Perfect Slow Cooker Glazed Spiral Ham

5 from 4 votes

Perfect Slow Cooker Glazed Spiral Ham

This Perfect Slow Cooker Glazed Spiral Ham always comes out tender, juicy, and full of sweet holiday flavor. The slow cooker does all the work while the glaze melts into every slice. It's an easy, stress-free main dish for Christmas, Easter, or any special family dinner.

Prep Time30

Cook Time4

Total Time4 30

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: brown sugar ham glaze, Christmas ham, crockpot glazed ham, Easter ham recipe, easy holiday ham, pineapple glazed ham, simple holiday dinner, slow cooker ham, spiral ham recipe, tender slow cooked ham

Servings: servings

Calories: 148kcal

Author: George - U Keep Cooking

Equipment

Crockpot/Slow Cooker

Ingredients

1 (5-7 lbs.) ham (boneless or bone-in ham)
½ cup pineapple preserves (or apricot preserves)
½ cup light brown sugar
1 cup apple cider (or pineapple juice) (both work perfectly)
¼ cup Dijon mustard (or brown mustard)
½ teaspoon allspice (adjust to taste)
2 tablespoons honey (optional but amazing for shine + stickiness)
2 teaspoons ground ginger (for warmth and depth)
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for subtle heat)
1 (15 oz -can) pineapple chunks or rings (stuff in between the slices)

Instructions

Prepare the Slow Cooker: Lightly grease the inside of the slow cooker with nonstick spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Place the Ham in the Slow Cooker: Place a 5–7 lb spiral-cut ham (boneless or bone-in) cut-side down or on its side, depending on what fits best. If the lid doesn't fully close, cover the top with foil before placing the lid on.
Add Pineapple to the Ham Slices: Drain a 15 oz can of pineapple chunks or rings and tuck the pieces between the slices of the ham. This adds moisture and a sweet, fruity flavor during cooking.
Prepare the Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup pineapple preserves (or apricot preserves), ½ cup light brown sugar, 1 cup apple cider or pineapple juice, ¼ cup Dijon or brown mustard, ½ teaspoon allspice, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional). Mix until smooth and well combined.
Pour the Glaze Over the Ham: Pour the prepared glaze evenly over the ham, allowing it to run between the slices. Spoon some glaze between layers to ensure even flavor.
Slow Cook the Ham: Cover and cook the ham on LOW for 4-5 hours, or HIGH for 2–3 hours. The ham is already fully cooked, so the goal is to heat it through while infusing it with the glaze.
Baste During Cooking (Optional): Halfway through the cooking time, spoon some of the hot glaze from the bottom of the slow cooker over the top of the ham to help develop a stickier, more flavorful crust.
Finish With Extra Glaze: Once heated through, carefully transfer the ham to a serving platter. Pour some of the glaze from the slow cooker over the top for extra shine and flavor. If you like the crusty glaze look on the ham, transfer the ham to a baking dish and place it under the broiler for a few minutes.
Rest and Serve: Allow the ham to rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing along the spiral cuts and serving.

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