You just need two ingredients for the perfect Crockpot Ham for a crowd! Add the optional Orange-Brown Sugar Ham Glaze and savory Ham Gravy and make your holiday main dish next level awesome!
We are by no means traditionalists when it comes to holiday meals. (Did I ever tell you about the time Blake grilled T-Bone Steaks outside on a dark, snowy night for our New Year’s Eve dinner party?!) But there’s something about the Christmas season that begs for a smoky, juicy ham at the center of the table – and this simple two-ingredient Crockpot Ham recipe is my go-to. Even when I make another protein, like Mustard Pork Loin Roast or Grilled Turkey Tenderloin, this ham is the traditional favorite that pleases a crowd.
Why This Is the Best Way to Cook Ham for the Holidays
Don’t let the simplicity of this recipe fool you! This easy method is absolutely fail-proof, and yields the most delicious, succulent ham. Here’s why this recipe should be at the top of your holiday dinner menu:
- TWO ingredients. Ham is already seasoned and cooked. So start with a high-quality ham and your only job is to warm it up. (Bonus points if you add the Orange-Brown Sugar Ham Glaze and creamy Ham Gravy!)
- Moist and juicy. Because ham is already cooked, you only need to gently warm it in a way that keeps it from going dry. The crock pot is the absolute best way to ensure that!
- Frees up your oven. Your oven and stovetop are prime real estate for holiday cooking, so making your ham in the crockpot gives you more space for other holiday favorites, like Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes and Pineapple Casserole.
Enjoy!
What You’ll Need
The orange-brown sugar glaze and/or gravy are optional, but I do recommend them. Scroll down to the printable recipe card to find the exact ingredient quantities and full recipe instructions.
- Ham – You’ll need a pre-cooked bone-in ham for this recipe; one that’ll fit into your crockpot. (Or use a spiral ham, if desired.) I really like the ham at our local butcher shop, so that’s usually where I get mine. But grocery stores also carry them, especially during the holiday seasons of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
- Broth – Ham is plenty salty, so use low-sodium chicken broth.
- Optional enhancements – Brush the ham with Brown Sugar Ham Glaze and serve it with Ham Gravy!
How to Cook Ham in the Crockpot
Here’s my easy step-by-step guide to this simple process.
- Prepare the ham. Set the ham on a rimmed baking sheet or cutting board and score it to form a diamond crisscross pattern over the surface.
- Assemble. Pour the broth into the slow cooker, then add the ham with the cut side facing down. Cover the slow cooker.
- Cook. Turn on the crockpot and cook on low until the ham reaches 140ºF on an instant-read thermometer.
- Glaze it. If you’re using the glaze, prepare it during the last 30 minutes of cooking time for the ham. Place the ham on a cutting board with the cut side down and brush it with the glaze.
- Make the gravy. If you’re making the gravy, reserve the fat and juices from the slow cooker to use as the base.
- Serve. Slice the ham and serve.
Crockpot Ham Tips
I’ve got a few more pointers to help you make sure your holiday ham is juicy and delicious!
- Use a thermometer. The amount of time it takes to cook ham in a crockpot depends on the size of the ham, the size and heat of your slow cooker, etc. For a 7- to 8-pound ham, you’re looking at around 4 hours, but this is just an estimate. So, the best way to know when it’s done is to use an instant-read thermometer. It definitely takes the guesswork out of the cooking process.
- Slightly higher than 140ºF is fine. You need to hit a minimum of 140ºF for food safety, but you have a little leeway here. I’ve always cooked my ham to 145-150°F and the ham is still juicy and tender.
- Get an accurate temperature reading. Take the temperature from several spots in the ham and make sure the probe doesn’t touch the bone.
My Favorite Sides for Serving With Ham
Ham and potatoes are an awesome pairing, whether you go with Creamy Mashed Potatoes (perfect with the gravy!), Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes, or my family’s favorite (a Midwestern classic!) Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole. Round out your meal with fluffy Rhodes Rolls or tender Honey Cornbread Muffins, plus Green Bean Casserole and these easy Honey Garlic Carrots. If you like to include a salad, try my Holiday Wild Rice Salad or Cranberry Coleslaw!
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerator: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container or wrap them in foil. Refrigerate for up to 5 days. Use extra ham for Ham Salad, this easy Crustless Quiche, and my mom’s Macaroni Salad with Ham & Cheese – my favorite leftover ham recipes!
- Freezer: You can freeze leftover crockpot ham in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
- To reheat: For best results, place the ham in a baking pan, add a few tablespoons chicken broth or water, cover with foil, and reheat in a 325ºF oven until warm. The microwave also works, in short intervals.
More Holiday Favorites
Crockpot Ham
Ingredients
- 5-8 pound cooked bone-in ham (not spiral-cut)
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- Orange-Brown Sugar Ham Glaze, optional
- Ham Gravy, optional
Instructions
- Place the ham, cut side down, on a rimmed pan or large cutting board. With a very sharp knife, score ham diagonally, with lines about 1/4" deep and 1" apart. Then score ham diagonally in the opposite direction, to create a finished diamond crisscross pattern over the entire surface of the ham.
- Pour chicken broth into a large oval slow cooker, at least 6-quart in size. Add ham, cut side down. Cover and cook on low until ham is heated throughout and an instant-read thermometer reads 140°F when you test several areas of the ham (do not touch the bone). For a 7 to 8-pound ham, this takes about 4 hours. (I personally prefer to cook the ham to 145-150°F, and have always had juicy ham at this temperature.)
- OPTIONAL Orange-Brown Sugar Ham Glaze: During the final half hour of ham cook time, prepare the Orange-Brown Sugar Ham Glaze. When ham is done, transfer it to a large cutting board, cut side down. Liberally brush the glaze over the ham, then slice and enjoy.
- OPTIONAL Ham Gravy: If desired, collect ALL the fat and juices from the bottom of the slow cooker to make savory Ham Gravy.
get new posts via email: