely overcooked. Remember, since the ham is pre-cooked, it really just needs to warm through while soaking up the flavors from the glaze.
How should I store leftovers?
Leftover ham can be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, I place it in a freezer-safe bag and store it for up to 4 months.
What can I do with leftover spiral ham?
Some of my favorite ways to use leftover spiral ham include ham and cheese sandwiches, omelets, ham salad, cabbage soup, or a casserole made with other delicious holiday leftovers!
More Easy Crock Pot Recipes
- Crock pot sweet potato casserole
- Crock pot pork tenderloin
- Slow cooker chicken thighs
- Crock pot sirloin tip roast
- Crock pot chicken and stuffing
Easy Spiral Ham in the Crock Pot
Equipment
Ingredients
- 7 – 8 pound bone-in pre-cooked spiral ham
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 6 ounces pineapple juice canned
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Whisk together the brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, and Dijon mustard until it's smooth.
- Place the ham into the bottom of the crock pot.
- Pour the brown sugar glaze over the top of the ham, letting it run down the sides.
- Place the cover on the crock pot and cook on the low setting for 3 to 4 hours, basting the ham in its own juices every hour or so.
- The ham is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees F.
- Place the ham onto a platter and pour the juices into a small saucepan. Allow the liquid to gently boil until the glaze is reduced by half. Serve it with the glaze.
Notes
- Do not buy a ham that is larger than 9 pounds, as it will be too large to fit into a standard-sized 7-quart crock pot.
- Only remove the lid when basting, so the ham keeps cooking.
- Use a digital meat thermometer to check if the ham has reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
- Don’t overcook the ham! It will cause it to become tough, dry, and like leather around the edges.
- Be careful not to burn the glaze by stirring the glaze frequently as it caramelizes and reduces.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- If your ham fits in the crockpot, place it on its side so the spiral cuts are facing up. This allows the glaze and juices to seep between the slices, keeping everything tender and flavorful.
- If it won’t fit on its side, set it cut side down. As the ham shrinks during cooking, you may be able to rotate it later, but if not, don’t worry. Just keep in mind that cooking cut-side down can speed things up, so start checking for doneness around the 3-hour mark.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
