Why I love this crock pot ham
Every holiday season, I find myself juggling multiple dishes in the kitchen, and that’s when my trusty slow cooker becomes a lifesaver.
Cooking a spiral ham in the crock pot is not only an easy way to prepare the dish, but it also frees up valuable oven space for all those side dishes.
Which is why this recipe is one of my go-tos for holiday meals.
It is marinated in a delicious mix of pineapple juice, brown sugar and ginger. And the slow cooker ensures it stays juicy and moist.
Even better? The convenience of a “set it and forget it” approach allows me to enjoy the day without constantly checking the oven.
So whether you are preparing for a holiday feast or cooking a cozy family dinner, this slow cooker ham is a surefire hit that combines ease, taste, and texture.
Ingredients
Here is your shopping list (for a 10 pound ham):
- Meat – 10 to 12 pound pre-cooked spiral-cut ham
- Sugar – 2½ cups packed brown sugar. We’ll use part of it in the marinade and part of it on top of the ham.
- Sweetener – 1 cup honey
- Juice – 1 cup pineapple juice
- Fresh produce – 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger or 1 teaspoon ground ginger. I prefer fresh because it has more vibrant and aromatic flavor than pre-ground ginger
- Spices – 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
How to cook a crock pot ham
1 | Prep work
Start by grating fresh ginger until you have about 1 tablespoon.
To grate ginger, first peel off the outer skin. Then use a ginger grater, microplane or the smallest holes on a box grater. If the ginger is difficult to grate, try freezing it first, as this can make the process easier.
For easy cleanup, line your slow cooker with a slow cooker liner. These liners are made of heat-resistant material and will prevent any sticky sauce from sticking to the sides, making cleaning a breeze.
2 | Make the marinade
Add 2 cups packed brown sugar, 1 cup honey, 1 cup pineapple juice, 1 Tablespoon grated fresh ginger and 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes to a mixing bowl.
Stir until combined.
3 | Prepare the ham
Place the ham in the slow cooker with the spirals facing upwards. This positioning allows the marinade to seep into the meat more effectively.
Separate the spirals with your fingers to create space for the marinade.
Pour the prepared sauce over the ham, ensuring it penetrates between the spirals. This will help infuse the meat with flavor.
Finally, pat the remaining ½ cup of brown sugar on top of the ham. The sugar will caramelize during cooking, adding a sweet glaze to the exterior.
4 | Cook
Place the lid on the slow cooker.
Then cook on high for about 4 hours, or on low for 7 to 8 hours, depending on your schedule.
Avoid lifting the lid during cooking, as this releases heat and can extend the cooking time.
When done, the ham should be heated through and easy to pull apart with a fork.
Serve warm, and enjoy the flavorful, tender ham with your favorite sides.
Serving suggestions
If you want to pretty-up your ham, try garnishing with fresh pineapple rings and maraschino cherries, topping with toasted pecans or walnuts for a crunchy texture contrast or sprinkling with chopped fresh parsley.
Pair the ham with a mandarin orange and romaine salad, roasted sweet potatoes or mashed potatoes, lemon green beans or asparagus and warm dinner rolls.
Storage
After cooking, allow the ham to cool to room temperature. Avoid leaving it out for more than two hours to prevent bacterial growth.
Wrap the ham tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.
Then store the wrapped ham in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
For longer storage, place the wrapped ham in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date and freeze for up to 2 months for optimal quality.
Crock Pot Ham
Ingredients
- 10 to 12 pound pre-cooked spiral-cut ham
- 2 cups packed brown sugar, for the marinade
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1 cup honey
- 1 Tablespoon grated fresh ginger or 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup brown sugar, to put on top of the ham
Equipment
- 5 to 7 quart slow cooker
- Mixing bowl and spoon
- measuring spoons and cups
Instructions
- Place the ham in the slow cooker with the spirals facing up. Separate the spirals.10 to 12 pound pre-cooked spiral-cut ham
- Add all ingredients except the ham to a bowl. Mix until combined.2 cups packed brown sugar,, 1 cup pineapple juice
, 1 cup honey
, 1 Tablespoon grated fresh ginger or 1 teaspoon ground ginger
, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes - Pour the sauce over the ham, making sure that it goes into the spirals.
- Pat the last ½ cup brown sugar on top of the ham.½ cup brown sugar,
- Put the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours, or on low for 7 to 8 hours.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Have comments or questions about our slow cooker ham recipe? Tell us in the section below.
This post was originally published on November 27, 2024 but was updated with new content on April 12, 2025.
I made this for a family get-together and it turned out great. The glaze is wonderful. It was so easy. Will definitely make this again.
Thanks, Shelly! This is my favorite way to make ham, too 🙂