Slow Cooker Ham is an easy, flavorful meal that takes only a few minutes of prep work. It’s easy to make this crock pot ham. Just put the ham, honey, pineapple juice, and brown sugar in it, and let it do all the work! Your family will love this tender and juicy ham. And it’s so perfect for holiday gatherings!.
This crockpot ham is a must-have for the holidays! My mom makes it for every occasion, and there are never any leftovers. Not only does this slow cooker ham recipe cook up perfectly delicious every time, it’s super easy!.
This crock pot ham is a breeze to prep and only requires 3 ingredients for the glaze. Besides that, cooking it in the slow cooker frees up oven space for all the tasty sides and desserts you might need to bake.
Cooking ham in a slow cooker is one of the easiest and most flavorful ways to prepare this hearty meat for holidays, gatherings, or anytime you’re craving its delicious smoky flavor. The moist environment of the slow cooker keeps the ham from drying out, while allowing it to absorb seasoning and juices into a tender, mouthwatering dish.
But when it comes to perfectly nailing the cook time, especially for smaller hams, things can get a little tricky. Undercook it and the meat will be tough and the flavor underdeveloped. But overdo it, and you risk drying out the ham or imparting a stringy texture.
So how long should you cook a small ham in the slow cooker to achieve the ideal texture and taste? Read on for tips to help determine the perfect timing based on the size of your ham.
Calculating Cook Time Based on Ham Weight
As a general rule of thumb here are some cooking time estimates for precooked bone-in hams of various sizes in a slow cooker set to low heat
- 2 to 3 pounds: 2 to 3 hours
- 4 to 6 pounds: 3 to 4 hours
- 8 to 10 pounds: 5 to 6 hours
- 12 to 15 pounds: 6 to 8 hours
So for a petite or “small” ham in the 2-6 pound range, you can expect a total cook time of 2 to 4 hours on the low setting until the meat reaches the safe minimum internal temperature of 140°F
The cook time can vary based on a few factors:
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Boneless vs. bone-in – Bone-in hams tend to cook a bit slower. The bone insulates the meat, slowing the heating process.
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Spiral cut vs. whole – Pre-sliced spiral cut hams heat faster since more surface area is exposed. Whole, unsliced hams require more time.
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Cured vs. uncured – Cured hams have been treated with salts, spices, and preservatives so they tend to dry out faster. Uncured hams cook low and slow.
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Smoked vs. unsmoked – Smoked hams impart more flavor in less time. Unsmoked (also called “fresh”) hams need longer cooking for full flavor.
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Fat cap – An external fat cap helps keep the meat moist. Hams with the fat cap removed may cook faster.
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Cooking vessel – The material, shape, and size of your slow cooker can impact cook time.
How to Tell When a Small Ham is Fully Cooked
Checking the internal temperature using a meat thermometer is the most reliable way to determine when your ham is cooked through. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, avoiding the bone. It should register 140°F at minimum.
Signs your small ham is done:
- The meat feels very tender when pierced with a fork
- It starts to pull back from the end of the bone
- The juices run clear (not pink) when pierced
The meat will continue to cook and tenderize even once removed from the slow cooker. So resist cutting into it right away. Let it rest 15-20 minutes before carving so the juices can redistribute. Then the ham will be optimally juicy, tender, and flavorful.
Tips for Slow Cooking a Small Ham
Follow these simple tips for the very best results when making a 2-6 pound ham in the slow cooker:
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Use a recipes specifically for crockpots – Look for recipes developed for slow cookers to suit the environment.
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Situate properly – Place fattier side up and add 1 cup liquid like broth, juice or water.
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Brown sugar & spices – For flavor, coat ham with a mix like brown sugar, mustard, and spices before cooking.
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Baste occasionally – Brush with pan juices every hour for maximum moisture.
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Use foil – If ham isn’t fully submerged, cover with foil to prevent drying out.
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Don’t peek! – Limit opening the lid to prevent heat and moisture from escaping.
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Rest before serving – Let ham sit 15-20 minutes before slicing for juicier results.
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Save the juices – Use the flavorful cooking liquid as a base for glazes, gravy, or soup.
Sample Recipes for Small Slow Cooker Hams
Here are a couple mouthwatering recipes sized right for petite hams:
Brown Sugar & Pineapple Crockpot Ham – A 3-4 lb. ham is coated in a brown sugar glaze and cooked in pineapple juice for a sweet and fruity flavor.
Coca Cola & Cherry Ham – For a 4-5 lb. ham, cola and cherry preserves create a family-favorite caramelized, sticky glaze.
Crockpot Ham with Cloves & Mustard – A 2-3 lb. boneless ham is studded with cloves and smeared with spicy mustard for warmth and spice.
Balsamic & Fig Ham– For a 3 lb. ham, fig preserves and balsamic vinegar make a rich, jammy glaze.
Crockpot “Baked” Ham – A 5-6 lb. boneless ham coated in honey and brown sugar tastes like it was oven-baked.
Moist and Tender Ham Made Simple
Cooking ham in a slow cooker makes holiday hosting much easier. By following the guidelines for cook times based on size, basting periodically, and avoiding overcooking, you can turn out a tender and juicy small ham easily. For more flavor, experiment with sweet glazes, herbs, spices, smoky rubs, and zesty sauces.
What type of ham cooks best in the slow cooker?
This holiday ham recipe is great because you can use any cut or size of ham as long as it fits in the crock pot. You can use boneless or bone-in ham, whole or spiral-sliced ham. The cooking time may vary some, depending on what size and cut you use.
You will start with a fully cooked ham, and this recipe will simply be heating and flavoring it. My mom buys Frick’s gourmet super trim bone-in ham that is hardwood smoked. And she typically gets the shank portion of the ham. We find it at H-E-B and it’s very affordable, but tastes amazing. You can choose cured or uncured, plain or smoked hams at the grocery store. Most standard hams will be cured but not smoked. It’s just a matter of personal preference. Be sure to discard any flavor/glaze packet that may come with your ham.
What size ham do I need?
A 7-8 pound ham is a good size to feed a large group. Estimate about 1/2 pound of boneless ham per person and 3/4 pound of bone-in ham per person. If you go any larger than 8 pounds, you may have trouble fitting it into your crock pot. You can always trim off the end to make it fit, if needed.
This recipe is usually saved for special events, but it’s so easy that you can make it any night of the week. If you’re cooking for three kids and two adults, you can use a small 2-pound ham and cut this recipe in half. The cooking time will also need to be decreased to about 2 to 2 1/2 hours on low.
If you use bone-in ham and the bone or overall size makes it hard to fit in the crock pot, you can cut off a piece of the ham to make it fit. You can also cover the slow cooker with heavy duty aluminum foil that is tightly-sealed. This is actually what my mom usually does. Make sure you watch out for the liquid that will drip down the slow cooker from the steam.
In addition to the ham itself, you’ll need just a few additional ingredients for slow cooking and glazing. Here’s the lineup:
- Brown sugar. This will sweeten and thicken the glaze. Whether you use dark brown sugar or light brown sugar, the glaze you make will be lighter or darker.
- Honey. Adds sweetness to the glaze and makes it sticky so it sticks to the meat. You could use maple syrup instead, but it will taste different.
- Pineapple juice. There is something so delicious about ham and pineapple together. Also, I don’t think this ham tastes too much like pineapple. Apple juice or orange juice can be used instead if you don’t like pineapple juice.
- Herbs for garnish. Not necessary, but looks nice, especially if you’re serving this at a holiday party. Fresh rosemary and/or sage are great choices.
Easy 1 2 3 Ham!!!!
FAQ
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