Slow Cooker Ham
This Slow Cooker Ham is an easy meal that is great for holidays or weeknights. This ham comes out so tender and the tasty glaze makes it over the top delicious!
A Crock Pot Boneless Ham Recipe
This ham cooks perfectly in a crock pot! It really is such a great way to make ham. The glaze uses minimal ingredients and you just throw everything in and it cooks and coats the ham so nicely. This recipe is nice enough for Easter or Christmas but simple enough for any weeknight!
Cooked this recipe today. LOVED IT, family loved it. Easy to follow. I had all the ingredients in my cupboard. I’ve struggled with ham the last number of years. Outstanding!
– Kerry
Frequently Asked Questions:
For this recipe you will want to use a 3-5 pound boneless ham. Hams that you purchase at nearly all grocery stores are precooked (either cured or smoked) so that is what you want to look for. Do not purchase a fresh (uncooked) ham.
Also, if yours is slightly larger or slightly smaller, this will still work. The main thing to consider is the size of the slow cooker you have and to make sure the ham fits. You can always double the glaze it you want. Also, you may need to adjust cooking time for a larger one. Keep in mind, I tested this recipe using the ham size given in the recipe card below. If you are using one larger or smaller, you will have to adjust the time and play it by ear as I cannot give you instructions since I have not tested this with other sizes.
Generally the rule of thumb is to portion out about 1/2 pound of ham per person.
When your ham is done cooking and has rested, the internal temperature should be 140 degrees F. You can check this at the thickest portion with a kitchen thermometer.
If you want a more “holiday” flavor to the glaze, you can add a pinch of some cinnamon, clove or nutmeg. If you want to give it a little more “kick” you can add 1/4 teaspoon of chipotle powder, a pinch of cayenne or 1 teaspoon of red chili flakes.
It takes about 3-4 hours on low or until the internal temperature of 140 degrees F is reached. It is not recommended to cook this on high.
Yes. Just make sure it is about the same size.
Yes. However, I think you really lose some of the depth of flavor when you substitute.
This ham can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container where it will keep for up to 4 days. It can also be frozen. Place ham in a freezer-safe container or bag and it will keep for up to 3 months. To defrost, place in the refrigerator overnight. To reheat, you can place the ham back in the slow cooker, the oven or the microwave until heated through.
Ingredients Needed: (See Recipe Card Below For The Full Recipe)
- boneless ham – this is the only way I have tested this recipe. See my Frequently Asked Questions above for more information on the ham. I cannot give you guidance on any other type or size of ham.
- light brown sugar – this gives just enough sweetness that you want in a ham without being crazy sweet.
- honey – this helps give it that “glaze” consistency we’re looking for. I suppose you could use maple syrup but I haven’t personally tested it.
- dijon mustard – I know people think mustard is so strange but it really does work with ham. I am using dijon mustard here since it is not quite so vinegary. It really does work. Even people that don’t love mustard really enjoy it when I serve this recipe and mention they never tasted the mustard.
- apple cider vinegar – you could technically use regular vinegar but apple cider vinegar just gives it that little extra something.
- garlic powder, onion powder and pepper – I didn’t want to go crazy strong on seasonings here. I think we still want that smoky ham flavor to come through but obviously, if you want to go ham (ha!) on the seasonings, don’t let me stop you!
How To Make Crock Pot Ham:
Spray the inside of a 5-6 quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Place the ham into the slow cooker.
In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, honey, mustard, vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper.
Pour the sauce over the ham. Place the lid on and cook on low for 3-4 hours until an internal temperature reaches 140°F.
Let the ham rest for 15 minutes. Brush the ham with the juices in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Slice and serve with more of the juices on the side.
Craving More Recipes?
Slow Cooker Ham
Ingredients
- 3-5 pound boneless ham
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Spray the inside of a 5-6 quart slow cooker with cooking spray.
- Place the 3-5 pound boneless ham into the slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup packed light brown sugar, ¼ cup honey, ¼ cup dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
- Pour the sauce over the ham. Place the lid on and cook on low for 3-4 hours until an internal temperature reaches 140°F.
- Let the ham rest for 15 minutes. Brush the ham with the juices in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Slice and serve.
Notes
- Make sure the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F.
- You will want a 3-5 pound boneless ham. I used a 5 pound ham.
- Note: For more details on types and sizes of ham, please see my Frequently Asked Questions above in the post.
- You want about 1/2 pound of ham per guest.
- Please see my ingredient photo above in the post if you need to see what I used.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Originally published: December 2022
Updated and republished: March 2026
Made this for Easter and the ham was so flavorful and moist – not dry at all like I have experienced with other crock pot ham recipes! Everyone really enjoyed the sauce as well but it was so good even without the sauce!
