Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Ham
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Easter is just around the corner, and this Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Ham is an easy way to serve the traditional holiday ham without taking up valuable oven space. Using the slow cooker allows the ham to heat gently while soaking up the sweet maple glaze, resulting in a tender and flavorful main dish. The best part is that it only takes three simple ingredients to create a delicious ham that looks and tastes like you spent much more time preparing it.
One thing to keep in mind with this recipe is that depending on the size of your ham, it may not fit perfectly in the slow cooker with the lid fully closed. Don’t worry—there’s an easy solution for that. Simply cover the ham tightly with foil to help trap the heat and moisture while it cooks. If the lid can still fit over the foil, go ahead and place it on top.
If the lid won’t fit because the ham is a little too tall, you can still make it work. Just cover the ham securely with foil and place a folded kitchen towel over the top to help hold in the heat. The slow cooker will still do its job, warming the ham beautifully and giving you a juicy, sweet-glazed ham that’s perfect for Easter dinner or any special family meal.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Ham with Maple Glazed
- SPIRAL SLICED HAM
- HONEY DIJON MUSTARD
- MAPLE SYRUP
- BROWN SUGAR
Instructions for Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Ham Recipe
Start by lightly spraying the inside of your crock pot with non-stick cooking spray. This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup much easier later. Place the ham in the slow cooker, positioning it as evenly as possible.
In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard, maple syrup, and brown sugar until smooth and well combined. This simple glaze creates the perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavor. Pour the glaze over the ham, using a spoon to spread it around so the ham is coated as evenly as possible.
Next, place the lid on the slow cooker. If your ham is a little too large and the lid doesn’t fit properly, simply cover the top tightly with foil first. If possible, place the lid over the foil. If the lid still won’t fit, you can place a folded kitchen towel over the foil to help keep the heat trapped inside the slow cooker while the ham cooks.
Cook the ham on low for 4–6 hours or on high for 2–3 hours, until it is heated through and the glaze has warmed and infused the ham with flavor. During cooking, the glaze will slowly coat the ham, creating a delicious, sweet maple finish. When ready to serve, spoon some of the glaze from the slow cooker over the sliced ham for even more flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of ham should I use for this recipe?
A fully cooked spiral ham works best for this recipe because it heats evenly and allows the maple glaze to soak into the slices. However, a boneless ham or a bone-in ham will also work well.
Do I need to cook the ham first?
No. Most hams sold in grocery stores are already fully cooked. The slow cooker simply warms the ham and infuses it with the maple glaze.
What size ham fits in a slow cooker?
Most standard 6–7 quart slow cookers can fit a ham between 4–7 pounds. If the ham is slightly too tall for the lid to close, simply cover it tightly with foil.
Can I use pancake syrup instead of maple syrup?
For the best flavor, use pure maple syrup if possible. Pancake syrup will still work, but the flavor won’t be quite as rich.
How do I store leftover ham?
Store leftover crockpot ham in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
Tips and Tricks
- Trim the ham if needed. If your ham is slightly too large for the slow cooker, you can trim a small portion off the bottom so it fits more easily.
- Baste the ham during cooking. If you’re home while the ham cooks, spoon some of the glaze from the bottom of the slow cooker over the ham once or twice. This adds even more flavor.
- Use foil to trap heat. If the lid doesn’t close completely, covering the ham tightly with foil will help retain heat and moisture.
- Thicken the glaze for serving. If you want a thicker glaze, pour the liquid from the slow cooker into a saucepan and simmer it for a few minutes until it reduces slightly.
- Let the ham rest before slicing. Allow the ham to rest for about 5–10 minutes before slicing. This helps the juices redistribute and keeps the ham moist.
- Save the leftovers. Leftover ham is perfect for other meals like ham and potato soup, ham fried rice, omelets, or breakfast casseroles.
For more recipes like this, try:
Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Ham
Real Mom Kitchen
Equipment
Ingredients
- 7 lbs ham spiral sliced
- ½ cup honey dijon mustard
- ½ maple syrup
- ½ cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Spray your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray and place the ham inside.
- In a bowl, whisk the mustard, maple syrup, and brown sugar together. Pour the mixture over the ham, coating it evenly. Place the lid on the slow cooker. If needed, cover the slow cooker with foil then the lid or foil and then a folded kitchen towel to maintain the heat in the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high or low for 2-3 hours.
