Glazed to perfection with candy-flavored juicy chunks of pineapple, this easy recipe is ideal for the holiday season. When you’re busy cooking in the kitchen, preparing food for the celebration can be streamlined with a slow cooker. Often, the oven is occupied with other entrees and side dishes, so using a balanced approach to save time is key.
This simple brown sugar ham is something everyone will love. It’s the perfect dish for large feasts, sandwiches, or even re-made for lunches. One of my favorite things is to see a table full of delicious food that my family loves.
Slow Cooker Spiral Ham with Pineapple Recipe-The Answer
I hope you decide to try this classic slow cooker ham at least once. It’s an iconic recipe with many variations, but this is my go-to for the best ever. With just five ingredients, including pineapples and cherries, it’s so easy to make in the Crock-Pot. This delicious meal is sure to become a favorite in your home, just as it is in mine.
🍍 Ingredients and Instructions:
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather 8-9 lbs spiral ham, 1 cup brown sugar, 15 oz pineapple chunks (with juice), ½ cup honey, and 2 tsp mustard powder.
- Preparation: Remove the spiral ham from its packaging and discard the glaze packet. Place the ham in the slow cooker, ensuring it covers the sides.
- Adding Sweetness: Sprinkle 1 cup of brown sugar between the sliced ham, then pour the pineapple chunks and their juice over the top.
- Slow Cooking: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low heat for 3 hours.
- Making the Glaze: While the ham cooks, mix ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup honey, and 2 tsp mustard powder in a small bowl.
- Glazing: After 3 hours, spread the honey brown sugar mixture over the ham and continue cooking for another 30 minutes.
- Finishing Touches: Once done, remove the ham from the slow cooker and place it on a serving plate.
- Optional Sauce: If desired, transfer the liquid from the slow cooker to a saucepan, simmer for 15 minutes until reduced by half, then brush or baste it over the ham.
- Serving: Serve and enjoy your flavorful slow cooker spiral ham with pineapple! Remember to store any leftovers in the refrigerator for later.
Ingredients to Make Slow Cooker Spiral Ham with Pineapple
Steps
- Choose the Ham:
- Use a spiral cut ham to allow the flavours to soak in.
- Add Pineapple:
- Include pineapple chunks and pineapple rings for juicy sweetness.
- Create the Glaze:
- You’ll need brown sugar, chili flakes, and ground ginger to make a delicious glaze.
- Use Canned Pineapple:
- For convenience, use canned pineapple with pineapple juice.
- Sprinkle the Ingredients:
- Sprinkle the reserved sugar, dried chili flakes, and ground ginger over the top of the ham in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Allow Flavours to Soften:
- This allows the flavours to soften and stay on the ham without melting into the liquid in the pot.
My Favorite Version
- My favourite version of slow cooker ham is the Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham.
- It’s a combination of flavours that is always proven to be the best.
- You can also include fresh pineapple for an extra touch, just make sure to add some pineapple juice as well.
- For a personalized touch, add a bit of maple syrup or dijon mustard to the mixture.
- This will give the glaze a unique blend of perfection in every bite.
- This pineapple recipe is sure to please all tastes and preferences, making it the perfect dish to buy when you see a spiral cut ham at an affordable price.
- If you are looking for the best slow cooker pork recipe, this is definitely it.
How to Cook a Precooked Ham in a Slow Cooker
🔹 Simple and Delicious: I adore this Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham recipe for its simplicity and flavor. Utilizing just five ingredients, this method focuses on enhancing the precooked ham with a delightful glaze and sauce, eliminating any need for complex preparation.
🔹 Effortless Cooking: By using the slow cooker, this recipe minimizes fuss and maximizes convenience. The crockpot does all the work, allowing you to free up oven space for your favorite side dishes or even a dessert.
🔹 Perfect for Gatherings: Ideal for holidays or family get-togethers, this crockpot ham has become my trusted choice for a stress-free, delicious meal. The combination of sweet and savory flavors promises to be a crowd-pleaser, offering a beautifully balanced and scrumptious dish with minimal effort.
🔹 Taste that Entices: If only you could savor the aroma and taste right through the screen! This crockpot ham is not just easy to make but also irresistibly tasty, ensuring your meal is both convenient and delightful.
This version aims to present the information in a clear and attractive format, using bullet points for easy reading and highlighting the main benefits and features of the recipe.
How to Store Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Ham
When storing Crockpot Ham, keep it in an airtight container or covered with aluminum foil, and place it in the fridge for up to 5 days. This method ensures the ham stays fresh and gives you plenty of options for leftovers. If you want to save time on a hectic night, you can freeze half of the finished slow cooker ham. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just thaw it in the refrigerator and then bake until it’s fully reheated.
For those who love versatility in their meals, this storing method works wonders. Whether it’s the delicious Slow Cooker Spiral Ham with Pineapple or an INSTANT POT BRATWURST, having pre-cooked options in your fridge or freezer makes meal planning easy. You can quickly transform leftovers into new dishes, saving time and effort in the kitchen.
Side Dishes to Serve with Your Slow Cooker Spiral Ham
When serving crockpot ham for a Christmas dinner or Easter dinner, pairing it with the right side dishes can make it a truly comforting meal. I love Oven Roasted Red Potatoes and Roasted Parmesan Green Beans as they complement the flavourful ham perfectly. Another favorite is Honey Glazed Carrots, which add a sweet touch. For a refreshing side, try a side salad like Cranberry Fluff Salad. And of course, you can’t go wrong with our Homemade Cranberry Jelly Recipe, which takes just 20 minutes and only 3 ingredients. This yummy recipe fits perfectly with the delicious recipe of the ham, ensuring there are plenty of leftovers for sandwiches and casseroles.
For busy nights, consider preparing Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pork Chops or slow cooker lazy cabbage rolls. These are excellent choices that save time and effort. If you’re looking for another easy crockpot recipe, try the slow cooker apricot chicken. For those who want another great ham recipe, the Pepper Jelly Cranberry Glazed Ham is a fantastic option. All these dishes are not only convenient but also bring out the best flavors in your meals, making them ideal for busy weeknights or any family gathering.
FAQs
What is the best way to cook a spiral ham so it doesn’t dry out?
When cooking a spiral ham in the oven, preventing it from drying out is crucial. One effective method is to cover the ham with aluminum foil during baking to help retain moisture. Additionally, placing a foil pan filled with water underneath the ham creates steam inside the oven, keeping the environment moist and preventing the ham from drying out. This technique ensures that the spiral cut ham stays tender and juicy, even after reheating.
How long does it take to cook a fully-cooked spiral ham?
When cooking a pre-cooked ham, the time needed primarily depends on its size and the cooking method you choose. To ensure thorough heating, plan for a total cook time of approximately 10-16 minutes per pound. This guideline provides a helpful framework, allowing you to adjust your cooking temperature and plan accordingly.
Should you soak a spiral ham before cooking?
According to ATK, it’s advisable to soak a bone-in spiral sliced ham before cooking, especially if it has natural juices. This helps to ensure that the ham retains its moisture and flavor during the cooking process. However, it’s essential to be cautious about removing the original packaging before soaking, as this could compromise the quality of the ham. By soaking the ham in a warm water bath, around 100°F, you can help enhance its savory taste and reduce its saltiness, particularly if it’s labeled as “water-added.”