This easy Crock-Pot ham recipe makes a tender, juicy centerpiece with just a fully cooked spiral-sliced ham, brown sugar, honey, pineapple juice, and optional ground cloves. Place the ham cut-side down in a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker, cook it on LOW for 4 to 6 hours, and heat it until the thickest part reaches 140°F.
The slow cooker keeps the ham moist while the sweet pineapple-honey juices soak between the spiral slices. The result is savory, sticky, lightly fruity, and wonderfully tender, with very little hands-on work—perfect for Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Sunday dinner, or any gathering that needs a dependable main course.
Jump to RecipeWhy You’ll Love This Recipe
This is the kind of holiday main dish that looks impressive but asks almost nothing from the cook. The ham goes into the slow cooker with a handful of pantry ingredients, and the gentle heat does the work while you prepare side dishes, set the table, or spend time with your guests.
Using a fully cooked spiral-sliced ham also means there is no complicated carving or seasoning process. The slices are already cut, so the honey and pineapple mixture can flow into the crevices and flavor the meat from the outside in.
The fat layer should remain intact during cooking because it helps protect the ham and contributes savory richness. Once the ham is hot, the juices become a sweet spoonable sauce that can be passed at the table.
If you enjoy easy pressure-cooker dinners on busy nights, you may also like this easy honey sesame chicken for another flavorful main course.
Ingredients You’ll Need
There are only a few ingredients, but each one has a clear purpose. Choose a spiral-sliced ham weighing about 7 to 10 pounds and confirm that it is fully cooked before beginning.
- Fully cooked spiral-sliced ham: The centerpiece of the recipe, with the fat layer left intact for moisture and flavor.
- Brown sugar: It creates a rich, molasses-like sweetness and helps form a glossy coating as it melts.
- Honey: Honey adds floral sweetness and helps the juices cling to the ham.
- Pineapple juice: Its bright fruitiness balances the salty ham and keeps the cooking mixture fluid.
- Ground cloves: This is optional, but just 1/2 teaspoon adds a classic warm spice note.
Light or dark brown sugar works well. Dark brown sugar will give the sauce a deeper molasses flavor, while light brown sugar keeps the fruit and honey notes a little more prominent.
For another sweet finish to the meal, save room for our fudgy brownie dessert. It is especially welcome after a salty-sweet holiday dinner.
How to Make It Step-by-Step
Step 1: Remove the ham from its packaging and discard any glaze packet that came with it. Inspect the ham for fit before adding the ingredients, and leave the fat layer intact so it can help shield the meat during the long warming time.
Step 2: Sprinkle approximately half of the packed brown sugar over the bottom of a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker. This creates a sweet base beneath the ham and allows the sugar to dissolve into the juices as the cooker warms.
Step 3: Set the ham cut-side down in the slow cooker. This position helps the exposed slices stay moist, and it allows the ham to sit directly over the melted brown sugar; if needed, trim a small portion from the bottom or use foil before adding the lid so it fits securely.
Step 4: Sprinkle or rub the remaining brown sugar over the top and sides of the ham. Drizzle the honey over the surface, then pour the pineapple juice around the ham rather than directly washing off all the sugar; add the cloves if you want a warm, spiced flavor.
Step 5: Cover the slow cooker and set it to LOW for 4 to 6 hours. Spoon the juices over the ham occasionally, but keep the lid closed as much as possible because every opening releases heat and moisture.
Step 6: Begin checking the ham before assuming it needs the full cooking time. Smaller hams may reach the target near four hours, while larger hams may need six, so insert a thermometer into the thickest part and look for 140°F.
Step 7: Once the ham reaches 140°F, transfer it carefully to a serving platter and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Spoon the cooking juices over the slices just before serving so every portion gets some of the warm honey-pineapple flavor.
Step 8: If you prefer a more deeply browned surface, place the cooked ham in a baking dish and brush it with some of the slow-cooker juices or additional glaze. Broil for 2 to 4 minutes, watching closely because the sugar can darken quickly.
Pro Tips for Juicy Crock-Pot Ham
The most important tip is to cook this ham on LOW. HIGH heat can warm the exterior too aggressively and leave the slices dry before the center reaches the proper serving temperature.
