Crock Pot Ham is the easiest holiday ham you’ll ever make!
This recipe requires just minutes of prep. With a super simple glaze, crockpot ham is a set-it-and-forget-it kind of way to make a tender juicy ham.
Here’s Why You’ll Ham In A Crockpot
- It needs just minutes of prep time.
- The slow cooker is hands-off, making it a set-it-and-forget-it kind of meal.
- Since crockpot ham cooks low and slow, it’s tender, juicy ham every time.
- Making ham in a slow cooker saves oven space for other dishes.
This crockpot ham recipe is perfect for a holiday dinner.
What Size Ham Do You Need?
For most 6qt slow cookers, you can fit a ham up to 10 lbs. When buying ham, account for:
- ¼ – ⅓ lb. per person of boneless ham
- ⅓ – ½ lb. per person of bone-in ham
How to Make Crock Pot Ham
Cooking ham has never been easier. I prefer spiral ham as it’s easy to serve, but boneless ham works well in this recipe, too. If using a ham that is not spiral cut, be sure to score the outside.
- Sprinkle a bit of brown sugar in the slow cooker. Add the ham according to the recipe below.
- Prepare the glaze & pour it over the ham.
- Cover and cook until heated through. Easy Peasy!
Holly’s Tips
- A smoked ham should be cooked to a temperature of 140°F on a meat thermometer. This will take 4-5 hours on low for an 8-10lb ham.
- Purchase a fully-cooked spiral ham for this recipe. If using a ham that isn’t spiral cut, be sure to score the outside to allow the glaze to seep in.
- For the best flavor, discard the glaze packet that comes with the ham and use the recipe below.
- Add up to ½ cup of pineapple juice if desired. Liquid does not be added to the slow cooker, and the ham will release juices.
What to Serve With Ham
This easy crock pot ham recipe is perfect for Christmas or Easter dinner. Slice the ham, place it on a platter, and garnish with herbs or additional rosemary. Here some of our favorite side dish recipes.
Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months. Find my favorite leftover ham recipes here.
Did your family love this Crock Pot Ham? Leave us a rating and a comment below!
Crock Pot Ham
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 2 to 3 sprigs fresh rosemary optional
- 8 to 10 pound spiral cut ham fully cooked
For the Glaze
- ½ cup apple jelly or apricot jam
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
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For the glaze, in a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the apple jelly. Whisk in the remaining glaze ingredients. Bring to a boil and let boil for 1 minute while stirring.
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In the bottom of a 6 to 7-quart slow cooker, sprinkle ¼ cup of brown sugar.
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If the ham has a plastic disk in the center, remove the disk and discard it. Use a knife to score the top of the ham in a criss-cross pattern.
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Before putting the ham in the slow cooker, separate the layers of ham and brush them with glaze. Place the ham into the slow cooker and pour remaining glaze over the top.
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Add rosemary sprigs, cover slow cooker (see note), and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until the ham reaches 140℉.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Ham, Main Course, Slow Cooker
Cuisine American
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Hello I have a 2.5 pound precooked, spiral sliced ham. I was wondering how long that would take in the crockpot? Also when do I put the glaze on it?
Hi Cassidy, a ham of that size should take 2-3 hours on low. Check the temperature and once it gets to 140 you can turn the slow cooker to warm. The ham should continue to rise to 145°F.
Have made this recipe for each Christmas & Easter since discovering it a couple years ago – can’t be beat the flavor or ease of prep! (Prep/clean up is even easier when using a crockpot liner… genius invention!) We usually use a 5# boneless spiral cut ham, skip the rosemary and substitute ground black pepper for garlic and the ginger with a scant 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves. Leftovers are the best, though hard to come by! Thanks for such a great recipe!
I made this ham for Thanksgiving and again for Christmas and had absolutely no leftovers. It was such a hit it’s now becoming a holiday staple. I used a regular ham (not spiral cut), adjusted the cooking time to compensate, and it turned out amazingly. The meat fell off the bone and was moist and delicious. I omitted the rosemary (because I forgot it the first time) and the flavor was amazing even without it.
Do you remember how long you slow cooked it for? I’m doing a 10lb Cooks bone-in ham.
