Easy Crockpot Honey Mustard Glazed Ham Recipe
Hams are probably easier to make for Thanksgiving than turkeys are. These spiral cut hams are beautiful and require very little effort to prepare. Plus you can prepare them in the crockpot which frees up your oven, and we all know that oven is precious on Thanksgiving day or any holiday. Hams are really easy because they’re already cooked and basically all we need to do is add a yummy glaze over them, put them in a slow cooker and forget about them until ready to serve. I will say, as amazing as a spiral cut ham is, it’s not cheap. I have used an uncut ham before and that works just as well, it’s just that it’s a bit more work required because you have to slice it up yourself. Hams that don’t come pre-sliced are a bit cheaper and you can find them pretty much year round, so sometimes that might be the best option.
Brown sugar – You can use granulated sugar, but I find the flavor you get from brown sugar with that hint of molasses is unmatched. Honey – Check out the organic aisle at your local grocery store! I’ve found so many hidden honey gems there. You can really amp up the flavor of this ham if you find a good quality honey. Dijon mustard – I used dijon that had tarragon in it which was so amazing. You can add a bit of fresh tarragon if you can’t find that flavor, I highly recommend it. I know some people really don’t like dijon so you can use regular yellow mustard if you like! Water – This is what will turn out sauce from a syrup to a glaze. By thinning it out we’ll be able to get into all the little crevices of the ham. Cloves – The cloves add a really nice festive flavor to your ham and the glaze. If you aren’t a clove fan, you can leave them out. You can add a cinnamon stick as well. Spiral cut ham – If you can’t find a spiral cut ham, see if the butcher at your grocery store will slice it for you. The glaze will have an opportunity to flavor the ham so much more. You’ll never want to go back to regular ham!
This 2-step recipe is ridiculously easy! That’s the best part about using a crockpot. Once you put the ingredients in you can be on your way!
Make The Glaze
To begin, you need to whip the simple glaze together before you can start cooking the ham in the crockpot. To do this, bring the light-brown sugar, honey, mustard, water, and cloves to a boil over medium high heat in a saucepan. Then turn the heat down to medium and let it simmer for about 5 minutes while stirring occasionally. When it’s done the sugar should be fully dissolved and the glaze will coat the back of a spoon.
Cook The Ham
Now you can get to slow cooking! Put the ham in the crockpot and then pour the glaze all over the ham. Now, cook it on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours. But during the cooking process, you do need to baste the ham about once an hour or so to produce the most flavor. Then when the ham is finished cooking, reserve any leftover cooking liquid in the crockpot and brush it on the ham before serving.
What Type of Ham Should I Buy?
Whole spiral cut hams with bone in are probably the best hams to use. These are pre-cooked and can be found in almost every major grocery store or at your local butcher. Butt-end hams tend to fit into your slow cooker more. 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 can fit it. So consider your slow cooker size when purchasing a ham.
3 Types Of Ham
Can I Make This Without a Crockpot?
Yes you can! Add the ham and the glaze to a large roasting pan. If the lid doesn’t fit over the ham, you can cover it with foil. Bake at 325°F for 15-20 minutes per pound. The internal temperature should read 140°F 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 Ham
Plan on at least ⅓ to ½ pound of ham per person and buy according to how many you’re serving. My recipe bases nutrition information for 3/4 pound per person. However, if you buy more than you need, that’s always great for leftovers.
How To Store Leftover Ham
Store the 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!
Other Delicious Recipes To Try
Crockpot Brown Sugar Cola Glazed HamCheese Spiral PieLeftover Ham and Cheese Breakfast MuffinsLeftover Ham and Cheese PenneOlive Ham and Cheese LoafButter BiscuitsBourbon Glazed Baked HamInstant Pot HamChristmas Ham
