Amazing Holiday Crockpot Ham: 4-6 hours

Okay, so holiday dinners can feel like a HUGE undertaking, right? Between all the side dishes and making sure *everyone* has something they love, it’s a lot. But I’ve found my absolute go-to for making the main event totally stress-free and ridiculously delicious: this Holiday Crockpot Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze. Seriously, it’s a game-changer!

You know how sometimes you just want a showstopper that practically makes itself? That’s this ham! I remember one crazy Christmas Eve, I was running around like a headless chicken trying to get everything ready. I threw this ham in the slow cooker early that morning, and when it was time to serve, it was perfectly tender and smelled absolutely divine. Everyone raved about it, and nobody had a clue how little effort I actually put in. It’s that perfect blend of sweet, savory, and just plain festive, and it’s become a non-negotiable at our holiday table.

Gathering Your Ingredients for Holiday Crockpot Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze

Alright, let’s get down to what you’ll need for this amazing Holiday Crockpot Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze. The beauty of this recipe is how simple the ingredient list is! You won’t be digging through your pantry for a million things. It’s just a few key players that make all the magic happen.

The Star: Your Fully Cooked Ham

First up, you need a good quality, fully cooked ham. I usually go for a 5-7 pounder, but the most important thing is to make sure it actually fits in your slow cooker! Give it a quick measure before you buy if you’re not sure.

Sweetness and Spice for the Brown Sugar Glaze

For that irresistible glaze, we’re keeping it simple with 2 cups of packed brown sugar – the darker, the better for that rich caramel flavor. Then, we’ll add 1/2 cup of honey for extra sticky sweetness and a full tablespoon of ground cloves. Don’t skip the cloves; they give it that perfect warm, festive kick that just screams holidays!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Holiday Crockpot Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze

Alright, getting this ham ready is honestly the easiest part of your holiday meal prep. You can literally toss it in the slow cooker and walk away while you tackle all those other dishes. It’s a lifesaver, I tell you!

Preparing the Ham for Slow Cooking

First things first, grab your slow cooker. You’re going to place that beautiful, fully cooked ham right into the insert. If your ham has a thick layer of fat, you can trim some of it off if you like, but honestly, it adds so much flavor and moisture while it cooks, so I usually leave most of it on!

Crafting the Perfect Brown Sugar Glaze

Now for that amazing glaze! Grab a medium-sized bowl. Dump in your packed brown sugar, the golden honey, and that wonderful ground cloves. Give it all a good stir with a spoon or a whisk until it’s a nice, smooth, unified mixture. You want it to be thick but spreadable, like a wonderful, sweet paste. Make sure there aren’t too many clumps of brown sugar left.

Glazing and Slow Cooking Your Holiday Crockpot Ham

Once your glaze is all mixed up, it’s time to get it onto the ham. Carefully spoon and spread that glorious brown sugar mixture all over the top and sides of the ham in the slow cooker. Try to get an even coating so you get that perfect caramelization everywhere. Then, just pop the lid on nice and tight. Set your slow cooker to LOW and let it do its thing for about 4 to 6 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the ham is heated all the way through – it’ll be wonderfully tender and the glaze will be bubbly and gorgeous.

Resting and Slicing Your Masterpiece

This step is super important, even though it means waiting a little longer! Once the ham is done, carefully take it out of the slow cooker and place it on a nice cutting board. Let it rest for about 10 minutes. This lets all those delicious juices redistribute throughout the meat, so every slice is super moist. After resting, grab your sharpest knife and slice it up. Look at that beautiful glaze!

Tips for a Perfect Holiday Crockpot Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze

Making this Holiday Crockpot Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze is pretty foolproof, but a few little tips can make it absolutely spectacular. Seriously, a little extra attention goes a long way to making this holiday dinner centerpiece shine. We want that perfect, sticky glaze and a ham that’s tender from edge to edge!

Ensuring Your Ham Fits

Okay, so I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating: make sure your ham actually fits in your slow cooker! These things can be surprisingly deceiving. If you’re buying a bigger ham, double-check the dimensions of your slow cooker insert. Sometimes, you might need to trim a little off the ends or choose a more oval-shaped ham over a round one to get it snug inside. A snug fit means it cooks more evenly, which we definitely want!

