Introduction
Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Glazed Ham is a delicious holiday favorite featuring tender, juicy ham coated in a rich, sweet, and buttery glaze. This easy crockpot recipe combines brown sugar, honey, pineapple juice, and Dijon mustard to create a beautiful caramel-colored coating.
Perfect for Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Sunday family dinners, this recipe requires minimal preparation while delivering a flavorful centerpiece everyone can enjoy.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This recipe uses simple ingredients and takes only a few minutes to prepare. The slow cooker gently warms the ham while the brown sugar glaze adds a delicious balance of sweetness and savory flavor.
Using a spiral-sliced ham makes serving especially convenient, and the leftover slices are perfect for sandwiches, casseroles, and breakfast dishes.
Recipe Information
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3–4 hours on LOW
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes–4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 10–12
Cooking Method: Slow Cooker
Difficulty: Easy
Main Ingredients
A fully cooked spiral-sliced ham is the star of this recipe. Its tender texture and convenient slices make it ideal for slow cooking.
Brown sugar creates a rich caramel-like sweetness, while honey adds a glossy finish. Pineapple juice provides a fruity contrast, and Dijon mustard balances the sweetness.
Ingredients
1 fully cooked spiral-sliced ham (6–8 lbs)
1 cup packed brown sugar
½ cup honey
½ cup pineapple juice
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
¼ teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
How to Choose Ingredients
Choose a fully cooked spiral-sliced ham that fits comfortably inside your slow cooker. A 6–8 pound ham generally works well in a large 7–8 quart crockpot, depending on its shape.
Light brown sugar provides a mild caramel flavor, while dark brown sugar creates a deeper molasses taste.
Use pure honey and unsweetened pineapple juice for a balanced glaze.
Prepare the Main Ingredient
Remove the ham from its packaging and discard any included glaze packet if you prefer the homemade version.
Place the ham flat-side down inside a large slow cooker. Gently separate a few spiral slices so the glaze can reach between them.
Avoid pulling the slices completely apart because the ham should remain intact during cooking.
Prepare Other Ingredients
In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, honey, pineapple juice, Dijon mustard, melted butter, and optional spices.
Whisk until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended.
The brown sugar will gradually dissolve as the glaze warms during cooking.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Place the Ham
Arrange the fully cooked spiral-sliced ham inside the slow cooker, keeping the slices together.
Step 2: Add Brown Sugar
Sprinkle brown sugar generously over the top and between the ham slices.
Step 3: Add the Glaze
Slowly pour the honey, pineapple juice, mustard, and butter mixture over the ham.
Step 4: Coat the Ham
Use a spoon to distribute the glaze between several slices, ensuring the surface is evenly covered.
Step 5: Slow Cook
Cover and cook on LOW for approximately 3–4 hours, depending on the ham’s size, until heated through to 140°F for a commercially packaged, fully cooked ham from a USDA-inspected facility. Follow the package instructions if they specify a different temperature.
Step 6: Baste
During the final hour, spoon some of the warm glaze over the ham to keep the slices moist and flavorful.
Step 7: Serve
Carefully transfer the ham to a serving platter. Spoon the warm brown sugar glaze over the slices and serve immediately.
Tips for Perfect Results
Avoid cooking the ham longer than necessary because spiral-sliced ham can dry out when overheated.
Use LOW rather than HIGH for gentle, even heating.
If the ham is slightly too large for the slow cooker, use a tightly secured foil cover only if appropriate for your slow cooker model.
For a thicker glaze, transfer the cooking juices to a saucepan and simmer until slightly reduced.
Delicious Variations
For a pineapple brown sugar ham, add pineapple rings around the meat during cooking.
For a maple-glazed version, replace honey with pure maple syrup.
Add a tablespoon of orange marmalade for a citrus-inspired glaze.
For a lightly spiced holiday ham, include cinnamon, cloves, and a pinch of nutmeg.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this sweet and savory ham with creamy mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, roasted carrots, or macaroni and cheese.
Scalloped potatoes and buttery dinner rolls are especially delicious alongside the rich glaze.
For holiday gatherings, arrange the slices on a large platter and drizzle with additional warm sauce.
Meal Prep and Storage
Store leftover cooked ham in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months for best quality.
Reheat leftovers gently with a splash of pineapple juice or broth to prevent drying.
Leftover ham also works beautifully in breakfast casseroles, sandwiches, soups, and cheesy potato bakes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using an uncooked ham without adjusting the cooking instructions can result in unsafe preparation. This recipe is designed specifically for fully cooked ham.
Adding too much liquid may dilute the glaze.
Cooking on HIGH for an extended period can dry out the slices.
Avoid repeatedly removing the lid because the slow cooker loses heat each time it is opened.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a boneless ham?
Yes. A fully cooked boneless ham works well, although cooking time may vary depending on its size.
Do I need to add water?
No. Pineapple juice, honey, and the ham’s natural juices provide enough moisture.
Can I use dark brown sugar?
Absolutely. Dark brown sugar creates a richer molasses flavor.
How do I thicken the glaze?
Transfer the cooking liquid to a saucepan and simmer until it reaches your desired consistency.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare the glaze a day in advance and refrigerate it until ready to use.
Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Glazed Ham is an easy, flavorful recipe that combines tender spiral-sliced ham with a sweet, glossy homemade glaze. With minimal preparation and simple ingredients, this comforting crockpot dish is perfect for holiday celebrations, family gatherings, and special Sunday dinners.