Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham: A Deliciously Easy Recipe
There’s nothing quite like a perfectly cooked ham, especially during holidays or special occasions. The rich, savory flavor, the beautiful presentation – it’s a centerpiece that truly brings people together. But let’s be honest, roasting a large ham in the oven can be intimidating and time-consuming. That’s where the slow cooker comes to the rescue! This slow cooker honey glazed ham recipe is unbelievably easy, freeing up your oven for other dishes and delivering a moist, flavorful ham every single time. The honey glaze adds a touch of sweetness that perfectly complements the salty ham, creating a symphony of flavors that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
This recipe is perfect for beginners and experienced cooks alike. It requires minimal effort and yields maximum results. Imagine effortlessly pulling a tender, juicy ham from your slow cooker, already beautifully glazed and ready to carve. No more oven stress, no more dried-out ham – just pure deliciousness.
## Why Use a Slow Cooker for Ham?
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s explore why a slow cooker is such a fantastic tool for cooking ham:
* **Moisture Retention:** Slow cookers excel at retaining moisture. The enclosed environment traps steam, preventing the ham from drying out during the long cooking process. This results in a ham that is incredibly tender and juicy.
* **Ease of Use:** Simply place the ham in the slow cooker, pour over the glaze, and let it work its magic. No constant monitoring or basting required.
* **Space Saver:** Free up your oven for other dishes, especially during busy holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas.
* **Flavor Infusion:** The slow, gentle cooking process allows the flavors of the glaze to penetrate deeply into the ham, creating a richer, more complex flavor profile.
* **Consistent Results:** Achieve perfectly cooked ham every time, regardless of your cooking experience.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, readily available ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
* **Fully Cooked Ham:** Choose a bone-in or boneless ham, depending on your preference. A bone-in ham will generally have more flavor, but a boneless ham is easier to carve. The size of the ham will depend on your slow cooker’s capacity. A 6-8 pound ham is a good starting point for a standard 6-quart slow cooker. Ensure the ham will fit comfortably without overcrowding the slow cooker.
* **Honey:** The star of the glaze! Use a good quality honey for the best flavor. Clover honey, wildflower honey, or even a local honey will work beautifully. Adjust the amount to your liking, depending on how sweet you want the glaze.
* **Dijon Mustard:** Adds a tangy, savory element to the glaze that balances the sweetness of the honey. Use Dijon mustard, not yellow mustard, for the best flavor.
* **Brown Sugar:** Enhances the sweetness of the honey and adds a caramelized note to the glaze. Light or dark brown sugar can be used; dark brown sugar will provide a richer, more molasses-like flavor.
* **Apple Cider Vinegar:** Provides a touch of acidity that cuts through the richness of the ham and glaze. It also helps to tenderize the ham. White vinegar can be substituted, but apple cider vinegar offers a slightly more complex flavor.
* **Worcestershire Sauce:** Adds a savory, umami depth to the glaze. A little goes a long way! This is an important component for adding depth to the overall flavor profile.
* **Garlic Powder:** Enhances the savory flavors of the glaze. Use garlic powder, not fresh garlic, to ensure even distribution of flavor.
* **Ground Cloves:** Adds a warm, aromatic spice that complements the ham and honey. Use sparingly, as cloves can be quite potent. A pinch is all you need.
* **Pineapple Juice (Optional):** Pineapple juice is a popular addition to ham glazes. It adds sweetness and acidity, and the enzymes in pineapple juice help to tenderize the ham. If using, reduce the amount of apple cider vinegar slightly.
* **Whole Cloves (Optional):** For decoration. Studding the ham with whole cloves adds a beautiful visual appeal.
**Detailed Ingredient List:**
* 1 (6-8 pound) fully cooked ham, bone-in or boneless
* 1 cup honey
* 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
* 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
* 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
* 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
* 1/2 cup pineapple juice (optional)
* Whole cloves, for decoration (optional)
## Equipment You’ll Need
* Slow Cooker (6-quart or larger)
* Small Bowl
* Whisk
* Measuring Cups and Spoons
* Meat Thermometer (optional, but recommended)
* Sharp Knife
## Step-by-Step Instructions
Now for the fun part! Follow these simple steps to create a delicious slow cooker honey glazed ham:
**Step 1: Prepare the Ham**
* Remove the ham from its packaging and discard any netting or plastic discs. Pat the ham dry with paper towels. This will help the glaze adhere better.
