Sweet Southern Slow Cooker Ham - eatpork.org (2024)

This Sweet Southern Slow Cooker Ham is juicy and tender, with a touch of sweetness.

It’s the perfect recipe to free up your oven for holiday special occasions and is convenient enough to serve during the week.

Slow Cooker Ham

Let the slow cooker do the hard work for you and free up your oven for side dishes during busy holiday cooking.

The glaze for this ham is easily customized to fit your flavor preferences and uses six ingredients found in most kitchens.

Not a bourbon fan? Substitute with 1/4 cup water and 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract and your ham will still have that sweet southern flavor.

You don’t have to wait for a special occasion to try this recipe, toss the ingredients in the slow cooker and before you know it your weeknight dinner is ready!

Sweet Ham Ingredients

• 1 bone-in fully-cooked ham, about 5 1/2 pounds
• 1 cup apple cider
• 2/3 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/3 cup bourbon *
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme

*For non-alcoholic alternative: replace the bourbon with 1/4 cup water and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

See Also

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Southern Ham Recipe Tips

• Spiral-cut hams make serving a breeze. Try to select a ham that will fit in your slow cooker with the lid closed.
• Use the low heat setting and allow the ham to cook for several hours. This enhances the mingling of flavors.
• Ham leftovers are versatile. Incorporate excess ham into sandwiches, soups, salads, and breakfast dishes.

How to cook ham in the slow cooker

Place the ham in a large slow cooker.

In a small bowl, whisk together the apple cider, brown sugar, bourbon, honey and mustard; slowly pour over the ham.

Scatter the thyme sprigs into the slow cooker.

Cook, on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours, or until very tender.

Remove ham to rest on a cutting board.

Pass the remaining cooking liquid through a fine mesh sieve into a saucepan. Simmer for 10 minutes or until slightly reduced.

Cut the ham into chunks and brush the cut pieces with the cooking liquid before arranging on a platter.

We also like to cook a Brown Sugar Ham with Glaze similar to this ham in the oven.

Can you heat a fully cooked ham in the slow cooker?

Yes! A large slow cooker is perfect for heating a fully cooked ham. This method also allows oven space for sides to be prepared during a large gathering.

As the ham warms make sure to have enough liquid to cover the bottom of the slow cooker.

How long does it take to heat up a ham in the slow cooker?

The key is making sure the internal temperature of your ham reaches 145 F. A slow cooker set on high will take approximately 4 hours.

On low you can plan on up to 8 hours. The larger ham, the longer cooking time.

Do you cook ham on low or high in a slow cooker?

That’s a great question! How much time do you have until dinner? If you have 4 hours, turn it on high.

If you are preparing the slow cooker and stepping away for the day, leave it on low for 6-8 hours.

What is the best way to cook a ham without drying it out?

Leave the lid on the slow cooker and refrain from opening during the cooking process.

If no liquid is present in the bottom of the slow cooker you can add approximately 1/4 cup of water or stock to ensure that the ham remains moist.

Other Ham Recipes

Comforting Grandma’s Leftover Ham Soup combines leftover ham with fresh vegetables and Navy beans to create the nostalgic taste of home, just like Grandma used to make.

Brown Sugar Ham with Glazeham is the perfect centerpiece for an everyday dinner or the Thanksgiving dinner table.

This simpleHam Stir Fry with Vegetablesrecipe is loaded with all your favorite Asian flavors and perfect served over rice or noodles.