Slow Cooker Honey-Glazed Spiral Ham – Juicy, Tender & Delicious Holiday Dinner

Description

Slow Cooker Honey-Glazed Spiral Ham is a delicious, comforting recipe featuring tender, juicy slices of ham coated in a rich, sticky honey glaze. The combination of sweet honey, brown sugar, buttery goodness, and warm spices creates a beautifully caramelized finish that makes every bite irresistible.

This easy slow cooker recipe is perfect for Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Sunday dinners, or any special family gathering. The best part is that the slow cooker does most of the work, allowing you to prepare a flavorful holiday centerpiece without spending hours in the kitchen.

As the ham gently warms, the sweet glaze seeps between the spiral-cut slices, creating a wonderful balance of smoky, savory, and sweet flavors. A quick broil at the end gives the ham a gorgeous golden-brown finish.

Serve this delicious honey-glazed ham with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, green beans, dinner rolls, or creamy macaroni and cheese.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 3–5 hours | Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes–5 hours 15 minutes | Servings: 10–12

Ingredients For the Spiral Ham

• 1 fully cooked spiral-sliced ham, approximately 6–8 pounds

• ½ cup pineapple juice or apple juice

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For the Honey Glaze

• ½ cup honey

• ½ cup packed brown sugar

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

• 1 tablespoon orange juice

• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

• ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika

For Garnishing

• Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional)

• Orange slices (optional)

• Extra honey glaze for serving

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Slow Cooker

Lightly grease the inside of a large 7–8-quart slow cooker with butter or cooking spray.

Pour the pineapple juice or apple juice into the bottom of the slow cooker.

This liquid helps create a moist cooking environment and prevents the ham from drying out during reheating.

Step 2: Prepare the Spiral Ham

Remove the fully cooked spiral ham from its packaging.

Discard any plastic coverings, packaging materials, and included glaze packets if you prefer using the homemade glaze.

Place the ham into the slow cooker with the flat side facing downward.

If the ham is too large, use a larger slow cooker or select a smaller ham that allows the lid to close properly.

Step 3: Prepare the Honey Glaze

In a medium saucepan, combine honey, brown sugar, melted butter, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, orange juice, cinnamon, cloves, and smoked paprika.

Warm the mixture over medium-low heat for approximately 3–4 minutes, stirring continuously.

The brown sugar should dissolve, and the glaze should become smooth, glossy, and slightly thickened.

Remove the saucepan from the heat.

Step 4: Coat the Ham with Glaze

Using a pastry brush, spread approximately half of the warm honey glaze over the ham.

Gently separate some of the spiral slices and brush a little glaze between them.

This helps distribute the sweet, savory flavor throughout the ham instead of coating only the outside.

Reserve the remaining glaze in a clean container.

Step 5: Slow Cook the Ham

Cover the slow cooker with its lid.

Cook on LOW for approximately 3–5 hours, depending on the ham’s size and your slow cooker.

The goal is to gently reheat the fully cooked ham without drying it out.

For a USDA-inspected, fully cooked ham reheated from its original packaging, heat to an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C). Other fully cooked hams should generally be reheated to 165°F (74°C).

Use a meat thermometer to check the thickest portion without touching the bone.

Step 6: Baste with Honey Glaze

During cooking, occasionally spoon the warm juices from the bottom of the slow cooker over the ham.

You can also brush the ham with some of the reserved glaze.

Avoid repeatedly opening the lid because heat escapes each time.

The glaze will gradually coat the spiral slices, giving the ham a beautiful glossy appearance.

Step 7: Caramelize the Glaze

For a beautifully browned finish, carefully transfer the heated ham to an oven-safe roasting pan.

Brush the outside with the remaining honey glaze.

Place the ham under the oven broiler for approximately 2–4 minutes.

Watch closely because honey and brown sugar can burn quickly.

The glaze should become slightly bubbly and caramelized.

Step 8: Rest the Ham

Remove the ham from the oven and allow it to rest for approximately 5–10 minutes.

Resting makes the ham easier to handle and allows the juices to settle.

Step 9: Slice and Serve

Transfer the glazed spiral ham to a large serving platter.

Gently separate the spiral-cut slices and arrange them neatly.

Spoon a little of the warm glaze over the slices.

Garnish with fresh rosemary or orange slices if desired.

Serve warm with your favorite side dishes.

Tips and Notes

1. Choose a Fully Cooked Ham: This recipe is designed for a fully cooked spiral-sliced ham, not an uncooked fresh ham.

2. Avoid Overheating: Spiral ham can dry out if cooked too long. Use a thermometer and remove it once it reaches the appropriate reheating temperature.

3. Use Real Honey: Pure honey provides a rich sweetness and helps create a glossy glaze.

4. Add Extra Flavor: A splash of pineapple juice or orange juice adds a delicious fruity balance to the glaze.

5. Keep the Ham Moist: The juice in the bottom of the slow cooker helps maintain moisture during reheating.

6. Use LOW Heat: Gentle reheating is preferable to high heat for maintaining tender slices.

7. Adjust the Sweetness: Reduce the brown sugar slightly if you prefer a less sweet glaze.

8. Make It Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes for a sweet-and-spicy variation.

9. Store Leftovers Properly: Refrigerate leftover cooked ham promptly in an airtight container. Most leftover cooked ham keeps for 3–4 days.

10. Freeze Extra Portions: Freeze leftover ham in airtight freezer-safe containers for 1–2 months for best quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I Cook Spiral Ham in a Slow Cooker?

Yes! A slow cooker is an excellent way to gently reheat fully cooked spiral ham while keeping it moist and flavorful.

2. How Do I Prevent Spiral Ham from Drying Out?

Use LOW heat, add a little juice to the slow cooker, avoid excessive cooking time, and check the internal temperature with a thermometer.

3. Can I Make This Recipe Without Brown Sugar?

Yes. You can replace the brown sugar with maple syrup, although the glaze may be slightly thinner.

4. Can I Use Maple Syrup Instead of Honey?

Absolutely! Maple syrup creates a delicious glaze with a rich, slightly caramel-like flavor.

5. Do I Need to Add Water to the Slow Cooker?

No. Pineapple juice or apple juice provides enough additional moisture for this recipe.

6. Can I Prepare the Honey Glaze Ahead of Time?

Yes. Prepare the glaze up to two days ahead and refrigerate it in an airtight container. Warm gently before using.

7. What Should I Serve with Honey-Glazed Ham?

Mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, green beans, sweet potato casserole, macaroni and cheese, and soft dinner rolls are excellent choices.

8. Can I Reheat Leftover Ham?

Yes. Place leftover slices in a covered baking dish with a splash of broth or juice and warm in a 300°F oven until thoroughly heated.

Servings and Nutrition

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 3–5 hours

Resting Time: 5–10 minutes

Total Time: Approximately 3 hours 20 minutes–5 hours 25 minutes

Servings: 10–12

Serving Size: Approximately 5–6 ounces of ham with glaze

Estimated Nutritional Information Per Serving

Nutrition values are estimates and vary depending on the ham brand, serving size, and amount of glaze consumed.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Slow Cooker Honey-Glazed Spiral Ham is the perfect combination of simple preparation, beautiful presentation, and delicious homemade flavor.

The tender slices of smoky ham are coated with a rich honey-brown sugar glaze that adds sweetness, warmth, and a gorgeous caramelized finish.

Whether you’re preparing a holiday feast or a special Sunday dinner, this easy slow cooker ham is a wonderful centerpiece that brings everyone together around the table.

Sweet, sticky honey glaze, tender spiral-cut slices, and irresistible smoky flavor make this homemade ham a family favorite! 🍯❤️