Easy Slow Cooker Ham | Life Made Sweete

This Slow Cooker Ham recipe features a succulent spiral-cut ham glazed in a delicious blend of butter, mustard, coconut sugar, and garlic. Elevate your meals effortlessly with this flavorful and easy crockpot recipe for a stress-free, savory delight.

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Updated March 2024

Slow Cooker Ham Recipe: An Easy and Flavorful Meal

Craving a deliciously tender ham without the fuss? This Slow Cooker Ham recipe features a succulent spiral-cut ham and a mouthwatering glaze, all slow-cooked to perfection in your crockpot and is sure to become a family favorite.

With minimal prep and maximum flavor, this easy slow cooker ham is the ultimate hassle-free meal for Easter, Christmas or any occasion. Treat your family to this irresistible dish and savor every juicy bite!

Making ham in slow cooker is a great way to free up your oven and takes a lot of the stress out the holidays. All it takes is just a few minutes of prep and you end up with a juicy and tender crock pot ham that your friends and family will love! No more dry ham that cooks in the oven for hours.

Why Make Ham in the Slow Cooker?

• Convenience and Ease: This recipe simplifies the cooking process, letting the slow cooker work its magic for a hassle-free meal.
• Flavorful and Tender: The combination of a succulent spiral-cut ham and a rich, caramelized glaze results in a dish bursting with flavor and tenderness.
• Versatility for Occasions: Cooking ham in the slow cooker is perfect for holiday feasts, brunch buffets, or as a go-to option for satisfying meals.
• Time Efficiency: With minimal hands-on time, you can achieve a delicious ham without extensive preparation.
• Safes extra space in the oven: Keeps your oven free to make the side dishes or prevents your house from heating up in the warmer months.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• Spiral Sliced Ham: A flavorful, pre-cooked ham forms the base of this dish, ensuring juicy and tender results. For this recipe, we’re using a 8-9 pound sprial ham.
• Vegan Butter: Adds richness and helps create a caramelized glaze that coats the ham to perfection. You can also use regular unsalted butter or ghee if you’re not dairy-free
• Dijon Mustard: Provides a tangy kick and balances the sweetness of the glaze.
• Coconut Sugar: Offers a natural sweetness, complementing the savory flavors of the ham. You can also opt for monk fruit sweetener for a lower sugar, low carb or keto option. Regular brown sugar or any granulated brown sugar substitute will work as well. Omit for Whole30 or use some orange juice or a little bit of homemade date paste if you prefer a little bit of sweetness.
• Garlic: Infuses aromatic depth and enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish.

Instructions: How to make Slow Cooker Ham

1. Prepare the Glaze: Combine butter, coconut sugar, mustard, and garlic in a pot, heating until smooth and bubbly.
2. Glaze the Ham: Brush the glaze over the ham, ensuring it coats both the exterior and interior of the spiral slices.
3. Slow Cook: Cook the ham in the slow cooker for 3-4 hours on low heat until it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F.
4. Optional Caramelization: For an irresistible caramelized coating, transfer the ham to a baking sheet, brush with extra glaze, and broil for 2-3 minutes until bubbly.
5. Serve and Enjoy: Slice the ham and serve with any leftover glaze for an extra burst of flavor.

Tips for Success:

• Choose Quality Ham: Opt for a high-quality spiral-cut ham for the best results.
• Baste Regularly: Basting the ham with the glaze ensures it stays moist and flavorful throughout the cooking process.
• Caramelization: Keep a close eye on the ham when broiling to prevent burning.
• Slow Cooker Size: We recommend a larger sized slow cooker that is at least 6-quarts for a 8-9 pound size ham.

Variations and Substitutions:

• Glaze Variations: Experiment with different glaze ingredients such as honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar for unique flavor profiles.
• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the glaze for a hint of heat.
• Dietary Preferences: Adjust the recipe to suit dietary needs by using ghee, vegan butter, or alternative sweeteners.
• Cooking Method: Don’t have a slow cooker? Make our Honey Baked Ham or Instant Pot Ham recipe instead.

Serving Suggestions:

Storage and Freezer Instructions:

• Refrigerator Storage: Store leftover ham in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezer Longevity: Freeze ham for 2-3 months, thawing in the refrigerator before reheating.

Make-Ahead Tips:

• Pre-Glaze Preparation: Prepare the glaze ahead of time for quicker assembly on the cooking day.
• Overnight Slow Cook: Set the slow cooker the night before for a stress-free morning meal preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. Can I use a different cut of ham?
   • While spiral-cut ham is recommended, other cuts can be used with adjustments to cooking times.
2. Can I double the glaze for extra flavor?
   • Absolutely! Double the glaze if you desire an extra flavorful coating.
3. How do I prevent the ham from drying out?
   • Regular basting and monitoring the internal temperature ensure a moist and succulent ham.
4. Can I make this recipe in advance?
   • Yes, the glaze can be prepared in advance, and ham can be frozen for future use.
5. How long to cook ham in the slow cooker?
   • For a 8-9 pound spiral sliced ham, it takes 3-4 hours on low heat, until it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F.

More easy Easter recipes you will love:

Deviled Eggs 12 Ways

Keto Carrot Cake

Slow Cooker Ham

This Slow Cooker Ham recipe features a succulent spiral-cut ham glazed in a delicious blend of butter, mustard, coconut sugar, and garlic. Elevate your meals effortlessly with this flavorful and easy crockpot recipe for a stress-free, savory delight.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked ham, christmas ham, easter dinner, easter ham, holiday ham, keto ham, low carb ham, paleo ham, slow cooker ham

Servings: 18 servings

Calories: 483 kcal

Author: Kelly

Ingredients

• 8-9 pound spiral sliced ham , precooked / smoked / fully cooked
• 1/2 cup dairy-free butter , you can also sub with regular unsalted butter or ghee if you’re not dairy-free
• 1/3 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar , you can also use monk fruit sweetener (for lower sugar / low carb), regular brown sugar or any granulated brown sugar substitute of your choice. Omit for Whole30 or use some orange juice or a little bit of homemade date paste if you prefer a little bit of sweetness.
• 3 cloves garlic , minced

Instructions

1. Prepare the glaze: Heat the butter and sugar in a pot over medium heat and bring to a low boil. Whisk in the mustard and garlic until smooth. Remove from heat.

2. Place the ham inside the slow cooker and brush the glaze outside and inside the spirals of the ham.

3. Cook for 3-4 hours on low heat, or until a thermometer registers 140 degrees F when inserted into the thickest part of the ham.

4. Open the lid and transfer the ham to a cutting board. Serve with any leftover glaze.

For the optional caramelized coating:

1. Set the oven to broil.

2. Remove the ham from the slow cooker and place on a foil-lined baking sheet and brush with leftover glaze.

3. Place the ham under the broiler for 2-3 minutes or until the glaze is bubbly and caramelized. Slice ham and serve.

Recipe Notes

Storage and Freezer Instructions:

• Refrigerator Storage: Store leftover ham in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.

• Freezer Longevity: Freeze ham for 2-3 months, thawing in the refrigerator before reheating.

Make-Ahead Tips:

• Pre-Glaze Preparation: Prepare the glaze ahead of time for quicker assembly on the cooking day.

• Overnight Slow Cook: Set the slow cooker the night before for a stress-free morning meal preparation.

Nutrition Facts

Slow Cooker Ham

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 483 Calories from Fat 243

% Daily Value*

Fat 27g42%

Carbohydrates 2g1%

Fiber 0.2g1%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 41g82%

* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.