I made this recipe with a regular (not spiral cut) 3# ham. I cut back the recipe size to 3 servings and didn’t score the ham at all. I used some surplus raspberry jam I had instead of apple jelly. This was absolutely the best ham I have ever eaten, and I’m 72 years old! I think almost any type of jelly would work.
This crockpot ham recipe is great. I used a regular ham and just made deep slits about and inch apart. Everyone loved it.
I don’t usually cook a ham for a large group because I am so afraid it will come out dry despite glazes and other liquids but I made this for the 12 people who came to my Christmas dinner and this recipe is fabulous. I have never even thought to cook a spiral ham in the crock pot but not only does it cook perfectly well, but it also frees up the oven for other side dishes. I recommend this method for everyone who likes a juicy, flavorful and easy ham recipe.
I didn’t have apple jelly but used some apple butter left over from a thanksgiving recipe and I added some apple juice for more moisture but still cooked it on the stovetop as the instructions said and it was just fine. It makes so much gravy/sauce as well and I heated up the leftover ham in that the next day which were great!! I will absolutely save this recipe and make it again for another holiday or large party!
Is this for preparing a FULLY-COOKED spiral ham??
Yes, you can find this info in the post as well.
This recipe uses a spiral ham which is smoked (it is pre-cooked). Be sure to check your package to make sure your ham is smoked/cooked, the package will tell you what temperature the ham needs to reach.
Haven’t tried yet. Can ham go into crock pot cut side down? What to substitute for apple jelly? Can’t find it anywhere.
Apricot jam/jelly would work well or you can use your favorite glaze or try our brown sugar glaze.
What temp do you cook the crockpot ham low medium or high
This is cooked on low.
We loved this for one of our proteins on Thanksgiving…it’s so easy to prepare and is very tasty…it’s nice and sweet with a hint of rosemary…I served some roasted pineapple slices with it…Made for “What’s on the Menu” tag game…
So glad you enjoyed it, Teresa! That sounds like such a delicious way to serve it.
hi what about a ham shank … I just bought one yesterday ?? …looks fabulous and I would love to try it.
Hi Elise, we have this delicious ham steak recipe. You could always use this glaze and follow the cooking instructions for the ham steak if you would like. :)
Hello
I wanted to try this recipe. but I don’t have a spiral. What if i do cross hatch or would that be to shallow? Watch if I inject the ham with the glaze to try and get flavor in it and then put it in the crock pot and put brown sugar on top? This sounds amazing
Hi Deborah, this recipe should work with any smoked (pre-cooked) ham. Both a cross hatch and injecting it with the glaze sounds like delicious ways to infuse with flavor. We can’t wait to hear how it turns out for you!
I also rubbed the ham with brown sugar and added half cup of pineapple juice with the brown sugar at the bottom. Absolutely
This glaze recipe was so good! I wanted to let you know that I subbed apple butter for the apple jelly and it was great! I had a 4 lb ham and started at three hours in the slow cooker on low. I checked the temp and it wasn’t quite there yet so I let it go another half hour.
Hi! I have apple juice or apricot jelly but not apple jelly. Any recommendations on which I should use?
Apricot jelly will be lovely!
Wow! What a great idea! The Ham came our wonerfully moist and it freed up oven space for all the side dishes. Thanks for sharing!
I made this for the family this Christmas .It was definitely juicy and well worth serving but, I have to say that the reviews were split on flavor.
I would use the recipe for the cooking portion but, next time I would use a different glaze.
Thanks for the crockpot recipe
I have a ham that slightly sticks out of my pot. Will I get the same result if I cover it with foil and the lid on top?
Yes, covering with foil will work.
Hi…there is just the two of us so all the spiral hams are too much. We ended up with a Kentucky Legend 2.75 pound sliced ham. Can/should I do everything the same and cut the cook time down to a couple hours or should I just do in the oven per the package instructions. Thanks in advance.
You can cook it in the slow cooker, you’ll want to ensure it doesn’t overcook or it will dry out. Check the temperature and once it gets to 140 you can turn the slow cooker to warm. The ham should continue to rise to 145°F.
Hi! I have a quarter piece of smoked ham but it’s not cut. Should I leave it whole or do the slicing myself beforehand?
I would suggest leaving it whole.