Crock Pot Honey Glazed Ham
This Crockpot Honey Glazed Ham is juicy, tender, and smothered in the most delicious sticky-sweet glaze – perfect for any special meal! Let your slow cooker do the work while you impress everyone at the table with this crowd-pleasing favorite. ✨
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 446kcal
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 ¼ cup brown sugar, ¾ cup runny honey, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, ½ cup orange juice, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 5 whole cloves (optional) and 1 pinch of salt 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.
- Slow cook ham: Place 1 (~5 lb) 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.
- 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
Notes
Ingredient notes
- Ham: Use a boneless, fully cooked ham – spiral hams dry out too quickly in the slow cooker.
- Honey: Choose a mild, runny honey to avoid strong, bitter flavors when heated.
- Mustard: Dijon works best, but yellow, whole grain, or honey mustard are great substitutes.
- Orange juice: Adds bright flavor to the glaze. Swap with pineapple juice for a tropical twist or cranberry juice for a festive vibe.
- Cloves: Optional but add a subtle holiday warmth.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the glaze.
Recipe tips
- Check the fit: Make sure your ham fits in the slow cooker with the lid on before starting.
- Baste if you can: Basting every hour gives the ham a glossy, flavorful finish.
- Rest before slicing: Let the ham rest for 10 minutes to keep it juicy and easier to slice.
- Thicken the glaze: Simmer the remaining glaze on the stove with a cornstarch slurry for a sticky, glossy finish.
- Taste the glaze: Adjust sweetness (add honey) or tang (add mustard) before cooking.
Storage tips
- Make ahead: Prepare the glaze 2 days in advance. Store in fridge, warm before adding to ham to slow cook.
- Leftovers: Store sliced ham in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days with extra glaze for reheating.
- Freezing: Slice and freeze ham in portions with a little glaze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 446kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 166mg | Sodium: 2640mg | Potassium: 683mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 25IU | Vitamin C: 59mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 2mg