This recipe comes complete with instructions on how to cook this ham in the oven or in your pressure cooker!
Easy Crockpot Ham Recipe
So are you a turkey or ham fan for big family dinners? I don’t know if I can decide, but my mom always makes turkey. A few years ago I ventured into the land of ham and I’m so glad I did. I really do love ham, hubs too of course, because we just love pork in this house. These are also pretty much the only leftovers in the world that I actually look forward to! No oven is required for this ham! All of us who have had to prepare a big dinner know how much that helps when there are so many other dishes fighting for some oven space. The best part about this ham is that it’s only 4 ingredients! No, you’re not dreaming! All you need for said ham is your good old crockpot and this easy step-by-step guide.
Ham – Check out my guide below for tips on buying the best ham. Cola – You can use any type of cola that you prefer. No brand is necessarily superior to the others when we end up cooking it down! I used a Mexican cola, Jarritos. Brown sugar – I used regular brown sugar. Light and dark brown sugar will also work! It depends on how much of a molasses flavor you want in the glaze. Dijon mustard – I’ve made this with both whole grain dijon or regular dijon mustard. You can use any mustard you like, one made with herbs or white wine, or go for a classic yellow mustard if that’s your hit.
That’s it, folks! Dinner doesn’t get any easier than this.
What Is the Best Ham to Buy?
I’ve made this recipe with both a butt-end ham and a spiral cut ham. Precooked whole spiral-cut hams with bone in are probably the best hams to use because that glaze can settle into every slice. If you can only find a butt-end ham, that’s totally okay! I can vouch that it tastes incredible. You can also ask your local butcher to spiralize it for you. Butt-end hams tend to fit into typical slow cookers better. I once bought a spiral-cut leg of pork that did not fit in my crockpot and my husband had to cut most of the bone out so we could fit it. So, consider your slow cooker size when purchasing a ham.
3 Main Types of Ham:
Fresh Ham is uncured leg of pork and it is uncooked pork roast which must be cooked before serving. Note that it must have “fresh” as part of its name. Cured Ham is a leg of pork which can be cured in one of two ways; brined or cured with a dry rub and hung to dry. These hams can be ready to eat or may require cooking. If they require cooking, they must be labeled with cooking instructions. Cured and Smoked Ham is the same as cured ham except they are smoked.
How Sweet Is Glazed Ham?
You’ll most commonly find cured hams at your grocery store which have been brined. This is great because they cook up faster, and they’re seasoned all the way through. With that brine, they’re mush saltier than a fresh ham. By cooking the ham in a nice sweet glaze you create the perfect sweet and savory balance. The sugar in the glaze mellows out that saltiness and creates the best ham you’ll ever taste. I always reserve the cooking liquid and serve it with the ham. That way, everyone can adjust how sweet their own servings of ham are by spooning some extra sauce over their slices. Add the ham to a large roasting pan. Pour the glaze over it and sprinkle with remaining brown sugar. If the lid doesn’t fit over the ham, you can cover it with foil. Bake at 325F for 15-20 minutes per pound. The internal temperature should read 140F when it’s all done. Baste the ham every hour or so, and you can leave the foil off for the last 15-10 minutes to let the exterior crisp up a bit if you’d like.
How to Serve
Plan on at least ⅓ to ½ pound of ham per person and buy according to how many you’re serving. However, I like to buy a larger ham than I’ll need so that I can enjoy those awesome leftovers. Try this ham with any of your favorite sides! These are some of my go-to side dishes for any big family dinner:
Mashed Potatoes No Knead Skillet Bread Sweet Potato Casserole Italian Parmesan Roasted Potatoes Brandy Glazed Carrots Green Bean Casserole From Scratch Loaded Scalloped Potatoes Potatoes Au Gratin Roasted Asparagus
How To Store Leftover Ham
Store the crockpot ham in an airtight container in the fridge and it will last for 3-5 days. You can also freeze it for 3-4 months. You can reheat it in the microwave, in your crockpot, or covered over medium heat on the stove. Save that glaze and reheat your ham with it!
Try these recipes with your leftover ham:
Leftover Ham and Bean Soup Ham and Cheese Pockets Leftover Ham and Cheese Breakfast Muffins Olive Ham and Cheese Loaf Leftover Ham and Cheese Penne
Craving More Crockpot Recipes? Try These:
Honey Mustard Glazed Ham The Best Crock Pot Roast Crockpot Mashed Potatoes Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Cabbage Rolls
