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The first time I made this crockpot ham was for Easter dinner when my tiny kitchen couldn't handle one more thing in the oven. Now it's become our cherished holiday tradition. Something about those glistening pineapple rings and bright cherries takes me back to Sunday dinners at my grandmother's house. The slow cooker makes it so simple but the presentation always brings those nostalgic oohs and aahs.
The Perfect Holiday Helper
I love how this recipe frees up my oven for all those must have side dishes. The brown sugar and pineapple work their magic in the slow cooker creating this incredible glaze that makes the house smell amazing. It's become my secret weapon for stress free holiday hosting even my mother in law asked for the recipe.
Your Shopping List
- Bone-in Spiral Cut Ham: A 7-8 pound ham fits best in most slow cookers. Adjust cooking time for smaller hams or trim larger ones to fit.
- Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness to balance the savory ham.
- Spices: Dry mustard and ground cloves for a classic old-fashioned flavor.
- Pineapple Slices: Provide sweetness and a decorative touch. Drain the juice for another use.
- Maraschino Cherries: Optional but festive, they add a pop of color and holiday flair.
Let's Make Ham
- Prepare the Ham
- Mix brown sugar, mustard, and cloves in a bowl. Place the ham in the crockpot cut-side down. Rub the sugar mixture all over the ham, ensuring it gets into the crevices.
- Decorate with Pineapple and Cherries
- Lay pineapple slices on the ham, securing with toothpicks if needed. Place one or two cherries in the center of each pineapple slice.
- Cook
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 4-6 hours, depending on the size of your ham.
- Prepare the Glaze
- Transfer liquid from the crockpot to a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat to reduce. For a thicker glaze, add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water).
- Carve and Serve
- Carve the ham by slicing along the bone and separating spiral cuts. Serve with glaze and reserved pineapple and cherries as garnishes.
My Time Tested Tips
I've found that a 7 to 8 pound ham is just right for most slow cookers. If yours is a bit too big just trim it to fit. Sometimes I'll put the sliced ham back in the crockpot on warm to keep it perfect throughout dinner. That glaze is pure gold save it for drizzling right before serving it makes such a pretty presentation.
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Making the Most of Leftovers
Our ham usually disappears pretty quickly but any leftovers keep beautifully in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. I often freeze portions for up to 2 months they're perfect for throwing into soups or making the best ham sandwiches. Nothing beats having ready to use ham in the freezer for quick meals.
Planning Your Portions
For holiday gatherings I plan about ¾ pound per person but bump it up to 1 pound if I want leftovers or know I've got some hearty eaters coming. If your ham won't fit in the slow cooker don't worry you can use the same recipe in the oven at 350°F just plan for about 10 minutes per pound.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What size ham works best in a slow cooker?
- A 7-8 pound ham is ideal for a slow cooker. Anything larger than 8 pounds might not fit and would be better cooked in the oven.
- → Does the ham need to be spiral cut?
- No, this recipe works with both spiral cut and regular hams. Spiral cut just makes serving easier since it's pre-sliced.
- → How do I make the glaze thicker?
- You can thicken the glaze by adding a cornstarch slurry made from 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water while reducing the liquid.
- → Can I prep this ham ahead of time?
- You can prepare the sugar mixture and arrange pineapple and cherries ahead, but wait to start cooking until the day you plan to serve it.
- → How do I keep the pineapple slices in place?
- If the pineapple slices won't stay in place, use toothpicks to secure them to the ham while cooking.