Slow Cooker Ham

4.7
(1,420)

This slow cooker ham always comes out juicy and delicious! It's easy to make with this no-fuss recipe that's perfect for holiday meals. The only ingredients you need are brown sugar and a bone-in picnic ham.

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Slow cooker ham on a black and white platter.
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Prep Time:
5 mins
Cook Time:
8 hrs
Total Time:
8 hrs 5 mins
Servings:
24

Here's a 2-ingredient recipe that takes the guesswork out of making a simple, juicy ham perfect for special occasions. Thousands of home cooks agree — our slow cooker ham recipe will wow any time of year.

How to Make Slow Cooker Ham

Making a sweet and savory ham to share with the whole family couldn't be easier. You'll find the full recipe below with step-by-step instructions, but here's what you can expect when you make this top-rated recipe:

Simply spread the brown sugar on the bottom of the slow cooker, place the ham flat side down, then spread the remaining sugar all over the ham. Crushed pineapple or pineapple juice is an optional (but delicious) addition to the flavor profile.

looking down at a plate of sliced slow cooker ham.

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

How Long to Cook Ham in Slow Cooker

Cover the ham and cook on low for six to eight hours. If you have a smaller ham (4-5 pounds) you can reduce the cooking time to about four hours. The internal temperature should read at least 145 degrees F before serving.

What to Serve With Slow Cooker Ham

Flavorful slow cooker ham pairs well with decadent dishes like scalloped potatoes and old-fashioned green bean casserole. Maple-glazed carrots or bean salad would also work well.

How to Store Slow Cooker Ham

Cooked ham will keep in the refrigerator for three to four days. Store in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic for best results. Reheat in a 300 degrees F oven just until thoroughly warmed.

To freeze leftover ham, wrap it in plastic or aluminum foil before placing it in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"This is one of our favorite recipes and I have made it a half a dozen times or so," shares Auntylene. "It is so easy to prepare before I go to work in the morning and when I get home it is ready and delicious. What a welcome smell when I walk in the door!"

"This recipe results in a moister ham than one baked in the oven," says reviewer Cathy D. "You can use a pre-cooked spiral cut ham, but you have to cook it for a much shorter time than the recipe indicates."

"Ridiculously simple," raves Tim. "I added whole cloves (around 18) and used my injector every 2 hrs 30 minutes to inject that juice and baste the outside. REALLY good!"

Editorial contributions by Rai Mincey

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 24 servings

  • 2 cups packed brown sugar

  • 1 (8 pound) cured, bone-in picnic ham

Directions

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients to make slow cooker ham.

    Dotdash-Meredith Food Studios

  2. Spread about 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar on the bottom of a slow cooker.

    Brown sugar spread evenly on the bottom of a slow cooker.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Place ham on the brown sugar with the flat side facing down; you might have to trim it a little to make it fit.

    Ham placed flat side down in the slow cooker.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Use your hands to rub the remaining brown sugar onto the ham. Cover, and cook on Low for 8 hours.

    Remaining brown sugar rubbed onto ham.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Serve and enjoy!

    Slow cooker ham on a black and white platter.

    Dotdash-Meredith Food Studios

Cook’s Note

If using a spiral-cut ham, cut the cooking time by about half, as a spiral cut will dry out faster.

You can add a 6-ounce can of pineapple juice or crushed pineapple and a few pinches of ground cloves in Step 2 if desired.

2,611 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

360 Calories
20g Fat
18g Carbs
26g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 24
Calories 360
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 20g 26%
Saturated Fat 7g 36%
Cholesterol 74mg 25%
Sodium 1425mg 62%
Total Carbohydrate 18g 7%
Total Sugars 18g
Protein 26g 52%
Calcium 24mg 2%
Iron 1mg 7%
Potassium 367mg 8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.