Make your holidays feel extra special without the hassle. This is my favorite recipe for cooking ham in a slow cooker, and you won’t believe how easy it is!
This slow cooker spiral ham soaks up every bit of the the brown sugar pineapple glaze as it cooks. It always turns out moist incredibly flavorful, and perfectly caramelized.
Similar my brown sugar glazed ham recipe, my slow cooker glazed spiral ham version is mostly hands-off. It cooks gently in the slow cooker with a brown sugar pineapple glaze, and it’s finished under the broiler for just a few minutes.
Since smoked spiral hams are already fully cooked, we only need to warm it through, and your crockpot is perfect for that! The low setting gently heats the ham while the glaze melts into every slice. As it cooks, it releases plenty of natural juices that keep it tender, so you will never end up with a dry or tough ham!
My slow cooker spiral ham recipe is just as easy as my Slow Cooker Turkey Breast, if not easier. It requires minimal effort. Also try my Cranberry Orange Glazed Ham and Dry Brine Turkey for the holidays!
Jump to:
Why I Love This Recipe
- Minimal effort! The crockpot does all the work, which is exactly what we all need during the busy holiday season.
- Always moist and tender. Our slow cooker spiral ham stays moist as it cooks slow and steady with all its natural juices.
- The brown sugar pineapple glaze! It’s sweet and tangy, and the ham absorbs it as it cooks, giving it a caramelized finish. You can also use my brown sugar glaze for ham recipe as a variation.
Ingredient Notes
These are the simple ingredients I use to make this easy slow cooker spiral ham recipe! I included a few helpful notes and substitutions that I hope are helpful.
- Bone-in spiral ham: These usually come fully cooked already, so double check that it says so in the packaging. An 8-10 pound bone-in spiral ham will fit in a large 8 quart slow cooker. If frozen, thaw in the fridge for a few days first.
- Canned pineapple juice: Adds sweet and tangy, fruity notes to the ham glaze.
- Light brown sugar: Helps to caramelize our slow cooker glazed ham while adding that deep, sweet flavor.
- Apple cider vinegar and dijon mustard: Just a little tang to balance out the sweetness!
- Spices: Garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika. Feel free to add any extra spices you like!
Per usual, the full ingredient list with quantities can be found in the recipe card down below.
How to Cook Spiral Ham in the Slow Cooker
Making this slow cooker glazed spiral ham with brown sugar and pineapple is one of the simplest things ever. Let’s make it!
Step 1: Make the glaze. In a saucepan, combine the pineapple brown sugar glaze ingredients. Simmer for 8-10 minutes stirring until slightly thickened. It will continue to thicken.
Step 2: Prep the ham. In a large oval shaped 8-quart crockpot, arrange the ham. The lid needs to be able to close and if needed, trim the top of the top of the ham so it fits properly.
Step 3: Brush ham. Brush the ham with half of the glaze, including between the slices. Reserve the remaining glaze for the end. There’s no need to add water, the ham will release plenty of juices as it slowly cooks.
Step 4: Baste periodically. Cover and slow cook on LOW for 3.5 hours or until the center reaches 140 degrees F, basting with all the juices every hour (I use a turkey baster).
Step 5: Brush again. When ready, carefully remove the ham from the slow cooker and transfer to a large sheet pan. Brush the exterior and edges with the remaining glaze, you may need to warm it up to loosen it up.
Step 6: Broil until caramelized. Transfer to the oven and broil on high for 5-6 minutes until the edges are caramelized and slightly charred. Let the glazed ham cool slightly, carve and serve!
Tips for Success
- Slow cooker size: An oval-shaped 8 quart slow cooker is ideal. Make sure the lid can close fully. If not, trim off the top part of the ham or the bottom slices until the lid fits.
- Always cook use the LOW setting. If cooked on high, it will may turn out tough.
- Do not add water into the slow cooker! The ham will release plenty of juices on its own. Use a turkey baster to baste them ham every hour or so.
- The brown sugar pineapple glaze will thicken as it cools, so if you make it ahead, reheat it over the stovetop to make it easier to brush.
