Wondering how to cook ham? This Crock Pot Brown Sugar Holiday Ham recipe is one of our very favorite ways to make a fail-proof holiday ham that will knock their socks off. Both spiral and regular cooked hams come out super flavorful, tender and juicy with this crockpot-baked ham recipe.
How to Cook Ham
Slow cookers are just perfect for those who find themselves wondering how to bake a ham. Crock pots tend to keep moisture in a lot better than ovens, so cooking ham in a crockpot has a lot of advantages, especially for first time ham-bakers or those who are just simply looking for an easy way to bake ham.
Note: We recommend that you use bone-in spiral or traditional hams or whole muscle boneless hams in the slow cooker. Reconstituted hams do not typically do well in the slow cooker for long periods of time.
UPDATED: We have updated this post with a video tutorial on how to cook our favorite crock pot ham recipe.
Crock Pot Ham Recipes
I found this recipe in Gooseberry Patch’s new Hometown Christmas. This recipe is by far the easiest most flavorful ham I have ever personally made. It was incredibly tender and juicy and it literally took 5 minutes to throw in the crock pot! (Note: If you don’t have these ingredients on hand, you can also try our Easy Crock Pot Ham.
Now most of the time I prefer a basic bone-in cooked ham versus a spiral ham. I think it is nostalgia more than anything. However, I have used this recipe multiple times for both types and I have to say this last spiral ham we made in the crock pot was so incredible it might just begin to change my mind on the whole matter! Regardless of what type of ham you choose, there isn’t an easier way out there to cook it than in your slow cooker!
Cooking Ham in a Crock Pot
Ingredients
- 7 lb Cooked Bone-In Cooked Ham or Spiral Cooked Ham
- 1 Cup Brown Sugar
- 2 Cups Pineapple Juice
- 1/2 Cup Maple Syrup
Instructions
- Place ham in a large slow cooker flat side down.
- Rub brown sugar over all sides of the ham.
- Drizzle with juice and syrup.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
Video
Notes
- If you are looking for more ham recipes, you can find a full listing of all our holiday ham recipes here.
- You will need to pick out your ham to fit inside your slow cooker or cut it down to fit. We typically try to find a 6-7 lb ham that is the right shape for the 6-8 quart slow cooker we are wanting to use. If your ham is just a little too big to get the lid on tight you can wrap aluminum foil around the outside of the lid to keep the heat in.
- We use a fully cooked ham in this recipe. Check your ham's packaging to see if there are any specific temperatures your ham needs to cook to per the brand's suggestion. If a specific temperature is necessary, we love using this meat thermometer while we crock pot cook. We love that you can leave the probe inside the slow cooker and it will ring an alarm when the ham reaches the correct temperature.
- Looking for more recipes? Our Recipe Finder can help you find exactly what you need.
- Check out all our favorite recommendations for cookbooks, slow cookers and low carb essentials in our Amazon Influencer Shop.
- As with any of our recipes, carb counts, calorie counts and nutritional information varies greatly. As a result, your nutritional content depends on which products you choose to use when cooking this dish. The auto-calculation is just an automated estimate and should NOT be used for specific dietary needs.
- Finally, all slow cookers cook differently, so cooking times are always a basic guideline. Recipes should always be tested first in your own slow cooker and time adjusted as needed.
Nutrition
Slow Cooker Recommendations
When purchasing your ham, keep your crock size in mind. It is important to consider both ham shape and size. Picking a ham based purely on weight can lead you to an odd shaped cut that won’t fit your crock pot. You will want to make sure your ham can fit entirely inside of your slow cooker with the lid completely closed. Many models of slow cookers these days come in 6-7 qts offering ample room for a nice-sized ham. This 7 lb ham fit nicely in my 6 qt slow cooker.
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can u cook on high for 3 and a half hours
Hi I was wondering if I can cook my ham on high for a shorter cooking time? If so how long would the time be?
Can I use a smaller ham with this recipe? I bought a 2.59 lb ham.
Thank you
Chris: I made this last night and it came out GREAT, just like all the rest Recipes that I have tried.
Keep up the great work and again thank you.
So glad to hear you enjoyed it, Neil!
I use the powdered packets of apple cider with the brown sugar – if you like the spices similar to the ones that come with the spiral ham
Great idea Anita! Merry Christmas!
Hello, I’m in Aus & don’t know wat a spiral ham is! Can I please use a shoulder or leg ham thats already cooked from the supermarket? Do I take the rind off and then cook the ham with ham ‘fat’ side lying on the botton of the crock pot or at the top under the lid? Sorry to sound silly, but I’d love to make it but never done it b4.
Hi Catherine-
I would cook it with the fat side up. Enjoy!
My family is not big fans of pineapple. Does it keep much of that flavor? Or can I use something else like apple juice? Suggestions appreciated 🙂
Hi Kellie- After it cooks down it doesn’t maintain a distinct pineapple taste. The juices are very savory. You can try apple juice as I know others use it. I have heard it will be a bit sweeter though. Enjoy!
Any suggestions if I forgot pineapple.?
Besides that it looks very good
Hi Susan! We haven’t tried it, but I have heard some folks use apple juice. I would imagine that would make it a bit sweeter though.
Hi, I saw this on pinterest and just had to check it out. I plan to try baking my ham this way asap. I am *known* for my whiskey – pineapple ham at christmas, so I may try adding a half cup of Jack Daniels- my go-to brand for my christmas ham- plus some ground cloves. 🙂
Sounds good Lorraine! You may want to substitute your whiskey for half a cup of the pineapple juice instead of just adding it in addition to. Those cloves sound so good! I love the flavor of cloves with ham! Merry Christmas!
Hi do you cook it on Hi or Low” Sounds so good. We will make it for Christmas
Hi Judy! Cook on low 🙂 Merry Christmas!!
I have a question: What brand/type of ham do you prefer? I tried cooking a ham in my crock pot once an it was a disaster, but my ham didn’t have a bone and, I realized later, was probably pre-cooked. I cooked it for 8 hours on low with brown sugar and pineapple juice and it was bone dry and crumbling apart even with all the liquid. How can I avoid this in the future (company coming next week! Eeek!)
Hi Edie-
It sounds like you may have started out with a ham that was processed quite a bit. Those may be okay to slice up for lunch meat and such, but I would steer clear for your feast next week. Did it happen to have a cut side to it where you could see the ham or was it all encased? My guess is it was likely encased. For that traditional ham you are going to want to go with a bone-in variety to be sure you are getting what you want or, if you go the boneless route, look for “whole muscle” on the label. Spirals turn out great in the slow cooker, just turn them cut side down so the juices can keep them from drying out.
Don’t be afraid of a “cooked” label. I believe all”smoked” hams (what we think of when we say ham) are technically cooked. Some require more cooking while others you are simply reheating. Fresh ham (uncooked) will cook up more like a roast and turn white.
Good luck and let us know how it goes!
This just looks amazing, I know we’re going to have to make this for Christmas this year!
Aw thanks Angie! Enjoy!!
This was so delicious, I will do my ham this way from now on!! Thanks for the wonderful recipe!!
So glad you enjoyed it!!
We just love this method!
that’s how I cooked my ham this year. It was super easy and tasted wonderful. It fell apart and was so tender. In fact, I think I’ll go get some leftovers right now 🙂
I just love making it this way! Glad you enjoyed it(and those leftovers!)
is that 6 to 8 hrs high r low setting?
i would say low since its a long process