Slow Cooker Honey-Glazed Ham

This slow cooker ham is the ideal centerpiece for your holiday table. With just a few pantry staples—brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and a touch of spice—you’ll create a mouthwatering glaze that caramelizes over tender slices of ham as it gently cooks for hours. Not only is this recipe practically effortless, but it’s also a real showstopper. The slow cooking process infuses the meat with sweet, savory flavors while keeping it juicy and moist. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just a cozy family dinner, this dish will leave everyone coming back for seconds.

Full recipe:

Ingredients:

• 8 lb. bone-in spiral cut ham

• ½ cup brown sugar

• ½ cup honey

• ½ cup water

• ¼ cup Dijon mustard

• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

Directions:

1. Spray the liner of a 6-8 quart slow cooker with non-stick spray.

2. Place the ham cut-side down into the slow cooker. If the lid does not fit properly, carefully trim the top of the ham and move the trimmings to the side.

3. In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, honey, water, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, and cloves. Heat over medium until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes.

4. Pour the warm glaze evenly over the ham.

5. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours. If possible, baste the ham with the glaze once every hour.

6. When the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C), transfer the ham to a serving platter.

7. Optional: Simmer the glaze in a saucepan until thickened to your liking, then drizzle over the ham.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 4–6 hours | Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes – 6 hours 15 minutes
Kcal: 355 kcal per serving | Servings: 20

The History and Popularity of Holiday Ham

Ham has long been a staple at festive tables, especially during Christmas and Easter celebrations. Historically, ham was a prized meat due to its ability to be preserved through smoking or curing, making it ideal for wintertime feasts when fresh meat was scarce. In the U.S., the tradition of serving ham during the holidays gained momentum in the 20th century, when producers began selling pre-cooked, spiral-sliced hams that were easy to prepare and serve.

Over time, ham evolved from a preserved necessity into a beloved centerpiece for family gatherings. Today, glazed hams—especially those featuring sweet, sticky glazes like brown sugar and honey—have become icons of holiday cheer and comfort food indulgence.

Why This Slow Cooker Ham Recipe Is the Best

What sets this Slow Cooker Honey-Glazed Ham recipe apart from countless others is its combination of convenience, flavor, and visual appeal. It uses a fully-cooked, bone-in spiral ham, which means you’re essentially reheating and enhancing the meat—no need to worry about raw pork or cooking it to temperature from scratch.

By using a slow cooker, you:

• Free up valuable oven space for side dishes and desserts.
• Keep the ham incredibly moist and tender.
• Minimize hands-on cooking time, making it a stress-free option.

The brown sugar honey glaze in this recipe caramelizes beautifully as the ham cooks, soaking into every spiral-sliced crevice. This creates not only flavor depth but also a gorgeous glossy finish. The subtle spices—cinnamon and cloves—add warmth and aroma that elevate the dish to holiday-worthy excellence.

Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor

One of the most appealing aspects of this recipe is its short list of common pantry ingredients that deliver maximum impact:

• Brown Sugar – Adds rich, molasses-like sweetness and caramelizes to form a beautiful glaze.
• Honey – Offers floral, natural sweetness and helps balance the spices.
• Dijon Mustard – Brings a hint of tanginess that cuts through the sweetness and enhances savory notes.
• Ground Cinnamon and Cloves – Infuse the ham with warmth and a touch of spice reminiscent of traditional holiday baking.

Together, these ingredients create a harmonious glaze that’s sweet, savory, slightly tangy, and perfectly spiced.

Ease of Preparation

This recipe is practically foolproof. Here’s why:

1. Minimal Prep Time – All you need is 15 minutes to combine and heat the glaze.
2. Hands-Off Cooking – Once the ham is in the slow cooker and the glaze is poured over, your work is done.
3. Perfect for Beginners and Busy Hosts – This dish practically cooks itself, making it ideal for anyone intimidated by roasting large cuts of meat.

You don’t even need a carving knife! The spiral-cut ham falls apart easily and can be served directly from the slow cooker or placed elegantly on a platter.

Customizations and Substitutions

This recipe is wonderfully flexible for different dietary needs or ingredient availability:

• No Dijon? Use yellow mustard or even omit it if you prefer a purely sweet glaze.
• No honey? Maple syrup makes a great substitute and adds a hint of woodsy complexity.
• Don’t like cloves? You can skip them or swap with a dash of nutmeg or allspice.
• Using a boneless ham? That’s fine too! Just adjust the cooking time slightly depending on size.

These easy substitutions make the recipe even more accessible without sacrificing flavor.

How Much Ham to Buy Per Person

If you’re unsure how much ham to prepare, here’s a simple rule of thumb:

• For 6 people: 2-3 pounds
• For 12 people: 4-6 pounds
• For 18 people: 8-10 pounds

Always plan for leftovers—trust us, you’ll want them.

What to Serve With Slow Cooker Ham

This ham is rich and flavorful, so it pairs beautifully with both savory and sweet sides. Try serving it with:

• Scalloped Potatoes – The creamy texture complements the sweet glaze.
• Green Beans with Bacon – A classic side that adds a smoky crunch.
• Cranberry Sauce – Tartness provides a great contrast to the ham’s sweetness.
• Sweet Potato Casserole – Brings more seasonal flair and warmth to the plate.
• Bread Stuffing or Cornbread Dressing – Soaks up all those delicious ham juices.

Finish the meal with a classic dessert like pecan pie or pumpkin crumble bars for the ultimate holiday spread.

Serving Suggestions and Presentation Tips

For an extra polished presentation, transfer the ham to a serving platter and pour some of the thickened glaze over the top. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs, orange slices, or pomegranate seeds for a pop of color and holiday vibe.

If you’re short on time or want to keep things casual, serve it straight from the slow cooker—it’s still stunning and just as flavorful.

How to Use Leftovers

Leftover ham is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of quick meals, such as:

• Ham and Cheese Sliders – Layer thin slices on Hawaiian rolls with melted Swiss.
• Ham and Bean Soup – Add to a hearty white bean or split pea soup.
• Breakfast Hash – Fry chopped ham with potatoes, peppers, and eggs.
• Ham Fried Rice – A quick and easy weeknight meal with veggies and soy sauce.

You can refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days or freeze them for up to 4 months, making this recipe a gift that keeps on giving.

Tips for Best Results

• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).
• Baste hourly if you’re nearby to help the glaze penetrate deeply and evenly.
• Thicken the glaze on the stovetop before serving to make it cling beautifully to each slice.
• Cut the ham to fit if needed. Don’t be afraid to trim it slightly—presentation won’t suffer, and it helps everything cook evenly.

Why This Recipe is Perfect for the Holidays

Cooking for a crowd can be overwhelming, especially with a full menu of sides and desserts. This recipe makes holiday meal prep easier, tastier, and more enjoyable. You can focus on your guests and festivities, knowing your ham is cooking itself to tender perfection.

It’s also perfect for potlucks, office holiday parties, or anytime you want to impress with minimal effort. It scales easily, stores well, and tastes just as delicious the next day—if not better.

Conclusion

The Slow Cooker Honey-Glazed Ham is more than just a recipe—it’s a reliable holiday tradition that brings people together. From its sweet and spiced glaze to its melt-in-your-mouth texture, every bite tells a story of comfort, joy, and celebration.

Whether you’re hosting your first holiday meal or are a seasoned home cook looking for a stress-free main dish, this ham recipe will never let you down. Make it once, and you’ll find it becomes part of your family’s festive memories for years to come.