This Slow Cooker Ham with Brown Sugar Honey Glaze is the ultimate holiday centerpiece – it’s incredibly flavorful, unbelievably tender, and practically effortless to make! The slow cooker does all the work, infusing the ham with a sweet and savory glaze that’s made with brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and warm spices. I love how this recipe frees up oven space and delivers a perfectly cooked ham every time. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for Easter, Christmas, or any special occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Ham
- Effortless Cooking: The slow cooker does all the work, making this recipe incredibly easy.
- Tender and Juicy: Slow cooking results in a perfectly tender and juicy ham.
- Delicious Glaze: The brown sugar honey glaze is sweet, savory, and slightly spiced – it’s the perfect complement to the ham.
- Frees Up Oven Space: Cooking the ham in the slow cooker frees up your oven for other dishes.
- Perfect for Holidays: This recipe is ideal for Easter, Christmas, or any special occasion.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Ham with Brown Sugar Honey Glaze
Here’s what you’ll need to make this holiday-worthy ham. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Ham and Glaze
- Bone-in spiral cut ham (Meat)
- Brown sugar (Sweetener)
- Honey (Sweetener)
- Water (Liquid)
- Dijon mustard (Condiment)
- Ground cinnamon (Spice)
- Ground cloves (Spice)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Variations
I love this Slow Cooker Ham with Brown Sugar Honey Glaze as is, but here are a few variations:
- Pineapple Glaze: Add some pineapple juice and crushed pineapple to the glaze for a tropical twist.
- Maple Glaze: Substitute maple syrup for some or all of the honey.
- Spicy Glaze: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the glaze.
- Add Fruit: Place some orange slices or pineapple rings around the ham in the slow cooker.
How to Make Slow Cooker Ham with Brown Sugar Honey Glaze
Let me show you how incredibly easy it is to make this Slow Cooker Ham with Brown Sugar Honey Glaze:
Prepare Slow Cooker
- First, I spray the slow cooker liner with cooking spray. This prevents the ham from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
Place Ham in Slow Cooker
- I lay the ham, cut-side down, into the slow cooker.
- I place the lid on to ensure that the ham fits inside the slow cooker. If the ham is too big for the lid to seal completely, I take a sharp knife and cut off a small portion on top and move it to the side of the ham.
Make the Glaze
- In a saucepan, I combine the brown sugar, honey, water, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, and cloves.
- I heat the mixture over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes.
Pour Glaze Over Ham
- I pour the glaze over the ham in the slow cooker.
Cook
- I place the lid on the slow cooker and cook the ham on LOW for 4-6 hours.
- I baste the ham with the juices on the bottom of the pot once an hour during cooking time. This helps to keep the ham moist and flavorful.
- The ham is done when the internal temperature reaches at least 140°F (60°C).
Thicken Glaze (Optional)
- If I want to thicken the glaze, I transfer it to a saucepan and simmer it over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it reaches my desired consistency.
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Slow Cooker Ham
Here are my secrets for making this ham truly exceptional:
- Use a Bone-In Spiral Cut Ham: A bone-in ham is more flavorful and juicy than a boneless ham, and the spiral cut makes it easy to carve and serve.
- Baste Regularly: Basting the ham with the glaze throughout the cooking process keeps it moist and adds flavor.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure the ham is cooked to a safe internal temperature, use a meat thermometer.
- Don’t Overcook: Overcooked ham can be dry. Cook it until it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).
How to Serve
This Slow Cooker Ham with Brown Sugar Honey Glaze is perfect for:
- Holiday Meals: A classic centerpiece for Easter, Christmas, or Thanksgiving dinner.
- Special Occasions: Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or any celebration.
- Sunday Supper: A comforting and flavorful meal for a Sunday supper.
- Sandwiches: Great for sandwiches.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can prepare the glaze ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Leftover ham can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven, microwave, or a skillet.
FAQs about Slow Cooker Ham with Brown Sugar Honey Glaze
- Can I use a boneless ham?
- Yes, you can use a boneless ham, but a bone-in ham will be more flavorful and juicy.
- Can I use a different type of mustard?
- Yes, you can use any type of mustard you like, such as honey mustard or whole grain mustard.
- What if I don’t have a slow cooker?
- Cook on low heat and simmer for 2-3 hours.
Enjoy this effortless and delicious Slow Cooker Ham with Brown Sugar Honey Glaze! It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for any special occasion.
Print
Slow Cooker Ham with Brown Sugar Honey Glaze
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Slow Cooker Ham with Brown Sugar Honey Glaze is incredibly easy to make and results in a tender, flavorful ham with a delicious sweet and savory glaze. It’s perfect for holidays, special occasions, or a simple weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 8-pound bone-in, spiral-cut ham
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Prepare Slow Cooker: Spray the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place Ham: Place the ham in the slow cooker, cut-side down.
- Check Fit: Place the lid on the slow cooker to ensure the ham fits properly. If the ham is too large for the lid to seal completely, use a sharp knife to trim a small portion from the top of the ham and place it beside the ham in the slow cooker.
- Make Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, honey, water, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, and cloves.
- Simmer Glaze: Heat the glaze mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves completely (about 5 minutes).
- Pour Glaze Over Ham: Pour the glaze evenly over the ham in the slow cooker.
- Cook Ham: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Baste the ham with the juices from the bottom of the slow cooker about once an hour during the cooking time. The ham is done when the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).
- Thicken Glaze (Optional): If you prefer a thicker glaze, carefully remove the ham from the slow cooker and set it aside. Pour the remaining juices from the slow cooker into a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the glaze thickens to your desired consistency.
- Serve
Notes
- Ham Size: This recipe is designed for an 8-pound ham. If you use a smaller or larger ham, you may need to adjust the cooking time. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the ham is cooked to a safe internal temperature.
- Spiral-Cut Ham: A spiral-cut ham is recommended because it’s easier to serve and the glaze can penetrate the slices.
- Glaze Thickness: The glaze will thicken slightly as it cools. If you want a very thick glaze, simmer it for a longer time.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve this ham with your favorite holiday side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, or roasted vegetables.
- Storage: Leftover ham can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.