Prepare to revolutionize your holiday dinners with this incredible Slow Cooker Ham with Maple Glaze. Forget the long lines and expense of store-bought options; once you experience the tender, juicy perfection of this homemade glazed ham, you’ll never look back. Crafted with a simple yet incredibly flavorful maple glaze, this recipe promises a show-stopping main course that requires minimal effort – just 10 minutes of hands-on prep, then your slow cooker handles the rest, leaving you free to enjoy the festive season.
There’s no need to order that overly sweet, expensive ham from the store ever again. This Slow Cooker Ham with Maple Glaze offers a superior taste experience that is both incredibly juicy and packed with a rich, balanced flavor profile. My family, like many others, used to rely on pre-made hams for special occasions, but after years of encountering long queues and consistently finding the ham excessively sweet, we made the switch to homemade. The result? Unanimous rave reviews every single time. This recipe isn’t just delicious; it’s refreshingly easy and brings an authentic, gourmet touch to any holiday table or Sunday feast.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unbeatable Flavor & Texture: This slow cooker ham is exceptionally tender and juicy, generously coated in a homemade maple glaze that perfectly balances savory and sweet notes. Slow cooking ensures the ham remains moist and flavorful throughout.
- Effortless Holiday Elegance: Achieve a festive and impressive holiday centerpiece or a special Sunday dinner with minimal stress. Your slow cooker does most of the work, allowing you to focus on other dishes or enjoy time with loved ones.
- Quick & Convenient Prep: With only about 10 minutes of active preparation time, this recipe is designed for ease. After a short hands-on period, simply set your slow cooker and let it work its magic for a few hours.
- Health-Conscious Choice: Unlike many store-bought hams loaded with refined sugars, our homemade glaze utilizes natural maple syrup. This recipe is also naturally gluten and dairy-free, catering to various dietary needs without compromising on taste.
- Cost-Effective & Customizable: Making your own glazed ham is often more economical than purchasing pre-made options. Plus, you have complete control over the ingredients, allowing for customization to suit your family’s preferences.
Understanding Your Ham
Choosing the right ham is the first step to a truly spectacular slow cooker meal. For this recipe, an 8 lb. fully cooked spiral-sliced ham is ideal. Here’s what you need to know:
- Fully Cooked: Most hams available in stores are already fully cooked. This means your goal is simply to heat it through to a safe internal temperature while infusing it with flavor from the glaze, not to cook it from raw.
- Spiral-Sliced: A spiral-sliced ham is a game-changer for slow cooking. The pre-cut slices allow the maple glaze to penetrate deep into the ham, ensuring every bite is moist and flavorful. It also makes serving incredibly easy – simply pull apart the slices!
- Bone-in vs. Boneless: You can use either bone-in or boneless ham. A bone-in ham often offers more flavor and moisture retention, while a boneless ham is typically easier to carve (though spiral-sliced hams minimize this difference). Ensure it fits comfortably in your slow cooker.
- Glaze/Seasoning Packets: Many store-bought hams come with their own glaze or seasoning packets. You will not need these for this recipe, as we’re making a superior homemade maple glaze from scratch. Feel free to discard them.
When selecting your ham, look for one that feels substantial and appears moist. Avoid hams with dry edges or a dull appearance. A good quality ham will be the foundation of your delicious slow cooker creation.
Maple Glazed Ham Recipe Ingredients
The beauty of this slow cooker spiral ham lies in its simplicity and the ability to customize its rich, balanced flavors with just a few key ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what makes our homemade maple glaze truly special:
- Ham: As mentioned, an 8 lb. fully cooked spiral-sliced ham (boneless or bone-in) works perfectly. The spiral cuts are essential for the glaze to seep into every crevice, ensuring maximum flavor in every bite.
- Pure Maple Syrup: This is the star of our glaze, providing natural sweetness and a distinct, rich flavor far superior to corn syrup or refined sugar. Opt for pure maple syrup (Grade A Dark, Robust Taste is often preferred for cooking) over pancake syrup for the best results. You can substitute with honey or your preferred natural liquid sweetener if desired.
- Fresh Orange Juice: Freshly squeezed orange juice is highly recommended for its vibrant, zesty flavor. It adds a crucial bright note that cuts through the richness of the ham and complements the sweetness of the maple syrup. Store-bought orange juice can work, but fresh makes a noticeable difference.
- Bourbon: The bourbon is a secret weapon in this glaze. It adds wonderful depth, complexity, and a subtle warmth, while also helping to balance and minimize the overall sweetness. The alcohol cooks off, leaving behind a sophisticated flavor. If you prefer not to use alcohol, brandy, sherry, or simply more orange juice can be used as substitutes.
- Dijon Mustard: This sharp, tangy mustard is vital for creating a balanced glaze. It provides a savory counterpoint to the sweetness of the maple and orange, preventing the glaze from being cloying.
