Sweet, tangy, and unbelievably moist! If you need a reliable slow cooker spiral ham recipe, this is it! This is my favorite recipe for cooking ham in a slow cooker, and it only takes 15 minutes of prep time. So easy.
The crockpot gently heats the bone-in ham while melting the brown sugar pineapple glaze right into every single slice. Finish under the broiler for that beautiful caramelization!
Quick Look: Slow Cooker Ham
- Prep Time: 15 minutes, Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Method: Slow cooker
- Main Ingredients: Spiral bone-in ham (fully cooked ham)
- Flavor Profile: Sweet, tangy, moist, tender
- Ideal for: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas
Jump to:
- Quick Look: Slow Cooker Ham
- My Go-To Lazy Holiday Ham
- The Brown Sugar Pineapple Glaze
- Ingredient Notes
- Cooking a Spiral Sliced Ham in the Slow Cooker
- Tips for Success
- How Long to Cook Ham in the Crockpot
- Recipe FAQs
- Prep Ahead and Freezing
- What To Serve With Ham
- More Beautiful Holiday Mains
- Slow Cooker Spiral Ham
The Brown Sugar Pineapple Glaze
Aside from the easy cooking method, what makes this slow cooker ham recipe so good is the brown sugar pineapple glaze! It’s very simple and comes together in under 10 minutes. The brown sugar creates that glossy caramelization, while the pineapple juice adds a sweet and tangy balance. Be sure to save some for serving!
By the way, you can also use my simple brown sugar glaze for ham as a variation!
Ingredient Notes
- 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!
Substitutions and Variations
- Ham: This method works for any fully cooked ham, not just spiral-cut! Just note that boneless cuts heat faster, so start checking the internal temp (aiming for 140°F) around 2.5 hours on LOW.
- Swap the pineapple juice: Apple cider (or juice) or orange juice make perfect 1:1 substitutes! I love that they all create the same fruity acidity plus a sticky glaze.
- Brown sugar: Use an equal amount of maple syrup or honey for warmer tones.
- Add warm holiday spices: When I’m feeling festive, I like to add a pinch of ground cinnamon, cloves, or nutmeg into your glaze mixture.
- Add a spicy kick with a dash of cayenne pepper!
Full ingredient list with quantities can be found in the recipe card down below.
Cooking a Spiral Sliced Ham in the Slow Cooker
Making this slow cooker ham with the easy 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
- The ham needs to be fully thawed first. Don’t start with a frozen ham.
- 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 use the LOW setting. If cooked on high, it will dry out.
- 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 glaze will thicken as it cools, so if you make it ahead, reheat it over the stovetop to make it easier to brush.
How Long to Cook Ham in the Crockpot
I get this question a lot! A spiral ham needs about 3.5 hours on LOW, but if you want to be sure, use a an instant read thermometer. It should be cooked (or technically “warmed through”) until the center reaches 140ºF to ensure all the flavors and texture shine through. If you use a smaller ham or a boneless cut, I’d recommend reducing the time to 2.5 hours or so.
Recipe FAQs
You can try my brown sugar ham glaze recipe as a variation!
I’d recommend an 8-10 pound smoked spiral sliced bone-in ham, again make sure it’s “fully cooked.”
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
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!
What To Serve With Ham
Easter and Spring Menu:
- Roasted Rainbow Carrots or Orange Honey Glazed Carrots. Carrots are almost mandatory for your spring menu!
- …and so is asparagus! Try my Parmesan Roasted Asparagus.
- Muffin Tin Potato Stacks
- Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles
- Mini Spinach Quiches or Asparagus Quiche (for Ester brunch!)
Thanksgiving and Christmas:
- French Onion Mac and Cheese. This fun twist on mac and cheese is a personal favorite!
- Fresh Green Bean Casserole
- Corn Casserole from Scratch
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes
More Beautiful Holiday Mains
Love cooking with the slow cooker? Try my Slow Cooker Pot Roast or my absolute favorite Slow Cooker Beef Stew.
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.