SLOW COOKER HOLIDAY HAM

Slow Cooker holiday Ham is made with just 4 simple ingredients and is moist & flavorful! This ham recipe is made with brown sugar, cloves & pineapple, which provides a wonderful sweet and tangy flavor.

Making this slow cooker ham with pineapple recipe takes just minutes to prepare and yields scrumptious tender, flavorful and juicy ham. If you want a simple way to make your holiday meal with very little work, this slow cooker ham is the recipe for you!

Cooking a holiday ham in a crockpot is a great way to save time and effort while still enjoying a delicious meal. The recipe for Crock Pot Holiday Ham is simple and easy to follow, making it a perfect choice for busy families or those who want to spend more time with their loved ones during the holidays.

What to serve with holiday ham?

Crock Pot Ham can be served with Alfredo Potatoes, Orange Cream Fruit Salad, Tropical Jello Pretzel Salad, and Creamy Parmesan Peas and Potatoes. For dessert, I love Banana Cream Cheesecakes, Orange Cake with Whipped Pineapple Frosting or Glazed Strawberry Fruit Pizza.

Why make this Crockpot Ham recipe?

Crock Pot Ham is my go-to recipe for when I am preparing a holiday ham. Cooking for the holidays does not have to be labor intensive and time consuming! This ham recipe takes just a few minutes to prepare, and then you can be on to fixing the next dish. Preparing ham in the crock pot is a fantastic way to free up the oven and it produces a deliciously juicy ham.

I use the word “cooking” but really, any ham you buy in the grocery store is pre-cooked, so all you really need to do is warm it up. However warming up a 10-lb piece of meat without drying it out is easier said than done. Hence the crock pot method- it is the perfect environment for tender, juicy ham. I also recently made this recipe in the Instant Pot and WOW- if you have an Instant Pot, you have got to try it! It made the juiciest ham ever and took a grand total of 30 minutes. Yep, that’s it. I love my Instant Pot!

Tips for making the BEST Crock Pot Ham

• I like to pre-slice my ham so that I can put pineapple in between slices. It is easier to cut a boneless ham, but use what you like!
• Growing up we always cooked ham with whole cloves. However, since the ham is already cooked and we are just aiming to heat and infuse flavor, I find that using ground cloves does this better.
• Save the juice once you are done cooking the ham and drizzle it over the top, once you place the ham in a serving dish.
• Candied cherries are just fun! Plus they make this holiday ham look gorgeous, so I love using them.

Crock Pot Ham Recipe ingredients

-Ham: You will need 1 2-7 pound ham, boneless or bone-in, whichever you prefer will work great. I like the boneless option as it is much easier to slice and serve.

-Pineapple: Use one 20-oz can sliced pineapple to add some amazing flavor and moisture to this meat.

-Brown sugar: Adding ⅓ cup brown sugar to this recipe provides just the right amount of sweetness to this dish.

-Cloves: You need ½ tsp ground cloves to give this meat a pungent warm flavor.

-Cherries: If desired, grab a jar of candied cherries to use as garnish and additional flavor.

How to cook a ham in a Crock Pot

Prep

First, while your ham is still in the packaging, place it in the crock pot to see how it fits. You may need to cut it into portions to fit it in the crockpot. Then, unwrap it and either place it whole back in the crockpot or cut it into pieces to fit in the crockpot. You can also choose to pre-slice it if you would like.

Since ham from grocery stores is pre-cooked, if your ham doesn’t fit and if you don’t need all of it, you can simply cut a portion off and refrigerate it or freeze it for later use too.

Next, open the can of sliced pineapple and drain the juice out into a separate bowl. You will use all of the juice so set it aside, do not discard!

Then, measure out the 1/3 cup of brown sugar and add it to the bowl with the pineapple juice, whisking to dissolve.

After that, add in the 1/2 tsp of ground cloves and whisk to combine. Set juice mixture aside.

Now, arrange the slices of pineapple all over the surface of your ham and in between slices if you pre-sliced the ham.

If you chose to included cherries, place them inside the center of the pineapples.

Lastly, pour the pineapple juice mixture over the entire top of the ham and pineapple slices.

Heat

Now, place the lid on the crock pot and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours.

A 7-10lb ham in the crock pot cooked takes about 4 hours. A bone-In ham will take 5-6 hours to fully heat up. If you have a smaller, 2-4 lb ham, aim for around 2 hours of cooking time.