Super easy to come together and the ham cooked quick. Mine was a small ham with a chunk of fat and skin attached. I was hoping to repurpose the cooking liquid into a thicker sauce but it was too salty even after adding a cup of pineapple juice. Maybe because my ham was smoked? All that said, the ham itself was delicious and it reached 140 before 3 hours.
do you put the ham cut side down?
It’s not necessary. There are pics above in the post so you can see step by step 🙂
It was beautiful the best moist and flavourful ham I have ever cooked
I have always boiled my ham on the stove , always a pain between boiling over and off the boil.
Best ham yet and so easy, I accidentally left it on high for an hour before it turning it to slow, but it still turned out well .
My hubby is super weird about mustard. Is this overly “mustardy”? Or could it be omitted? Can I substitute something else for the mustard? Looking to make this but wanted to check! Thanks
I personally don’t think so but I would say if he has serious reservations about mustard or you are concerned there might be an inkling of a mustard taste, you may want to go with another recipe. I don’t have a substitute, I’m sorry :/
I made this for Christmas and I loved it. I absolutely hate mustard of any kind. I really don’t think he would even realize mustard is in there. I’m making this again for Easter this year.
My family has always made a glaze from brown sugar and yellow mustard for our hams. The glaze always tastes sweet and nothing like mustard. it’s not uncommon to use mustard as a binder for rubs before smoking meat. It’s basically a glue, and does not add much to the flavor. In my experience, everyone is amazed there is mustard in the recipe!
Cooked this recipe today. LOVED IT, family loved it. Easy to follow. I had all the ingredients in my cupboard. I’ve struggled with ham the last number of years. Outstanding!
Hi. All I was able to find was a 6.17 lb semi boneless ham. Going to look at another store tomorrow to see if I can find a 5lb or smaller boneless. If I can’t, do you think the one I have will work with this recipe if it can fit in the crock pot and I cook it a little longer?
Hi Leigh! Definitely. It will work as long as you can pop the lid down on the slow cooker. You aren’t much over 5 pounds so it shouldn’t take much longer to cook 🙂
Thank you for the quick response.
I meant to say semi bone IN, not boneless lol. Will it having semi bone (whatever that means) make a difference in cook time/will it still work for this recipe? Thanks
This is going to be my go to for every ham meal I cook. Many thanks!
my ham is whole & 6 pounds. it’s a close fit in my crockpot. will this recipe work?
As long as it fits in your crock pot and you can comfortably place the lid on. I would make sure to not remove the lid the entire time of cooking or it could throw off the amount of time it makes to warm up all the way through.
how long will it take to cook a 6 and one half pound precooked boneless whole ham in the crockpot and can I add pineapple juice to crockpot?
What if the ham is still frozen? How long should I cook for?
I haven’t tested with a frozen ham – I’m sorry
Can I use a semi boneless ham?
Very good. I could only find a spiral cut ham and cooked in crock pot 3.5 hours. Next time I will try 2.5 hours. But I’ll make it again.
Those spiral cut hams always taste a bit dry for me – even when you don’t cook them for long. I know it’s more of a pain to have to slice a whole ham but it comes out so much more moist. So happy you enjoyed this one!
This was delicious! Definitely agree to always use a ham that hasn’t been pre sliced. I think those always dry out! This came out perfect and that glaze is heavenly!
Hi, I’m just making ham for 2 people. My first year cooking I didn’t understand and made a whole hock of ham for 2 people. It’s not a running joke I’ll never live down! Can you recommend a ham recipe for 2 people?
Hey Chelsea – this one would work just fine. Just go with a smaller 3 pound boneless ham. There might be some good ham recipes out there that are designed just for two people. Obviously with a smaller ham like this, it will still have leftovers. You could also just cook a ham steak on the stovetop (the directions for making it are on the back of the packaging for those).
We had our Easter dinner early since my husband is a firefighter and has to work all day on Easter. We absolutely loved it! I make a lot of side dishes so it was so nice just to pop this in the slow cooker and I had my oven available for all the other stuff. It was so moist and flavorful! My husband is looking forward to the ham sandwiches tomorrow – ha! Thank you@
We truly thank your husband for his service! I’m an old military spouse myself so I understand the sacrifices the family makes. It does not go unnoticed!
This I my family’s favorite ham recipe! We make it all the time because it is delicious!
Hi! I have an 8 lb bone in ham I was going to cook for Christmas to go along with a turkey that will be cooking in the oven. Will this recipe work for that size and where it has a bone? Thank you! Laurie
I have a boneless ham that came with a brown sugar sauce/glaze. Can I use that instead of making my own?