Crock Pot Ham
This Crock Pot Ham is one of the easiest ways to cook a juicy, flavour-packed ham with almost no effort. Using the slow cooker keeps the meat tender and moist, and the simple pineapple glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness without being too rich. If you’re hosting Christmas, sharing a mid-year feast, or simply want a stress-free main dish, this set-and-forget Crock Pot Ham is a lifesaver.
If you'd like more ideas for glazing your ham, have a look at my 3 Ingredient Ham Glaze (a super simple recipe you can use with any ham flavouring) and bookmark my easy Christmas Treats for Kids collection for festive treats to serve alongside.
Why You'll Love Crock Pot Ham
- Hands-off cooking — the slow cooker does all the work
- Perfectly tender, juicy ham every time
- A simple glaze that uses everyday ingredients
- Great hot or cold, making leftovers easy for lunchboxes
Ingredients You Will Need
Ingredient Notes, Substitutes, & Allergy Swaps
- Fully cooked ham — This recipe works with bone-in or boneless ham, 4–6 lb (2–3 kg). Smoked or unsmoked both work.
- Most hams sold in grocery stores are already fully cooked, even if they don’t look it. They’re usually labelled as “cooked ham,” “ready-to-eat ham,” “champagne ham,” "Spiral cut ham" or “bone-in leg ham.” These hams simply need gentle reheating, which makes them perfect for slow cooking. A raw ham (sometimes called a fresh ham) is much less common and must be cooked all the way through like pork roast. If you’re unsure, check the packaging — cooked hams will always say ready to eat or fully cooked, while raw hams will have clear cooking instructions and a safe internal temperature listed.
- Pineapple juice — Helps keep the ham moist and adds natural sweetness. Apple juice also works.
- Brown sugar — Adds caramel notes; swap for coconut sugar if preferred.
- Maple syrup — Honey also works.
- Dijon mustard — Adds mild tang; wholegrain mustard is also fine.
- Cinnamon — Enhances the sweetness without tasting like dessert.
- Optional pineapple rings — Brush with glaze and serve on the side for a classic presentation.
Illustrated Step By Step Guide
Below are illustrated step-by-step instructions to make a Glazed Christmas Ham in a Crockpot, if you prefer just the written instructions then head straight to the printable recipe card below.
Step one: Prepare the Ham
To make a great glazed ham, be sure you remove the tough skin of the hame to reveal the fat layer underneath before cooking, I demonstrate how to do this in my 3 Ingredient Ham Glaze Recipe .
Step two: Prep the Slow Cooker
Pour the pineapple juice into the base of the Crock Pot. This becomes the steamy environment that keeps your ham beautifully moist while it warms. Sit your ham in the pineapple juice.
Step three: Mix the Glaze
In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, maple syrup (or honey), Dijon mustard, and cinnamon. It should be thick, sticky, and smell like Christmas in a bowl.
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Step four: Coat with the glaze
Spoon or spread the glaze all over the ham. Don’t worry if some drips down — it will mix with the pineapple juice and create an amazing basting liquid.
Step five: Cook low and slow
Pop on the lid and cook on LOW for 4–6 hours, depending on the size of your ham. Because it’s already cooked, you’re simply warming it through gently so it stays soft and tender.
Step six: Rest and slice
Lift the ham out carefully and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This helps the juices settle.
Step seven: Reduce the glaze (optional but delicious)
Pour the liquid from the bottom of the slow cooker into a small saucepan. Simmer until thick and glossy, then spoon over the ham or serve on the side.
Step eight: Optional pineapple rings
Brush pineapple rings with some of the thickened glaze and arrange around the ham for a sweet, classic finishing touch.
Top Tips
Here is how you can make A Crock Pot Glazed Ham perfectly every time!
- To make a great glazed ham, be sure you remove the tough skin of the hame to reveal the fat layer underneath before cooking, I demonstrate how to do this in my 3 Ingredient Ham Glaze Recipe .
- Use LOW heat — cooking ham on HIGH tends to dry it out.
- Bone-in hams often look more impressive and slice beautifully.
- For extra caramelisation, place the cooked ham under the grill/broiler for 3–5 minutes with extra glaze.
- Save the leftover cooking juices — they make excellent gravy or can be used to moisten leftover ham in sandwiches.
- Leftover ham freezes well or can be used in egg bakes, ham risotto, ham pot pie, or quiches.
How to Make This Recipe Suitable For Baby Led Weaning
(Ham is salted + cured, so generally not recommended for little ones.)
If you wish for your little one to have some ham on Christmas Day
● Offer very small, soft pieces shredded from the interior (avoid firm edges).
● Skip the glaze for babies under 12 months (the sugars aren’t necessary).
● Keep ham as an occasional food due to sodium content (AAP & NICE guidance).
● Pair with soft vegetables or fruit to balance the saltiness.
● Always avoid round, chewy pieces — slice very thinly or finely shred.
Crock Pot Ham
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Ingredients
- 1 fully cooked ham 4–6 lbs (bone-in or boneless)
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Optional
- pineapple rings for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cookerPour the pineapple juice into the bottom of the Crock Pot.
- Make the glazeIn a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, maple syrup (or honey), cinnamon and Dijon mustard.
- Add the hamPlace the ham into the slow cooker, cut side down.
- Coat with glazeSpread the glaze all over the ham.
- CookCover and cook on LOW for 4–6 hours, depending on ham size.(Ham is pre-cooked — the goal is gentle heating + flavour.)
- Rest + serveLift the ham out carefully and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.Spoon some of the warm pineapple cooking juices over the top.
- Optional : Thicken the glazePour the liquids from the bottom of the slow cooker into a saucepan. Simmer/ boil on the stovetop until the juices become a thick sticky glaze to serve with your ham.
Notes
- To make a great glazed ham, be sure you remove the tough skin of the hame to reveal the fat layer underneath before cooking, I demonstrate how to do this in my 3 Ingredient Ham Glaze Recipe .
- Use LOW heat — cooking ham on HIGH tends to dry it out.
- Bone-in hams often look more impressive and slice beautifully.
- For extra caramelisation, place the cooked ham under the grill/broiler for 3–5 minutes with extra glaze.
- Save the leftover cooking juices — they make excellent gravy or can be used to moisten leftover ham in sandwiches.
- Leftover ham freezes well or can be used in egg bakes, ham risotto, ham pot pie, or quiches.
- Fully cooked ham — This recipe works with bone-in or boneless ham, 4–6 lb (2–3 kg). Smoked or unsmoked both work.
- Most hams sold in grocery stores are already fully cooked, even if they don’t look it. They’re usually labelled as “cooked ham,” “ready-to-eat ham,” “champagne ham,” "Spiral cut ham" or “bone-in leg ham.” These hams simply need gentle reheating, which makes them perfect for slow cooking. A raw ham (sometimes called a fresh ham) is much less common and must be cooked all the way through like pork roast. If you’re unsure, check the packaging — cooked hams will always say ready to eat or fully cooked, while raw hams will have clear cooking instructions and a safe internal temperature listed.
- Pineapple juice — Helps keep the ham moist and adds natural sweetness. Apple juice also works.
- Brown sugar — Adds caramel notes; swap for coconut sugar if preferred.
- Maple syrup — Honey also works.
- Dijon mustard — Adds mild tang; wholegrain mustard is also fine.
- Cinnamon — Enhances the sweetness without tasting like dessert.
- Optional pineapple rings — Brush with glaze and serve on the side for a classic presentation.
Quick Start Guide To BLW
Baby led weaning doesn’t need to be complicated, grab my quick start guide to begin your little ones food journey.