Sweet ‘n Tender Slow Cooker Ham with Brown Sugar Honey Glaze Recipe

Succulent ham with a sweet brown sugar honey glaze slowly simmering in the slow cooker creates a mouth-watering centerpiece for any gathering.

The aroma fills the kitchen with warmth and comfort.

Perfectly seasoned and caramelized, this ham promises a delightful blend of savory and sweet flavors.

Each slice promises a juicy, melt-in-your-mouth experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

The simple cooking method ensures a stress-free meal preparation that looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Minimal effort yields maximum flavor with this crowd-pleasing dish.

Prepare to impress your loved ones with this irresistible ham that turns an ordinary meal into a memorable feast.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 hours (on Low)

Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 8

What Goes Into Slow Cooker Ham With Brown Sugar Honey Glaze

• Ham: Select a high-quality fully cooked ham that promises rich, tender meat with reliable flavor and ideal texture for slow cooking.

• Brown Sugar: Delivers deep caramel sweetness and helps create stunning caramelization for a glossy exterior.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps create a silky, luxurious glaze with beautiful golden sheen.
• Dijon Mustard: Introduces tangy complexity and helps balance the sweetness with a subtle sharp kick.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Provides bright acidity that cuts through richness and enhances overall flavor profile.

• Ground Cinnamon: Brings warm, aromatic undertones that complement the ham's richness.
• Ground Cloves: Delivers intense, deep warming notes that elevate the entire dish's flavor complexity.

• Cornstarch: Helps thicken glaze for more luxurious coating if desired, creating smoother texture.

Tools That Keep This Slow Cooker Ham Stress-Free

• Slow Cooker: Essential for cooking the ham evenly and keeping it moist.
• Medium Saucepan: Perfect for creating the delicious brown sugar honey glaze.
• Whisk: Helps mix glaze ingredients smoothly and prevent lumps.
• Sharp Knife: Needed to score the ham in a diamond pattern.
• Cutting Board: Provides a stable surface for preparing the ham.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements for the glaze.

How to Glaze and Slow Cook the Perfect Holiday Ham

• Unwrap and Position Ham

Place your delicious ham right into the slow cooker, making diagonal cuts across the surface to help glaze penetrate deeply.

• Whip Upal Glaze

Mix brown sugar, honey, mustard, vinegar, cinnamon, and cloves in a saucepan. Warm and stir until everything blends into a gorgeous, glossy mixture.

• Coat with Sweet Goodness

Pour the sticky glaze generously over the ham, ensuring every inch gets covered in delectable sweetness. Save some for later drizzling.

• Slow Dance in the Cooker

Cover and let the ham simmer on low for 4-6 hours. During the final hour, baste the meat every 20-30 minutes to create a mouth-watering caramelized exterior.

• Slice and Celebrate

Carefully remove ham from the cooker, let it rest briefly, then slice into beautiful pieces. Drizzle remaining glaze over the top for an extra flavor explosion and serve to your eager guests.

Switch Up the Sweetness or Add a Spicy Edge

• Pro Tips for Irresistible Ham
• Whisk the glaze ingredients thoroughly to prevent sugar crystals and ensure smooth, even coating on the ham.
• Add a splash of apple juice or chicken broth to the slow cooker bottom to prevent ham from drying out during cooking.
• Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking to help juices redistribute and make cutting easier without shredding meat.
• For health-conscious eaters, use reduced-sodium ham and replace honey with sugar-free maple syrup to lower overall salt content.
• Experiment with different spice combinations like smoked paprika, orange zest, or a touch of bourbon in the glaze for unique taste profiles.