- Whole Grain Mustard (Optional): For an added layer of texture and a more robust, slightly spicier mustard kick, whole grain mustard is a fantastic addition. If you don’t have it on hand, simply omit it; the Dijon alone will still provide excellent flavor.
- Water: A small amount of water in the slow cooker bottom creates a moist environment, preventing the ham from drying out and ensuring it heats evenly.
The combination of these simple ingredients creates a harmonious glaze that transforms an ordinary ham into an extraordinary culinary experience.
Crafting the Perfect Glaze
The homemade maple glaze is what truly elevates this slow cooker ham. Unlike thin, watery glazes, ours is designed to be thick enough to cling to every spiral slice, ensuring each bite is infused with a burst of flavor. Preparing the glaze is a quick and straightforward process that involves simmering the ingredients on the stovetop until it reaches a beautiful, syrupy consistency. This step allows the flavors of maple, orange, bourbon, and mustard to meld and intensify, creating a truly irresistible coating for your ham.
How to Make Crock Pot Ham: Step-by-Step Guide
Cooking a ham in your slow cooker is genuinely one of the easiest ways to achieve a perfectly moist and flavorful result. With just about 10 minutes of active prep, you can then set it and forget it, letting the slow cooker do all the heavy lifting for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C). It truly doesn’t get any easier!
Pro Tip: For ultimate convenience, prepare your glaze in advance! Whisk it together and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When ready to use, simply warm it gently in the microwave for about 30 seconds to loosen it up, making it easy to brush onto your ham.
- Prepare the Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the pure maple syrup, fresh orange juice, bourbon (if using), Dijon mustard, and whole grain mustard (if desired). Whisk these ingredients together until well combined. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until the glaze thickens to a syrupy consistency. This simmering process concentrates the flavors and ensures a richer glaze.
- Set Up the Slow Cooker: Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of your slow cooker. This liquid is crucial as it creates a moist environment, preventing the ham from drying out during the heating process.
- Place the Ham: Carefully unwrap your fully cooked spiral-sliced ham. Gently separate the slices slightly – this allows the glaze to really get in between each cut, maximizing flavor penetration. Place the ham into the slow cooker, cut side up, ensuring it fits snugly.
- Glaze the Ham: Pour the prepared maple glaze generously all over the top of the ham. Use a pastry brush or spoon to ensure the glaze coats the top and seeps down into the separated slices. If you plan to create a “sticky-sweet” broiled exterior later (see next step for optional finish), reserve half of the glaze now.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on the LOW setting for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. The ham is ready when its internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C) when measured with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham, avoiding the bone. Avoid overcooking, as the ham is already fully cooked and can dry out quickly.
- Optional Sticky-Sweet Finish: For an extra special, caramelized exterior, carefully remove the heated ham from the slow cooker and place it in a large baking dish with a small amount of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker. Brush the entire surface and between the slices with any reserved glaze. Broil in a preheated oven for just a few minutes, keeping a very close eye on it, until the glaze becomes bubbly and slightly caramelized. This step adds a beautiful sheen and intensifies the sticky sweetness.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once finished, carefully transfer the ham to a serving platter. The spiral slices make serving effortless. Garnish with fresh herbs like rosemary and orange slices for a beautiful presentation. Slice, serve, and savor!
FAQs
To heat a fully cooked ham in a crock pot, place it in the slow cooker with about 1 cup of liquid (like water, broth, or fruit juice) at the bottom. This liquid adds moisture, creating steam to prevent the ham from drying out and ensuring it heats gently and evenly on a low setting.
An 8 lb. fully cooked bone-in or boneless spiral-sliced ham typically takes roughly 2.5 to 3 hours to heat through in a slow cooker on the LOW setting. The ham is considered ready when its internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C). It’s crucial not to overcook it, as it is already fully cooked and can become dry if heated for too long.
Traditional glazed hams often feature glazes with a high amount of refined sugar. Our homemade maple glazed ham, however, uses pure maple syrup for a natural sweetness. It combines fresh orange juice for brightness, bourbon for depth (or an alcohol-free alternative), and Dijon mustard for a savory, tangy balance, resulting in a perfectly sweet and savory profile.
For this slow cooker recipe, the maple glaze is applied to the ham just prior to heating. You simply spread the spiral slices apart and pour the glaze in between them and over the top. This allows the flavors to infuse into the ham as it heats. Optionally, you can reserve half of the glaze to brush on for a sticky, bubbly exterior by broiling the ham for a few minutes after it’s heated through.
Most standard 6-quart oval slow cookers can comfortably accommodate a ham weighing between 6 to 8 pounds. For larger hams (up to 10-12 pounds), you might need an 8-quart slow cooker or larger. Always ensure the lid can close properly without pressing down on the ham, allowing steam and heat to circulate efficiently.