Do not rely on the clock alone. The 4- to 6-hour range accounts for different ham sizes, slow-cooker models, and starting temperatures, so the thermometer is the final authority.
- Keep the lid closed: Check and baste only when necessary to retain heat and moisture.
- Place it cut-side down: The exposed slices benefit from contact with the sweet juices.
- Use the correct cooker size: A 6- to 8-quart slow cooker gives a 7- to 10-pound ham room to sit securely.
- Do not overheat: Since the ham is already cooked, stop at 140°F rather than continuing to cook it for extra hours.
- Broil carefully: A short 2- to 4-minute broil adds color, but the sugary glaze needs close attention.
The fat layer does not need to be removed before cooking. It adds protection and flavor, and you can remove any excess from individual slices after the ham has rested.
For a crisp, tangy contrast alongside the rich ham, put out a jar of these crunchy half-sour pickles. Their fresh bite cuts through the sweetness beautifully.
What to Serve with Slow-Cooker Ham
This ham pairs naturally with classic comfort-food sides. Creamy mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, green beans, macaroni and cheese, scalloped potatoes, and warm dinner rolls all work well with the sweet-savory juices.
For a balanced plate, include one fresh or tangy side in addition to the starches. A crisp salad, lightly dressed slaw, or pickles can keep the meal from feeling too rich.
For brunch or a holiday buffet, arrange the sliced ham on a large platter with the cooking juices in a small pitcher. Guests can add as much sauce as they like, and the spiral slices make serving quick and tidy.
A fruity dessert also fits the menu. Our fluffy orange fluff dessert brings a cool, citrusy finish that complements the pineapple in the ham.
If the gathering is adults-only, a bright seasonal drink such as this spicy apple cocktail can provide a crisp counterpoint to the warm, sugary glaze.
Storage, Reheating, and Leftovers
Let leftover ham cool briefly, then refrigerate it promptly in a covered container. Keep the slices with a little of the cooking juice so they remain moist instead of drying out in the refrigerator.
Reheat only the amount you plan to serve. Warm slices gently in a covered skillet or baking dish with a spoonful of reserved juices, stopping as soon as they are hot; repeated heating can make already-cooked ham tough.
Leftovers are excellent in breakfast sandwiches, omelets, quiches, soups, casseroles, and grilled ham-and-cheese sandwiches. You can also chop a small amount into a creamy potato or bean dish for a second meal that tastes completely different from the original dinner.
When storing the ham, avoid leaving it in the turned-off slow cooker for an extended period. Transfer it to shallow containers so it cools more quickly and stays easy to portion for future meals.
The Easiest Crock-Pot Ham Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Remove the ham from its packaging and discard the glaze packet if one is included. Leave the fat layer intact, then sprinkle about half of the brown sugar over the bottom of a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker.
- Place the ham cut-side down over the brown sugar. If the ham does not fit, trim a small portion from the bottom or cover the cooker with foil before adding the lid so it closes securely.
- Rub or sprinkle the remaining brown sugar over the ham. Drizzle the honey across the top, pour the pineapple juice around the ham, and add the ground cloves if using.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours. Smaller hams may be ready near four hours, while larger hams may need closer to six; spoon the juices over the ham occasionally while keeping the lid closed as much as possible.
- Check the temperature in the thickest part of the ham with an instant-read thermometer. When it reaches 140°F, transfer the ham to a platter and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Spoon the warm cooking juices over the slices before serving. For a darker, caramelized finish, transfer the ham to a baking dish, brush it with cooking juices or additional glaze, and broil for 2 to 4 minutes while watching closely.
Notes
Final Thoughts
This Crock-Pot ham recipe is a reliable way to serve a tender, juicy centerpiece without standing over the oven. Brown sugar, honey, and pineapple juice create a glossy sauce with just enough fruit and spice to make every spiral slice flavorful.
Remember the essentials: keep the ham cut-side down, cook it on LOW for 4 to 6 hours, baste sparingly with the lid closed, and check for 140°F in the thickest part. After a 10- to 15-minute rest, spoon the juices over the platter and let this easy holiday favorite take center stage.