How to cook ham in an Instant Pot

Prep

First, while your ham is still in the packaging, place it in the Instant-Pot to see how it fits. You may need to cut it into portions for it to fit. Then, unwrap it and either place it whole back in the Instant Pot or cut it into pieces to fit. You can also choose to pre-slice it if you would like.

Next, open the can of sliced pineapple and drain the juice out into a separate bowl. You will use all of the juice so set it aside, do not discard!

Then, measure out the 1/3 cup of brown sugar and add it to the bowl with the pineapple juice, whisking to dissolve.

After that, add in the 1/2 tsp of ground cloves and whisk to combine. Set juice mixture aside.

Now, arrange the slices of pineapple all over the surface of your ham and in between slices if you pre sliced the ham.

If you chose to included cherries, place them inside the center of the pineapples.

Lastly, pour the pineapple juice mixture over the entire top of the ham and pineapple slices.

Cook

Place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure pressure valve is closed. Select Manual high pressure and use the ham portion sizes below to set the appropriate time.

2lbs-4lbs boneless ham slices: 5-8 minutes in 3 qt or 6 qt Instant Pot

5-7lb boneless ham slices: 10-14 minutes in a 6 qt or 8 qt Instant Pot

Smaller bone-in hams can be used in an 8-qt Instant Pot. Cook for 14-17 minutes

How long should a 5lb ham cook in a slow cooker?

A 5lb ham should cook on LOW for approximately 5-6 hours in a slow cooker. It’s important to check the internal temperature of the ham with a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached 145°F before serving.

What are some other slow cooker ham recipes that don’t use brown sugar?

Some other slow cooker ham recipes that don’t use brown sugar include honey glazed ham, maple glazed ham, and mustard glazed ham. These recipes typically use a combination of honey, maple syrup, or mustard as a sweetener.

How do you cook a pre-cooked ham in a slow cooker?

To cook a pre-cooked ham in a slow cooker, place the ham in the slow cooker and add a liquid such as water, broth, or juice to keep the ham moist. Cook on LOW for 3-4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.

What is the best way to prevent ham from drying out in a crock pot?

To prevent ham from drying out in a crock pot, make sure to add a liquid such as water, broth, or juice to keep the ham moist. You can also cover the ham with foil or a lid to help retain moisture.

Is it better to cook ham low and (kind of) slow?

Yes, it is better to cook ham low and slow to ensure it stays tender and juicy. Cooking ham on a low heat  allows the flavors to develop as the ham slowly comes to temperature.

How do you heat up a fully cooked ham in a crock pot?

To heat up a fully cooked ham in a crock pot, place the ham in the slow cooker and add a liquid such as water, broth, or juice to keep the ham moist. Cook on LOW for 2-3 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 125°F. Since the ham is already cooked, you just need it to be hot to taste.

Like this crock pot ham recipe? Try these other crock pot recipes! 

• Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken recipe
• Crock Pot Beef Stew recipe
• Crock Pot Pork Roast
• Crock Pot Turkey Breast
• Crock Pot Sweet Pork
• Crock Pot Shredded Chicken
• Crockpot Pork Carnitas
• Crockpot Madras Lentils
• Crock pot Roast with Dr.Pepper
• Crockpot Chili
• Crockpot Chicken Alfredo Lasagna

Overall, the Crock Pot Holiday Ham recipe is a great choice for those who want to enjoy a delicious holiday meal without spending hours in the kitchen. With just a few simple ingredients and easy steps, anyone can create a flavorful and tender ham that is perfect for any occasion.

Looking for more Pork recipes? Check these out:

• Sausage Potato Boat Recipe
• Easy Lil Smokies & Meatballs Recipe
• Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Recipe
• BLT Bratwurst Recipe
• Bacon Wrapped Meatballs Recipe
• Grilled Italian Sausage Recipe
• Slow Cooker Pork Roast Recipe
• Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin Filet Recipe
• Sausage and Peppers Recipe

Crock Pot Ham is my favorite holiday ham recipe! Just 4 ingredients and can be made in the crockpot or Instant Pot. Brown sugar and pineapple provide a sweet, tangy flavor to the ham. Quick and easy slow cooker ham recipe that takes just minutes to prepare and yields tender, flavorful and juicy ham.