How to cook a Ham in your Slow Cooker
Here are step by step directions on How to cook a Ham in your Slow Cooker, which is perfect for Christmas or any other holiday! In my family it has always been tradition to have ham on Christmas day. Now I can make the ham in my crock pot and be able to spend more time with my children and family. I do not have the hassle of worrying about what time it should go in and how long to cook it. Plus it saves room on the oven for making rolls and heating up other side dishes.
How to cook a Ham in your Slow Cooker
The first step is picking out a ham (bone-in, boneless, spiral it doesn’t really matter) that is 6-9 lbs., but you must keep in mind how big your slow cooker is. I used a 6 QT Oblong Crockpot and usually get around a 7lb ham. When I am ready to cook the ham, I clean it well (rinse with warm water) and trim any excess fat that I can. Place the ham in the slow cooker, flat side down.
Next open a can of pineapple and pour juice into a bowl. Add 1/3 cup packed brown sugar to juice and whisk until dissolved. Add 1/2 tsp ground cloves and whisk. Arrange the slices of pineapple on top of the ham and then pour the juice mixture all over the top. Place your lid on top and cook on low for 6-8 hours, really depends on how big your ham is so be sure to check after 4 hours. Remove from the slow cooker and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving. Serve with your favorite trimmings!
I I I love making my Ham in the Slow Cooker because I do not have to do any work and it helps take the stress away when cooking on the holidays. Be sure to try making your turkey breast in the slow cooker for Thanksgiving – you will not be disappointed! By using the slow cooker you are able to enjoy your holidays and relax but still prepare a big meal for your family at the same time. It is one of my favorite ways to cook during special occasions and the holidays.
How to cook a Ham in your Slow Cooker
Equipment
- 1 Crock pot
Ingredients
- 1 whole Bone in Spiral Ham
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 can pineapple (tid-bits, chunks or rings)
- 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
Instructions
- The first step is picking out a ham (bone-in, boneless, spiral it doesn't really matter) that is 6-9 lbs., but you must keep in mind how big your slow cooker is. I used a 6 QT Oblong Crockpot and usually get around a 7lb ham. When I am ready to cook the ham, I clean it well (rinse with warm water) and trim any excess fat that I can. Place the ham in the slow cooker, flat side down.
- Next open a can of pineapple and pour juice into a bowl. Add 1/3 cup packed brown sugar to juice and whisk until dissolved. Add 1/2 tsp ground cloves and whisk. Arrange the slices of pineapple on top of the ham and then pour the juice mixture all over the top. Place your lid on top and cook on low for 6-8 hours, really depends on how big your ham is so be sure to check after 4 hours. Remove from the slow cooker and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving. Serve with your favorite trimmings!
Notes
Other Posts:
How to cook a Turkey Breast in the Slow Cooker
How To Make Christmas Dinner In Your Slow Cookers
How to cook a moist and delicious turkey in your roaster oven
Ham Recipes
Easy Crockpot Ham & Northern Beans
Side Dishes that are Perfect for the Holidays
Gluten Free Green Bean Casserole
Shelley is a boy mom, marine wife, and is blessed with an amazing family. She loves sharing recipes, travel reviews and tips that focus on helping busy families make memories.
slow cooker ham sounds great but do you buy a fully cooked ham?
Yes, you sure can!
Did you choose a fully cooked ham for this demonstration? The part about cooked/uncooked ham is confusing me. Do the cooking times vary according to cooked/uncooked ham?
We did use a fully cooked but you can use either one.
I will give it a try!
This would be perfect for Easter. thx
Can you make gravy with the juic
Yes, for sure!
Oh my goodness! This recipe gets five high-fives! I had never thought of putting our Christmas ham in the crockpot but I don’t think I’ll put a ham in the oven ever again. I had gotten a basic bone-in ham 9 pounds. I prepared the night before then at 3am after coming home from midnight Mass turned it on low and went to bed. I let it cook until noon the next day then turned it off to serve. Delicious! And fall-off-the-bone soft!
I just cooked a 9 lb ham in my crockpot and it was delicious! So easy and it was amazingly tender.
Love this!
One thing you can do with the juices is as follows: Remove ham and pineapple slices from the slow cooker. Pour the juice from the slow cooker to a pot and boil down on medium heat until you have a thick mixture. Drizzle over ham slices.
What about cooking time for a 2lbhalf ham?
I would just use a smaller slow cooker 🙂
I have a 3.5lbs ham how long would you recommend cooking for? I’ve made it numerous times following this recipe but have always had a bigger ham. Thanks
It would be about an hour and 1/2.
Is the a way to speed up cooking? Can I heat on high for a while? I will have a brush at 11:00a.m.. It would be nice not to have to get up at 5:00. This will be for Christmas Day brunch. There will be Christmas Eve partying, not conducive to early a.m.!
Yes! https://www.stockpilingmoms.com/2015/02/slow-cooker-conversions/
Can you cook the ham frozen?
You would have to add a lot more time. I would suggest thawing it first.
I put the ham in the crock pot on top of a few sprigs of rosemary and then add a 24oz bottle of beer and cook on low for 8 hrs,very yummy.there are lots of sweet ham recipes and almost no savory ones.
i’m not a fan of sweet ham, how can I make it in the slow cooker without pineapple and brown sugar. thanks
Sure just use some liquid (water is fine) and maybe add some cloves and other savory spices that you enjoy.
Hi, you say to check ham after 4 hours…am I checking it’s internal temp? If so, what should it be?
Yes using a meat thermometer.
If you use a spiral cut ham you really need to make a sling out of foil (folded several times over so it doesn’t break)to get the ham out in one piece. It will make this a lot easier at the end. I promise.
Great tip!!! Thanks!