Learn how to cook crockpot spiral ham with only 5 minutes prep! With the best juicy and tender results, cooking a spiral ham has never been easier for the holidays.

Crockpot spiral ham sliced on plate.

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Crockpot Ham Recipe

We love to serve this crockpot spiral ham for our Christmas dinner or as part of the Easter menu. It’s so simple with a brown sugar glaze and pineapple juice plus it frees up oven space and always turns out delicious!

I love this honey baked ham recipe and this oven-baked ham but cooking ham in the crockpot is so effortless! With only 5 minutes of prep, the crock pot does the cooking making this the easiest ham recipe.

Recipe Ingredients

Other than the ham itself, this crockpot ham recipe only calls for 5 ingredients to make a brown sugar glaze.

Spiral ham on a white plate.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Ham: I use bone-in ham ranging from 7-10 pounds.
  • Brown sugar: This adds a rich, caramelized taste. Pack it tightly when measuring.
  • Maple syrup: Pure, maple flavor that contributes to the sweetness.
  • Pineapple juice: A sweet, tropical flavor that blends so nicely with the other ingredients.
  • Spicy brown mustard: Adds a tangy kick that helps balance out the sweetness.
  • Balsamic vinegar: A tart and sweet boost of flavor.

How to Cook a Spiral Ham in a Crockpot

If you’re wondering how to cook a spiral ham, it’s super easy using this crockpot method!

The process of making crockpot spiral ham in a four step photo collage.
  • Add meat to crockpot. Place ham inside the slow cooker (make sure to spray the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray).
  • Coat with glaze. Rub glaze ingredients (except pineapple juice) over the meat using your hands. Then pour pineapple juice into the bottom of the crockpot.
  • Cover with a lid or foil. Cover with lid (or aluminum foil if lid won’t fit).
  • Cook in the crockpot. Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, basting twice during the last hour.

TIP: If the ham you buy is too large for your slow cooker, don’t worry. I used a 10-pound ham and it was too big for the lid of my slow cooker to fit. Just place 3 pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil over the top of the ham, covering tightly. You basically are steaming it with a tight seal.

Slow Cooker Ham Side Dishes

I am often making this crock pot ham for the holidays, so plenty of sides are a must!

Using Leftover Ham

There are so many ways to use leftovers of crock pot ham!

Spiral ham on white plate.

Are you looking for more ham recipes? Ham and cheese crepes or this ham and potato casserole put leftover crock pot spiral ham to good use!

More Ham Recipes

spiral ham

Slow Cooker Spiral Ham

4.98 from 45 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Rest Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 24
Learn how to cook crockpot spiral ham with only 5 minutes prep! With the best juicy and tender results, cooking a spiral ham has never been easier for the holidays.
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Video

Ingredients 

  • 7-10 pound bone-in spiral ham
  • 1 cup light brown sugar , packed
  • ½ cup pure maple syrup
  • 2 Tablespoons spicy brown mustard
  • 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 2 cups pineapple juice

Instructions

  • Spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Remove the ham from the wrapper and discard glaze packet, if there is one. Place inside prepared slow cooker.
  • Rub brown sugar, maple syrup, mustard, and balsamic vinegar all over the meat using your hands. Pour pineapple juice into the bottom of the slow cooker.
  • Cover tightly, either with the lid or aluminum foil, and cook on low 4 to 5 hours, basting twice during the last hour. You can also flip the ham during the last hour, if desired.
  • Remove from slow cooker and let rest 10 minutes. Slice the meat off the bone and serve warm.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Large ham: If the spiral ham you buy is too large for your slow cooker, don’t worry. I used a 10-pound ham and it was too big for the lid of my slow cooker to fit. Just place 3 pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil over the ham, covering tightly. You basically are steaming it with a tight seal.
Variations: You can make this glaze your own by swapping ingredients for Dijon mustard, honey, or orange juice. 
Storage: Store leftover ham in its juices in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 386kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 29g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 82mg, Sodium: 1588mg, Potassium: 434mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 15g, Vitamin A: 2IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 28mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Recipe FAQs

How long does this slow cooker ham recipe need to cook?

Because we’re using an already cooked ham, the purpose of this recipe is to warm it up while adding delicious flavor with the glaze and tenderizing it with pineapple juice. I typically cook mine in the crockpot on low for 4 to 5 hours, until it’s warm, tender, and juicy. Make sure to baste twice during the last hour of cooking. I recommend using a bone-in spiral-cut ham that’s about 7-10 pounds.

What do I do with the glaze packet that comes with the ham?

Most fully-cooked ham will come with this packet of spices that you can add water to, but I prefer to toss it and use this glaze recipe instead. I find it adds such a better flavor than the packet.

Will ham dry out in the crockpot?

It is best to warm your ham in a crockpot low and slow. You are essentially warming up your ham not cooking it. If you choose to slow cook your ham on high heat, there is a risk that you may dry out your ham and make the outside very tough and rubbery. For a tender and juicy ham, slow cook on the low setting.

How to store leftover ham?

Once the ham is cooled and ready to be put away, simply slice the ham and place it in an airtight container or ziplock bag. Store in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days or freeze for up to 6 months.