Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Ham Recipe

Introduction

This Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Ham is a simple yet flavorful way to prepare a tender, juicy ham with a sweet and spiced glaze. Perfect for holiday dinners or special gatherings, it requires minimal effort while delivering impressive taste.

Ingredients

• 6 lbs bone-in spiral sliced ham (6–8 lbs, small enough to fit in crockpot)
• 1 cup orange juice (or pineapple juice, or apple juice)
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup salted butter (melted)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup water (for glaze)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place the bone-in spiral sliced ham in your slow cooker. Melt the butter and honey together using a saucepan or microwave, then pour this mixture evenly over the ham.
2. Step 2: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook the ham on low for 3 to 4 hours.
3. Step 3: About 30 minutes before the ham is done, prepare the glaze. In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, onion powder, cinnamon, salt, black pepper, nutmeg, cloves, and water. Heat gently for about 30 seconds until the sugar fully dissolves.
4. Step 4: Preheat your oven to the broil setting. Line a baking sheet with foil, remove the ham from the slow cooker, and place it on the baking sheet. Brush half of the brown sugar glaze over the ham.
5. Step 5: Broil the ham for 1 to 2 minutes until the glaze caramelizes. Remove it from the oven, brush the remaining glaze over the ham, adding a bit of water if the glaze is too thick, then serve.

Tips & Variations

• Use pineapple or apple juice instead of orange juice for a different fruity sweetness in the slow cooker liquid.
• If your ham is larger, increase cooking time slightly but keep checking to avoid drying out.
• For extra flavor, add a splash of bourbon or a pinch of ground ginger to the glaze mixture.

Storage

Store any leftover ham tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently in the oven at low heat or microwave slices until heated through, adding a little water or glaze to keep it moist.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a boneless ham instead of bone-in?

Yes, you can use boneless ham, but adjust the cooking time as it may cook faster. Keep an eye on it to prevent drying out.

Do I have to broil the ham at the end?

Broiling helps caramelize the glaze and adds texture, but if you prefer, you can skip this step and just serve the ham straight from the slow cooker with the warm glaze brushed on.

Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Ham Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 140 reviews

This Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Ham recipe delivers a tender, flavorful spiral sliced ham glazed with a rich, sweet brown sugar and spice mixture. Easy to prepare and perfect for holiday dinners or special occasions, the ham is slow-cooked to perfection and then finished under the broiler to caramelize the glaze for a deliciously sticky, golden crust.

• Author: Rico
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
• Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
• Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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Ham and Base Ingredients

• 6 lbs bone-in spiral sliced ham (between 6–8 lbs, should fit in crockpot)
• 1 cup orange juice (or pineapple juice, or apple juice)
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup salted butter (melted)

Glaze Ingredients

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup water

Instructions

1. Prepare the Ham: Add the 6-8 lbs bone-in spiral sliced ham to your slow cooker. In a saucepan on the stove or microwave, melt 1/4 cup salted butter and 1/2 cup honey together. Pour this melted butter and honey mixture evenly over the ham to infuse sweetness and moisture.
2. Slow Cook the Ham: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook the ham on low for 3 to 4 hours until it is heated through and tender. Near the end of the cooking time, line a baking sheet with foil to prepare for broiling.
3. Make the Glaze: In a saucepan, combine 1 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp ground black pepper, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ground cloves, and 1/2 cup water. Heat the mixture for about 30 seconds or until the brown sugar dissolves completely, forming a smooth glaze.
4. Broil the Ham: Preheat your oven to the broil setting. Transfer the ham to the prepared baking sheet and brush half of the brown sugar glaze evenly over it. Place under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes until the glaze caramelizes and forms a golden crust. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
5. Final Glaze and Serve: Remove the ham from the oven and brush the remaining glaze over the ham. If the glaze feels too thick, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of water to loosen it. The ham is now ready to serve, featuring a tender interior and a sticky, flavorful crust.

Notes

• Use a spiral sliced ham that fits comfortably in your slow cooker to ensure even heating.
• You can substitute orange juice with pineapple juice or apple juice to vary the flavor profile.
• Be cautious while broiling; keep an eye on the ham to prevent the glaze from burning quickly.
• If glaze thickens too much while resting, a small amount of water helps to make it easier to apply.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days and reheated gently to maintain moisture.

Keywords: slow cooker ham, brown sugar ham, holiday ham recipe, spiral ham, glazed ham, crockpot ham