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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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