Cooking a ham is often seen as a high-stakes culinary endeavor, usually reserved for Christmas, Easter, or massive family reunions. The traditional method involves hovering over a hot oven, basting every thirty minutes, and praying the meat doesn’t turn into a dry, salty brick. However, there is a much simpler, more reliable way to achieve a succulent, flavor-packed result: the slow cooker.
Learning how to cook a ham on a crock pot is a game-changer for the home cook. It frees up precious oven space for side dishes, prevents the meat from drying out, and allows flavors to penetrate deep into the bone. Whether you are a seasoned pro or a first-timer, this method ensures a foolproof centerpiece that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Choosing the Right Ham for Your Slow Cooker
Before you even turn on the appliance, you need to select the right cut of meat. Not all hams are created equal, and size matters significantly when you are working with the fixed dimensions of a crock pot.
Pre-Cooked vs. Fresh Ham
Most hams found in the grocery store are “city hams,” which means they are already cured and fully cooked. When you “cook” these in a crock pot, you are actually reheating them and adding flavor. If you happen to buy a fresh, raw ham, the cooking time will be significantly longer, and you must ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. For the sake of convenience and flavor, most people prefer the pre-cooked varieties.
Bone-In vs. Boneless
A bone-in ham typically offers better flavor and moisture. The bone acts as a conductor of heat and adds a richness to the surrounding meat. Plus, you get a ham bone at the end for making split pea soup! However, boneless hams are much easier to slice and fit more easily into smaller slow cookers.
Spiral Sliced vs. Whole
Spiral-sliced hams are incredibly convenient because they are pre-cut into thin layers. However, they are more prone to drying out. If you choose a spiral-sliced ham, you must be extra diligent about your liquid levels and cooking time. A whole, unsliced ham is more forgiving but requires a bit of carving skill at the end.
Preparing the Ham for the Pot
Once you have your ham, it is time for a little prep work. First, check the size. A 6-quart slow cooker can usually accommodate a 6 to 8-pound ham. If the ham is too tall and the lid won’t close, don’t panic. You can tightly wrap the top of the crock pot in heavy-duty aluminum foil to create a makeshift “dome” lid, which traps the heat and moisture just as effectively.
Remove any plastic packaging and the plastic “button” that covers the bone end. If your ham isn’t pre-sliced, you can score the surface in a diamond pattern. This isn’t just for aesthetics; it allows your glaze to seep into the meat rather than just sliding off the surface.
The Secret is in the Glaze
The glaze is where you can truly get creative. A slow-cooked ham benefits from a balance of sweetness, acidity, and spice. The sugars in the glaze will caramelize slightly over the long cooking period, creating a sticky, delicious exterior.
Brown Sugar and Pineapple Classic
This is the gold standard for slow cooker hams. The acidity of the pineapple juice helps tenderize the meat while the brown sugar creates a rich syrup.
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- Optional: Cloves and pineapple rings for garnish
Honey Garlic and Herb
For a more savory profile, try a mixture of honey, minced garlic, and fresh rosemary. This works particularly well if you are serving the ham alongside roasted root vegetables.
Maple and Apple Cider
If you are cooking during the autumn months, a glaze made of pure maple syrup and apple cider provides a deep, woody sweetness that is hard to beat.
The Cooking Process Step-by-Step
Place the ham in the crock pot. If it is a half-ham, place it flat-side down. This helps keep the moisture locked into the thickest part of the meat. Pour your glaze or liquid over the top, making sure to get it into the scores or between the slices if it is a spiral cut.
Setting the Temperature
Always cook your ham on the Low setting. While it might be tempting to use the High setting to speed things up, slow and steady is the secret to moisture. Cooking on High can cause the edges of the ham to become tough and fibrous before the center is warmed through.
Timing is Everything
For a fully cooked, bone-in ham, you should plan for about 4 to 6 hours on Low. If you are using a boneless ham, it may be ready in 3 to 4 hours. You are looking for an internal temperature of 140°F for pre-cooked hams. Using a meat thermometer is the only way to be 100% sure you haven’t overcooked it.
The Final Touch: Searing the Glaze
While the slow cooker does an amazing job of keeping the ham moist, it doesn’t provide the crispy, caramelized bark that an oven does. If you want that “Instagram-worthy” finish, carefully remove the ham from the crock pot and place it on a baking sheet.
Brush on some of the remaining juices from the pot and pop it under the oven broiler for 3 to 5 minutes. Watch it closely! The sugar in the glaze can go from perfectly caramelized to burnt in a matter of seconds.
Resting and Serving
The most underrated step in how to cook a ham on a crock pot is the resting period. Once the ham is done, let it sit on a carving board for at least 15 to 20 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute. If you cut into it immediately, all that hard-earned moisture will run out onto the board, leaving you with dry meat.
Serve your ham with the thickened juices from the slow cooker on the side. You can even strain the liquid into a saucepan and simmer it with a bit of cornstarch slurry to create a proper ham gravy.
What to Do with Leftovers
One of the best things about a large slow-cooked ham is the leftovers. Beyond the standard sandwich, you can dice the meat for omelets, toss it into a creamy carbonara pasta, or fry it up with potatoes for a breakfast hash.
The bone itself is a treasure. Store it in the freezer until you are ready to make a big pot of beans or soup. The residual salt and marrow will provide a depth of flavor that a bouillon cube simply cannot replicate.
Summary of Success
Cooking a ham in a slow cooker is about reclaiming your time and ensuring a quality result. By choosing a quality cut, using a balanced glaze, and resisting the urge to cook on High, you create a meal that tastes like it took a lot more effort than it actually did. It is the ultimate “set it and forget it” holiday solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a frozen ham in the crock pot?
It is not recommended to put a completely frozen ham in a slow cooker. Because the crock pot heats up slowly, the meat may stay in the “danger zone” temperature range for too long, allowing bacteria to grow. Always thaw your ham in the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours before cooking.
Do I need to add water to the bottom of the pot?
You do not necessarily need water, as the ham will release its own juices. However, adding a small amount of liquid—like pineapple juice, apple cider, or even ginger ale—provides a base for the glaze and creates steam that helps keep the meat moist.
How do I prevent a spiral ham from getting dry?
To keep a spiral-sliced ham moist, place it cut-side down in the pot. This protects the slices from direct exposure to the air. Additionally, basting the ham with the juices from the bottom of the pot halfway through the cooking time can help.
What if my ham is too big for the slow cooker lid to fit?
If the ham sticks out of the top, simply cover the entire top of the crock pot with two layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Press the foil tightly around the edges of the stoneware to create a seal. This will trap the steam and heat just as well as the original lid.
How long does leftover cooked ham last?
Cooked ham can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. If you can’t finish it by then, it freezes beautifully. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or use a vacuum sealer, and it will stay good in the freezer for up to 2 months.