Spiral Ham in Crockpot with Brown Sugar Pineapple Glaze

This spiral ham in the crockpot cooks low and slow in a brown sugar pineapple glaze until it is tender and juicy all the way through. Pineapple rings and bright red cherries hold on with whole cloves, so it looks like a holiday centerpiece the minute you lift the lid.

It takes about 25 minutes to put together and 4 hours on low. The best part is that your oven stays free for all the side dishes.

Turkey has always been my favorite holiday recipe. But a lot of people in our family like ham a whole lot better.

The trouble is, those pre-made spiral hams from the store can be pretty expensive. I wanted a ham I could make myself for less money that still had a real wow factor. It also had to travel well, because I am usually the one carrying the main dish to someone else’s house.

This recipe is what I came up with, and now our family asks for it on repeat.

It looks beautiful on the table and tastes delicious. When I bring it, the hostess does not have to worry about the main dish at all.

I make it right in my crockpot, and I use one with a locking lid. The lid clips down tight, so I can carry it to the car without worrying about spills. Thanksgiving, a Christmas party, or Easter dinner, it gets there in one piece.

One thing you need to know before you start is that a spiral ham needs a 7 quart crockpot or larger. Anything smaller and the lid just will not close.

Now here is the funny part, and please do not give away my secret. Some of the spiral hams from the big box stores are bigger than my crockpot. More than once, we have taken a clean saw and cut off part of the bone so the ham would fit, and our family still has no idea.

So if your ham looks a little too big, now you know our trick.

Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Spiral Ham

• Your oven stays free for the sweet potatoes, stuffing, and pies.
• It costs less than a store-made glazed spiral ham.
• It travels well in a locking crockpot, so it is easy to bring to a holiday dinner.
• The pineapple rings and cherries make it look like a showpiece with very little work.
• You can use the glaze packet that comes with the ham, or make your own glaze.
• The crockpot holds in all the juices, so the ham never dries out like it can in the oven.

Ingredients for Spiral Ham in the Crockpot

• Fully cooked spiral ham, 5 to 6 pounds: Make sure it says fully cooked on the label. Some big box store hams run larger, so check the fit in your crockpot.
• Seasoning packet that comes with the ham: No packet? The homemade glaze is below.
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 can (20 oz) pineapple rings in 100% pineapple juice: Save the juice for the glaze.
• 1 jar maraschino cherries: Drain them. Save the cherry juice for another recipe if you like.
• 24 to 30 whole cloves: These hold the pineapple rings on the ham.

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Equipment

• 7 quart or larger oval slow cooker
• Small saucepan
• Meat thermometer
• Turkey baster or a large spoon
• Cooking spray

How to Cook a Spiral Ham in the Crockpot

1. Check the fit first. Set the ham in your crockpot and make sure the lid closes. You need a 7 quart crockpot or larger. If it is still too big, cut off a few slices and freeze them for bean soup, or do what we do and saw off the end of the bone.
2. Unwrap the ham in the sink. Spiral hams hold a lot of juice, and it goes everywhere on the counter. Set the seasoning packet aside.
3. Spray the crockpot and add the ham. Spray the inside with cooking spray for easy cleanup. Place the ham cut side down.
4. Add the pineapple and cherries. Cover as much of the ham as you can with pineapple rings, using 3 whole cloves to pin each ring on. Press a cherry into the center of each ring.
5. Make the glaze. In a small saucepan, stir together the seasoning packet, the pineapple juice, the maple syrup, and the brown sugar. Bring it to a boil, boil for 1 minute, then take it off the heat.
6. Pour and cook. Pour the glaze over the whole ham. Put the lid on and cook on low for 4 hours, basting every hour so the ham stays moist.
7. Check the temperature. The ham is ready when the thickest part reads 140°F. If it gets there early, turn the crockpot to warm until you are ready to eat.
8. Serve. Spoon some of the juices over the slices. It is good hot or cold.

Brown Sugar Pineapple Glaze Without the Packet

If your ham did not come with a seasoning packet, or you would rather skip it, this glaze is easy. Stir these together in a small saucepan:

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• The juice from the pineapple rings
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Bring it to a boil and let it boil for 1 minute. Then pour it over the ham just like the recipe says.

Taking Crockpot Ham to a Holiday Dinner

A locking lid crockpot makes this so much easier. Clip the lid down and set the crockpot on the floor of the car so it cannot slide.

When you get there, plug it in and set it to warm. The ham stays juicy until everyone is ready to eat.

Variations

• Honey glaze: Use honey in place of the maple syrup.
• Dijon: Use Dijon mustard in the homemade glaze for a little more bite.
• Pineapple chunks: No rings? Scatter pineapple chunks over and around the ham.
• Skip the cherries: The ham tastes just as good, it just looks a little plainer.
• Boneless ham: A boneless spiral ham works too. Start checking the temperature a little sooner.

What to Serve with Crockpot Ham

Since the ham is in the crockpot, you can use the oven for your favorite holiday sides.

• Old Fashioned Candied Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows
• Classic Scalloped Potatoes with Bacon
• Traditional Green Bean Casserole
• 5 Ingredient Jiffy Corn Casserole
• 15 Easter Side Dishes Easy Recipes for Holiday Ham

Storing Leftover Ham

Keep leftover ham in a covered container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. It makes wonderful sandwiches the next day.

You can also freeze sliced ham for 1 to 2 months. I like to save the bone and a few slices for bean soup.

What to Make with Leftover Ham

• Easy Ham Salad Recipe for Holiday Leftovers
• Easy Crockpot Leftover Ham and Potato Soup
• Easy Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Ham
• Easy Ham and Swiss Cheese Quiche

Crockpot Spiral Ham FAQs

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