* If using a bone-in ham, you may want to score the ham in a diamond pattern. This will allow the glaze to penetrate deeper and create a more visually appealing presentation. To score the ham, use a sharp knife to make shallow cuts (about 1/4 inch deep) across the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern. Be careful not to cut too deep, as you don’t want to separate the ham.
* (Optional) If using whole cloves for decoration, insert them into the points of the diamonds created by the scoring. This adds a beautiful touch of visual appeal and a subtle clove flavor.
**Step 2: Prepare the Honey Glaze**
* In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and ground cloves. If using pineapple juice, add it to the bowl as well. Whisk until all ingredients are well combined and the brown sugar is dissolved.
* Taste the glaze and adjust the sweetness or tanginess to your liking. If you prefer a sweeter glaze, add a little more honey or brown sugar. If you prefer a tangier glaze, add a little more Dijon mustard or apple cider vinegar.
**Step 3: Slow Cook the Ham**
* Place the ham in the slow cooker, fat-side up. This will allow the fat to render and baste the ham as it cooks, resulting in a more moist and flavorful final product.
* Pour the honey glaze over the ham, ensuring that it coats the entire surface. Use a spoon to spread the glaze evenly over the ham and into the scored areas.
* Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. The cooking time will depend on the size of the ham and the power of your slow cooker.
* If you have a meat thermometer, insert it into the thickest part of the ham to check for doneness. The ham is already fully cooked, so you’re just heating it through. The internal temperature should reach 140°F (60°C).
**Step 4: Glaze the Ham (Optional – but Highly Recommended!)**
* For a deeper, more caramelized glaze, remove the ham from the slow cooker and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
* Carefully pour the liquid from the slow cooker into a saucepan. Bring the liquid to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until it has reduced and thickened into a glaze. Be careful not to burn the glaze.
* Brush the reduced glaze over the ham and broil in the oven for 2-3 minutes, or until the glaze is bubbly and caramelized. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
* Alternatively, you can skip the oven broiling and simply brush the reduced glaze over the ham while it’s still in the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking time. This will result in a less intensely caramelized glaze but still add a beautiful shine and flavor.
**Step 5: Rest and Carve**
* Remove the ham from the slow cooker (or oven) and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the ham, resulting in a more moist and flavorful final product.
* Carve the ham against the grain using a sharp knife. Serve warm and enjoy!
## Tips and Variations
* **Ham Size:** Adjust the recipe to fit the size of your ham. If using a smaller ham, reduce the amount of glaze accordingly. If using a larger ham, you may need to increase the cooking time.
* **Spice it Up:** Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the glaze for a spicy kick.
* **Add Fruit:** Incorporate other fruits into the glaze, such as orange marmalade, apricot preserves, or cherry preserves.
* **Use Different Sweeteners:** Substitute maple syrup or agave nectar for the honey for a different flavor profile.
* **Add Aromatics:** Include fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme in the slow cooker for added aroma and flavor.
* **Pineapple Rings:** Place pineapple rings on top of the ham before cooking for a festive presentation.
* **Storing Leftovers:** Store leftover ham in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* **Serving Suggestions:** Serve the ham with classic sides like mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potato casserole, and dinner rolls.
## Make Ahead Instructions
You can prepare the honey glaze up to 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will save you time on the day you plan to cook the ham.
## Serving Suggestions
Slow cooker honey glazed ham is a versatile dish that can be served for a variety of occasions. Here are a few serving suggestions:
* **Holiday Dinner:** This is the perfect centerpiece for your Christmas, Easter, or Thanksgiving dinner.
* **Sunday Supper:** A delicious and easy meal for a relaxed Sunday gathering.
* **Potluck:** A crowd-pleasing dish to bring to your next potluck.
* **Sandwiches:** Use leftover ham to make delicious sandwiches.
* **Breakfast:** Dice leftover ham and add it to omelets or frittatas.
## Nutritional Information (Approximate)**
*Note: Nutritional information will vary depending on the specific ingredients used and the size of the ham.*.
* Calories: 300-400 per serving
* Fat: 15-20 grams
* Saturated Fat: 5-7 grams
* Cholesterol: 70-80 mg
* Sodium: 800-1000 mg
* Carbohydrates: 20-30 grams
* Sugar: 20-30 grams
* Protein: 25-30 grams
## Conclusion
This slow cooker honey glazed ham recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s incredibly easy to make, requires minimal effort, and delivers a moist, flavorful ham every time. The honey glaze adds a touch of sweetness that perfectly complements the salty ham, creating a symphony of flavors that will have everyone coming back for seconds. So, ditch the oven stress and give this recipe a try. You won’t be disappointed!
Enjoy your delicious, slow-cooked honey glazed ham!