If you’re looking for the easiest, juiciest, and most flavorful ham recipe to wow your family, this Crockpot Honey Glazed Ham is the one. Sweet, sticky, and perfectly tender, it practically cooks itself while you tackle everything else on your to-do list.
The ham that makes you look like you tried (without actually trying)
After a few years of testing (and drying out more spiral hams than I care to admit), I finally landed on a slow cooker ham that just works. This one is juicy, sticky, sweet, and basically cooks itself—so you can focus on the rest of the holiday chaos (or just sit down for once).
It’s become my go-to for Easter, Christmas, and even the occasional cozy Sunday dinner. No oven juggling, no guesswork, no stress.
- It’s ridiculously easy: Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it do its magic. No oven stress, no constant basting – you can actually relax while it cooks.
- The flavor is unbeatable: That sticky-sweet honey glaze with a hint of orange and mustard? It’s what makes everyone go back for seconds (and thirds!).
- Perfect for any gathering: Whether it’s a holiday dinner or a lazy Sunday meal, this ham feels fancy but couldn’t be simpler to make – and trust me, everyone will rave about it.
A few notes before you get started
Everything goes in the slow cooker, but a little know-how about the ingredients and cooking method makes it even better (and easier!):
This is what goes into the slow cooker
- Skip the spiral ham – I know, they’re pretty. But in the slow cooker, spiral hams tend to dry out. A boneless, fully cooked ham is juicier, more forgiving, and much easier to slice cleanly.
- Use honey you actually like – It’s the star of the show. Go with something mild and smooth—not the wildflower kind that tastes like a beehive.
- Orange juice is your secret weapon – It brightens up the whole glaze. If you’re feeling festive, swap in cranberry juice. Want tropical? Try pineapple.
- Dijon mustard = subtle tang – No bite, just balance. But any mustard you like will work in a pinch. You’ve got options.
- Cloves are totally optional – I like the warm, old-school flavor, but you can leave them out and still get rave reviews.
How to make your holiday ham a full-on success
Nobody wants to have a ham-induced meltdown the morning of a big holiday, so make sure to get my kitchen hand-holding tips here before you start:
- Test your slow cooker size first: Before you start, make sure your ham fits comfortably in the slow cooker with the lid on. If it’s too big, you’ll end up in a panic trying to cram it in. If needed, you can trim off a little of the bottom or sides to make it fit.
- Don’t skip basting: If you’re around, baste the ham with the glaze every hour or so. It keeps the ham extra juicy and gives that gorgeous, shiny finish we all love. But don’t stress if you can’t – the glaze works its magic either way!
- Rest the ham before slicing: Let the ham rest for at least 10 minutes after cooking. This little pause lets the juices settle back into the meat and makes slicing so much easier. Plus, it gives you time to thicken up that glaze if you want to!
- Thicken the glaze for extra wow factor: If you love a sticky, pourable glaze, don’t skip thickening it at the end. Just whisk in a cornstarch slurry and simmer until it’s glossy and thickened to perfection – it makes a big difference when serving.
- Taste the glaze before cooking: A quick taste of the glaze after you mix it ensures it’s just how you like it. If you want it sweeter, add a touch more honey; for tang, a little extra mustard works wonders. This way, you know it’ll hit the spot when the ham is done.
And there you have it! A gorgeous, honey-glazed ham that’s easy enough for busy days but impressive enough for special occasions.
If you make it, don’t forget to add your review in the comments below the recipe, and pin it so you can save to for the next ham occasion!
Printable recipe
Crock Pot Honey Glazed Ham
Ingredients
- ¼ cup brown sugar (packed)
- ¾ cup runny honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ cup orange juice (no pulp)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 5 whole cloves (optional)
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 (~5 lb) ham (boneless & fully cooked )
Instructions
- Make glaze: To a small saucepan add all ingredients EXCEPT for the ham to a saucepan and whisk well. Bring to a boil while whisking constantly. Simmer for about 5 minutes over medium heat. The glaze should have slightly thickened. Remove cloves now for a milder taste.¼ cup brown sugar, ¾ cup runny honey, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, ½ cup orange juice, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 5 whole cloves, 1 pinch of salt
- Slow cook ham: Place your ham in a large slow cooker (make sure the cooker is large enough so that you can put the lid on!) and pour the glaze on top. Close the lid and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours. Baste the ham every hour with the glaze, if you can.1 (~5 lb) ham
- Serve: Check the ham to make sure the internal temperature has reached 140°F. Rest it on a chopping board for 10 minutes, then slice to serve.
