Tiffany Haney
Ham is a popular dish for holidays and special occasions, but it can take up valuable oven space and be tricky to get right. One solution is to cook it in a crock pot—a slow cooker can yield tender, juicy meat with minimal prep work and little risk of drying out. You can also make a delicious glaze with ingredients like brown sugar, honey, mustard, and pineapple juice. Since most hams are pre-cooked, you just need to heat the ham through, which can take anywhere from two to twelve hours, depending on the size of the ham and your desired texture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of cooking | Fuss-free, simple, easy |
| Taste | Tender, juicy, flavorful |
| Oven space | Saves oven space |
| Moisture retention | Retains moisture, doesn't dry out |
| Time | Requires 3-6 hours of cooking time |
| Temperature | Cook on low heat, target internal temperature of 140°F |
| Glaze | Brush with a glaze, optional second glazing |
| Liquid | Requires some liquid to retain moisture |
| Meat thermometer | Recommended for checking doneness |
| Size | 8-10 pounds fits in a large 7-8 quart crock pot |
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What You'll Learn
Crockpot hams are usually precooked
Yes, you can cook a canned ham in a crock pot. In fact, it's a great way to free up your oven space. Crockpot hams are usually precooked, so you're really heating the ham rather than cooking it. Spiral hams are generally precooked, but it's always good to read the label to make sure.
The beauty of cooking a ham in a crock pot is that it stays moist and delicious, so you don't have to worry about it drying out. It's also a fuss-free recipe that yields tender meat. It's best to cook the ham on low heat for 3-6 hours, depending on the weight of the ham. An 8-10 pound precooked ham will take about 4-6 hours on low heat, whereas a smaller 4-6 pound ham may only need 2-3 hours. If you want a fall-apart tender ham, you can cook it for 10-12 hours on low.
To ensure your ham is heated thoroughly, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 140°F. You can also baste the ham a few times throughout the cooking process to prevent it from drying out.
There are many glaze options for your crockpot ham, including brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, raw sugar, mustard, vinegar, and pineapple juice. You can even use apple cider if you're not a fan of pineapple juice. Simply stud the ham with cloves, brush with your chosen glaze, and add some liquid to the bottom of the crockpot to keep the ham moist.
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Glaze ingredients
Glazing a canned ham is an easy way to add flavour and moisture to the meat. The glaze can be made a day ahead and refrigerated until needed. The ham is then studded with cloves and brushed with the glaze before being placed in the slow cooker.
A simple glaze can be made with brown sugar, maple syrup, and pineapple juice. This can be poured over the ham before cooking, and the juices can be used to make a sauce after cooking. The brown sugar can be substituted with honey or raw sugar, and the pineapple juice can be replaced with orange juice or apple cider.
For a more complex glaze, you can add Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, and honey to the brown sugar and pineapple juice. This creates a sticky glaze that will add flavour to the ham.
Another glaze recipe calls for soda, mustard, sugar, and vinegar. This creates a sticky glaze that will complement the ham. The soda helps to tenderize the meat, while the vinegar and mustard add a sharp flavour.
It is important to keep the ham moist during cooking to prevent it from drying out. This can be done by adding liquid to the slow cooker, such as ginger ale, or by brushing the ham with glaze during cooking.
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How to glaze
Glazing a ham in a crock pot is a simple process that will yield delicious results. Firstly, you can make the glaze a day ahead and refrigerate it until you're ready to cook the ham. This will save time and effort when preparing a meal.
To make the glaze, you can use a variety of ingredients, including brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, raw sugar, pineapple juice, soda, mustard, vinegar, and Dijon. You can also substitute pineapple juice with apple cider or orange juice. Simply rub the brown sugar all over the ham, then pour over the maple syrup, honey, or pineapple juice.
If you want a thicker glaze, you can whisk together one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water and add it to the saucepan when simmering the liquid from the crock pot. You can also make a simple glaze with just soda, mustard, sugar, and vinegar.
After glazing the ham, place it in the crock pot with some liquid to keep it moist and juicy. Cook the ham on low heat for 3-6 hours, depending on its size. Finally, a few minutes before the ham is ready, reheat the remaining glaze and brush it over the ham for a tasty shine.
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How long to cook a canned ham in a crockpot
Yes, you can cook canned ham in a crockpot. It is a great way to free up oven space and is a very simple process. The length of time you should cook your ham for depends on its weight. For an eight to ten-pound bone-in ham, you should cook it for about four to six hours on low heat. However, some sources suggest that this size of ham could take up to five or even twelve hours. If you have a smaller ham, that is four to six pounds, you may only need to cook it for two to three and a half hours on low heat. Spiral-cut hams tend to dry out faster, so you should cut the cooking time by about half.
It is important to remember that most hams are precooked, so you are really just heating the ham rather than cooking it. You should cook the ham slowly and evenly to avoid drying it out. To keep the ham moist, you can add ginger ale, pineapple juice, or another liquid to the crockpot. You can also glaze the ham with a mixture of brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, and soda.
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How to serve crockpot ham
Ham cooked in a crockpot is a fuss-free recipe that yields tender meat. It's a great way to free up oven space, especially during the holidays. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to serve crockpot ham:
Preparation:
First, ensure that your ham is precooked. Spiral hams are generally precooked, but always read the label to be sure. Stud the ham with cloves, then brush it with a glaze. You can make the glaze a day ahead of time and refrigerate it. A simple glaze can be made with brown sugar, maple syrup, and pineapple juice. However, if you prefer a more complex flavour profile, you can add ingredients like Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, honey, or apple cider.
Cooking:
Place the glazed ham in the crockpot, flat or cut-side down. Pour soda or juice around the sides of the ham, ensuring that there is enough liquid in the crockpot to keep the ham moist. Set the crockpot to low heat and cook for 3-6 hours, depending on the size of your ham. An 8-10 pound ham will take about 4-6 hours, while a smaller 4-6-pound ham may only need 2-3 hours. For a fall-apart tender ham, you can cook it for up to 10-12 hours. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the ham is thoroughly heated to an internal temperature of 140°F.
Serving:
Once the ham is cooked, remove it from the crockpot and place it on a platter. Tent it with foil to keep it warm. If desired, you can skim the fat and strain the juices from the crockpot to make a sauce. Bring the juices to a simmer on the stovetop, and thicken with a cornstarch slurry. Slice the ham and serve it warm, offering the sauce on the side or spooned over the meat.
Side Dishes:
Crockpot ham pairs well with various side dishes. Some options include twice-baked potatoes, cheesy potato casserole, green bean casserole, and homemade crescent rolls.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cook ham in a crock pot.
It takes around 3-6 hours to cook a canned ham in a crock pot, depending on the size of the ham.
The ham should be cooked on a low heat setting. The internal temperature of the ham should reach 140°F when it is done.
It is recommended to add some liquid to the crock pot to keep the ham moist and juicy. Pineapple juice, apple cider, or ginger ale are all good options.
Yes, you can make a glaze for your ham. A simple glaze can be made with brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, and pineapple juice. You can also add ingredients like Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, or soda.