Yes, you can use a non-spiral ham, such as a shank or butt portion. However, to help the glaze penetrate and to make carving easier, it’s recommended to score the ham in a diamond pattern about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep before applying the glaze. The cooking time might also vary slightly, so always rely on a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 140°F (60°C).
Serving Suggestions
This exquisite maple glazed ham is incredibly versatile, making it perfect for a variety of meals and occasions. Here are some ideas:
- Holiday Feast: Serve it as the star of your holiday table alongside classic dishes like Yukon gold garlic mashed potatoes, vibrant fresh cranberry orange sauce, and a crisp green salad.
- Sunday Dinner: For a comforting and impressive Sunday meal, pair it with rosemary parmesan roasted sweet potatoes and a refreshing pear salad.
- Creative Leftovers: Don’t let any ham go to waste! Leftovers are fantastic in a ham, asparagus, and mushroom frittata, delicious ham and cheese sandwiches, hearty split pea soup, or even chopped into a breakfast hash.
- Seasonal Vegetables: Complement the rich ham with seasonal roasted vegetables like green beans, Brussels sprouts, or asparagus.
Tips for Success
Achieving the perfect slow cooker ham is simple with these helpful tips:
- Make-Ahead Glaze: Save yourself time on the day of cooking by preparing the maple glaze in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When you’re ready to use it, a quick 30-second warm-up in the microwave will loosen it to an easily brushable consistency.
- Bourbon Substitutions: While bourbon adds a unique depth, it’s easily adaptable. You can substitute it with brandy or sherry for similar complexity. For a completely alcohol-free glaze, simply use an equal amount of additional orange juice. The flavor will still be fantastic!
- Storage: Leftover slow cooker ham can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the ham in individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- The Sticky Glazed Exterior: To achieve that desirable sticky, slightly caramelized exterior, only use half of the prepared glaze during the slow cooking process. Once the ham is heated through, carefully transfer it to a large 13×9-inch baking dish. Add a small amount of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker to the bottom of the dish. Generously brush the remaining half of the glaze all over the ham, ensuring it seeps between the slices. Broil for just a few minutes, keeping a very close eye on it (it can burn quickly!), until the glaze is beautifully bubbly and lightly caramelized.
- Don’t Overcook: Remember, most hams are already fully cooked. Your goal is to heat it through to 140°F (60°C). Overcooking will dry out the ham, making it tough. A meat thermometer is your best friend here!
More Holiday Recipes You’ll Love:
- Roasted Boneless Turkey Breast
- Cranberry Orange Sauce
- Homemade Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Fried Shallots
- Festive Holiday Salad
- Cranberry Pear Salad with Fresh Pear Vinaigrette
- Maple Orange Sweet Potato Casserole with Oat Pecan Streusel
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram!
Slow Cooker Ham with Maple Glaze
16
servings
15
mins
3
hrs
3
hrs
15
mins
Leave a Review »
Equipment
-
6 Quart Crock Pot
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup (substitute with honey or your favorite sweetener)
- 1/4 cup bourbon (see notes for substitutions)
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons whole grain mustard (optional)
- 1 cup water
- 8 lb. fully cooked spiral sliced ham (mine was semi bone-in)
Instructions
-
Place the maple syrup, bourbon, orange juice, dijon and whole grain mustard (if using) into a small sauce pan and whisk to combine. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to medium and cook for 5-10 minutes or until thickened.
-
Pour the water into the slow cooker. Unwrap the ham, spread the slices apart and place in the slow cooker cut side up.
-
Pour the glaze over the ham and in between the slices. Only use half of the glaze here if you’d like a sticky sweet exterior on your ham (see notes). Cover and cook on low for 2 1/2 – 3 hours or until warmed through (about 140 degrees), basting from time to time when you think about it. Slice, serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Pro tip: Prepare the glaze in advance and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. Simply heat in the microwave for about 30 seconds to loosen it up and make it easier to brush on the ham.
- Sub the bourbon with brandy or sherry. If you’d like the glaze to be booze-free, sub it with extra orange juice.
- Store slow cooker ham in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- If you’d like the ham to have a sticky-glazed exterior, only use half of the glaze during the cooking the time. Once heated through, place the ham in a large 13×9″ baking dish with a bit of cooking liquid and brush all over and between the slices with the remaining glaze. Broil just a few minutes until the glaze is nice and bubbly, keeping a very close eye on it to keep it from burning.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
Did you try this recipe?Be sure to tag @flavorthemoments with the hashtag #flavorthemoments on Instagram so I can see what you made!
**This recipe was originally published in March 2018. The photos have been updated to include step-by-step instructions and the text has been modified to include more recipe information and enhance SEO.