Serve This Glazed Ham as a Showstopper Main

• Family Feast Centerpiece: Serve this succulent ham as the star of your holiday dinner, surrounded by roasted seasonal vegetables like carrots, brussels sprouts, and sweet potatoes.
• Brunch Brilliance: Transform leftovers into delectable ham and cheese sliders or chop and add to a hearty morning frittata with sharp cheddar and fresh herbs.
• Sandwich Sensation: Create mouthwatering sandwiches by layering thin slices on crusty bread with sharp mustard, crisp lettuce, and a drizzle of the remaining sweet glaze.
• Salad Topper: Dice cold ham and sprinkle over a spinach salad with candied pecans, crumbled goat cheese, and a light honey vinaigrette for a protein-packed lunch option.

Save and Slice That Ham for Days of Sandwiches

• Keep ham slices in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cool environment maintains moisture and prevents bacterial growth.
• Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Frozen ham stays delicious for 2-3 months, perfect for quick future meals.
• Reheat refrigerated ham gently in the slow cooker or oven, adding a splash of apple cider to restore moisture. Drizzle reserved glaze for fresh-like flavor.
• Chop cold ham for breakfast omelets, salad toppings, or sandwich fillings. Dice and mix into mac and cheese or potato soup for instant meal upgrades.

FAQs

• How do I know if my ham is fully cooked before putting it in the slow cooker?

Most store-bought hams are pre-cooked, but always check the packaging. Look for labels like “fully cooked” or “ready to eat”. If unsure, use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 140°F.

• Can I use a different type of sweetener instead of honey and brown sugar?

Yes, you can substitute with maple syrup, agave nectar, or even light corn syrup. Each will slightly alter the flavor profile, but will still provide a similar sweet glaze for the ham.

• Is it necessary to score the ham before cooking?

Scoring helps the glaze penetrate the meat and creates an attractive presentation. While not mandatory, it allows the flavors to distribute more evenly and creates beautiful caramelized lines on the ham’s surface.

• What should I do if my glaze is too thin or thick?

If the glaze is too thin, continue cooking and stirring to reduce it. If too thick, add a little apple cider or water to thin it out. Aim for a syrupy consistency that coats the back of a spoon.

Tender Slow Cooker Ham With Brown Sugar Honey Glaze

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4.7 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Succulent slow cooker ham with brown sugar honey glaze brings classic comfort to dinner tables across North America. Sweet and savory flavors meld together, offering you a simple yet impressive main course that elevates any family gathering.

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Ingredients

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• 1 fully cooked bone-in ham (6–8 pounds / 2.7–3.6 kilograms)
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup honey
• ½ cup pineapple juice (or orange juice)
• ¼ cup Dijon mustard
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• Fresh parsley (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Position the fully cooked ham inside the slow cooker, creating an artful crosshatch pattern across its surface without cutting too deeply to allow maximum glaze penetration.
2. Glaze Creation: Combine brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves in a saucepan. Warm the mixture, stirring until sugar dissolves and the liquid transforms into a glossy, slightly thickened syrup. Add a touch of cornstarch to enhance consistency if desired.
3. Glazing and Cooking: Lavishly coat the ham with the prepared glaze, reserving a portion for final serving. Cover and set the slow cooker to low temperature, allowing the ham to cook for 4-6 hours. During the final hour, baste the ham with additional glaze every 20-30 minutes to develop a rich caramelized exterior and maintain internal succulence.
4. Finishing: Carefully remove the ham and let it rest briefly. Slice the meat and garnish with the reserved glaze, creating an appetizing presentation that highlights the dish’s deep, complex flavors.

Notes

• Optimize Ham Selection: Choose a fully cooked ham weighing 7-8 pounds for best slow cooker results, ensuring even heating and maximum flavor absorption.
• Master Glaze Technique: Whisk glaze ingredients thoroughly to prevent sugar crystallization, heating gently to create a smooth, uniform syrup that clings beautifully to the ham’s surface.
• Prevent Dryness: Maintain low, steady temperature and avoid lifting the slow cooker lid frequently to preserve moisture, keeping the ham tender and juicy throughout cooking.
• Customize Flavor Profile: Experiment with glaze variations by substituting honey with maple syrup or adding orange zest for a unique twist that complements the ham’s natural richness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 4-6 hours (on Low)
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg