Introduction: Can a Juicy, Sweet-Glazed Ham Be Effortlessly Prepared in a Slow Cooker?
Craving a tender, flavorful ham that practically cooks itself? Slow Cooker Ham transforms a cured, bone-in picnic ham into a succulent centerpiece with a sweet brown sugar glaze, all with minimal effort. This recipe yields 24 servings, perfect for holiday feasts, large gatherings, or leftovers. Ready to let your slow cooker do the work? Let’s dive into this easy recipe!
Overview: Why Slow Cooker Ham Shines
Slow Cooker Ham is loved for its simplicity, rich flavor, and hands-off cooking. Here’s what makes it special:
- Time Requirement: 10 minutes prep, 8 hours cooking, totaling approximately 8 hours 10 minutes.
- Difficulty Level: Easy—requires minimal prep and slow cooking, ideal for all skill levels.
- Why It’s Special: The brown sugar glaze caramelizes slowly, infusing the ham with sweet, sticky goodness while keeping it juicy. This recipe serves 24, great for big crowds or meal prep.
Perfect with roasted fall vegetable salad, mashed potatoes, or a side of creamy corn soup for a festive spread.
Essential Ingredients
Slow Cooker Ham uses just two ingredients for a flavorful, fuss-free result. Here’s what you’ll need for 24 servings:
- 2 cups packed brown sugar: Creates a sweet, caramelized glaze.
- 1 (8-pound) cured, bone-in picnic ham: Juicy, savory base that’s easy to prepare.
Why These Ingredients Matter
- Picnic Ham: Cured and bone-in for rich flavor and tenderness; perfect for slow cooking.
- Brown Sugar: Melts into a sticky, sweet glaze that complements the savory ham.
Substitutions and Variations
- Brown Sugar: Swap with 1 ½ cups maple syrup or honey for a different sweetness; reduce to 1 cup for less glaze.
- Picnic Ham: Use a bone-in shoulder ham or spiral-cut ham (check size to fit slow cooker); adjust cooking time for smaller hams (6-7 pounds, 6-7 hours).
- Gluten-Free: Naturally gluten-free; confirm ham is gluten-free (most cured hams are).
- Flavor Variations:
- Spiced Slow Cooker Ham: Add ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon or cloves to the brown sugar.
- Maple-Mustard Ham: Mix ¼ cup Dijon mustard with 1 cup maple syrup instead of brown sugar.
- Pineapple-Glazed Ham: Add ½ cup crushed pineapple or pineapple juice to the slow cooker.
- Spicy Slow Cooker Ham: Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon cayenne or chili flakes with the brown sugar.
- Herb-Infused Ham: Add 1 teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary to the glaze.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making Slow Cooker Ham is a simple, hands-off process that yields a tender, flavorful dish. Let’s get cooking!
Step 1: Gather and Prep
- Gather all ingredients: 2 cups packed brown sugar, 1 (8-pound) cured, bone-in picnic ham.
- Ensure the ham fits in your slow cooker (6-quart or larger recommended); trim if needed.
Tip: Check slow cooker size; a picnic ham is typically wider than a spiral ham, so trimming may be necessary.
Step 2: Assemble in Slow Cooker
- Spread 1 ½ cups packed brown sugar evenly on the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Place the ham flat side down on the brown sugar.
- Rub the remaining ½ cup brown sugar over the top and sides of the ham.
Tip: Press brown sugar firmly to adhere; ensure ham is centered for even cooking.
Step 3: Cook
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on Low for 8 hours, until the ham is tender and heated through (internal temperature should reach at least 140°F/60°C for pre-cooked ham).
Tip: Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to maintain heat; no basting is needed as the sugar melts into a glaze.
Step 4: Serve
- Carefully remove the ham from the slow cooker and transfer to a serving platter.
- Let rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
- Serve hot, about ⅓ pound per serving, with glaze spooned from the slow cooker.
Tip: Slice against the grain for tenderness; reserve glaze for drizzling or dipping.
Assembly: Building the Perfect Slow Cooker Ham
Making Slow Cooker Ham is all about creating a tender, flavorful centerpiece. Here’s how to make it shine:
- Ham: Juicy and infused with sweet glaze.
- Brown Sugar Glaze: Sticky, caramelized coating for sweetness.
- Presentation: Sliced and drizzled with glaze for a festive look.
Presentation Tips
- Serve on a large platter, garnished with fresh parsley or pineapple slices for a holiday vibe.
- Pair with festive sides like sangria ham, roasted fall vegetable salad, or mashed potatoes.
- Spoon extra glaze over slices for a glossy, flavorful finish.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Slow Cooker Ham is excellent for leftovers and meal prep.
- Storage:
- Store sliced ham with glaze in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freeze for up to 3 months in freezer-safe bags; wrap tightly to prevent freezer burn.
- Make-Ahead:
- Prep brown sugar and trim ham up to 1 day ahead; store ham in the refrigerator.
- Cook fully up to 1 day ahead; reheat gently to maintain juiciness.
- Reheating: Reheat slices in a 325°F oven for 10-12 minutes, covered with foil and a splash of stock, or microwave in 1-minute bursts, covered, until hot. Reheat whole ham at 275°F for 10 minutes per pound, covered.
- Tip: Use leftovers in sandwiches, soups, or casseroles; store with glaze to keep moist.
Recipe Variations
Slow Cooker Ham is versatile and easy to customize. Here are some fun twists:
- Honey-Glazed Ham: Replace brown sugar with 1 ½ cups honey and ¼ cup orange juice.
- Gluten-Free: Naturally gluten-free; confirm ham is gluten-free.
- Spicy Glazed Ham: Mix ½ teaspoon smoked paprika or chili powder into the brown sugar.
- Citrus Ham: Add ¼ cup orange or pineapple juice to the slow cooker.
- Mustard-Glazed Ham: Spread 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard over the ham with the brown sugar.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving, Based on 24 Servings)
- Calories: Approximately 300-350 kcal (varies with ham and glaze).
- Protein: High, from ham.
- Fat: Moderate, from ham.
- Carbs: Moderate, from brown sugar.
- Note: For precise nutrition, calculate based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.
Conclusion: Savor the Sweet, Tender Bliss!
Slow Cooker Ham is the ultimate hands-off centerpiece, delivering a juicy, sweet-glazed ham with minimal effort. Perfect for holiday feasts, family gatherings, or meal prep, it’s simple to make and endlessly adaptable. So, plug in your slow cooker, glaze that ham, and enjoy a deliciously easy meal. We’d love to hear how your ham turns out—share your creations in the comments or on social media!
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Slow Cooker Ham
Description
Craving a tender, flavorful ham that practically cooks itself? Slow Cooker Ham transforms a cured, bone-in picnic ham into a succulent centerpiece with a sweet brown sugar glaze, all with minimal effort. This recipe yields 24 servings, perfect for holiday feasts, large gatherings, or leftovers
Ingredients
Slow Cooker Ham uses just two ingredients for a flavorful, fuss-free result. Here’s what you’ll need for 24 servings:
- 2 cups packed brown sugar: Creates a sweet, caramelized glaze.
- 1 (8-pound) cured, bone-in picnic ham: Juicy, savory base that’s easy to prepare.
Why These Ingredients Matter
- Picnic Ham: Cured and bone-in for rich flavor and tenderness; perfect for slow cooking.
- Brown Sugar: Melts into a sticky, sweet glaze that complements the savory ham.
Substitutions and Variations
- Brown Sugar: Swap with 1 ½ cups maple syrup or honey for a different sweetness; reduce to 1 cup for less glaze.
- Picnic Ham: Use a bone-in shoulder ham or spiral-cut ham (check size to fit slow cooker); adjust cooking time for smaller hams (6-7 pounds, 6-7 hours).
- Gluten-Free: Naturally gluten-free; confirm ham is gluten-free (most cured hams are).
- Flavor Variations:
- Spiced Slow Cooker Ham: Add ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon or cloves to the brown sugar.
- Maple-Mustard Ham: Mix ¼ cup Dijon mustard with 1 cup maple syrup instead of brown sugar.
- Pineapple-Glazed Ham: Add ½ cup crushed pineapple or pineapple juice to the slow cooker.
- Spicy Slow Cooker Ham: Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon cayenne or chili flakes with the brown sugar.
- Herb-Infused Ham: Add 1 teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary to the glaze.
Instructions
Step 1: Gather and Prep
- Gather all ingredients: 2 cups packed brown sugar, 1 (8-pound) cured, bone-in picnic ham.
- Ensure the ham fits in your slow cooker (6-quart or larger recommended); trim if needed.
Tip: Check slow cooker size; a picnic ham is typically wider than a spiral ham, so trimming may be necessary.
Step 2: Assemble in Slow Cooker
- Spread 1 ½ cups packed brown sugar evenly on the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Place the ham flat side down on the brown sugar.
- Rub the remaining ½ cup brown sugar over the top and sides of the ham.
Tip: Press brown sugar firmly to adhere; ensure ham is centered for even cooking.
Step 3: Cook
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on Low for 8 hours, until the ham is tender and heated through (internal temperature should reach at least 140°F/60°C for pre-cooked ham).
Tip: Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to maintain heat; no basting is needed as the sugar melts into a glaze.
Step 4: Serve
- Carefully remove the ham from the slow cooker and transfer to a serving platter.
- Let rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
- Serve hot, about ⅓ pound per serving, with glaze spooned from the slow cooker.
Tip: Slice against the grain for tenderness; reserve glaze for drizzling or dipping.
FAQs
1. Why is my ham dry?
Overcooking or using a leaner cut can cause this; ensure 8 hours on Low and check internal temperature (140°F for pre-cooked ham).
2. Can I use a spiral-cut ham?
Yes, but reduce cooking time to 6-7 hours; check fit in the slow cooker.
3. Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, if the ham is gluten-free (most cured hams are).
4. Why is my glaze too runny?
Excess moisture or insufficient sugar can cause this; ensure brown sugar is packed and avoid adding liquid.
5. Can I make this in advance?
Prep ham and sugar ahead; cook fresh or reheat gently for best texture.
6. What are the health benefits of this dish?
Ham provides protein; moderate in fat and carbs, pair with vegetables for balance.