Achieving a Crispy Glaze

Now, for that extra-special touch! If you love a really caramelized, slightly crispy glaze, there’s a little trick. After the ham is done cooking and resting in the slow cooker, you can carefully transfer it to a baking sheet lined with foil. Then, pop it under the broiler for just a few minutes. I’m talking WATCHING IT LIKE A HAWK. Seriously, it can go from perfectly glazed to burnt in seconds! Just a couple of minutes, keeping the oven door ajar, should give you that gorgeous, slightly crisp finish on the glaze. It’s optional, but oh-so-worth-it if you have the time and a watchful eye!

Frequently Asked Questions About Crockpot Ham

Got questions about making this amazing Holiday Crockpot Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze? I totally get it! It’s always good to have a few answers handy, especially when you’re planning your big holiday dinners. This crockpot ham is one of my favorite ways to simplify things, so let’s dive into what folks usually ask.

What type of ham is best for slow cooking?

For this recipe, you really want a fully cooked ham. Whether it’s bone-in or boneless, spiral-cut or a solid piece, just make sure it’s labeled “fully cooked.” That just means it’s already safe to eat and we’re just warming it up and adding that delicious glaze. Boneless ones can sometimes be a bit easier to slice!

Can I adjust the sweetness of the brown sugar glaze?

Absolutely! If you prefer it less sweet, you can try reducing the brown sugar slightly, maybe by a quarter cup, and perhaps add a tiny pinch more cloves or even a whisper of black pepper for a little contrast. If you want it sweeter, well, you could add a bit more honey, but honestly, this recipe is pretty balanced as is!

How do I know when my holiday crockpot ham is done?

The best way to tell is by temperature. You want the ham to reach an internal temperature of about 140°F (60°C) since it’s already cooked. If you don’t have a thermometer, it’ll be super tender and the glaze will be bubbly and sticky. Just don’t overcook it, or it can get a little dry!

Serving Your Holiday Crockpot Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze

Okay, now that you’ve got this gorgeous, glistening ham ready to go, let’s talk about making it the star of your holiday table! This crockpot ham is so versatile, and it pairs beautifully with all sorts of classic holiday dishes. It’s all about creating that perfect festive meal that feels special without you being stuck in the kitchen all day.

Delicious Side Dish Pairings

This ham’s sweet and savory profile sings alongside creamy mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon, or even a bright, fresh green bean casserole. Don’t forget some crusty rolls for soaking up any extra glaze!

Festive Presentation Ideas

Transfer your ham to a beautiful platter. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or a few rosemary sprigs can add a lovely pop of color. If you went with the crispy glaze option, that alone makes it look super impressive! Honestly, though, the glaze does most of the heavy lifting here – it looks amazing all on its own.

Storing and Reheating Your Leftover Holiday Crockpot Ham

So, you’ve managed to have some leftover Holiday Crockpot Ham? Lucky you! Those leftovers are gold, and knowing how to store and reheat them properly means you get to enjoy that deliciousness all over again. We want to keep it as moist and flavorful as possible, and it’s super easy to do.

Proper Storage Techniques

Once the ham has cooled down a bit, wrap it up tightly in plastic wrap or foil, or better yet, pop it into an airtight container. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you think you won’t get to it that quickly, it freezes really well too! Just wrap it really well to prevent freezer burn, and it’ll be good for a couple of months.

Reheating for Best Taste

To reheat, I like to add a splash of water or broth to the bottom of the pan before I pop the ham in the oven at around 300°F (150°C). Cover it tightly with foil to trap all that moisture. You just want to heat it through, not cook it again, so maybe 20-30 minutes depending on the size of your leftovers. This keeps it super juicy and delicious!

Estimated Nutritional Information for Holiday Crockpot Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze

Just a heads-up, these nutritional values are estimates, okay? Since we’re using a fully cooked ham which can vary, and the exact amount of glaze that sticks can change, think of this as a general guide. This is based on a 4 oz serving.

Calories: 350, Sugar: 25g, Sodium: 1200mg, Fat: 15g, Protein: 25g, Carbohydrates: 28g.

For more delicious recipes and inspiration, check out our Pinterest page!

Print