This Crockpot Spiral Ham recipe is one of my favorite ways to make a juicy, flavorful ham without taking up valuable oven space!
I came up with this Slow Cooker Ham Recipe because I wanted an easy way to prepare a delicious ham for family diners and holiday gatherings. A little honey, brown sugar, BBQ seasonings, and pineapple juice create incredible flavor, and the homemade sauce take it over the top.
My family loves how tender and flavorful this ham turns out, and I love that the slow cooker does most of the work. Whether you are planning Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just want an easy Sunday dinner, this Crockpot Spiral Ham Recipe is one you will want to make all year long.
If you like this easy recipe, be sure to try some of my other Slow Cooker main dish recipes including Crockpot Pork Roast and Crockpot Marry Me Chicken.
Reader Review: "This ham was so easy to make, and my entire family loved it. Honestly, I am making this more often than just the holidays!" - Melissa
Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Frees up Your Oven: The crockpot does the work, so your oven is free for all the sides.
- Family Approved - This ham is a hit with everyone, from kids to adults!
- Easy to Prepare: With just a few simple ingredients and 10 minutes of prep you will have a delicious ham cooking!
- Big Flavor with Little Effort: Honey, brown sugar, pineapple juice, create a delicious sauce!
Ingredients
- Spiral Cut Ham: Use a fully cooked, spiral sliced ham!
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps coat the ham between slices.
- Brown Sugar: This will help create a delicious glaze.
- BBQ Rub: I used a simple mixture of salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Pineapple Juice: Adds moisture while the ham cooks.
- Cornstarch: Used to thicken the juices to make a sauce.
Tim's Tip: Make sure to keep the ham covered while cooking to keep those spiral slices moist and delicious.
How to Make A Crockpot Spiral Ham
1. Add the ham: Place the spiral-cut ham into your crockpot, flat side down is okay if that fits best!
2. Add the honey: Drizzle honey over the ham, making sure to get some between the spiral slices.
3. Season: Sprinkle the brown sugar and BBQ rub evenly over the top of the ham.
4. Add Pineapple Juice: Pour the pineapple juice around the ham, not directly over the top. This will help keep the honey and seasoning in place.
5. Slow Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for approximately 2 hours, or until heated through. Cooking time will depend on the size of your ham and your slow cooker.
6. Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with water to make a slurry. Pour 1 cup of the cooking liquid from the crockpot into a small saucepan. Whisk in the cornstarch slurry and cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring until the sauce thickens.
7. Serve: Pour the warm sauce over the ham and serve!
Made this recipe? Let me know!
Expert Tips
- Add the Pineapple Juice Around the Ham: Pour the pineapple juice around the sides of the ham rather than over the seasoning. This keeps the honey, brown sugar and seasonings in place.
- Avoid overcooking: Since spiral hams are already fully cooked, we are really just reheating and adding flavor. We do not want to dry out the meat.
- Keep the Lid on: Resist the temptation to keep opening the slow cooker. Keeping the lid closed helps with a constant temperature and traps moisture.
- Don't Skip the Sauce: Use the flavorful juices from the crockpot to make your sauce! It will add another layer of flavor!!
Substitutions and Variations
- Pineapple Juice: You can substitute with apple juice or orange juice for a slightly different flavor. Both would add sweetness.
- Honey: You could use Maple Syrup for a delicious sweetness.
- Add Some Heat: If you like a little kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the seasoning blend.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store leftover ham in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days in an airtight container.
- Freezer: Store cooled ham in an airtight freezer-safe container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Reheat leftover ham in the microwave in short intervals until warmed through. For larger portions, place in a baking dish with a little sauce or juice, cover and warm in a 300°F oven until heated through.
FAQs
Spiral hams are generally precooked, making this process even easier. Just double-check your label.
I recommend cooking this ham on LOW to help keep it moist and tender. Spiral-cut ham can dry out quickly if overheated.
No! The pineapple juice will provide all the moisture needed for this recipe.
What to Serve with Spiral Ham
We love to make ham for the holidays and it goes with our favorite side dishes!
More Ham Recipes
Made this recipe? Let me know!
Recipe
Spiral Ham in a Crock Pot
Equipment
- 1 Crock Pot
- 1 Skillet for glaze
Ingredients
- 3 lb Spiral Ham
- ⅓ cup Honey
- 2 tablespoon BBQ Rub I used salt, pepper and paprika mixture
- ½ cup Brown Sugar
- 6 oz Pineapple Juice
- 1½ teaspoon Cornstarch
- 2 tablespoon Cold Water
Instructions
- Add the ham: Place the Spiral-cut ham into your crockpot, flat side down if it fits best! 3 lb Spiral Ham
- Add the honey: Drizzle honey over the ham, making sure to get some between the spiral slices. ⅓ cup Honey
- Season: Sprinkle the brown sugar and BBQ rub evenly over the top of the ham. ½ cup Brown Sugar 2 tbsp BBQ Rub
- Add Pineapple Juice: Pour the pineapple juice around the ham, not directly over the top. This will help keep the honey and seasoning in place. 6 oz Pineapple Juice
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for approximately 2 hours, or until the center of the ham is 140°F on a meat thermometer. Cooking time will depend on the size of your ham and your slow cooker.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry. Pour 1 cup of the cooking liquid from the crockpot into a small saucepan. Whisk in the cornstarch slurry and cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring until the sauce thickens. 1½ tsp Cornstarch 2 tbsp Cold Water
- Serve: Pour the warm sauce over the ham and serve!
Notes
- Add the Pineapple Juice Around the Ham: Pour the pineapple juice around the sides of the ham rather than over the seasoning. This keeps the honey, brown sugar and seasonings in place.
- Avoid overcooking: Since spiral hams are already fully cooked, we are really just reheating and adding flavor. We do not want to dry out the meat.
- Keep the Lid on: Resist the temptation to keep opening the slow cooker. Keeping the lid closed helps with a constant temperature and traps moisture.
- Don't Skip the Sauce: Use the flavorful juices from the crockpot to make your sauce! It will add another layer of flavor!!
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store leftover ham in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days in an airtight container.
- Freezer: Store cooled ham in an airtight freezer-safe container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Reheat leftover ham in the microwave in short intervals until warmed through. For larger portions, place in a baking dish with a little sauce or juice, cover and warm in a 300°F oven until heated through.
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