Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham Recipe

Introduction

This Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham is an effortless way to prepare a sweet and savory main dish that’s perfect for family gatherings or holiday meals. The slow cooker method ensures the ham stays tender and juicy while soaking up a delicious honey and brown sugar glaze.

Ingredients

• 4-5 pound boneless, spiral sliced ham (pre-cooked)
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon cold water

Instructions

1. Step 1: Spray the insert of the slow cooker with cooking spray. Unwrap the ham and place it flat side down into the slow cooker.
2. Step 2: In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and 1/4 cup water. Heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved, about 1-2 minutes. Pour the glaze over the ham.
3. Step 3: Cover with the lid and cook on LOW heat for 5-6 hours. Three to four times during cooking, baste the ham by pouring some of the glaze over it.
4. Step 4: Remove the ham from the slow cooker and place it on a serving plate. The spiral slices should be visible—finish cutting the slices with a knife. Pour some of the glaze from the slow cooker over the slices before serving.
5. Step 5 (Optional): To thicken the glaze, pour the liquid from the slow cooker into a saucepan over medium-high heat. Mix the cornstarch with cold water until smooth, then add to the saucepan. Cook for 1-2 minutes until it boils, then reduce heat and simmer until the glaze thickens. For a smoother gravy, strain the liquid before thickening.

Tips & Variations

• Use a baster or large spoon to regularly coat the ham with glaze for maximum flavor and a beautiful glossy finish.
• If you prefer a spicier twist, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or ground cloves to the glaze mixture.
• Thickening the glaze creates a lovely sauce to drizzle over side dishes like mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.
• Make sure your ham is pre-cooked; this recipe is designed to reheat and glaze the ham gently without drying it out.

Storage

Store leftover ham wrapped tightly in foil or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a microwave or covered in the oven to preserve moisture. The thickened glaze sauce can be refrigerated separately and warmed before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a bone-in ham for this recipe?

Yes, a bone-in ham can be used, but cooking time may need to be increased slightly. Place the ham bone side down and ensure it fits comfortably in your slow cooker.

Do I need to add water to the slow cooker?

No additional water is needed. The water included in the glaze mixture is sufficient to keep the ham moist while it cooks.

Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 141 reviews

This Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham recipe is an effortless way to prepare a flavorful and tender spiral-sliced ham. The honey and brown sugar glaze, enhanced with Dijon mustard, slowly cooks in a slow cooker, making the ham juicy and perfectly caramelized. Ideal for holiday dinners or special occasions, this recipe requires minimal hands-on time and yields a deliciously sweet and savory ham that everyone will love.

• Author: Amy
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 to 6 hours
• Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 to 10 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Ham

• 4–5 pound boneless, spiral sliced ham (pre-cooked)

Glaze

• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup water

Thickening Mixture (Optional)

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon cold water

Instructions

1. Prepare Slow Cooker: Spray the insert of the slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Unwrap the pre-cooked spiral sliced ham and place it flat side down into the slow cooker.
2. Make Glaze: In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the light brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and water. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to bubble slightly, about 1-2 minutes. Pour this glaze evenly over the ham in the slow cooker.
3. Cook the Ham: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to LOW heat. Let the ham cook for 5 to 6 hours. Every 1 to 2 hours during the cooking process, baste the ham by spooning some glaze from the slow cooker over the top to keep it moist and flavorful.
4. Finish and Serve: When cooking is complete, carefully remove the ham and place it onto a serving platter. Using a knife, finish slicing through the pre-cut spiral slices if needed. Pour additional glaze from the slow cooker over the slices before serving.
5. Optional – Thicken Glaze: For a thicker sauce, pour the leftover liquid from the slow cooker into a saucepan. Mix the cornstarch with cold water until smooth and add it to the saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes until boiling, then reduce heat and simmer until the glaze reaches your desired thickness. For a smoother sauce, strain the glaze through a fine-mesh strainer before heating.

Notes

• Ensure the ham is pre-cooked, as this recipe only reheats and glazes the meat.
• Do not skip basting during cooking; it keeps the ham moist and enhances the glaze flavor.
• The thickened glaze makes an excellent sauce or gravy to serve alongside the ham.
• Use a fine-mesh strainer to remove any fat or clumps from the glaze for a cleaner presentation.
• Leftover ham can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Keywords: honey glazed ham, slow cooker ham recipe, spiral sliced ham, holiday ham, easy ham recipe, honey brown sugar glaze