Experience a succulent, tender, and flavor-infused Crock Pot Honey Glazed Ham that’s incredibly easy to prepare! This slow cooker ham recipe is perfect for holidays like Easter, Christmas, or any family gathering, allowing you to enjoy more time with loved ones and less time in the kitchen.
Hosting Made Simple with Slow Cooker Ham
Entertaining can often feel overwhelming, but this honey-glazed ham recipe has transformed my approach to hosting. In the past, I would spend countless hours tending to an oven-baked ham, basting it repeatedly during festive occasions. Everything changed when my husband suggested using a crock pot to cook the ham. The result was astonishing—a delicious, moist ham that tastes like it took hours of effort, but with minimal hands-on time!
Tips for Making the Best Crock Pot Honey Glazed Ham
- Choose a Spiral-Sliced Ham: Opt for a pre-cooked, spiral-sliced ham. The pre-cut slices allow the flavorful glaze to penetrate every piece, ensuring a moist and delicious ham throughout.
- Check Your Slow Cooker Size: Before purchasing your ham, make sure it fits in your crock pot. Our slow cooker fits up to a 5-pound (2.25-kilogram) ham. If you need to cook more, consider using multiple slow cookers or adjusting the recipe accordingly.
Preparing a Honey Glazed Spiral Ham in the Slow Cooker
You might wonder if “honey-baked” is the right term since we’re using a slow cooker instead of baking. However, since we’re starting with a pre-cooked, honey-baked ham, the name fits perfectly!
In this recipe, all the glaze ingredients are combined and poured over the ham before cooking. This method ensures that every slice absorbs the sweet and savory flavors.
Glaze Ingredients:
- Brown sugar
- Honey
- Mustard
- Ground cloves
- Water
I’ve tried recipes where the ham is coated with brown sugar and the other ingredients are added separately, but mixing everything together works best. It prevents the sugar from burning and sticking to the crock pot, making cleanup easier. Plus, pouring the combined glaze over and between the slices allows the flavors to infuse thoroughly.
Don’t worry if it seems like there’s not enough glaze—it’s the perfect amount to flavor the entire ham!
How Frequently Should You Baste a Slow Cooker Ham?
The first time I made this ham, I basted it every 30 minutes. The next time, I didn’t baste at all, and it was still incredibly tasty! Now, I usually baste it once or twice during cooking to check on its progress. If you’d like, you can carefully flip the ham halfway through the cooking time and again an hour before it’s done. While this might affect the ham’s appearance slightly, the enhanced flavor is well worth it.
For added presentation, reserve the juices from the slow cooker and drizzle them over the ham when serving. This step is optional but adds extra flavor and visual appeal.
Is It Possible to Freeze Cooked Ham?
If you have leftovers, you can store the ham in the refrigerator for up to a week. Some people choose to freeze ham for longer storage—if you do, it’s best to freeze larger portions to maintain moisture. Personally, I prefer using leftover ham in creative ways throughout the week, as freezing can sometimes alter its texture and juiciness.
Ingredients
- 1 fully-cooked spiral-sliced ham, about 5 pounds (2.25 kilograms)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (100 grams)
- 1/2 cup honey (170 grams)
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (or yellow mustard)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 cup water (60 milliliters)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ham: Place the ham in the slow cooker with the flat side down and the spiral-cut side facing up.
- Make the Glaze: In a small saucepan over high heat, combine brown sugar, honey, mustard, ground cloves, and water. Stir until the sugar has dissolved completely.
- Add Glaze to Ham: Pour the honey glaze over the ham, ensuring it seeps between the slices for maximum flavor infusion.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the internal temperature of the ham reaches 140°F (60°C).
- Serve: Carefully remove the ham from the slow cooker and let it rest for a few minutes. Slice and serve warm, drizzling additional glaze from the bottom of the crock pot over the ham if desired.
Enjoy Your Flavorful Crock Pot Honey Glazed Ham!
This easy slow cooker ham recipe is a game-changer for holiday meals or any time you’re craving a delicious, hassle-free main course. The combination of sweet honey glaze and tender ham will have everyone coming back for seconds!
