Preparing a succulent glazed spiral ham has never been easier, thanks to your trusty slow cooker! This effortless method takes all the stress out of cooking, delivering tender, juicy ham packed with sweet and savory flavors. Whether you’re planning a holiday feast or a special family dinner, this Crockpot glazed spiral ham is a guaranteed showstopper.
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With minimal prep and the convenience of hands-off cooking, you’ll have more time to focus on enjoying the moment while your ham slowly cooks to perfection
Brandi’s Key Ingredients
- Spiral Ham
- Pineapple Juice
- Brown Sugar or Sweetener
- Honey
- Cinnamon and Cloves
- Cornstarch
What Type of Ham to Use
Start with whether you plan to buy a fresh ham or a cured, smoked, and pre-cooked ham. Fresh hams aren’t that common. Most people prefer cured hams, so that’s what you will typically find in grocery stores, especially around the holidays. Once purchased all you need to do is reheat and add an amazing glaze!
I like to use bone-in hams because they have more flavor. You can also use the leftover ham bone can be used in other recipes to add flavor, like my Slow Cooker Crockpot Ham and Potato Soup.
If you aren’t a fan of carving, spiral-sliced hams work great! They are also a time saver. The smoked ham is placed on a spit and rotated against a blade while moving lengthwise so it’s sliced in a spiral, right to the bone. You will still have to cut along the bone to remove your slices, but the hard part is already done and the presentation is beautiful. The slices fall right off the bone.
When buying ham, be sure to read the labels. Some hams are artificially plumped up with water or solutions, but this dilutes the flavor. Look for one with no added water or juices. The label should just read “ham” — not Ham, water added or Ham with natural juices. Check out this complete guide to buying hams.
How to Score the Ham
Hams are really thick, so scoring a ham before you cook it is necessary in order to help the ham glaze penetrate into the meat. Scoring will also make the ham gorgeous and very presentable. You will make diagonal cuts into the ham.
I don’t score spiral sliced hams because they are already cut and you can baste the glaze into the cut sections of the meat.
While scoring, use a sharp knife and a cutting board. Start at one end of the ham, and near the bottom cut about 1/3 of an inch into the ham and in a complete line across.
Continue to make similar cuts and lines about an inch apart.
Turn the ham and repeat the diagonal lines to form a criss cross pattern.
How to Make Ham Glaze
I like to use a combination of the juices from the ham when it cooks, pineapple juice, brown sugar or brown sweetener, honey, cinnamon, ground cloves, and cornstarch (as a thickener) to make the glaze. Combine the ingredients in a saucepan on the stove until thick.
How to Make Slow Cooker Crockpot Spiral Ham
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Add ham, pineapple juice, and brown sugar or sweetener to the slow cooker.
- Slow cook.
- Once the ham has cooked, pour the liquid from the bottom of the slow cooker into a saucepan or skillet on medium heat to make the ham glaze.
- Add honey, cinnamon, and ground cloves. Stir.
- Add cornstarch and water to a small bowl and stir to combine.
- Add the cornstarch slurry mixture to the glaze. Stir as you pour and add it in slowly. Stir until the glaze thickens.
- Pour the glaze over the ham.
What Size Slow Cooker/Crockpot to Use
My 7 quart Crockpot can fit an 8 1/2 pound spiral sliced ham with the lid on. If your ham is too large for your slow cooker, you can cover the top with foil as it cooks.
Cook Time/How Long to Cook
Cook the ham for 3-4 hours on Low heat.
How Much Ham Should You Estimate Per Person
Estimate about ½ pound per person.
Can You Make it Ahead?
For holiday celebrations, I prefer to make the ham in the morning. It always tastes best when it’s freshly cooked. You can make the ham up to 3-4 days in advance if preferred.
How to Store it
The ham can be stored in the fridge tightly sealed and covered for up to 3-4 days.
Freezer Tips
You can freeze leftovers (tightly sealed) for 1-2 months for optimal freshness. This is for quality only, as frozen hams remain safe to eat indefinitely.
More Ham and Main Dish Recipes
Southern Baked Ham with Pineapple
Ham Potato and Vegetable Soup
Ham and Cheese Panini
Air Fryer Honey Glazed Ham
Slow Cooker Crockpot Cornish Hens
Ham Hocks and Beans
Traeger Smoked Ham
Slow Cooker Crockpot Duck
More Slow Cooker Recipes
Slow Cooker Crockpot Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Slow Cooker Crockpot Candied Sweet Potatoes
Slow Cooker Crockpot Bone In Turkey Breast
Slow Cooker Crockpot Oxtail
Slow Cooker Crockpot Beef Roast
Slow Cooker Crockpot Neck Bones
Slow Cooker Crockpot Black Eyed Peas
Slow Cooker Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup
Slow Cooker Chili Mac
Slow Cooker Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
Slow Cooker Crockpot Gumbo
Watch step by step video instructions on how to make this recipe on Youtube.
Watch the Tiktok Video here.
Slow Cooker Crockpot Spiral Sliced Glazed Ham
Ingredients
- 7-8 pounds fully cooked ham I prefer bone-in and spiral cut.
- 3/4 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup brown sweetener or sugar Dark or light.
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2-4 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2-4 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Add the ham, pineapple juice, and brown sugar or sweetener to the slow cooker. (My slow cooker is 7 quart).
- Cook for 3-4 hours on low heat. Ensure the ham is finished by using a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the ham and ensure the ham reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees.
- Once the ham has cooked, pour the liquid from the bottom of the slow cooker into a saucepan or skillet on medium heat to make the ham glaze.
- Add the honey, cinnamon, and ground cloves. Stir.
- Add the cornstarch and water to a small bowl and stir to combine. I start with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water. (If the glaze still needs thickening you will repeat this step with an additional tablespoon of each and so on.)
- Add the cornstarch slurry mixture to the glaze. Stir as you pour and add it in slowly. Stir until the glaze thickens.
- Pour the glaze over the ham. Allow the ham to rest for at least 20 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- I discard the glaze packet that comes with the ham.
- I don’t find it necessary to score a spiral-sliced ham.
- Typically, flour can be substituted for cornstarch as a thickener. In this instance, I noticed it would form large clumps in the glaze. I don’t recommend using it.
- The cornstarch and water slurry is crucial in thickening the ham glaze. The amount you will need will vary because the amount of liquid you have in the slow cooker after cooking the ham will vary. This liquid includes the juices and flavor from the ham as it cooked. It’s going to vary for each ham. Continue to mix cornstarch and water and add it to the glaze until it reaches your desired texture.
- You can use full cloves if you wish. They can be inserted into the ham using toothpicks.
- My 7 quart Crockpot can fit an 8 1/2 pound spiral sliced ham with the lid on. If your ham is too large for your slow cooker, you can cover the top with foil as it cooks.
Lisa
Thursday 8th of December 2022
I tested this recipe out on the family before committing to it for the holidays. It was super easy and tasted amazing. It will be on our menu for New Years Day!
staysnatched
Thursday 8th of December 2022
I'm glad to hear it will be on the menu!