- Use a thermometer to check when the ham is ready. The center should reach at least 140 degrees F. Details below.
How Long to Cook Ham in the Crockpot
A spiral ham needs about 3.5 hours in the crockpot in the LOW setting. Do not cook on your crockpot’s high setting because we need low an steady heat to ensure it doesn’t overcook.
The ham should be cooked (or technically “warmed through”) until the center reaches 140 degrees F to ensure all the flavors and texture shine through. If you use a smaller ham, you can adjust the time accordingly by using an instant read thermometer.
Recipe FAQs
You can try my brown sugar ham glaze recipe as a variation!
I’d recommend a smoked spiral sliced bone-in ham, “fully cooked.” They are usually about 8 to 10 pounds. I like the flavor of the applewood smoked spiral ham from Costco!
Make sure you use a large 8 quart slow cooker, preferably oval-shaped. If the lid doesn’t close, trim off part of the top bone until it closes.
Place it flat side down into your slow cooker so make sure the glaze and juices flow down.
I highly recommend doing this so the ham can get that nice, caramelized exterior after the glaze is applied, but optional to do.
Prep Ahead and Freezing Instructions
Prep ahead: Make the brown sugar pineapple glaze up to 3 days in advance. Store in the fridge in an airtight container and reheat in a saucepan before using.
Freezing: If freezing leftovers for later, I’d recommend portioning out the ham into smaller bags for easy thawing and reheating. Freeze for up to 3 months, and use it to make soup!
Need more showstopper holiday mains? Try my Slow Cooker Pot Roast, Apple Cider Pork Roast or Stuffed Pork Tenderloin.
I’d love to hear from you! If you loved my recipe, please consider leaving a 5-star rating and a comment down below. Sign up for my newsletter and follow along on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest
Slow Cooker Spiral Ham
Ingredients
- 8 to 10 pound spiral bone-in ham (fully cooked) - thawed if previously frozen
- 1 ½ cups canned pineapple juice
- ¾ cup brown sugar - packed
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Make the brown sugar pineapple glaze: In a saucepan, combine all the glaze ingredients. Simmer over medium-low heat for 8-10 minutes until slightly thickened, stirring.
- Prep ham: In a large 8-quart slow cooker, arrange the ham flat side down. Make sure the lid is able to close fully. If not, trim off part of the top bone, or the the bottom part of the ham until the lid fits properly.
- Brush half of the prepared glaze on the ham, including in between the slices. Reserve the rest of the glaze for later.
- Slow cook: Cover and slow cook on LOW for 3.5 hours, or until center registers 140 degrees F, basting every 1 hour or so using a baster. Do not cook on high setting, you need slow and steady heat. Note: The ham will release plenty of juices as it cooks, so there is no need to add water.
- Broil and caramelize: When ready, carefully remove the ham and transfer to a large sheet pan lined with foil. Brush with some of the reserved glaze (warm it up again to loosen it up). Broil in the oven for about 5 to 6 minutes until the exterior is caramelized and the edges are slightly charred.
- Serve: Let the glazed spiral ham cool slightly before carving. Serve with some of the juices from the slow cooker and any remaining glaze, if desired.Enjoy!
Notes
- Slow cooker size: Oval-shaped 8 quart crockpot.
- Ham size: An 8-10 pound spiral ham (fully cooked). I use Costco’s applewood smoked spiral ham – it’s delicious!
- There is no need to add water into the slow cooker, the ham will release plenty of juices.
- Although this ham is already fully cooked, they should still reach at least 140 degrees F in the center for best flavor and texture.
- Cook on LOW. Don’t cook on the HIGH setting.
- Prep ahead: Make the glaze up to 3 days in advance. Store in the fridge in an airtight container and reheat before using to loosen it up.
- Storage: Place leftover slow cooker ham in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze in smaller portions for up to 3 months.
- Canned pineapple juice: Apple juice or apple cider.
- Spices: Add any spices you’d like. Cinnamon is a good one for that festive warmth.
Matthew says
Love how easy this was! I added maple syrup to the glaze, made it more shiny. Also added cayenne pepper for some heat. It was great, everybody loved it.