Recipes

Crockpot Ham

November 5, 2025

Sweet, savory, and beautifully glazed, this Crockpot Ham is the easiest way to serve a holiday favorite. A mix of brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and apricot preserves creates a glossy, caramelized glaze with just a hint of rosemary, perfect for your holiday meal!

Flavor: This slow-cooked ham is sweet, tender, and tangy every time, with a glaze that adds just the right touch of smoky flavor.
Skill Level: This beginner-friendly ham recipe saves oven space!
Prep Note: Score the ham (if it’s not scored already) so the glaze seeps into the layers for maximum flavor.
Recommended Tools: A 6 qt slow cooker is perfect for a big, juicy ham! Check the ham early with an instant-read thermometer to prevent overcooking.
Serving Suggestions: Serve with your favorite holiday side dishes like mashed potatoes and a green bean casserole. Don’t forget the desserts!

ingredients with labels to make crockpot ham

Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor

Ham: I use a spiral cut ham since it’s easy to cut and serve, but any fully cooked ham will work. Choose an 8 to 10-pound ham to fit in a 6 to 7-quart CrockPot.
Preserves: Use either apricot preserves, apple jelly, or orange marmalade as the base of the glaze. Each brings a slightly different sweetness.
Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds sweetness and helps caramelize the glaze. Use dark brown sugar for a rich flavor.
Flavor: Dijon mustard and a pinch of ginger add flavor, while cider vinegar balances sweetness.
Variation: Swap the glaze below for a brown sugar glaze, add in some maple syrup, or skip the glaze and use a raisin sauce instead.

¼ – ⅓ lb. per person if using a boneless ham
⅓ – ½ lb. per person if using a bone-in ham

adding ingredients together to make glaze for Crock Pot Ham

How to Make Crockpot Ham

Make the glaze (full recipe below).
Sprinkle brown sugar in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Score the ham and glaze it.
Add rosemary sprigs and cook.

No liquid needed: The ham will release juices as it cooks. You can add up to ½ cup of pineapple juice to the bottom of the slow cooker if you’d like!
Make your own glaze: For the best slow cooker ham recipe, discard the glaze packet that comes with your ham and follow the glaze recipe below.
Score the meat: If you’re not using a spiral-cut ham, score the top of the ham by running a knife diagonally about ⅛ inch deep, allowing the glaze to soak into the meat.
Use a thermometer: A smoked ham should be cooked to an internal temperature of 140°F, as measured by a meat thermometer. Remove it from the slow cooker at about 135°F, as the temperature will continue to rise as it rests.

Crock Pot Ham in the crockpot with glaze

Storing

Store leftover crockpot ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze portions in freezer bags or containers for up to 4 months. To reheat, let it thaw in the fridge overnight, then warm it covered in the oven or microwave.

Leftover Ham Favorites

Did you make this Crockpot Ham? Leave a rating and comment below!

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 4 hours

Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes

For the glaze, in a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the preserves or jelly. Whisk in the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, vinegar, garlic powder, and ground ginger. Bring to a boil and let boil for 1 minute while stirring.
In the bottom of a 6 to 7-quart slow cooker, sprinkle ¼ cup of brown sugar.
If the ham has a plastic disk in the center, remove the disk and discard it. Place the ham on a large cutting board or baking sheet and use a knife to score the top* of the ham, ⅛-inch deep, in a criss-cross pattern.
Separate the layers of ham and brush some of the glaze into the layers. Place the ham into the slow cooker and pour the remaining glaze over the top.
Add rosemary sprigs if using, and cover the slow cooker (see notes if your ham is large). Cook on low for 4-5 hours or until the ham reaches 135℉.

Temp Check: Slow cookers can vary; check the ham early using an instant-read thermometer to ensure it doesn’t overcook.
Ham: Be sure to check your package to ensure that the ham is smoked/ fully cooked. The package will tell what temperature the ham needs to reach.
Score the ham: If your ham is not spiral cut, score the ham to allow the glaze to seep into the meat.
Substitution: Apple jelly can be substituted with apricot jam/jelly/preserves, apple butter, or orange marmalade.
Ham Size: If the ham is too large for the lid to close completely, cover the slow cooker with foil and place the lid on top of the foil to seal in the heat.
Leftovers: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 days and in the freezer for 4 months.
Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary. ¼ of the glaze is included in the nutrition calculation.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Ham, Main Course, Slow Cooker

Cuisine American

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