Slow Cooker Ham

Slow cooker ham is an easy recipe that’s perfect for the holidays or weekly Sunday dinner. Free up your oven and cook this flavorful ham in the slow cooker. 

Ham is a holiday stable in kitchens around the country. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter…a good ham is an easy way to complete your holiday menu. This holiday season, free up your oven, sit back & let the appliance do the work. 

Ingredients For Slow Cooker Ham

There are only 3 ingredients in the easy recipe!

• Ham: 6 to 8 pound sliced or spiral-cut, cured ham
• Brown Sugar: 1 cup brown sugar
• Pineapple Juice: 1 cup of pineapple juice

How To Make This Ham 

Cooking a ham is easy, especially when you use an appliance like the slow cooker. 

1. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and pineapple juice. Pour half of the mixture into the slow cooker. 
2. Add the ham, spiral-cut side up.
3. Pour the remaining brown sugar/pineapple juice mixture on top of the ham. Separate the slices as you our the mixture on top. 
4. Cook low 2-4 hours.  

What Is Ham?

Ham is a cut of pork from the leg of a pig. People eat ham worldwide. It comes in many different forms: cured ham, smoked ham, fresh ham, etc. Ham in the grocery store is usually cured.

What Type Of Ham To Use

This slow cooker recipe uses a cured (cooked) ham, specifically sliced or spiral-cut. Cured ham is readily available year-round and should be easy to find at your local grocery. Since this ham is already pre-cooked, all you are doing is re-heating it with brown sugar and pineapple juice. A bone-in, spiral-cut ham is probably the most common ham served for the holidays. It’s pre-cooked pre-cut into 3/8-inch slices. Bone-in or boneless ham both work well with this recipe. 

Picking A Ham

The main thing to keep in mind when picking a ham for this recipe is to choose a ham that will actually fit your slow cooker with the lid on. I used a boneless, sliced ham that was a little over 5 pounds. If you find that your ham doesn’t quite fit in your slow cooker, try cutting it up as best as possible. I understand this might not be easy if you’re using bone-in ham. Whether you use a bone-in or boneless ham is up to you.

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To freeze ham, first wrap it in foil or plastic wrap. Then place the wrapped leftovers in a freezer-friendly storage bag. This will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Do not throw the liquid from the slow cooker out. Save it liquid along with any leftovers.

Recipes For Leftover Ham

Leftover Ham & Cheese Sliders

Yummy Ham & Vegetable Soup

Cooked Ham Salad

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

Re-heating Leftovers 

If you are going to serve the leftover ham right away, I do not suggest reheating it in the slow cooker. It will take too long & that’s not really the purpose of a slow cooker. Leftovers are best reheated in the oven, microwave, or pan.

FAQs & Tips

• If your ham is under 4 pounds, cut the ingredients in half and lower the cooking time by an hour or so.
• Use the measurements for the brown sugar and pineapple juice as a guide. You may have to use or less depending the size of the ham.
• Feel free to add some diced pineapple to the slow cooker as well.
• I used a 6-quart slow cooker. 

Side Dishes For This Ham

• African American Cornbread Dressing
• Southern Green Beans & Potatoes
• Patti Labelle’s Mac & Cheese
• Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
• Vegan Buttermilk Biscuits