Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Glazed Ham

The warm, comforting aroma of brown sugar, honey, and spices slow-cooking with ham is enough to bring everyone to the table. This Crock Pot Ham recipe is a holiday staple that simplifies your kitchen time without sacrificing flavor. The glaze caramelizes beautifully, soaking into the spiral-cut layers and keeping every bite moist and delicious.

This dish is incredibly versatile it is perfect for special occasions like Christmas or Easter, yet easy enough for Sunday dinners with the family. The sweetness of the pineapple and brown sugar balances perfectly with the saltiness of the ham, making it a crowd-pleasing centerpiece. Serve with mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or a fresh salad for a complete and satisfying meal.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 (7-8 pound) bone-in spiral cut ham
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Fresh thyme or parsley, for garnish (optional)

Directions:

Place the ham flat side down in a large slow cooker.
In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, honey, pineapple juice, Dijon mustard, ground cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
Pour the glaze over the ham, making sure it gets between the slices.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or until the ham is heated through and tender.
Occasionally baste the ham with the glaze from the bottom of the slow cooker.
Once done, transfer the ham to a platter, spoon extra glaze on top, garnish with herbs if desired, and serve.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 5 hours | Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
Kcal: 375 kcal | Servings: 12 servings

Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Glazed Ham: The Ultimate Holiday Centerpiece

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of a honey-glazed ham slow-cooking to perfection. Whether it’s the holidays, a Sunday family dinner, or a special gathering, a slow cooker ham glazed with brown sugar, honey, and pineapple juice is a time-tested classic that delivers both flavor and simplicity. This dish is not only delicious and satisfying, but it’s also incredibly low effort thanks to the power of a crock pot. With just a few minutes of prep time and the right blend of ingredients, this meal becomes an instant favorite for both casual and formal occasions.

Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Glazed Ham is ideal for those looking to create a tender, juicy main course without the fuss of oven roasting. The slow-cooking method ensures the ham stays moist, while the sugary glaze adds a rich caramelized coating with subtle hints of fruit and spice. This dish is a culinary love letter to the traditional Southern-style baked ham but made modern with a crock pot twist.

A Flavorful Harmony of Sweet and Savory

The charm of this dish lies in its perfect balance between sweet, savory, and spiced elements. The brown sugar offers a deep, molasses-like sweetness that caramelizes beautifully over time. Paired with honey, the glaze becomes thick and glossy, clinging to every slice of the spiral-cut ham. Pineapple juice not only adds a tropical brightness but also tenderizes the meat slightly, making each bite melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Dijon mustard introduces a subtle tang and complexity, cutting through the sweetness for a well-rounded flavor profile. Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves bring warmth and holiday nostalgia, making this dish particularly suited for festive dinners. The end result is an irresistibly sticky, fragrant ham that looks as good as it tastes.

Ingredient Insights

This recipe relies on a small list of high-impact ingredients that work harmoniously to create a showstopping dish. Here’s a closer look at the key components:

Spiral Cut Bone-In Ham: This is the star of the show. Spiral-cut hams are convenient because they come pre-sliced, allowing the glaze to seep into every crevice. Bone-in hams tend to be juicier and more flavorful than boneless versions.
Brown Sugar: Adds depth, sweetness, and a beautiful caramelization effect when cooked over low heat for several hours.
Honey: Works with the brown sugar to form a thick, luscious glaze. Its floral undertones enhance the overall flavor.
Pineapple Juice: Adds a fruity note and slight acidity, helping balance the sugar and salt. It also keeps the ham from drying out.
Dijon Mustard: Provides a touch of sharpness that adds contrast and complexity to the glaze.
Spices (Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves): These warm spices are essential to bringing out that signature “holiday ham” flavor.

Each ingredient has a role to play, contributing to the overall complexity while ensuring the process remains simple and stress-free.

Perfect for Holidays and Beyond

Traditionally, glazed ham is reserved for special occasions like Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving. It pairs beautifully with seasonal sides such as mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, or scalloped potatoes. However, don’t let its holiday reputation restrict you. This crock pot ham is equally at home on a weekend dinner table or as the centerpiece of a celebratory brunch.

You can also serve it cold the next day, making it a practical option for meal prep or leftovers. Think thick ham sandwiches on brioche buns, ham and cheese sliders, ham-studded omelets, or even a ham and pineapple pizza using leftovers. It’s as versatile as it is crowd-pleasing.

Minimal Effort, Maximum Impact

The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. After just a few minutes of prep just whisking together your glaze and pouring it over the ham—you can let the slow cooker do the rest. This method ensures the meat remains juicy and tender without the need for basting or constant oven monitoring. Plus, it frees up valuable oven space during the holidays, allowing you to focus on side dishes and desserts.

Another bonus? The cleanup is minimal. Simply line your slow cooker with a disposable liner or spray it with non-stick cooking spray for easier washing up afterward.

Presentation Tips

Serving this ham is a visual delight. For a stunning presentation:

Transfer the ham to a large platter.
Drizzle some of the glaze over the top to enhance its glossy finish.
Garnish with fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley.
Surround the ham with roasted fruits like pineapple rings, orange slices, or even apples for added color and flair.

This kind of plating adds elegance to your spread and makes the dish more Instagram-worthy, perfect for capturing that “wow” moment before the first slice is served.

Storage and Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, this ham stores wonderfully and can be used in many creative ways throughout the week.

Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezing: You can freeze leftover ham for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap and store in a zip-top freezer bag.
Reheating: To keep it moist, reheat slices in a covered dish with a splash of water or leftover glaze at 325°F until warmed through.

Leftovers are great in breakfast hashes, pasta dishes, quiches, or even soups. You’ll find this ham goes a long way and continues to bring joy after the main event.

Customization Ideas

While the base recipe is a classic, you can customize the glaze to match your preferences:

Maple Syrup: Swap out the honey for pure maple syrup for a deeper, woodsy flavor.
Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a splash of hot sauce for a sweet-spicy combo.
Bourbon Glaze: Mix a tablespoon or two of bourbon into the glaze for a more grown-up version.
Citrus Twist: Add orange zest or juice for a brighter, more citrus-forward glaze.

These tweaks let you put your personal touch on a beloved dish while staying true to its comforting core.

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Glazed Ham is more than just a recipe, it’s a tradition in the making. Its ease of preparation, stunning presentation, and rich, layered flavors make it the perfect dish for hosts who want to impress without the stress. Whether you’re cooking for the holidays or simply craving a comforting, hearty main course, this ham delivers in every way. From the first savory-sweet bite to the last leftover sandwich, it’s a dish that brings people together and fills the table with warmth.

Let the slow cooker work its magic while you focus on enjoying time with family and friends because that’s what great food is really about.

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