- Thicken glaze: If the remaining glaze is too thin for your liking, place it in a small saucepan on the stove (remove cloves if not done already). Whisk together 2-3 teaspoons cornstarch and 1-2 tablespoons orange juice in a small bowl, then whisk this slurry into the glaze. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened to your liking. Serve over the ham.
Video
Helpful recipe hints
Recipe variations
- Pineapple honey glaze: Swap the orange juice for pineapple juice to give the ham a tropical twist. Pineapple pairs perfectly with the honey and adds a delicious sweet-tangy flavor. Or, make my very fruity Crockpot Brown Sugar Pineapple Glazed Ham!
- Cranberry glaze: Replace the orange juice with cranberry juice for a festive twist that’s perfect for the holidays. You’ll get a slightly tart, fruity glaze that feels extra special!
- Spiced glaze: Add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to the glaze for a warm, spiced flavor that screams “cozy holiday dinner.” We’re huge fans over here!
- Maple-mustard glaze: Use maple syrup in place of honey for a slightly earthier sweetness, and add an extra tablespoon of mustard for a punch of tang. It’s a little more savory but so good!
- Herb-infused glaze: Add a sprig of rosemary or thyme to the slow cooker for a subtle, herby note in the glaze. Just remove it before serving!
Oven instructions: When I make this recipe in the oven instead, I cook the ham in a large Dutch oven (just follow the glaze recipe above, then place the ham and glaze in a Dutch oven and close the lid).
Bake it at 325°F for 1 h 30 mins, or until the ham is cooked through (baste it every 15 minutes and check for the internal temperature). The Dutch oven lid will help to get a nice crust on top.
Make sure to check it every 15 minutes though to keep the ham from overcooking or turning black at the top, depending on your exact size ham.
Leftovers and make-ahead tips
- Make ahead: If you’re prepping for a big meal, you can make the glaze up to 2 days ahead. Just store it in a jar in the fridge, then warm it up before pouring it over the ham in the slow cooker.
- Storing leftovers: Leftover ham keeps beautifully! Slice it up and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep any leftover glaze too – it makes for a great sauce when reheating. I reheat it in a pan on the stove with the lid closed, or use it diced up in casseroles and soups.
- Freezing: Yes, you can freeze this ham! I like to slice it first, then portion it into freezer bags (with a little glaze added in) for easy reheating later. It’ll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat gently in a covered pan with a little glaze or broth to keep it moist.
Serving ideas
This honey-glazed ham is so versatile – it shines as the centerpiece of a holiday feast or even as part of a cozy weeknight meal. Here’s how I like to serve it:
- For a classic holiday dinner: I love pairing this ham with my Mashed Potatoes and these perfectly sweet Honey Glazed Carrots. It’s a spread that feels fancy but couldn’t be simpler to pull together.
- For a festive brunch: When I make this ham for a holiday brunch, I slice it up and serve it alongside my fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes and some Homemade Biscuits. Add a fruit salad and some scrambled eggs, and you’ve got a brunch spread everyone will rave about!
- For an easy weeknight dinner: This ham isn’t just for special occasions – I love serving it with my Sautéed Green Beans and simple Roasted Fingerling Potatoes for a no-fuss, comforting meal.
- Leftover magic: I’m a big fan of using leftovers creatively. Try slices of this ham in my Ham and Cheese Sliders for a quick lunch, dice it up to add to a batch of Instant Pot Potato Soup on a chilly day, or toss it into a breakfast scramble.
- For a festive holiday buffet: If you’re hosting a holiday party, this ham looks gorgeous as the centerpiece of a buffet table. I like to serve it with a batch of instant pot mashed potatoes, a big tray of roasted broccoli and Roasted Brussels Sprouts plus a bowl of winter fruit salad – it’s low-effort, colorful, and completely crowd-pleasing.
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Recipe first published on 12/18/2020. Updated with new photos and new text on 12/17/2024. The recipe has remained the same.
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