How To Cook Ham In Crock Pot

ByLily

Crock pot ham recipes let you prepare a satisfying meal with minimal effort while the slow cooker does all the work. If you want to know how to cook ham in crock pot, the process is simpler than most people think. You just need the right cut of ham, a little liquid, and some patience while it heats through.

This guide covers everything from picking the right ham to serving it sliced on a platter. You will also learn how to add glaze, how long to cook it, and what to do with the leftovers.

Why Use A Crock Pot For Ham

A slow cooker keeps ham moist in a way that an oven often cant match. The sealed lid traps steam, so the meat stays tender instead of drying out. You also free up your oven for side dishes, which matters on holidays.

Another benefit is timing. You can start a ham in the morning and forget about it for hours. There is no basting, no turning, and very little cleanup.

Choosing The Right Ham

Not every ham works well in a slow cooker. The best choices are fully cooked and ready to eat. You are basically reheating and flavoring the meat, not cooking it from raw.

Best Cuts For The Slow Cooker

  • Spiral sliced ham, bone in or boneless
  • Boneless ham shank or butt portion
  • Fully cooked picnic ham
  • Small city ham, around 3 to 5 pounds

Cuts To Avoid

  • Fresh raw ham that needs full cooking
  • Country ham, which is very salty and dry
  • Hams larger than your crock pot can hold

Check the label for the words fully cooked. If the ham is raw or needs cooking, follow a different method. A raw ham needs to reach a safe internal temp, and a slow cooker may not get it there evenly.

How To Cook Ham In Crock Pot

This is the core method. Follow these steps and you will get a tender, flavorful ham every time.

Ingredients You Will Need

  • 1 fully cooked ham, 4 to 8 pounds
  • 1 cup water, broth, or apple juice
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, optional
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup, optional
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves or mustard powder, optional

Step By Step Instructions

  1. Place the ham flat side down in the crock pot. Trim any thick fat or rind if it wont fit.
  2. Pour the liquid around the ham, not over the top. This creates steam without washing off the glaze.
  3. If you use a glaze, mix the sugar, honey, and spices in a small bowl. Brush it over the ham now.
  4. Cover with the lid and set the cooker to low.
  5. Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours for a 4 to 6 pound ham. Add one hour for larger hams.
  6. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. It should read 140°F.
  7. Let the ham rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

If your ham is spiral sliced, the slices will soak up the glaze and juices. That is a good thing. Just be gentle when you lift it out so it does not fall apart.

How Long To Cook Ham In Crock Pot

Time depends on size and whether the ham is bone in. Here is a quick guide.

  • 3 to 4 pounds: 3 to 4 hours on low
  • 5 to 6 pounds: 4 to 5 hours on low
  • 7 to 8 pounds: 5 to 6 hours on low

You can cook on high if you are short on time. Cut those times roughly in half. But low heat gives a more tender result.

Glaze Ideas That Work Well

A glaze adds flavor and a nice color. You can brush it on at the start or halfway through. Some people add it at the end for a stickier finish.

Classic Brown Sugar Glaze

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • Pinch of cloves

Honey Mustard Glaze

  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter

Pineapple Glaze

  • 1/2 cup crushed pineapple with juice
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce

Stir any of these together and brush over the ham. If you want a thicker glaze, spoon some of the cooking liquid into a small pan and simmer it on the stove until it reduces.

Tips For Better Results

  • Do not add too much liquid. A cup is enough for most hams.
  • Keep the ham fat side up so juices run down over the meat.
  • Use a meat thermometer instead of guessing.
  • Let the ham rest before slicing so the juices stay in.
  • If your ham is very salty, soak it in cold water for a few hours first.

One common mistake is overcooking. Ham is already cooked, so you are only heating it through. Once it hits 140°F, it is done.

Serving And Storing Leftovers

Slice the ham against the grain for the most tender pieces. Serve it with mashed potatoes, green beans, or roasted carrots. The juices in the crock pot make a simple gravy or sauce.

How To Store Leftover Ham

  • Cool the ham within two hours of cooking.
  • Store slices in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
  • Freeze portions in freezer bags for up to 2 months.
  • Use the bone to flavor soup, beans, or collard greens.

Leftover ham works great in sandwiches, omelets, and casseroles. You can also chop it into a hash for breakfast.

Final Thoughts

Cooking ham in a crock pot is one of the easiest meals you can make. Pick a fully cooked ham, add a little liquid, and let the slow cooker do the rest. With a simple glaze and a few hours on low, you get a tender, flavorful centerpiece for any dinner.

Use the times and tips above as a guide, then adjust based on your cooker and the size of your ham. Once you try this method, it may become your go to way to serve ham for holidays and family meals.

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