Mom's Best Recipes
Recipe

Crockpot Ham With Brown Sugar Glaze

A cozy, low-effort slow cooker ham that stays juicy and gets a sticky sweet glaze you will want to spoon over everything.

Author By Matt Campbell
4.8
A sliced spiral ham sitting in a slow cooker with a glossy brown sugar glaze pooling at the bottom on a bright kitchen counter
Jump to Recipe

There are two kinds of ham days. The ones where you want the whole house to smell like a holiday, and the ones where you just want dinner handled while you do literally anything else. This crockpot ham (slow cooker ham, if we are being formal) is for both. It comes out tender and juicy, the glaze turns shiny and spoonable, and you get that sweet salty vibe that makes people hover in the kitchen pretending they are “just grabbing a plate.”

Good news: you do not need a fancy ham, a complicated glaze, or an oven. You just need a slow cooker, a handful of pantry staples, and the willingness to taste the glaze with a spoon like a responsible adult.

Brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, butter, garlic, and spices measured in small bowls on a tidy kitchen counter next to a ham

Why It Works

  • Moist results without babysitting: Low, gentle heat keeps ham from drying out, especially if you add a little liquid to the pot.
  • Big flavor with easy ingredients: Brown sugar, honey, Dijon, and butter create a balanced glaze that tastes like you tried harder than you did.
  • Works for spiral or whole ham: Spiral ham gets warmed and glazed, while whole ham gets the same treatment with a bit more time.
  • Leftovers are a gift: The glaze doubles as a sauce for sandwiches, breakfast, and weeknight “what is in the fridge” meals.

Pairs Well With

Recommended

Honey Glazed Ham

Honey Glazed Ham

A warm, home-cook friendly honey glazed ham with a glossy finish, crisp edges, and simple pantry ingredients. Includes tips, variations, and storage.

Honey Baked Ham

Honey Baked Ham

A warm, home-cook friendly honey baked ham with a shiny glaze, crisp edges, and foolproof oven timing. Includes tips, variations, and leftover ideas.

Scalloped Potatoes with Ham

Scalloped Potatoes with Ham

Tender potatoes, smoky ham, and a cozy cream sauce baked until golden and bubbling. A family favorite that works for weeknights, holidays, and leftover ham.

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

A cozy casserole of thin-sliced potatoes and ham in a creamy sauce, baked until bubbling and golden. Easy ingredients, clear steps, big comfort.

Storage Tips

How to Store Leftover Crockpot Ham

  • Refrigerate: Cool ham within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container with a little cooking liquid or glaze. It keeps well for 3 to 4 days in the fridge (or follow your preferred food-safety guidance).
  • Freeze: Slice or dice, portion into freezer bags, and add a spoonful of glaze or juices to prevent dry freezer ham sadness. For best quality, use within 1 to 2 months. It can keep longer while continuously frozen, but texture is happiest in that window.
  • Reheat: Warm gently. Microwave covered with a splash of water or juices in 30-second bursts, or reheat in a skillet on low with a bit of glaze. Avoid blasting it hot or it will tighten up. If you like numbers, aim for about 140°F for a fully cooked ham, and follow package directions if they are different.
Sliced leftover ham stacked in a glass storage container with a small pool of glaze at the bottom on a kitchen counter

Common Questions

Common Questions

Can I cook a ham from raw in the crockpot?

Most hams sold as spiral or holiday hams are fully cooked and only need to be heated through. A raw or fresh ham is a different situation and needs specific time and temperature control. For this recipe, use a fully cooked ham.

What size ham fits in a slow cooker?

A 6 to 8 pound ham usually fits in a 6-quart slow cooker, but shape matters. If your lid will not close, do not force it. Trim a bit more from the bottom, or use an 8-quart slow cooker for a stress-free fit.

Do I need to add water or other liquid?

Yes, add a small amount. Ham releases juices, but a little liquid helps create steam and protects the edges from drying. Water works, but apple juice or pineapple juice adds nice flavor.

How long do I cook a spiral ham in the crockpot?

Because it is already cooked and pre-sliced, you are mainly warming it. Plan on 2.5 to 4 hours on LOW, depending on size and how cold it is from the fridge. For a fully cooked, packaged ham, heat the thickest part to about 140°F, and always follow any package instructions if they differ.

Can I cook it on HIGH?

You can, but I do not love it. HIGH is more likely to dry the outer slices. If you must, check early and often and pull it as soon as it hits 140°F.

Where do I put the thermometer in a spiral ham?

Check the temperature in the thickest part of the ham, away from the bone. For spiral ham, slide the probe into a solid section between the cuts so you are not just reading the hotter surface glaze.

How do I make the glaze thicker?

After cooking, pour the liquid into a small saucepan and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes until glossy. If you want it thicker faster, whisk 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 teaspoon water, then whisk it into simmering liquid for 1 to 2 minutes.

Ham glaze simmering in a small saucepan on a stovetop with a whisk resting on the rim

I love ambitious cooking projects, but ham is not where I need to prove myself. I want ham to be the reliable friend who shows up on time, smells amazing, and does not demand extra attention. The slow cooker makes that happen. You stir together a quick glaze, pour it over, and let the crockpot do the work while you handle sides, people, or a quiet moment of peace. Also, I have absolutely “taste tested” the glaze so many times that I basically ate dessert before dinner, and I stand by it.